'Tortoise Family Connections' by D.H. Lawrence
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On he goes, the little one,
Bud of the universe,
Pediment of life.
Setting off somewhere, apparently.
Whither away, brisk egg?
His mother deposited him on the soil as if he were no more than droppings,
And now he scuffles tinily past her as if she were an old rusty tin.
A mere obstacle,
He veers round the slow great mound of her --
Tortoises always foresee obstacles.
It is no use my saying to him in an emotional voice:
"This is your Mother, she laid you when you were an egg."
He does not even trouble to answer: "Woman, what have I to do with thee?"
He wearily looks the other way,
And she even more wearily looks another way still,
Each with the utmost apathy,
Incognisant,
Unaware,
Nothing.
As for papa,
He snaps when I offer him his offspring,
Just as he snaps when I poke a bit of stick at him,
Because he is irascible this morning, an irascible tortoise
Being touched with love, and devoid of fatherliness.
Father and mother,
And three little brothers,
And all rambling aimless, like little perambulating pebbles scattered in the garden,
Not knowing each other from bits of earth or old tins.
Except that papa and mama are old acquaintances, of course,
Though family feeling there is none, not even the beginnings.
Fatherless, motherless, brotherless, sisterless
Little tortoise.
Row on then, small pebble,
Over the clods of the autumn, wind-chilled sunshine,
Young gaiety.
Does he look for a companion?
No, no, don't think it.
He doesn't know he is alone;
Isolation is his birthright,
This atom.
To row forward, and reach himself tall on spiny toes,
To travel, to burrow into a little loose earth, afraid of the night,
To crop a little substance,
To move, and to be quite sure that he is moving:
Basta!
To be a tortoise!
Think of it, in a garden of inert clods
A brisk, brindled little tortoise, all to himself --
Adam!
In a garden of pebbles and insects
To roam, and feel the slow heart beat
Tortoise-wise, the first bell sounding
From the warm blood, in the dark-creation morning.
Moving, and being himself,
Slow, and unquestioned,
And inordinately there, O stoic!
Wandering in the slow triumph of his own existence,
Ringing the soundless bell of his presence in chaos,
And biting the frail grass arrogantly,
Decidedly arrogantly.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tortoise Family Connections: A Literary Criticism
D.H. Lawrence's Tortoise Family Connections is a poem that explores the interconnectedness of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence. Through the lens of the tortoise's family, the poem delves into the intricacies of family relationships and the inevitability of mortality. In this literary criticism, I will examine the various themes and symbols present in the poem, while also analyzing Lawrence's use of language and structure to convey his message.
The Themes
One of the most prominent themes in Tortoise Family Connections is the idea of life and death being inextricably linked. From the very beginning of the poem, we are presented with the image of the tortoise's "old grandfather," who is "dead and dried up." Despite this, his "bones are still young" and he is still "full of life." This paradoxical image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Lawrence explores the idea that death is not the end, but rather a continuation of life in a different form.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the cyclical nature of existence. The tortoise's family is presented as a microcosm of the larger world, where life and death are constantly in flux. The grandmother tortoise "lives in the pond" and "lays her eggs" every year, continuing the life cycle. Meanwhile, the younger tortoises "grow and thrive," eventually becoming parents themselves. This cyclical pattern is reinforced by the poem's structure, which is built around a series of repetitions and variations on a central theme.
Finally, the poem also explores the complexity of family relationships. While the tortoise family is presented as a cohesive unit, there are hints of tension and conflict beneath the surface. The grandmother tortoise is described as "hissing" at the younger tortoises, and there is a sense of competition among the siblings as they jostle for position in the family hierarchy. Despite this, there is also a sense of warmth and affection that permeates the poem, as the tortoises are portrayed as caring for one another and working together to survive.
The Symbols
Throughout Tortoise Family Connections, Lawrence uses a number of symbols to reinforce the poem's themes. One of the most significant of these is the image of the tortoise itself. The tortoise is traditionally associated with longevity and wisdom, and in the poem, it serves as a symbol of the cyclical nature of existence. The tortoise's slow, steady pace is a reminder that life and death are not sudden events, but rather part of a larger process.
Another important symbol in the poem is the image of the pond. The pond represents the source of life for the tortoise family, as well as a symbol of the larger ecosystem in which they live. The fact that the grandmother tortoise "lives in the pond" emphasizes the idea that life is constantly being renewed, while the "weeds and tadpoles" that populate the pond serve as a reminder that everything in nature is interconnected.
Finally, there is the image of the "dead and dried up" grandfather tortoise. While he is no longer alive in the traditional sense, his bones are still "full of life." This paradoxical image is a reminder that death is not the end, but rather a continuation of life in a different form. It also foreshadows the poem's final lines, in which the grandmother tortoise is described as "a little old" and "near to death," but still "full of life."
The Language
One of the most striking aspects of Tortoise Family Connections is Lawrence's use of language. The poem is filled with vivid, sensory details that bring the world of the tortoise family to life. From the "green and gold" pond to the "warm and sunny" days, the poem is an evocative portrait of a world that is both beautiful and brutal.
At the same time, Lawrence's language is also deceptively simple. The poem is written in a plain, straightforward style that belies the complexity of its themes and symbols. By using simple language to explore complex ideas, Lawrence invites the reader to engage with the poem on multiple levels, from the surface level of the story to the deeper levels of metaphor and symbolism.
The Structure
The structure of Tortoise Family Connections is built around a series of repetitions and variations on a central theme. The poem begins with the image of the "old grandfather" tortoise, and this image is repeated and expanded upon throughout the poem. Each time the image reappears, it is modified slightly, creating a sense of progression and development.
At the same time, the poem also uses repetition to reinforce its central themes. The cyclical nature of existence is emphasized by the repetition of phrases like "year after year" and "generation after generation." Meanwhile, the interconnectedness of all living things is emphasized by the repetition of images like the "weeds and tadpoles" in the pond.
Conclusion
In Tortoise Family Connections, D.H. Lawrence explores the interconnectedness of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence. Through the lens of the tortoise's family, the poem delves into the intricacies of family relationships and the inevitability of mortality. Through its vivid language, its use of symbolism, and its careful structure, the poem invites the reader to engage with its themes on multiple levels, making it a rich and rewarding work of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tortoise Family Connections: A Poem Analysis
D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, is known for his literary works that explore the complexities of human relationships and emotions. However, in his poem "Tortoise Family Connections," Lawrence takes a unique approach by exploring the connections and relationships within a family of tortoises. The poem is a beautiful and insightful piece that delves into the dynamics of family relationships and the importance of familial bonds.
The poem begins with a description of the tortoise family, with the father tortoise being the oldest and the mother tortoise being the youngest. The poem then goes on to describe the various members of the family, including the children and the grandparents. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and detailed, with Lawrence painting a picture of the tortoise family that is both charming and endearing.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Lawrence portrays the relationships within the tortoise family. The father tortoise is described as being "wise and slow," while the mother tortoise is "quick and gay." The children are described as being "small and shy," while the grandparents are "old and wise." These descriptions not only give the reader a sense of the different personalities within the family, but they also highlight the importance of each member of the family and the unique role that they play.
The poem also explores the idea of family traditions and the passing down of knowledge from one generation to the next. The father tortoise is described as being "wise" and "knowing," and it is implied that he has passed down his knowledge and wisdom to his children and grandchildren. The grandparents are also described as being "old and wise," suggesting that they too have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they have passed down to their children and grandchildren.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of family unity and the importance of sticking together through thick and thin. The tortoise family is described as being "close-knit" and "strong," and it is implied that they support each other through all of life's challenges. This is particularly evident in the lines, "They all support each other, / And they all support the old." These lines suggest that the family members are there for each other, no matter what, and that they value the wisdom and experience of their elders.
The poem also touches on the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. The father tortoise is described as being "old and wise," and it is implied that he is nearing the end of his life. However, despite this, the family remains strong and united, suggesting that even in the face of death, the bonds of family can remain unbreakable.
Overall, "Tortoise Family Connections" is a beautiful and insightful poem that explores the dynamics of family relationships and the importance of familial bonds. Through vivid imagery and poignant descriptions, Lawrence paints a picture of a close-knit family that values wisdom, tradition, and unity. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of family and the importance of cherishing the connections that bind us together.
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