Pike Poem by Ted Hughes Full Analysis

Ted Hughes (1930-1998) was a British poet and writer known for his powerful and often nature-inspired poetry. He served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1984 until his death. Hughes's work often delved into the raw and elemental aspects of human life and the natural world, earning him acclaim for his evocative and visceral language.

 

Pike

Pike, three inches long, perfect
Pike in all parts, green tigering the gold.
Killers from the egg: the malevolent aged grin.
They dance on the surface among the flies.

Or move, stunned by their own grandeur,
Over a bed of emerald, silhouette
Of submarine delicacy and horror.
A hundred feet long in their world.

In ponds, under the heat-struck lily pads-
Gloom of their stillness:
Logged on last year's black leaves, watching upwards.
Or hung in an amber cavern of weeds

The jaws' hooked clamp and fangs
Not to be changed at this date:
A life subdued to its instrument;
The gills kneading quietly, and the pectorals.

Three we kept behind glass,
Jungled in weed: three inches, four,
And four and a half: red fry to them -
Suddenly there were two. Finally one

With a sag belly and the grin it was born with.
And indeed they spare nobody.
Two, six pounds each, over two feet long
High and dry and dead in the willow-herb -

One jammed past its gills down the other's gullet:
The outside eye stared: as a vice locks -
The same iron in this eye
Though its film shrank in death.

A pond I fished, fifty yards across,
Whose lilies and muscular tench
Had outlasted every visible stone
Of the monastery that planted them -

Stilled legendary depth:
It was as deep as England. It held
Pike too immense to stir, so immense and old
That past nightfall I dared not cast

But silently cast and fished
With the hair frozen on my head
For what might move, for what eye might move.
The still splashes on the dark pond,

Owls hushing the floating woods
Frail on my ear against the dream
Darkness beneath night's darkness had freed,
That rose slowly toward me, watching.

Summary:

"Pike" by Ted Hughes is a poem that vividly portrays the predatory nature of the pike fish while also delving into broader themes of power and violence in the natural world. The poem begins by describing the pike's lair as a gloomy underwater den, filled with memories of its past prey. The poet presents the pike as a cunning and fearsome creature, capable of ruthless attacks. The second stanza transitions to a historical perspective, noting how pike have existed since ancient times. The poem ends with a reflection on the pike's gaze, suggesting an almost malevolent intelligence. Through its portrayal of the pike's hunting prowess and its enduring existence, the poem highlights the raw power and brutality of nature.

Theme:

The theme of "Pike" revolves around the primal instinct for dominance and survival in the natural world. The poem explores the predatory nature of the pike as a symbol of this instinct. It delves into the theme of violence and power dynamics, where the pike's ability to dominate and consume other creatures is emblematic of the larger struggle for supremacy in nature. The poem also touches on the idea of timelessness, as the pike's existence over centuries suggests an unchanging cycle of predation. Additionally, the poem hints at the darker aspects of the human psyche through the personification of the pike's gaze, inviting readers to consider the parallels between human and animal behavior.

 

Tone:

The tone of "Pike" is both awe-filled and contemplative, with an undercurrent of unease. The poet marvels at the pike's predatory prowess and the intensity of its survival instincts, leading to an admixture of admiration and trepidation. The tone becomes reflective as the poem shifts to discussing the historical continuity of the pike's existence, contemplating its role as an ancient predator. Toward the end, there is a slightly sinister tone as the poem attributes an almost malevolent intelligence to the pike's gaze, hinting at a deeper, unsettling connection between the creature and the human observer.

 

Figures of Speech:

01. Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery, painting a detailed picture of the pike's habitat, its appearance, and its actions. The underwater "beneath the shallows" den and the "jaws' hooked clamp and fangs" create a visual representation of the pike's lair and menacing features.

02. Personification: The poem personifies the pike's gaze as a malevolent force, suggesting a deeper intelligence and awareness beyond its animal nature. The line "Three we kept behind glass, / Jungled in weed: three inches, four, / And four and a half" ascribes human-like motives to the pike, emphasizing its capacity to be observed and studied.

03. Metaphor: The poem employs metaphors to convey the pike's strength and ruthlessness. For example, "Pike, three inches long, perfect / Pike in all parts, green tigering the gold" compares the pike to a fierce and beautiful predator.

04. Alliteration: Hughes uses alliteration to create a rhythmic and auditory effect, such as "killer and king" and "Perfect, with tarnished gold."

05.Symbolism: The pike is a symbolic representation of primal instincts and the harsh realities of the natural world. It embodies the themes of power, violence, and survival, and its ancient existence serves as a symbol of timeless brutality.

06. Enjambment: The poem's enjambment, where lines flow into one another without punctuation, mirrors the fluidity of water and contributes to the poem's contemplative and interconnected tone.

07. Oxymoron: The phrase "Jungle of weed, widening / into the long morass" juxtaposes the ideas of a jungle and a morass, creating a sense of tangled and expansive vegetation.

 

Use of Imagery

Imagery is a crucial element in Ted Hughes' poem "Pike," as it allows readers to vividly experience the underwater world of the pike and the raw power it embodies. Through Hughes' evocative descriptions, readers are transported into the depths of the pike's habitat, feeling its presence and menace.

The poem begins with the line "Pike, three inches long, perfect," immediately conjuring an image of the small yet potent predator. The use of the word "perfect" suggests that even in its miniature form, the pike is complete in its predatory nature. The description "green tigering the gold" paints a visual of the fish's striking colors, its green markings standing out against its golden background.

Hughes continues to build imagery as he describes the pike's den: "Beneath the shallows at the edge / Of the darkening lake." This imagery transports readers to the edge of the lake, where the water becomes darker and more mysterious. The phrase "Jaws' hooked clamp and fangs" creates a vivid mental picture of the pike's formidable mouth, its "clamped" jaws ready to strike, and its "fangs" emphasizing its predatory nature.

The imagery becomes even more immersive as Hughes introduces memories of past prey: "Fish hung on forgotten hooks / With the limpness of flayed flesh." This macabre image of lifeless fish hanging on hooks evokes a sense of eerie decay, reminding readers of the pike's ruthless nature. The comparison to "flayed flesh" heightens the sense of brutality, highlighting the visceral quality of the pike's hunting.

The poet then shifts to a broader historical perspective, describing pike as "Killers from the egg," which establishes a sense of the pike's ancient lineage. This image of pike emerging as killers from their very beginnings reinforces their inherent predatory nature and the unchanging cycle of violence in the natural world.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the personification of the pike's gaze: "A pond I fished, fifty yards across, / Whose lilies and muscular tench / Had outlasted every visible stone / Of the monastery that planted them." Here, the gaze of the pike is imbued with an almost sentient quality, as if it is aware of its surroundings and its history. The comparison to the enduring lilies and tench of the pond emphasizes the timeless nature of the pike's presence, while the reference to the vanished monastery creates a haunting connection to the past.

Throughout the poem, the imagery of water and darkness plays a significant role in creating an atmosphere of mystery and danger. The "darkening lake," "jungle of weed," and "long morass" contribute to the sense of an untamed and unpredictable environment. This imagery underscores the idea that the pike exists in a realm where human control is limited, and the laws of survival reign supreme.

In conclusion, Ted Hughes' use of imagery in "Pike" is masterful in its ability to transport readers into the world of the pike, capturing its predatory nature, its habitat, and the sense of unease that surrounds it. Through the skillful depiction of colors, landscapes, and even the pike's gaze, Hughes creates a multi-sensory experience that leaves a lasting impression of the raw power and primal instincts of the natural world.

 

Picture of Violence/Human Violence

In Ted Hughes' poem "Pike," the imagery of violence is not limited to the natural world; it extends to a reflection on human violence and the darker aspects of the human psyche. While the poem primarily focuses on the predatory nature of the pike, it also subtly draws parallels between the fish's behavior and human tendencies toward violence and dominance.

The poem's description of the pike's den, filled with memories of past prey, alludes to a cycle of violence that transcends species. The image of "Fish hung on forgotten hooks / With the limpness of flayed flesh" is reminiscent of hunting trophies and the display of power, whether in the animal kingdom or among humans. This image serves as a reminder of the instinctual violence that characterizes the pike's existence and mirrors the capacity for cruelty within humanity.

Furthermore, the line "Pike too immense to stir, so immense and old" suggests a certain reverence for the pike's age and size, much like humans might revere ancient institutions or hierarchies. This reverence for power and age reflects the way human societies have often celebrated and maintained structures of dominance and control.

The poem's historical perspective on the pike's existence also highlights the continuity of violence across time. The phrase "Killers from the egg" implies that violence is ingrained from the very beginning, paralleling the idea that human tendencies toward aggression and domination are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. This portrayal of violence as an inherent trait resonates with discussions about the nature of human behavior and the capacity for brutality.

The most intriguing aspect of the poem's exploration of violence is the personification of the pike's gaze. Describing the gaze as having "A private myth / The jaws' hooked clamp and fangs / Not to be changed at this date" suggests a malevolent intelligence that goes beyond instinct. This personification implies that violence is not merely a biological imperative but can also be attributed to a conscious choice, much like how human actions are often driven by motives beyond survival.

By juxtaposing the pike's gaze with the imagery of a monastery's vanished stones, the poem draws a haunting parallel between the persistence of violence in nature and the impermanence of human endeavors. The monastery, symbolizing human civilization and spirituality, stands in stark contrast to the pike's enduring predatory nature. This contrast prompts reflection on the fragile nature of human achievements and the relentless persistence of violence throughout history.

In summary, Ted Hughes' "Pike" subtly weaves a portrait of violence that extends beyond the natural world to encompass human behavior and the human psyche. Through vivid imagery, the poem invites readers to contemplate the parallel threads of violence in both animal and human realms. This exploration of violence highlights the interconnectedness of all life forms and serves as a meditation on the primal instincts that shape our actions, both within the animal kingdom and the human experience.

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