'Baby Tortoise' by D.H. Lawrence

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1918You know what it is to be born alone,
Baby tortoise!
The first day to heave your feet little by little from the shell,
Not yet awake,
And remain lapsed on earth,
Not quite alive.A tiny, fragile, half-animate bean.To open your tiny beak-mouth, that looks as if it would never open,Like some iron door;
To lift the upper hawk-beak from the lower base
And reach your skinny little neck
And take your first bite at some dim bit of herbage,
Alone, small insect,
Tiny bright-eye,
Slow one.To take your first solitary bite
And move on your slow, solitary hunt.
Your bright, dark little eye,
Your eye of a dark disturbed night,
Under its slow lid, tiny baby tortoise,
So indomitable.
No one ever heard you complain.You draw your head forward, slowly, from your little wimpleAnd set forward, slow-dragging, on your four-pinned toes, Rowing slowly forward.
Whither away, small bird?
Rather like a baby working its limbs,
Except that you make slow, ageless progress
And a baby makes none.The touch of sun excites you,
And the long ages, and the lingering chill
Make you pause to yawn,
Opening your impervious mouth,
Suddenly beak-shaped, and very wide, like some suddenly gaping pincers;
Soft red tongue, and hard thin gums,
Then close the wedge of your little mountain front,
Your face, baby tortoise.Do you wonder at the world, as slowly you turn your head in its wimple
And look with laconic, black eyes?
Or is sleep coming over you again,
The non-life?You are so hard to wake.Are you able to wonder?
Or is it just your indomitable will and pride of the first life
Looking round
And slowly pitching itself against the inertia
Which had seemed invincible?The vast inanimate,
And the fine brilliance of your so tiny eye,
Challenger.Nay, tiny shell-bird,
What a huge vast inanimate it is, that you must row against,
What an incalculable inertia.Challenger,
Little Ulysses, fore-runner,
No bigger than my thumb-nail,
Buon viaggio.All animate creation on your shoulder,
Set forth, little Titan, under your battle-shield.The ponderous, preponderate,
Inanimate universe;
And you are slowly moving, pioneer, you alone.How vivid your travelling seems now, in the troubled sunshine,
Stoic, Ulyssean atom;
Suddenly hasty, reckless, on high toes.Voiceless little bird,
Resting your head half out of your wimple
In the slow dignity of your eternal pause.
Alone, with no sense of being alone,
And hence six times more solitary;
Fulfilled of the slow passion of pitching through immemorial ages
Your little round house in the midst of chaos.Over the garden earth,
Small bird,
Over the edge of all things.Traveller,
With your tail tucked a little on one side
Like a gentleman in a long-skirted coat.All life carried on your shoulder,
Invincible fore-runner.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Baby Tortoise" by D.H. Lawrence: A Journey of Life and Death

Oh, what a beautiful poem! "Baby Tortoise" by D.H. Lawrence is a masterpiece of poetic artistry that vibrantly captures the essence of life and death. This poem is an ode to the circle of life, an exploration of the beauty and fragility of existence, a celebration of the human spirit, and a lamentation of our mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall explore the themes, symbolism, imagery, structure, and language of "Baby Tortoise" and understand the deeper meaning of this beloved poem.

Themes

The central themes of "Baby Tortoise" are life, death, and the passage of time. The poem explores the idea of life as a journey, a cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death. It contemplates the fragility and beauty of existence, the inevitability of mortality, and the bittersweet joy of being alive. The poem also celebrates the resilience and perseverance of life, the power of nature to renew itself, and the hope that springs eternal in the human heart.

Symbolism

The baby tortoise is the central symbol of the poem, representing life and the journey of existence. The tortoise is a powerful metaphor for life because it is slow, steady, and enduring. It embodies the idea of perseverance, resilience, and the capacity to survive against all odds. The baby tortoise is also a symbol of vulnerability and fragility, reminding us of the transience and delicacy of life. The tortoise's journey from the nest to the sea is a metaphor for the journey of life, from birth to death, and the obstacles, challenges, and joys that we encounter along the way.

The sea is another important symbol in the poem, representing the vastness of life, the unknown future, and the mystery of death. The sea is a symbol of hope and possibility, offering the tortoise a new home and a new beginning. The sea also represents the cycle of life, the ebb and flow of existence, and the continuity of nature.

Imagery

The imagery in "Baby Tortoise" is rich and evocative, painting vivid pictures in the mind of the reader. The poem opens with a description of the tortoise as a "black helmet on wheels," a powerful image that captures the slow and steady movement of the creature. The image of the tortoise's "little living head" peeping out of its shell is both endearing and poignant, reminding us of the vulnerability and fragility of life.

The poem also uses imagery to evoke the beauty and vastness of nature. The image of the "great sun" setting in the west is a powerful symbol of the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The image of the sea as a "wide plain of waters" is both awe-inspiring and mysterious, reminding us of the infinite possibilities that life holds.

Structure

The structure of "Baby Tortoise" is simple and straightforward, with four stanzas of equal length. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter, allowing the language to flow naturally and unencumbered. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase flows over into the next line, creates a sense of movement and continuity, echoing the journey of the tortoise.

The structure of the poem also mirrors the journey of life, with the first stanza describing the birth of the tortoise, the second and third stanzas recounting the journey to the sea, and the final stanza contemplating the mystery of death. The simple structure of the poem allows the themes and imagery to shine through, creating a powerful and evocative piece of poetry.

Language

The language of "Baby Tortoise" is simple and direct, with a focus on imagery and metaphor. The language is accessible to all readers, yet it is also rich and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and awe. The use of repetition, such as the repeated phrase "he headed west," creates a sense of rhythm and movement, echoing the slow and steady progress of the tortoise.

The language of the poem also reflects the themes of life and death, with words such as "birth," "death," and "sea" carrying powerful connotations. The language is also imbued with a sense of hope and wonder, reflecting the resilience and beauty of life.

Conclusion

"Baby Tortoise" by D.H. Lawrence is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of life and death. The poem celebrates the resilience and perseverance of life, the beauty and fragility of existence, and the hope that springs eternal in the human heart. The poem's use of symbolism, imagery, structure, and language creates a powerful and evocative piece of poetry that speaks to the deepest truths of the human experience. This poem is truly a masterpiece of poetic artistry, and a testament to the enduring power of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Baby Tortoise: A Masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, is known for his exceptional literary works that have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Baby Tortoise," which is a beautiful portrayal of nature and its wonders. The poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the beauty of the natural world. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall significance.

The poem "Baby Tortoise" is a short but powerful piece of literature that describes the journey of a baby tortoise as it makes its way towards the sea. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which captures a different aspect of the tortoise's journey. The first stanza describes the tortoise's slow and steady progress towards the sea, while the second stanza focuses on the tortoise's struggle to overcome the obstacles in its path. The final stanza is a celebration of the tortoise's triumph as it finally reaches the sea.

The poem is filled with vivid imagery that brings the tortoise's journey to life. Lawrence uses a variety of literary devices to create a powerful and evocative poem. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is personification. Lawrence personifies the tortoise, giving it human-like qualities that make it relatable and endearing. For example, in the first stanza, Lawrence describes the tortoise as "creeping, with soft legs, / On a cushion of leaves and straw." This personification makes the tortoise seem like a living, breathing creature, rather than just a reptile.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. Lawrence uses metaphor to describe the tortoise's journey as a metaphor for life. The tortoise's slow and steady progress towards the sea is a metaphor for the journey of life, with its ups and downs, obstacles, and triumphs. The metaphor is particularly powerful in the second stanza, where Lawrence describes the tortoise's struggle to overcome the obstacles in its path. He writes, "But he never forgot the goal, / And he came to the river wide." This metaphorical journey is a powerful reminder that life is a journey, and that we must keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles we face.

The poem is also filled with symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the poem. The tortoise itself is a symbol of resilience and perseverance. Despite its slow and steady pace, the tortoise never gives up on its journey towards the sea. The sea, on the other hand, is a symbol of freedom and liberation. The tortoise's journey towards the sea represents its journey towards freedom and a new beginning.

The poem also explores the theme of nature and its wonders. Lawrence's love for nature is evident in the poem, as he describes the beauty of the natural world in vivid detail. He writes, "The sun rose over the sea, / And the yellow water far below / Slept, and the clouds were golden." This description of the sunrise over the sea is a testament to Lawrence's appreciation for the beauty of nature.

The poem also explores the theme of time and its passing. The tortoise's slow and steady progress towards the sea is a reminder that time is a precious commodity that should be cherished and used wisely. The poem is a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of the time we have.

In conclusion, "Baby Tortoise" is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of life and the beauty of the natural world. The poem is a powerful reminder that life is a journey, and that we must keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles we face. Lawrence's use of literary devices such as personification, metaphor, and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

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