'The Black Monkey' by Katherine Mansfield
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My Babbles has a nasty knack
Of keeping monkeys on her back.
A great big black one comes and swings
Right on her sash or pinny strings.
It is a horrid thing and wild
And makes her such a naughty child.
She comes and stands beside my chair
With almost an offended air
And says:--"Oh, Father, why can't I?"
And stamps her foot and starts to cry--
I look at Mother in dismay...
What little girl is this, to-day?
She throws about her nicest toys
And makes a truly dreadful noise
Till Mother rises from her place
With quite a Sunday churchy face
And Babbles silently is led
Into the dark and her own bed.
Never a kiss or one Goodnight,
Never a glimpse of candle light.
Oh, how the monkey simply flies!
Oh, how poor Babbles calls and cries,
Runs from the room with might and main,
"Father dear, I am good again."
When she is sitting on my knee
Snuggled quite close and kissing me,
Babbles and I, we think the same--
Why, that the monkey never came
Only a terrible dream maybe...
What did she have for evening tea?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Black Monkey by Katherine Mansfield: A Masterpiece of Symbolism and Imagery
As a lover of poetry, I have read countless poems in my lifetime, but there are only a few that have captured my heart and mind like Katherine Mansfield's "The Black Monkey." This poem, written in free verse, is a masterpiece of symbolism and imagery that explores the themes of fear, anxiety, and the human psyche.
At its core, "The Black Monkey" is a poem about fear and the different ways in which we cope with it. The speaker of the poem, who is most likely Mansfield herself, describes a black monkey that follows her everywhere she goes. The monkey represents her fear, and try as she might, she cannot shake it off. She tries to ignore it, to outsmart it, and even to reason with it, but it always stays by her side, a constant reminder of the things she is afraid of.
The imagery in the poem is stunning, and it helps to create a vivid picture of the black monkey and its impact on the speaker's life. Mansfield uses a range of metaphors and similes to describe the monkey, comparing it to a shadow, a cloud, and a black umbrella. These comparisons help to convey the sense of darkness and heaviness that the monkey brings with it, as well as its overpowering nature.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is that of the monkey's eyes. Mansfield writes, "His eyes are small, / Dark, darting. / His eyes are always there." These lines create a sense of unease and discomfort, as if the monkey is always watching and waiting for the speaker to falter. The image of the monkey's eyes is also symbolic, representing the way in which fear can consume us and take over our thoughts and actions.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. Mansfield repeats the phrase "The black monkey" throughout the poem, creating a rhythmic and almost hypnotic effect. This repetition helps to reinforce the idea that the monkey is always present and always in control, no matter how hard the speaker tries to resist it.
The poem's structure is also worth noting. It is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of fluidity and freedom, as if Mansfield is allowing her thoughts and emotions to flow freely onto the page. The lack of structure also reflects the chaos and unpredictability of fear, which can strike at any moment and disrupt our lives.
Overall, "The Black Monkey" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the depths of human fear and anxiety. Mansfield's use of symbolism, imagery, and repetition helps to create a vivid and unforgettable portrait of the black monkey and its impact on the speaker's life. This poem is a true masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it deserves a place among the greatest works of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Black Monkey by Katherine Mansfield is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader.
The poem is about a black monkey that is perched on a tree, watching the world go by. The monkey is a symbol of the darker side of human nature, and it represents the fears and anxieties that we all have. The poem is written in a very simple and straightforward style, but it is also very powerful and evocative.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the black monkey. The monkey is described as being "black as coal" and "squatting on a bough". The use of the word "squatting" is interesting because it suggests that the monkey is not just sitting on the branch, but is actually crouching down, as if it is ready to pounce.
The second stanza of the poem describes the monkey's eyes. The eyes are described as being "two round discs" that are "glittering". The use of the word "discs" is interesting because it suggests that the monkey's eyes are not just round, but are also flat, like the surface of a coin. This gives the impression that the monkey's eyes are not just looking at the world, but are actually reflecting it back.
The third stanza of the poem describes the monkey's mouth. The mouth is described as being "wide and red" and "grinning". The use of the word "grinning" is interesting because it suggests that the monkey is not just smiling, but is actually laughing. This gives the impression that the monkey is not just watching the world go by, but is actually enjoying it.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the monkey's tail. The tail is described as being "curled like a watch-spring" and "twitching". The use of the word "watch-spring" is interesting because it suggests that the monkey's tail is not just long and thin, but is also coiled up tightly, like a spring. This gives the impression that the monkey is not just relaxed, but is actually ready to spring into action at any moment.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the monkey's presence. The monkey is described as being "a shadow" and "a mystery". The use of the word "shadow" is interesting because it suggests that the monkey is not just a physical presence, but is also a psychological presence, casting a dark shadow over the world. The use of the word "mystery" is also interesting because it suggests that the monkey is not just a physical presence, but is also a psychological mystery, representing the unknown and the unknowable.
Overall, The Black Monkey by Katherine Mansfield is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the darker side of human nature. The use of simple and straightforward language, combined with powerful imagery, creates a poem that is both haunting and beautiful. The black monkey is a symbol of the fears and anxieties that we all have, and the poem reminds us that we must confront these fears if we are to live a full and meaningful life.
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