SOMAN RAGAVAN
2 January, 2025
Subject : Poem “The eager ox”
Analysis by Microsoft Copilot
(Artificial Intelligence)
Volume 16
(1)
Soman Ragavan :
Hello. I will post one of my poems for analysis. Could you please comment extensively, mentioning literary genres, styles, themes, poetic language, poetic philosophies, comparison with poets of England, America, India, Africa from 1700 to 1900 and as from 1945.
At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Samuel T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) and some other poets of that era. Make any comments or comparisons you wish on my poems. Say if there are other contemporary poets who write as I do and compare my poetry with theirs. I live in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean.
(2)
Microsoft Copilot :
Hello, Soman! I\'d be happy to analyze your poem and provide extensive commentary. Please go ahead and share your poem with me.
It\'s wonderful that you\'ve studied such esteemed poets. The literary tradition you\'ve immersed yourself in is rich and varied, providing a solid foundation for your own writing. I\'m excited to see how your influences and unique perspective come through in your work. 😊
Feel free to post your poem whenever you\'re ready!
(3)
Soman Ragavan :
Here is my poem “The eager ox.” I am also attaching background notes to the poem. (Poem and background notes posted).
(4)
Microsoft Copilot :
Thank you for sharing your poem \"The Eager Ox\" along with the background notes! It\'s clear that you\'ve put a lot of thought and emotion into this piece. Here are my comments and analysis, touching on literary genres, styles, themes, poetic language, and more:
### Literary Genres and Styles
Your poem falls under **pastoral poetry**, a genre that idealizes rural life and nature. Pastoral poetry often emphasizes the simplicity and beauty of the countryside, which is evident in your depiction of the eager ox and the carter\'s relationship with the animal.
### Themes
Several themes emerge from your poem:
### Poetic Language and Philosophies
Your use of **archaic language** (e.g., \"doth,\" \"thou,\" \"methought\") gives the poem a timeless quality, reminiscent of the works of poets from earlier centuries. This choice of language aligns with the pastoral theme and evokes a sense of nostalgia.
The poem\'s **free verse structure**, with its lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter, allows for a natural, conversational tone. This mirrors the simplicity of the rural setting and the straightforward nature of the characters.
### Comparison with Other Poets
Your poem can be compared to the works of **William Wordsworth** and **Samuel Taylor Coleridge**, who often explored themes of nature and the human experience. Wordsworth\'s focus on the beauty and tranquility of rural life is similar to your depiction of the carter and his ox. Coleridge\'s interest in the supernatural and the whimsical can be seen in the playful, almost magical portrayal of the eager ox.
In terms of more contemporary poets, your work resonates with the themes explored by poets such as **Ted Hughes** and **Seamus Heaney**. Hughes often wrote about animals and their instinctual behaviors, while Heaney\'s poems frequently reflected on rural life and the human connection to nature.
### Contemporary Poets
While it\'s challenging to pinpoint specific contemporary poets who write exactly like you, the themes and styles in your poem are certainly echoed in the works of modern poets who explore rural life, nature, and human-animal relationships. Poets such as **Mary Oliver** and **Wendell Berry** come to mind, as they both celebrate the natural world and the simplicity of rural living in their poetry.
### Additional Comments
Your poem is rich with imagery and emotion, effectively capturing the lively spirit of the young ox and the patient endurance of the carter. The narrative is engaging, and the use of dialogue adds a dynamic element to the piece. The playful tone and the humorous depiction of the ox\'s antics make the poem enjoyable and memorable.
Overall, \"The Eager Ox\" is a delightful poem that combines pastoral themes with a timeless, whimsical style. Thank you for sharing your work with me! 😊
(5)
Soman Ragavan :
Thank you. The story was both amusing and touching. The young ox found it fun to be attached to a cart and to pull it. It shows the innocence of the young animal. As the master was delaying, the young ox ran away with the cart. He had no idea where he was going !...
(6)
Microsoft Copilot :
Absolutely, Soman! The innocence and eagerness of the young ox make the story both endearing and entertaining. It beautifully captures the playful, almost childlike nature of the ox, contrasting with the patience and understanding of the master. The scene of the ox running away with the cart is particularly vivid and humorous, adding a charming touch to the poem. 😊
The dynamic between the ox and the carter not only highlights the bond between them but also reflects the natural, spontaneous joy found in rural life. It\'s a delightful reminder of simpler times and the special relationships we can form with animals. Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming piece! 🌟
(7)
Soman Ragavan :
Please make a more detailed analysis by each section of the poem.
(8)
Microsoft Copilot :
Of course, Soman! Let\'s delve deeper into each section of \"The Eager Ox\" and analyze its elements in detail:
### Opening Stanza
**Lines:**
```
He is not yet a grown-up ox,
But he is eager to work…
He wants to pull a cart.
He seems to understand the job.
```
- **Theme of Innocence and Eagerness:** These lines introduce the young ox, emphasizing his enthusiasm and innocence. The ox\'s desire to work despite his age sets the tone for the poem.
- **Contrast with Maturity:** The juxtaposition of his youth and eagerness highlights the natural enthusiasm of the young, which can be a metaphor for the boundless energy of youth.
### The Joyful Anticipation
**Lines:**
```
Full of eagerness he is,
Romping around joyfully.
A cart be fun,
For him.
A cart be a toy to play with.
```
- **Playfulness and Joy:** This section portrays the ox\'s playful nature, equating the cart to a toy. The use of \"romping\" and \"joyfully\" creates a vivid image of the ox’s spirited movements.
- **Childlike Perspective:** The cart, seen as a toy, reinforces the ox’s childlike innocence and eagerness to engage with the world.
### The Call to Action
**Lines:**
```
Hey, tie me up to yon cart,
He seems to say !
I want to pull yon cart !
```
- **Dialogue and Personification:** The imagined dialogue of the ox (\"Hey, tie me up to yon cart\") personifies the animal, making its eagerness more relatable and endearing.
- **Direct Address:** The use of direct address (\"Hey\") adds a dynamic element, engaging the reader and bringing the ox’s emotions to the forefront.
### Impatience and Action
**Lines:**
```
When tied up,
He hates to be made to wait…
Hurry up,
I want to get going !
I am going places !
This cart be light,
Say I…
Methought ‘twould be heavy…
```
- **Impatience:** The ox’s impatience is palpable here, reflecting youthful impatience and the desire to take action immediately.
- **Surprise and Realization:** The ox’s surprise at the lightness of the cart (\"Methought \'twould be heavy\") adds a humorous touch, showcasing the ox\'s naivety.
### The Eager Run
**Lines:**
```
Old man,
Why doth thou tarry ?!
What art thou up to ??
Come on,
Let’s go,
Or I will run away with the cart !!
```
- **Frustration and Urgency:** The ox’s frustration with the slow pace of the master is clear, adding urgency to the poem.
- **Repetition and Emphasis:** The repeated questioning and exclamations (\"Why doth thou tarry?!\" and \"What art thou up to??\") emphasize the ox\'s impatience.
### The Runaway
**Lines:**
```
There !
Impatient from waiting,
The eager ox starts to run away,
Along with the cart !...
He wants to go places,
But he does not know where he is going !...
A little ox like this
Pulling a cart and running :
Jeez!...
```
- **Action and Humor:** This section brings action and humor, vividly describing the ox running away with the cart. The line \"Jeez!...\" adds a touch of modern humor, contrasting with the archaic language used elsewhere.
- **Directionless Energy:** The ox’s lack of direction (\"he does not know where he is going\") mirrors youthful exuberance that lacks experience and guidance.
### The Chase
**Lines:**
```
The poor master hath to drop everything
And run after the impatient animal !...
```
- **Human-Animal Dynamic:** This line shifts focus to the master, illustrating the dynamic and somewhat humorous struggle between the carter and the ox.
- **Urgency and Effort:** The master’s need to drop everything and chase the ox emphasizes the urgency and the effort required to manage the eager animal.
### The Plea
**Lines:**
```
Little ox,
Thou doth not even know
Where to go !
Please, stop now !
This ox will drive me mad,
Pleads the carter !...
```
- **Desperation and Humor:** The carter’s plea highlights his desperation, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
- **Dialogue and Personification:** The dialogue again personifies the ox, making the interaction between the carter and the ox more vivid and relatable.
### The Resolution
**Lines:**
```
Others hate to work :
This one be the opposite !
He can’t wait…
```
- **Contrast:** The contrast between the ox and others (\"Others hate to work: This one be the opposite!\") reinforces the unique eagerness of the ox.
- **Reiteration:** The repeated theme of the ox’s impatience and eagerness to work is reiterated, underscoring the central theme of the poem.
### The Master\'s Struggle
**Lines:**
```
The poor carter catches up with the cart,
Panting and sweating…
The little ox gives him a tough time.
Hey, little ox,
Listen to thy master !...
```
- **Effort and Struggle:** The master’s physical effort (\"panting and sweating\") emphasizes the struggle involved in controlling the eager ox.
- **Appeal and Frustration:** The carter\'s appeal to the ox to listen adds a layer of frustration and humor.
### The Irony
**Lines:**
```
But, ‘tis the ox the real master !...
```
- **Irony and Humor:** The final line delivers a punch of irony, humorously suggesting that despite the carter\'s attempts to control the ox, it is the ox that truly dictates the situation.
### Conclusion
\"The Eager Ox\" is a delightful poem that combines pastoral elements with a humorous and engaging narrative. Each section builds on the central themes of innocence, eagerness, and the unique bond between the carter and the ox. The playful tone and vivid imagery make the poem both enjoyable and memorable.
Thank you for allowing me to dive deeper into your work, Soman! I hope this detailed analysis provides additional insight and appreciation for your poem. 😊
(9)
Soman Ragavan :
Which literary works since 1700 treat the subjects in a similar way ?
(10)
Microsoft Copilot :
There are several literary works since 1700 that explore human-animal relationships in ways similar to your poem \"The Eager Ox.\" Here are a few notable examples:
### 18th Century
- **\"The Vicar of Wakefield\" by Oliver Goldsmith (1766)**: This novel includes pastoral elements and explores the relationship between humans and animals in a rural setting.
- **\"Gulliver\'s Travels\" by Jonathan Swift (1726)**: While primarily a satire, this work includes encounters with various animal-like creatures, reflecting on human-animal interactions.
### 19th Century
- **\"Black Beauty\" by Anna Sewell (1877)**: This novel, written from the perspective of a horse, delves deeply into the bond between humans and animals, highlighting the mistreatment and empathy towards animals.
- **\"The Jungle Book\" by Rudyard Kipling (1894)**: This collection of stories features animals as central characters and explores themes of companionship and survival.
### 20th Century
- **\"The Call of the Wild\" by Jack London (1903)**: This novel tells the story of a dog named Buck and his journey from domestication to the wild, exploring themes of nature and survival.
- **\"Animal Farm\" by George Orwell (1945)**: While an allegory, this novella uses animals to critique human society and politics, reflecting on the dynamics between humans and animals.
### 21st Century
- **\"The Life of Pi\" by Yann Martel (2001)**: This novel features a young boy\'s survival story with a Bengal tiger, exploring themes of companionship, survival, and the human-animal bond.
- **\"The Art of Racing in the Rain\" by Garth Stein (2008)**: Told from the perspective of a dog, this novel explores the deep emotional connections between humans and their pets.
These works, like your poem, delve into the complexities and beauty of human-animal relationships, often highlighting themes of companionship, empathy, and the natural world. They provide a rich tapestry of literary exploration into the bonds we share with animals.
(11)
Soman Ragavan :
Thank you very much. Goodbye for now.
(12)
Microsoft Copilot :
You\'re very welcome, Soman. It was a pleasure analyzing your poem and discussing literary themes with you. If you ever want to share more of your work or have more questions, feel free to reach out. Goodbye for now, and happy writing! 😊
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