'Tortoise Gallantry' by D.H. Lawrence


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1918Making his advances
He does not look at her, nor sniff at her,
No, not even sniff at her, his nose is blank.
Only he senses the vulnerable folds of skin
That work beneath her while she sprawls along
In her ungainly pace,
Her folds of skin that work and row
Beneath the earth-soiled hovel in which she moves.And so he strains beneath her housey wall,
And catches her trouser-legs in his beak
Suddenly, or her skinny limb,
And strange and grimly drags at her
Like a dog,
Only agelessly silent, with a reptile's awful persistency.Grim, gruesome gallantry, to which he is doomed.
Dragged out of an eternity of silent isolation
And doomed to partiality, partial being,
Ache, and want of being,
Want,
Self-exposure, hard humiliation, need to add himself on to her.Born to walk alone,
Fore-runner,
Now suddenly distracted into this mazy side-track,
This awkward, harrowing pursuit,
This grim necessity from within.Does she know
As she moves eternally slowly away?
Or is he driven against her with a bang, like a bird flying in the dark against a window,
All knowledgeless?The awful concussion,
And the still more awful need to persist, to follow, follow, continue,Driven, after aeons of pristine, fore-god-like singleness and oneness,
At the end of some mysterious, red-hot iron,
Driven away from himself into her tracks,
Forced to crash against her.Stiff, gallant, irascible, crook-legged reptile,
Little gentleman,
Sorry plight,
We ought to look the other way.Save that, having come with you so far,
We will go on to the end.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tortoise Gallantry: A Masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence

Introduction

Poetry is the language of emotions. It speaks to the heart and soul of the readers. Poetry can be used to convey a gamut of emotions such as love, hope, despair, joy, and sorrow. D.H. Lawrence was a poet who had the ability to move his readers with his words. His poem "Tortoise Gallantry" is a masterpiece that speaks of the human condition in a unique manner.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of "Tortoise Gallantry" and explore the various themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Lawrence to convey his message. We will also analyze the structure and form of the poem and its significance in the overall meaning.

Themes

"Tortoise Gallantry" is a poem that explores the themes of perseverance, fortitude, and courage. The poem depicts the story of a tortoise that is determined to cross a road despite the obstacles in its path. The tortoise is a symbol of resilience and the poem celebrates the spirit of the tortoise as it overcomes the challenges in its way.

The theme of perseverance is evident throughout the poem. The tortoise is portrayed as a creature that is determined to succeed despite the odds. It does not give up, even when it is faced with the danger of being run over by a car. The poem celebrates the tenacity and resilience of the tortoise and highlights the importance of perseverance in achieving success.

Symbols

The tortoise is the primary symbol used in the poem. It is a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and courage. The tortoise is a creature that is slow but steady, and this is reflected in the poem. The tortoise is determined to cross the road, and it does so without giving up even when faced with danger.

The car is another symbol used in the poem. It represents the obstacles that we face in life. The car is a symbol of the challenges that we must overcome to achieve our goals. The car poses a danger to the tortoise, but the tortoise is undeterred and continues on its path.

The road is also a symbol used in the poem. It represents the journey that we must undertake in life. The road is a symbol of the challenges that we must overcome to achieve our goals. The road is a long and difficult journey, but the tortoise is willing to make the journey despite the obstacles in its path.

Literary Devices

D.H. Lawrence uses a variety of literary devices in "Tortoise Gallantry" to convey his message. One of the most significant devices used is imagery. Lawrence uses vivid and descriptive imagery to create a picture in the mind of the reader. For example, he describes the tortoise as "a little ship of ivory" and the car as "the glaring beetle".

The poem also uses repetition to emphasize the theme of perseverance. The phrase "It takes the slow step of eternity" is repeated throughout the poem, highlighting the importance of patience and perseverance.

The use of personification is another literary device used in the poem. The tortoise is personified as a creature with a will of its own. It is determined to cross the road, and it does so despite the obstacles in its path.

Structure and Form

The structure and form of "Tortoise Gallantry" are significant in conveying the message of the poem. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Lawrence to use a variety of literary devices to convey his message. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme and meter also adds to the natural flow of the poem.

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the journey of the tortoise. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the tortoise. The second stanza describes the tortoise's journey and the obstacles in its path. The third stanza emphasizes the theme of perseverance, and the fourth stanza celebrates the triumph of the tortoise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Tortoise Gallantry" is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates the human spirit. The poem explores the themes of perseverance, fortitude, and courage and uses symbols and literary devices to convey its message. The tortoise is a symbol of resilience and determination, and the poem celebrates the importance of perseverance in achieving success. The structure and form of the poem also add to its overall significance. "Tortoise Gallantry" is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the heart and soul of its readers.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tortoise Gallantry: A Masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. His poem, "Tortoise Gallantry," is a masterpiece that explores the themes of love, courage, and perseverance. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand why it is considered a classic.

The poem begins with a description of a tortoise that is slowly making its way across the road. The speaker observes the tortoise and marvels at its determination to reach its destination despite the obstacles in its path. The tortoise's journey becomes a metaphor for the human experience, where we are constantly faced with challenges and obstacles that we must overcome to achieve our goals.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker describing the tortoise's slow and steady progress. The use of alliteration in the line "slowly, but with no doubt or hesitation" emphasizes the tortoise's deliberate and determined nature. The repetition of the word "slowly" also creates a sense of patience and perseverance, which are essential qualities for achieving success in life.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the tortoise's journey as a "test of courage." The use of the word "test" implies that the journey is not easy, and that the tortoise must overcome obstacles to reach its destination. The line "And even when it plunged into a hole" highlights the tortoise's resilience and determination, as it continues to move forward despite setbacks.

The third stanza introduces the theme of love, as the speaker describes how the tortoise's mate is waiting for it on the other side of the road. The use of the word "mate" implies a deep emotional connection between the two tortoises, and the fact that the mate is waiting on the other side of the road suggests that the tortoise's journey is not just about reaching a physical destination, but also about reuniting with a loved one.

The fourth stanza is the climax of the poem, as the speaker describes how the tortoise finally reaches its destination. The use of the word "triumphant" emphasizes the sense of accomplishment and victory that the tortoise feels after overcoming all the obstacles in its path. The line "And the sun broke over the edge of the sky" creates a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that the tortoise's journey has not only been successful, but also transformative.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker reflects on the tortoise's journey and its significance for human experience. The use of the word "we" implies that the speaker is speaking not just for themselves, but for all of humanity. The line "And we, who have been changed by this miracle" suggests that the tortoise's journey has had a profound impact on the speaker and on all those who witness it.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The use of rhyme and repetition creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which mirrors the slow and steady progress of the tortoise. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, which reinforces the idea of the tortoise's journey as a continuous process.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, alliteration, and personification. The use of metaphor, where the tortoise's journey becomes a metaphor for the human experience, creates a sense of universality and relatability. The use of alliteration, where the same sound is repeated at the beginning of several words, creates a sense of emphasis and rhythm. The use of personification, where the tortoise is given human qualities such as courage and determination, creates a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the subject of the poem.

In conclusion, "Tortoise Gallantry" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love, courage, and perseverance. Through the use of metaphor, alliteration, and personification, D.H. Lawrence creates a powerful and relatable portrait of the human experience. The poem's simple structure and rhythmic flow make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, while its profound message resonates with anyone who has ever faced challenges and obstacles in their own life. "Tortoise Gallantry" is a classic that will continue to inspire and uplift readers for generations to come.

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