Thrushes by Ted Hughes
Thrushes by Ted Hughes
Contents
Ted Hughes – Thrushes
The poem “Thrushes” by Ted Hughes was first published in the 1957 anthology The Hawk in the Rain. The anthology was Hughes’s first major collection of poetry, and it established him as a major new voice in British poetry.
Central Idea of the Poem
The central idea of the poem “Thrushes” by Ted Hughes is the portrayal of thrushes as powerful and efficient predators in nature, highlighting the contrast between their focused, instinctual behaviour and the more complex and distracted nature of humans. The poem explores the idea that these birds possess an innate, single-minded purpose in their actions, representing a primal and unyielding force in the natural world. This contrast between the thrushes’ decisive efficiency and the human tendency toward contemplation and distraction serves as a reflection on the fundamental differences between the animal kingdom and human existence, emphasizing the primal instincts and efficiency of nature’s creatures.
Summary
In the first stanza, the poet vividly describes the thrushes as terrifying and incredibly focused predators. They are compared to coiled steel, highlighting their readiness and precision in their actions. Their keen senses and quick reactions enable them to capture prey instantly. Unlike humans who often procrastinate and get distracted, the thrushes act swiftly and decisively, displaying no hesitation, only a relentless drive to hunt and survive.
In the second stanza, the poet ponders what gives the thrushes their unwavering and efficient hunting instincts. He speculates whether it’s their simple, focused brains, their physical conditioning, their inherent genius, or perhaps their motivation to feed their offspring. He wonders what gives the thrushes their relentless and automatic sense of purpose in their daily hunt, comparing it to the precision of a bullet. The poet then suggests that this same sense of purpose and efficiency can be found in Mozart’s genius (Mozart was a popular music composer of ancient times known for his genius) and a shark’s relentless hunger. These comparisons highlight the extraordinary efficiency in nature, whether it’s in artistic brilliance or the shark’s ability to detect the faintest traces of blood. The stanza emphasizes the streamlined and unstoppable nature of these abilities, which are immune to doubt or obstruction.
In the final stanza, Ted Hughes presents a clear comparison between humans and thrushes. He argues that humans lack the same level of focus and activity as these birds. Hughes suggests that even simple actions, such as sitting on a horse or working at a desk or intricate craftsmanship, can make humans feel heroic or as if they are engaged in a form of worship. However, Hughes contends that this perception is deceptive because human minds are often plagued by inner distractions and doubts, which the poet metaphorically describes as “distracting devils” causing chaos within the mind. He uses terms like “Orgy” and “Hosannah” to imply that these thoughts can be connected to desires or pleasures, which divert attention from work and tasks. These mental distractions hinder humans from working with the same precision and single-mindedness as thrushes. Hughes employs the metaphor of “black water” to describe the human mind. He compares it to still water on the surface, which conceals the turbulence underneath. Just as throwing a pebble into the water creates ripples, Hughes suggests that the human mind is constantly agitated by countless thoughts, making it difficult to discern where these thoughts begin and end. This stanza underscores the complexity of human existence and the challenges we face in maintaining concentration and purpose amid internal conflicts and distractions.
In conclusion, Ted Hughes’ poem “Thrushes” offers a thought-provoking exploration of the contrast between the efficient, instinctual behaviour of animals in nature and the complex, often distracted nature of human existence. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical language, Hughes emphasizes the precision and single-minded purpose of creatures like thrushes and sharks, highlighting their primal instincts.
At the same time, Hughes suggests that humans, despite their abilities and endeavours, can struggle with inner distractions and doubts that hinder their focus and purpose. The poem serves as a reflection on the human condition and an invitation to consider the simplicity and efficiency of the natural world.
Themes
Contrast Between Nature and Humanity
In Ted Hughes’ “Thrushes,” the poem masterfully explores the theme of contrast between nature and humanity. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful comparisons, Hughes highlights the efficiency and instinctual behaviour of nature, embodied by the thrushes and sharks, against the complex and often distracted nature of humanity. He captures this contrast with lines like “No indolent procrastinations and no yawning states, Nothing but bounce and stab,” highlighting the thrushes’ instinctual and unwavering focus compared to human tendencies to hesitate and procrastinate. Moreover, Hughes employs lines such as “Orgy and Hosannah, under what wilderness Of black silent waters weep,” to depict the inner turmoil and distractions within the human mind. These contrasting elements emphasize the primal simplicity of nature’s creatures and the intricate inner conflicts that define the human experience, ultimately highlighting the profound distinction between the two realms.
Violence
While the poem “Thrushes” does not focus on violence in an explicit manner, it subtly conveys the harsh realities of the natural world. The violence in the poem is depicted through the actions of the thrushes as they hunt and capture their prey. The descriptions like “bounce and stab”,”dark deadly eye” and “Overtake the instant and drag out some writhing thing”,convey their swift and deadly approach to hunting. The thrushes are portrayed as ruthless in their pursuit of food, overtaking their prey in an instant.
Furthermore, the comparison between thrushes and sharks reinforces the theme of violence. Sharks, known for their predatory nature, are mentioned in the poem, and their hunger for blood is alluded to. This comparison highlights the primal and violent aspects of nature.
Human Complexity and Distraction
The poem highlights the multifaceted nature of human beings. While humans are capable of heroism, intellectual pursuits, and intricate craftsmanship, they also grapple with inner distractions and doubts. This theme highlights the inner conflicts and challenges that humans face in maintaining focus and purpose. The lines that represent this theme are:
“Furious spaces of fire do the distracting devils
Orgy and Hosannah, under what wilderness
Of black silent waters weep.”
Here, the “distracting devils” symbolize inner turmoil and distractions that can be noisy and disrupts our concentration. which can be loud and overwhelming, interfering with concentration.
Additionally, the mention of “Orgy and Hosannah” implies that these distractions can be overwhelming and hard to control. The final line of the stanza signifies the inner emotional turmoil that humans may experience. The “black silent waters” represent the depths of human consciousness, where emotions and distractions can create a sense of wilderness and sorrow.
Structure
The structure of the poem ‘Thrushes‘ significantly contributes to the poem’s meaning and impact. It plays a vital role in conveying the poem’s themes. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The poet utilizes free verse to provide the poem with a smooth flow. This structured format offers a sense of organization and enables the exploration of different aspects of the poem’s themes.
The poem’s structure revolves around the central theme of contrasting the behavior of thrushes and other animals with that of humans. The three stanzas effectively draw this comparison. The first stanza introduces the efficiency of thrushes, while the second stanza raises questions about the reasons behind their actions and compares them to sharks and Mozart. In the third stanza, humans are contrasted with animals, emphasizing the distractions and complexities in human existence.
Throughout the poem, the poet employs vivid imagery and symbolism. Thrushes are depicted as ‘coiled steel,‘ and their speed is likened to a bullet. The distractions and intrusive thoughts of the human mind are represented as ‘distracting devils.’ The influence of these distractions is further compared to ‘Orgy and Hosannah.‘ Hughes uses the metaphor of ‘black water‘ to describe the human mind, comparing it to still water on the surface that conceals the turbulence underneath.
In conclusion, the structured format of the poem enables the poet to effectively explore the theme of contrast between nature and humanity.
For a brief overview of the life and works of Ted Hughes, click here.
©2023 Md Rustam Ansari [profrustamansari@gmail.com]
