'The Elephant Is Slow To Mate' by D.H. Lawrence
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The elephant, the huge old beast,is slow to mate;
he finds a female, they show no hastethey waitfor the sympathy in their vast shy heartsslowly, slowly to rouse
as they loiter along the river-bedsand drink and browseand dash in panic through the brakeof forest with the herd,
and sleep in massive silence, and waketogether, without a word.So slowly the great hot elephant heartsgrow full of desire,
and the great beasts mate in secret at last,hiding their fire.Oldest they are and the wisest of beastsso they know at last
how to wait for the loneliest of feastsfor the full repast.They do not snatch, they do not tear;their massive blood
moves as the moon-tides, near, more neartill they touch in flood.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Elephant Is Slow To Mate: A Literary Analysis
Oh, D.H. Lawrence. What a guy. Known for his controversial themes and sensual writing style, his poem "The Elephant Is Slow To Mate" is no exception. This poem explores the complexities of reproduction and the natural world, using the elephant as a metaphor for humanity's struggle to reproduce and connect with each other.
The Elephant as a Metaphor
At its core, "The Elephant Is Slow To Mate" is a poem about sex. But it's not just about the physical act of mating. Lawrence uses the elephant as a metaphor for the human struggle to connect with each other on a deeper level. Just like the elephant, we are slow to mate, slow to truly understand and connect with each other.
Lawrence's use of the elephant as a metaphor is particularly powerful. Elephants are known for their intelligence, social bonds, and emotional depth. They are also one of the few animals that mate for life. By using the elephant as a metaphor, Lawrence is drawing parallels between the animal world and the human experience.
The Struggle to Connect
Throughout the poem, Lawrence emphasizes the struggle to connect with others. He writes:
The elephant is slow to mate; He finds a female, they show no haste They wait for the sympathy in their vast shy hearts Slowly, slowly to grow
This passage highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in relationships. The elephant and his mate are not driven solely by physical desire. Instead, they wait for the "sympathy in their vast shy hearts" to grow. This is a powerful statement about the importance of emotional connection in romantic relationships.
But Lawrence doesn't just stop at romantic relationships. He also explores the struggle to connect with others on a deeper level. He writes:
They do not sweat and whine about their condition, They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins, They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God, Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things, Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago, Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.
This passage is a critique of modern society, which is characterized by materialism, greed, and the constant need for status and power. Lawrence is arguing that these values are not natural to us as humans. Instead, he suggests that we should strive for a simpler, more natural way of life, one that is free from the constraints of society.
The Importance of the Natural World
One of the most striking aspects of "The Elephant Is Slow To Mate" is Lawrence's emphasis on the natural world. He writes:
They do not sweat and whine about their condition, They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins, They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,
In this passage, Lawrence is critiquing the artificiality of modern society. He argues that we have lost touch with our natural instincts and are now obsessed with things that are meaningless in the grand scheme of things. He suggests that we should instead look to the natural world for guidance and inspiration.
The elephant is a particularly powerful symbol of the natural world. Elephants have been around for millions of years and have adapted to their environment in ways that are hard for us to imagine. By using the elephant as a metaphor, Lawrence is reminding us of the importance of respecting and preserving the natural world.
The Sensual Writing Style
Of course, we can't talk about D.H. Lawrence without mentioning his sensual writing style. "The Elephant Is Slow To Mate" is packed with sensual imagery and language. Lawrence writes:
They love the jungle's heat, the wetness, the rain, They love that rooty, steamy taste of the jungly earth,
This passage is particularly powerful because it captures the essence of the natural world in a way that is both sensual and evocative. Lawrence's writing style is often criticized for being too explicit, but in this poem, it works perfectly. The sensual language helps to reinforce the idea that the natural world is a powerful force that we should respect and admire.
Conclusion
"The Elephant Is Slow To Mate" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of reproduction, the struggle to connect with others, and the importance of the natural world. By using the elephant as a metaphor, Lawrence is able to draw parallels between the animal world and the human experience. His sensual writing style adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the poem, making it both beautiful and thought-provoking. Overall, "The Elephant Is Slow To Mate" is a classic example of D.H. Lawrence's unique style and a must-read for anyone interested in poetry and the natural world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Elephant Is Slow To Mate: A Masterpiece by D.H. Lawrence
D.H. Lawrence, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for his unique style of writing that blended sensuality, mysticism, and nature. His poem, The Elephant Is Slow To Mate, is a perfect example of his mastery of language and imagery. In this 24-line poem, Lawrence explores the theme of love, sexuality, and the natural world, using the metaphor of the elephant to convey his message.
The poem begins with the line, "The elephant, the huge old beast, is slow to mate." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Lawrence uses the elephant as a symbol of love and sexuality. The elephant, with its massive size and strength, is a perfect representation of the power of love and desire. However, the fact that the elephant is slow to mate suggests that love and desire are not always easy to come by. Lawrence is suggesting that true love and deep desire take time to develop, and that they cannot be rushed or forced.
The second line of the poem, "He finds a female, they show no haste they wait," reinforces this idea. The elephant and his mate take their time, savoring the moment and enjoying each other's company. This is a stark contrast to the fast-paced, instant-gratification culture that we live in today. Lawrence is reminding us that true love and desire require patience and a willingness to wait for the right moment.
The third line of the poem, "They wait until the sun has weakened and the light is soft and dim," is a beautiful example of Lawrence's use of imagery. The image of the sun weakening and the light becoming soft and dim creates a sense of intimacy and warmth. It suggests that the elephant and his mate are taking their time, enjoying each other's company, and basking in the glow of their love.
The fourth line of the poem, "And then, when night approaches, creeps to her side," is a powerful image that suggests the elephant's desire is finally being fulfilled. The use of the word "creeps" creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if the elephant has been waiting for this moment for a long time. The image of the elephant approaching his mate in the darkness of night is both sensual and mysterious, adding to the overall mood of the poem.
The fifth line of the poem, "With a great upsurging of vitality," is a perfect example of Lawrence's use of language. The phrase "great upsurging of vitality" suggests a burst of energy and passion, as if the elephant's desire has been building up inside him for a long time. This line also reinforces the idea that true love and desire cannot be rushed or forced, but must be allowed to develop naturally over time.
The sixth line of the poem, "He mates," is a simple yet powerful statement that conveys the essence of the poem. The act of mating is a natural and instinctual expression of love and desire, and Lawrence is suggesting that this act is something to be celebrated and cherished.
The seventh line of the poem, "As if terrified he quickens his pace," is a surprising twist that adds depth and complexity to the poem. The image of the elephant quickening his pace suggests that he is both excited and afraid, as if he is unsure of what will happen next. This line also suggests that love and desire can be both exhilarating and terrifying, and that the two emotions are often intertwined.
The eighth line of the poem, "And they start to sway, to sway together," is a beautiful image that suggests the elephant and his mate are moving in perfect harmony. The use of the word "sway" creates a sense of rhythm and movement, as if the two elephants are dancing together. This line reinforces the idea that love and desire are not just physical acts, but are also emotional and spiritual experiences.
The ninth line of the poem, "With huge tusks like two great bull-cars," is a powerful image that reinforces the strength and power of the elephant. The use of the word "bull-cars" creates a sense of momentum and force, as if the elephants are charging forward with all their might. This line also suggests that love and desire can be both gentle and fierce, and that the two emotions are not mutually exclusive.
The tenth line of the poem, "So slowly, the great hot elephant hearts," is a beautiful image that suggests the depth and intensity of the elephants' love. The use of the word "slowly" reinforces the idea that true love and desire take time to develop, and that they cannot be rushed or forced. The image of the "great hot elephant hearts" suggests that the elephants' love is both passionate and enduring, and that it will last a lifetime.
The final lines of the poem, "Creep toward each other to mate," are a perfect ending to this masterpiece. The use of the word "creep" creates a sense of intimacy and tenderness, as if the elephants are approaching each other with great care and affection. The act of mating is once again celebrated and cherished, as Lawrence reminds us that love and desire are the most natural and beautiful expressions of the human (and animal) experience.
In conclusion, The Elephant Is Slow To Mate is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love, sexuality, and the natural world. Lawrence's use of language and imagery is both powerful and beautiful, creating a sense of intimacy and tenderness that is rare in modern poetry. This poem is a reminder that true love and desire cannot be rushed or forced, but must be allowed to develop naturally over time. It is a celebration of the power of love and desire, and a testament to the enduring nature of the human (and animal) spirit.
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