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A.M.D.G The Almond Tree 24.9.06
Claire Riley S5 Mrs Dunn English 6 set: X2 Critical Essay
The “Almond Tree” written by Jon Stallworthy depicts a scene in which a successful Cambridge lecturer finds out and comes to terms with the fact that his newly born baby has Downs Syndrome. The important issue is that of becoming a parent for the first time and the devastating impact of what an “imperfect” baby can have on people’s lives. Stallworthy uses word choice and imagery to describe his feelings of sheer excitement and distress throughout the poem.
Jon Stallworthy uses effective imagery to describe himself rushing to the hospital where his wife is giving birth to his son and confronts the reader with the thrill and anticipation of entering the world of parenthood. Stallworthy portrays a scene in which he is in his car at the traffic lights and describes them as:
“… green as peppermints” which gives connotations of new and fresh things creating a pleasant image of the brand new and completely innocent person whom he is about to meet. Also “peppermint” could imply that he has an image of his baby being in “mint” condition which he quickly learns is not the case. Green lights also gives connotations of the ability to move forward without delay suggesting that he thinks he is in control of the his journey making him able to go quickly and smoothly from one road to the next. At this point Stallworthy describes himself as a:
“…lucky prince…” which gives connotations of enchantment and fairytales showing that he feels his journey towards his child has almost been a magical one in which everything has gone amazing well for him. Also “prince” again suggests that he has some amount of control in what is happening to him by giving himself a royal title.
Stallworthy uses further imagery in the poem to describe the almond tree, under which he parks his car, by using the personification:
“…waving me up with child’s hands” suggesting that he thinks this tree knows that his son is about to be born and is calling him up to the hospital. Stallworthy suggests the pink and tiny blossoming petals of the almond tree as an image of “child’s hands” which represents his new small sallow skinned baby who is greeting him warmly with little flowery fingers. These images suggest that the poet views this as the most important and proud moment of his life by showing that everything, even nature plays a part and takes notice of the significance of his child being born. When Stallworthy finally meets his baby for the first time his refers to it as:
“…my bright farthing!” suggesting that the baby is small like a brand new shiny coin which is dazzling with life. He always refers back to the image of the farthing by saying that it is:
“Coined by our love…” which suggests he feels that his and his wives love has been stamped into the baby like the faces would have been on a farthing. By portraying the baby as a coin he suggests that it is made up of two halves or two faces which are of its mother and father. This implies that the baby will look like the parents when in actual fact it will be more recognisable as a Down syndrome child than of certain features it may have gained from the parents.
Jon Stallworthy uses successful word choice to describe his reaction and gradual coming to terms with finding out that his baby is a “mongol” and in turn confronts the