Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Hippopotamus" by Theophile Gautier offers a compelling portrayal of the eponymous creature as a symbol of resilience and self-assurance. The hippopotamus inhabits the wild terrains of Java, a land teeming with predatory creatures. Amidst the cacophony of roars, hisses, and bellows, the hippopotamus emerges as a peaceful figure who remains undeterred by his surroundings.

The opening lines set the scene in "the jungles of Java," introducing the reader to a vividly dangerous ecosystem "where monsters growl from every lair." Despite the hostile environment, the hippopotamus displays no fear or aggression. He remains serene, absorbed in his feeding and sleeping. This striking image contrasts sharply with the cacophonous jungle residents, such as the boa, tiger, and buffalo, who emit menacing sounds but don't perturb the hippopotamus.

The poem moves on to underline the hippopotamus's invulnerability. He "fears neither sword nor spear," and "laughs and laughs at the sepoys' bullets / bouncing off his hide." Here, Gautier makes a historical allusion to sepoys, Indian soldiers employed by British colonizers, invoking a colonial context. The bullets, symbols of human aggression and interference, are rendered ineffective against the natural armor of the creature. The use of the word "laughs" implies not just resilience but a sense of triumph, almost mocking human attempts to penetrate his protective shell.

In the final stanza, the speaker likens himself to the hippopotamus, "swathed in my conviction, protected by strong and inviolable armor." This personal revelation takes the poem beyond a mere description of an animal to a meditation on individual strength and conviction. The speaker's "inviolable armor" is not physical but made of beliefs and ideals, offering a different kind of invincibility. Like the hippopotamus, the speaker crosses the desert "fearlessly," enduring adversities with the power of self-assurance.

Gautier's poem can be read as a paean to independence and inner strength. Through the metaphor of the hippopotamus, it highlights the importance of self-reliance and the ability to remain unaffected by external dangers or opinions. It serves as an example of the Romantic fascination with the natural world, not just as a subject of aesthetic appreciation, but also as a source of moral and philosophical lessons.

In its entirety, "The Hippopotamus" creates a dialogue between human and animal resilience, merging two disparate worlds through the common themes of survival, fearlessness, and self-belief. Whether in the jungles of Java or the emotional and ideological landscapes that humans navigate, the poem finds resonance, capturing the universal quest for a self-sufficient existence.

POEM TEXT:

The broad-bellied hippopotamus

Lives in the jungles of Java,

Where monsters growl from every lair,

More than you'd ever dream of.

The boa uncoils and hisses,

the tiger unleashes his roar.

The buffalo bellows with rage --

but the peaceful hippo just feeds and sleeps.

The hippo fears neither sword nor spear,

He just stands and looks right at you.

He laughs and laughs at the sepoys' bullets

bouncing off his hide.

I am like the hippopotamus:

Swathed in my conviction,

protected by strong and inviolable armor,

fearlessly I cross the desert.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...