'The Sloth' by Theodore Roethke


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In moving-slow he has no Peer.
You ask him something in his Ear,
He thinks about it for a Year;

And, then, before he says a Word
There, upside down (unlike a Bird),
He will assume that you have Heard--

A most Ex-as-per-at-ing Lug.
But should you call his manner Smug,
He'll sigh and give his Branch a Hug;

Then off again to Sleep he goes,
Still swaying gently by his Toes,
And you just know he knows he knows.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Sloth by Theodore Roethke

When one thinks of a sloth, one thinks of laziness and slowness. However, in Theodore Roethke's poem, The Sloth, the sloth becomes a symbol of something deeper and more profound.

Overview

The poem is written in three stanzas, each with six lines. The first and third stanzas describe the sloth and its movements, while the second stanza describes the speaker's reaction to the sloth.

Analysis

Stanza One

The first stanza describes the sloth's movements:

In moving-slow he has no Peer.

You ask him something in his Ear,

He thinks about it for a Year;

And, then, before he says a Word

There, upside down (unlike a Bird),

He will assume that you have Heard.

The sloth's movements are slow and deliberate, and the speaker implies that the sloth is superior to others because of this. The speaker also notes that the sloth takes a long time to process information before responding, and that he assumes that others have heard him even if they haven't.

Stanza Two

The second stanza describes the speaker's reaction to the sloth:

The shore-birds – heron, curlew, snipe –

Fly overhead; the forest-snipe

Lodge in the trees; on the ground the quail

Whistle their whims; from the marsh-land rail

Clamors unseen; but, most of all,

The grosbeak whistles from his perch on high.

The speaker observes the natural world around the sloth and notes that the other animals are very active and noisy. However, the sloth remains still and quiet. The speaker seems to be in awe of the sloth's stillness and how it fits into the larger ecosystem.

Stanza Three

The third stanza describes the sloth again:

He sways his head from side to side,

With movements like a slow, sad tide;

He has no Teeth, nor any Tongue,

And into nonsense he is flung:

"The Mango Tree!" he cries, "I sway

Myself, and make the Tail go way.

Nobody knows what I am saying."

The sloth's movements are compared to a "slow, sad tide," implying a sense of melancholy. The sloth is also described as being unable to communicate effectively, with his cries being nonsensical.

Themes

The poem touches on several themes:

Stillness

The sloth represents stillness and slowness, which is contrasted with the activity and noise of the other animals in the second stanza. The speaker seems to find beauty in the sloth's stillness.

Communication

The sloth's inability to communicate effectively is a theme in the poem. The speaker seems to be fascinated by the sloth's attempts to communicate, even if they are unsuccessful.

Melancholy

The sloth's movements are described as sad, and the third stanza implies a sense of melancholy.

Interpretation

The sloth can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation is that the sloth represents a sense of stillness and peace in a chaotic world. The other animals in the second stanza are noisy and active, while the sloth remains still and quiet. The speaker seems to find beauty in this stillness and the way it fits into the larger ecosystem.

Another interpretation is that the sloth represents a sense of melancholy or sadness. The sloth's movements are described as sad, and the third stanza implies a sense of melancholy. The sloth's inability to communicate effectively could also be seen as a metaphor for feeling isolated or unable to connect with others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Sloth by Theodore Roethke is a poem that uses the sloth as a symbol for stillness, communication, and melancholy. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, but the imagery and themes are complex and thought-provoking. It is a beautiful and moving poem that reminds us to appreciate the simple things in life and the beauty of stillness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Theodore Roethke's poem "The Sloth" is a classic piece of literature that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of sloths and their unique way of life. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the sloth as a "little living thing" that moves "slowly and sweetly" through the trees. The speaker is immediately struck by the sloth's slow and deliberate movements, which seem to be in stark contrast to the fast-paced world around them. The sloth's movements are described as "dreamy" and "languorous," which gives the reader a sense of the sloth's peaceful and relaxed nature.

As the poem continues, the speaker begins to explore the sloth's relationship with the world around them. The sloth is described as being "contented" and "happy" in their slow and steady pace, which suggests that they are perfectly at home in their environment. The speaker also notes that the sloth seems to be completely unaware of the world around them, as they move through the trees with a sense of calm detachment.

The sloth's relationship with the world around them is further explored in the second stanza of the poem. The speaker notes that the sloth is "not concerned with the world" and that they "live in the moment." This suggests that the sloth is completely focused on their own experience, and that they are not concerned with the outside world or the opinions of others. The sloth's detachment from the world around them is further emphasized by the fact that they "do not hurry" and that they "do not worry."

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it explores the sloth's relationship with death. The speaker notes that the sloth "will die in the same posture" that they have lived in, which suggests that the sloth is completely at peace with their own mortality. The sloth's acceptance of death is further emphasized by the fact that they "do not fear" it, and that they "do not resist" it. This suggests that the sloth is completely at peace with the natural cycle of life and death, and that they are not afraid of what lies ahead.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful, as it describes the sloth's relationship with the divine. The speaker notes that the sloth is "a tiny meditation" and that they are "a little yogi." This suggests that the sloth is in a state of constant meditation, and that they are completely at one with the divine. The sloth's relationship with the divine is further emphasized by the fact that they "do not move" and that they "do not speak." This suggests that the sloth is completely at peace with the divine, and that they are content to simply exist in a state of pure consciousness.

In conclusion, Theodore Roethke's poem "The Sloth" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that explores the nature of sloths and their unique way of life. The poem is a powerful reminder that there is beauty and wisdom to be found in even the slowest and most seemingly insignificant creatures. The sloth's peaceful and relaxed nature is a testament to the power of living in the moment and accepting the natural cycle of life and death. This poem is a must-read for anyone who is looking for a deeper understanding of the natural world and our place in it.

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