Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | ||||||||
"Jaguar" is a poem by English poet Edward James Hughes, commonly known as Ted Hughes. It was first published in 1957 as part of his poetry collection "Hawk in the Rain." The poem is a powerful and vivid portrayal of a jaguar in captivity, and the themes of freedom and instinct run throughout. Explanation: The poem describes a jaguar in captivity pacing back and forth in its enclosure, as visitors watch from outside. The jaguar is portrayed as a powerful and majestic creature that exudes a sense of raw energy and danger. The speaker notes how the jaguar seems to be lost in thought and appears to be remembering its past life in the jungle. Poetic Elements:
Poem Snippet: "The apes yawn and adore their fleas in the sun. The parrots shriek as if they were on fire, or strut Like cheap tarts to attract the stroller with the nut. Fatigued with indolence, tiger and lion" Conclusion: In "Jaguar," Ted Hughes creates a vivid and powerful image of a jaguar in captivity, using sensory language and personification to convey the animal's raw energy and primal nature. The poem explores themes of freedom and instinct, and invites the reader to consider the implications of keeping wild animals in captivity. Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SNOW LEOPARDS AT THE DENVER ZOO by WILLIAM MATTHEWS THE SARAJEVO ZOO by GLYN MAXWELL PETE AT THE ZOO by GWENDOLYN BROOKS THE ST. LOUIS ZOO by CAROL FROST THE HOOLIGAN ZOO by PETER JOHNSON AT THE ZOO IN SPAIN by CLARENCE MAJOR CLOSING TIME AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO by KAREN SWENSON BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by ELEANOR WILNER THOUGHTS IN A ZOO by COUNTEE CULLEN TREAD THE DARK: 51 by DAVID IGNATOW |
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