Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

DOUBLE BALLADE OF PRIMITIVE MAN, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


Andrew Lang's "Double Ballade of Primitive Man" is a humorous, yet thoughtful exploration of the concept of early human life. This is achieved through an exploration of their perceived habits, societal structure, and religious beliefs, coupled with an examination of their evolutionary journey.

Theme Analysis:

The primary themes of this poem include the evolution of human society, the questioning of religious and societal norms, and the examination of primitive behavior.

Lang employs humor and satire to engage with the theory of evolution, drawing attention to the primitive man's survival instincts and societal norms. The use of an extended morality list, unconventional burial methods, and communal living all serve to highlight the vast difference between modern man and his ancestors.

Simultaneously, the poem provides a critique of the restrictions and moral codes that modern societies live by. The comparison between the primitive man's freedom and the contemporary man's constraints is starkly presented.

Provenance and Context:

Written in the late 19th century, the poem takes into account the significant advances in the fields of geology, paleontology, and anthropology that occurred during this period. It reflects the era's scientific debates, particularly around Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which had wide-reaching implications for the way man understood his origins and place in the natural world. This context is crucial as it explains the poem's focus on primitive man and the process of evolution.

Poetic Devices:

Lang employs the ballade form, which originated in French poetry. It consists of several eight-line stanzas, each followed by a shorter four-line stanza known as an envoi. This structure imparts a rhythmic and repetitive quality to the poem, mirroring the cyclical nature of life and evolution.

The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a light-hearted, almost singsong quality that contrasts with the complexity of its themes. Lang's language is filled with humor, irony, and a touch of sarcasm, which serve to draw in the reader while also presenting a critique of both primitive and modern society.

The poem contains several examples of vivid imagery, helping to create a picture of primitive life in the reader's mind. For instance, phrases like "he lived in a cave by the seas," and "he worshiped the rain and the breeze" transport the reader to a different time and place, emphasizing the distance between our modern world and the world of primitive man.

In conclusion, "Double Ballade of Primitive Man" is a skillful blend of humor, satire, and insightful commentary on the evolution of mankind. Lang's use of poetic form and language cleverly draws attention to the transformations society has undergone, while simultaneously questioning the nature of progress and the cost of civilization.


Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net