'Thrushes' by Ted Hughes


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Terrifying are the attent sleek thrushes on the lawn,
More coiled steel than living - a poised
Dark deadly eye, those delicate legs
Triggered to stirrings beyond sense - with a start, a bounce,a stab
Overtake the instant and drag out some writhing thing.No indolent procrastinations and no yawning states,
No sighs or head-scratchings. Nothing but bounce and stabAnd a ravening second.Is it their single-mind-sized skulls, or a trainedBody, or genius, or a nestful of brats
Gives their days this bullet and automatic
Purpose? Mozart's brain had it, and the shark's mouth
That hungers down the blood-smell even to a leak of its ownSide and devouring of itself: efficiency which
Strikes too streamlined for any doubt to pluck at it
Or obstruction deflect.With a man it is otherwise. Heroisms on horseback,Outstripping his desk-diary at a broad desk,Carving at a tiny ivory ornament
For years: his act worships itself - while for him,
Though he bends to be blent in the prayer, how loud andabove what
Furious spaces of fire do the distracting devilsOrgy and hosannah, under what wildernessOf black silent waters weep.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Thrushes by Ted Hughes: A Poem of Nature's Power and Resilience

Ted Hughes' "Thrushes" is a poem that captures the majesty and power of nature, as well as the resilience and determination of the creatures that inhabit it. Through vivid imagery and masterful use of language, Hughes immerses the reader in a world of stark beauty, where the song of a thrush can evoke feelings of both wonder and awe.

At its core, "Thrushes" is a poem about the natural world and the impact it has on our lives. It explores the complex relationship between humanity and the environment, and questions our place within it. Hughes suggests that nature is not simply a backdrop to human activity, but a force to be reckoned with in its own right.

The poem opens with a stark image of the thrush, "speckled with brown," perched on a branch. Hughes' use of color is deliberate here, as the brown of the bird's feathers suggests a connection to the earth and the natural world. The thrush is not just a bird, but a symbol of the power and resilience of nature itself.

The poem's opening lines are also notable for their use of repetition, as Hughes describes the thrush's song as "terrifying," "ecstatic," and "insane." This repetition serves to emphasize the intensity and power of the bird's song, and creates a sense of urgency and excitement in the reader.

As the poem progresses, Hughes continues to explore the relationship between humanity and the natural world. He suggests that our attempts to control and dominate nature are ultimately futile, as nature will always find a way to reassert itself. This is seen in the lines, "It is the noise of destruction / Out of the root of the mind / That clucks up the lives of the slugs, / The short-lived, / Rich horn-lipped lives of the snails."

Here, Hughes suggests that human activity is ultimately destructive, and that our attempts to control nature only serve to disrupt its delicate balance. The image of the snails, with their "rich horn-lipped lives," is particularly poignant, as it highlights the beauty and complexity of even the smallest creatures in the natural world.

Despite the poem's darker themes, there is a sense of hope and resilience that runs throughout. The thrush, with its "sudden, unintelligible" song, serves as a symbol of the unyielding power of nature. Hughes suggests that even in the face of destruction and chaos, the natural world will always find a way to endure.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of "Thrushes" is its use of language. Hughes' writing is at once stark and beautiful, with imagery that is both vivid and evocative. The use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of urgency and intensity, while the poem's structure, with its irregular stanzas and broken lines, serves to mirror the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the natural world.

In conclusion, "Thrushes" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world. Through vivid imagery and masterful use of language, Hughes creates a world that is both beautiful and terrifying, where the song of a thrush can evoke feelings of both wonder and awe. Ultimately, the poem suggests that nature is a force to be reckoned with, and that our attempts to control and dominate it are ultimately futile. Despite this, there is a sense of hope and resilience that runs throughout, as we are reminded of the unyielding power of the natural world and the beauty and complexity of even the smallest creatures within it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Thrushes: A Masterpiece by Ted Hughes

Ted Hughes, the renowned English poet, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of nature and its creatures. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Thrushes," which was published in his 1970 collection, "Crow." This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Hughes' ability to create vivid imagery and convey deep emotions through his words. In this article, we will delve into the world of "Thrushes" and explore the themes, literary devices, and the impact of this poem.

The poem "Thrushes" is a short but powerful piece that consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This style of writing allows Hughes to experiment with the structure of the poem and focus on the content and emotions he wants to convey.

The poem begins with the line, "Terrifying are the attent sleek thrushes on the lawn." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "terrifying" creates a sense of fear and unease, which is unusual for a poem about birds. However, as the poem progresses, we realize that the thrushes are not terrifying in the traditional sense, but rather in their power and beauty.

Hughes uses the thrushes as a metaphor for the natural world and its ability to survive and thrive despite the harshness of life. The thrushes are described as "sleek" and "attent," which suggests that they are alert and aware of their surroundings. This is a trait that is essential for survival in the wild. The thrushes are also described as "muscle-bound," which emphasizes their strength and power.

The second stanza of the poem focuses on the thrushes' ability to sing. Hughes writes, "Their notes arc upwards like a spray of sparks." This line creates a vivid image of the thrushes' song, which is described as a "spray of sparks." This simile is a literary device that compares two things that are not alike, but share a common characteristic. In this case, the thrushes' song is compared to a spray of sparks, which suggests that it is bright, energetic, and full of life.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Hughes writes, "Nothing but iron bars can hold a cageful of their tongues." This line is a metaphor for the power of nature and its ability to resist captivity. The thrushes' songs are so powerful that they cannot be contained by anything but "iron bars." This line suggests that nature cannot be tamed or controlled, and that it will always find a way to break free.

The poem ends with the line, "It is the noise of their beaks that fills the air." This line is a reminder that the thrushes are not just beautiful creatures, but also powerful ones. The noise of their beaks is a symbol of their strength and determination. It is a reminder that nature will always find a way to survive and thrive, no matter what obstacles it faces.

In conclusion, "Thrushes" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that showcases Ted Hughes' ability to create vivid imagery and convey deep emotions through his words. The poem is a metaphor for the power of nature and its ability to survive and thrive despite the harshness of life. The thrushes are not just beautiful creatures, but also powerful ones, and their songs are a symbol of their strength and determination. This poem is a reminder that nature will always find a way to break free and that we should never underestimate its power.

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