'The toiling ox' ; 7 April, 2023.

3 May, 2023
Uploaded to ChatGPT for analysis
Poem “The toiling ox”

Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem of mine for analysis, please ?

ChatGPT
Hello Soman Ragavan,
Yes, of course! I would be happy to analyze your poem. Please feel free to share it with me, and I will do my best to provide a thorough analysis.
 
Soman Ragavan : My poem : "The toiling ox." Please analyse by each stanza, then give overall comments. Mention similar poems from other authors, where possible. THE TOILING OX

ChatGPT
Thank you for sharing your poem "The Toiling Ox." Here is my stanza-by-stanza analysis:

Stanza 1: In this stanza, the speaker sets the scene for the poem by describing the ox's job as a warrior and a village carter. The speaker emphasizes that the ox is unique in its role as a rustic carrier and has struggled through every reform.

Stanza 2: The second stanza describes the ox's cart and its endearing qualities, such as being smokeless and noiseless. The speaker admires the charm of the ox, cart, and carter, which is admired even on distant farms.

Stanza 3: In this stanza, the speaker reflects on the pace of life near the village and compares it to the leisurely pace of the ox and cart. The ox is described as an unflinching worker who understands the language of the carter through a few words and simple sounds.

Stanza 4: The fourth stanza describes the physical strength and reliability of the ox, who is capable of pulling heavy loads without fail. The ox's motion is described as endearing, with sweetly enjoyable acceleration.

Stanza 5: This stanza emphasizes the obedience of the ox and its responsiveness to the carter's commands. The carter uses a frail twig as an instrument to coax on the animal, and the ox obeys without question.

Stanza 6: In this stanza, the speaker reflects on the ox's loyalty and obedience, noting that the animal never demands extra food or water and silently obeys every command, even in the face of discomfort and pain.

Stanza 7: The seventh stanza praises the ox's bravery and character, noting that it has faced difficult times with little reward. The speaker acknowledges that it is difficult to capture the ox's glory in poetry or recognition.

Stanza 8: The final stanza reflects on the beauty and devotion of the ox, which has won the hearts of the speaker and others, even as its carts decay and disappear.

Overall, "The Toiling Ox" is a poem that praises the hard work and loyalty of an ox in a rural setting. The poem emphasizes the unique bond between the ox and its carter, and the charm of the ox's simple but essential work. The language of the poem is simple and direct, with occasional rhyming, and the imagery is clear and vivid.

This poem shares similarities with other works of pastoral literature, such as William Wordsworth's "Michael" or John Clare's "The Lament of Swordy Well." All three poems celebrate the lives and struggles of rural workers and the beauty of the natural world.
 
Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Goodbye for now.

ChatGPT
You're welcome. Feel free to return if you have any more questions or would like further analysis. Goodbye for now!

-----

---"The Village  Blacksmith," "The Deserted Smithy," "The Invincible Blacksmith" and "The Toiling Ox."

(a) These poems refer to the period around 1962. The smithy was at Stanley.

(b) On these poems, please also see :


  (1) "Un demi-siècle au service de la charette." "L'Express" newspaper, Mauritius, 7 July, 1991.

(2) "La même ardeur à 77 ans pour son métier de charron." "L'Express" newspaper, Mauritius, 24 August, 1996, (page 6).

  (3) "La <<charette boeuf>> a encore de beaux jours." "L'Express" newspaper, 6 July, 1997, (page 15). From this article, we can quote the following :

* "(.....) <<For me, this animal is not just an animal; he's been like a friend since the beginning. That's why I've called him Gopal (.....)" (My translation from Creole).

* "(.....) Not in the least ungrateful, Sohunlall attributes his good fortune to the performance of his ox. (.....)" (My translation from French).

* "(.....) Moreover, believes Sohunlall, the machine feels nothing, whereas an animal, even if it's an ox, is capable of affection." (My translation from French). "<<I've much gratitude towards Gopal. He forms part of my family. I like him very much.>>" (My translation from Creole).

* "(.....) <<I understand him; he, too, understands me. When I talk to him, he understands. He knows his name. When I call him, he shakes his head.>>" (My translation from Creole).

* "The animal, says Sohunlall, is not aggressive. But he has his whims, and hates to be made to wait. In the morning, if the master tarries after having harnessed him, he goes off alone."

* "(.....) The story of Sohunlall and of Gopal might at first sight appear trivial. But, it is not. It dates from the time when man still lived in a simple manner and when the soil and animals gave him the harmony necessary for his personal equilibrium.

"It's no doubt why Sohunlall would not, for anything in the world, exchange his ox for a tractor. To the animated town life, its noises and its smoke, our man prefers the simplicity of rural life that assures him a non-polluting happiness. (.....)" (My translation from French).

(4) M de Salle Essoo : “Charretiers, artisans du passé, victimes de la modernité ?” "L'Express" newspaper, 21 November, 2005, (page 7).

(5) "Om Prakash Mootia, un des derniers charettiers du pays." "WEEK END" newspaper, Mauritius, 4 August, 2013, (page 20). 

------
                                              THE TOILING OX

What a unique job did he perform,
This warrior, this village carter,
That struggl'd through every reform :
He was the most rustic carrier.

Smokeless, noiseless and endearing
Indeed was the old cart he was driving;
Among carter, ox and cart, what a charm
Admir’d even on many a distant farm.

Of the cart and the ox, the leisurely  pace
A change was from the maddening race
That gripp'd life elsewhere near the village,
In some all-invading and modernising rage.

To his brave ox, the unflinching worker,
A unique language spoke the caring carter;
Nothing but a few words and simple sounds
Utter'd during the daily working rounds.

Pulling bravely along his own heavy mass,
Dragging obediently along the heavy cart,
Peep'd at with awe by the hiding lass,
The ox always look'd imposing and smart.

His power-steering ne’er once failing,
Completely dependable his failsafe braking,
So sweetly enjoyable his funny acceleration,
The ox render'd endearing his very motion.

Responding to the carter's brief shout,
Complying with his master's short hiss,
Ne’er did the obedient ox mess about,
And ne’er to him did an order go amiss.

                                          @@@

The frail twig held by the carter,
Far from being a whip of the master,
Merely was an instrument to tickle,
And to coax on the animal a little.

Every passing day, without failing,
Every rising dawn, every morning
Would the ox settle into the harness,
While happily watch'd the mistress.

Ne’er once did the animal demand
From his master any extra fodder,
Or, on a hot day, any extra water :
Silently obey’d he every command.

As the sun climb'd in the sky higher,
And the tarr'd road grew hotter,
Through his shoes the ox did feel
The rising heat under his heel.

But, ne’er any reticence he display'd,
Ne’er any remonstrance from this worker,
Ne’er any whim in his noble character,
Although with the harness his skin was flay'd.

Brave animal ! How can thou be repaid !
On thy glory, what poor poetry can be laid,
What recognition can be adequate enough,
When thou fac'd many a time a scant trough !

Lest we forget, here these rhymes sing
To thy glory, with some poetic ring;
Sweetly did thou win our devot'd hearts,
Even if silently now decay thy old carts.

                                                                  *****