Summary of the Poem How to tell Wild Animals
"How
to Tell Wild Animals" is a humorous and entertaining poem by Carolyn Wells
that playfully teaches the reader about various wild animals native to Asia.
The poem is structured into six stanzas, each describing a different animal and
offering a whimsical method for identifying them.
In
the first stanza, the poem is set in the jungles of Asia, where the reader
might encounter a large, tawny beast. The poet humorously suggests that if the
reader hears the beast roar while they are dying, it must be an Asian Lion. The
second stanza introduces the reader to another majestic animal, the Bengal
Tiger. The tiger is described as having black stripes on a yellow background.
The poet jokingly proposes that if the beast eats the reader, they can identify
it as a Bengal Tiger. This absurd scenario adds humor to the poem and
highlights the poet's playful approach to teaching about wild animals.
The
third stanza describes the encounter with a spotted beast, which turns out to
be a Leopard. The poet humorously suggests that if the animal leaps on the
reader, they can identify it as a Leopard. However, roaring in pain will not
help, as the Leopard will keep attacking. The humor in this stanza lies in the
idea that the reader would be able to identify the animal while being attacked,
which adds to the poem's light-hearted tone.
In
the fourth stanza, the danger comes closer to home, as the reader encounters a
creature in their yard. The poet humorously proposes that if the creature hugs
the reader very hard, they can identify it as a Bear. The stanza introduces the
Bear using a humorous metaphor of a "hug" to describe its deadly
embrace. The absurdity of the situation and the lighthearted language continue
the poem's playful tone.
The
fifth stanza acknowledges the difficulty in distinguishing between wild
animals, focusing on the Crocodile and the Hyena. The poet humorously suggests
that Hyenas have merry smiles, while Crocodiles appear to weep. This playful
comparison between the Crocodile and the Hyena uses the animals' facial
expressions as a means of identification. The humor lies in the poet's
reference to "crocodile tears," which highlights the poem's
light-hearted tone.
In
the final stanza, the Chameleon is introduced as a small, lizard-like creature
without ears or wings. The poet humorously suggests that if there is nothing
visible on a tree, it is likely a Chameleon the reader sees. The last stanza
focuses on the Chameleon's unique physical features and its remarkable ability
to blend in with its surroundings. The stanza concludes the poem with a
humorous observation, maintaining the light-hearted and whimsical tone
throughout.
"How
to Tell Wild Animals" is a delightful and amusing poem that captures the
reader's imagination with its light-hearted tone, vivid imagery, and humorous
approach to describing wild animals. The poem is an excellent example of light
verse, a form of poetry that aims to amuse and entertain readers with its
clever wordplay, rhyme, and wit.
One
of the most striking features of the poem is its vivid imagery and attention to
detail in describing the characteristics of each animal. Wells uses these
descriptions to create a mental picture for the reader, making the poem
engaging and memorable. The use of humor in these descriptions adds to the
poem's charm, as the poet employs absurd scenarios and exaggerated situations
to identify each animal.
The
poem's playful use of language, including puns, wordplay, and exaggeration,
further enhances its appeal. The poem can be seen as a subtle satire on the
human desire to classify and dominate the natural world. The poem highlights
the limitations of attempting to classify animals based on their appearance,
using humor to expose the absurdity of such an endeavor. At the same time, the
poem serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity that exists in our world and
encourages readers to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of each animal.
Additionally,
the poem can be interpreted as a playful introduction to the world of wild
animals, particularly those native to Asia. Despite its humorous tone, the poem
does impart knowledge about various animals, which could be seen as a playful
way to educate readers about the natural world.
In
conclusion, "How to Tell Wild Animals" is a captivating and amusing
poem that combines vivid imagery, humor, and a light-hearted tone to entertain
and engage readers. Its playful approach to describing wild animals and subtle
critique of the human need to categorize the natural world makes it an
enjoyable and thought-provoking work. The poem serves as a reminder to
appreciate the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom while encouraging
readers to question the limitations of our understanding of nature.
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