The structure of the poem adds much to the meaning Robert Wilbur was trying to convey. The theme of “The Death of a Toad” is the disruption of the natural cycle of life”. Wilbur wrote this poem that structurally makes this point, as well. The use of feminine rhymes makes the rhyme scheme unnatural. For example, the word “caught” does not rhyme exactly with “got”. Also, there are only three stanzas, making the balance of the poem unnatural as well. The formation of the stanzas (with some lines indented, some not) also seem to disrupt the fluidity of the poem. All these things visually show the disruption of the toad’s life, which was only shortened by a most unnatural object, a lawn mower.
Along with structure, the imagery of this poem is great. The poem tells of the destructive and dismal situation and how the speaker responds to such an event. By depicting nature as destructive and mirroring the frog’s life in the way in which the “day dwindles, drowning, and at length is gone”, the speaker’s helpless and desolate relationship to the toad emerges. Additionally, interesting and well-chosen death images such as “heartsblood” show how the speaker feels deeply about the toad and his views on the unnatural death. The “misted and ebullient” depict the nature that both the speaker and toad experience, which has been blurred and unclear. With the inclusion of “lost Amphibia’s emperies”, the speaker alludes to the fact that the toad is headed to a mystical place a heaven as his current life has ended like the day dwindling. The final lines are written from the eyes of the toad, where the “castrated lawn” (a very unnatural lawn, for grass is supposed to grow tall and not be cut by man made machines) and the “haggard daylight steer” are being watched.
The Essay on Comparing Poem To Everyday Life
Comparing Poem to Everyday Life This poem is ultimate truth of every youths life. Ambition to man is what fragrance to a flower. It is a force without constraints or restrictions. Whatever ones age or status is, everyone nurses in his heart a secret ambition. It is born out of todays discontent and looks up to a better or satisfying tomorrow. It is a driving force that spurs the inactive in to ...