'The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story' by Oliver Wendell Holmes
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Have you heard of the wonderful one-hoss shay,
That was built in such a logical way
It ran a hundred years to a day,
And then, of a sudden, it -- ah, but stay,
I'll tell you what happened without delay,
Scaring the parson into fits,
Frightening people out of their wits, --
Have you ever heard of that, I say?
Seventeen hundred and fifty-five.
Georgius Secundus was then alive, --
Snuffy old drone from the German hive.
That was the year when Lisbon-town
Saw the earth open and gulp her down,
And Braddock's army was done so brown,
Left without a scalp to its crown.
It was on the terrible Earthquake-day
That the Deacon finished the one-hoss shay.
Now in building of chaises, I tell you what,
There is always somewhere a weakest spot, --
In hub, tire, felloe, in spring or thill,
In panel, or crossbar, or floor, or sill,
In screw, bolt, thoroughbrace, -- lurking still,
Find it somewhere you must and will, --
Above or below, or within or without, --
And that's the reason, beyond a doubt,
A chaise breaks down, but does n't wear out.
But the Deacon swore (as Deacons do,
With an "I dew vum," or an "I tell yeou")
He would build one shay to beat the taown
'N' the keounty 'n' all the kentry raoun';
It should be so built that it could n' break daown:
"Fur," said the Deacon, "'t 's mighty plain
Thut the weakes' place mus' stan' the strain;
'N' the way t' fix it, uz I maintain,
Is only jest
T' make that place uz strong uz the rest."
So the Deacon inquired of the village folk
Where he could find the strongest oak,
That could n't be split nor bent nor broke, --
That was for spokes and floor and sills;
He sent for lancewood to make the thills;
The crossbars were ash, from the straightest trees,
The panels of white-wood, that cuts like cheese,
But lasts like iron for things like these;
The hubs of logs from the "Settler's ellum," --
Last of its timber, -- they could n't sell 'em,
Never an axe had seen their chips,
And the wedges flew from between their lips,
Their blunt ends frizzled like celery-tips;
Step and prop-iron, bolt and screw,
Spring, tire, axle, and linchpin too,
Steel of the finest, bright and blue;
Thoroughbrace bison-skin, thick and wide;
Boot, top, dasher, from tough old hide
Found in the pit when the tanner died.
That was the way he "put her through."
"There!" said the Deacon, "naow she'll dew!"
Do! I tell you, I rather guess
She was a wonder, and nothing less!
Colts grew horses, beards turned gray,
Deacon and deaconess dropped away,
Children and grandchildren -- where were they?
But there stood the stout old one-hoss shay
As fresh as on Lisbon-earthquake-day!
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED; -- it came and found
The Deacon's masterpiece strong and sound.
Eighteen hundred increased by ten; --
"Hahnsum kerridge" they called it then.
Eighteen hundred and twenty came; --
Running as usual; much the same.
Thirty and forty at last arrive,
And then come fifty, and FIFTY-FIVE.
Little of all we value here
Wakes on the morn of its hundreth year
Without both feeling and looking queer.
In fact, there's nothing that keeps its youth,
So far as I know, but a tree and truth.
(This is a moral that runs at large;
Take it. -- You're welcome. -- No extra charge.)
FIRST OF NOVEMBER, -- the Earthquake-day, --
There are traces of age in the one-hoss shay,
A general flavor of mild decay,
But nothing local, as one may say.
There could n't be, -- for the Deacon's art
Had made it so like in every part
That there was n't a chance for one to start.
For the wheels were just as strong as the thills,
And the floor was just as strong as the sills,
And the panels just as strong as the floor,
And the whipple-tree neither less nor more,
And the back crossbar as strong as the fore,
And spring and axle and hub encore.
And yet, as a whole, it is past a doubt
In another hour it will be worn out!
First of November, 'Fifty-five!
This morning the parson takes a drive.
Now, small boys, get out of the way!
Here comes the wonderful one-horse shay,
Drawn by a rat-tailed, ewe-necked bay.
"Huddup!" said the parson. -- Off went they.
The parson was working his Sunday's text, --
Had got to fifthly, and stopped perplexed
At what the -- Moses -- was coming next.
All at once the horse stood still,
Close by the meet'n'-house on the hill.
First a shiver, and then a thrill,
Then something decidedly like a spill, --
And the parson was sitting upon a rock,
At half past nine by the meet'n-house clock, --
Just the hour of the Earthquake shock!
What do you think the parson found,
When he got up and stared around?
The poor old chaise in a heap or mound,
As if it had been to the mill and ground!
You see, of course, if you're not a dunce,
How it went to pieces all at once, --
All at once, and nothing first, --
Just as bubbles do when they burst.
End of the wonderful one-hoss shay.
Logic is logic. That's all I say.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story
Oliver Wendell Holmes’ "The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It was published in 1858 in the Atlantic Monthly, and it is still popular today. The poem tells the story of a deacon who builds a one-horse carriage, or shay, that is incredibly durable and balanced, with all parts equally strong and capable of bearing stress. The deacon even goes as far as to claim that the shay will last for a century, and it does. However, after exactly one hundred years, the shay suddenly falls apart, with all parts giving out at once. This poem is a masterpiece that is worth exploring in detail.
Form and Structure
"The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story" is a poem that is written in rhymed couplets. The poem has a consistent meter, with each line composed of two feet of iambic trimeter. The poem is divided into twelve stanzas, with each stanza having eight lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABBCCDD. The poem's form and structure contribute to its readability and make it easy to memorize.
Literary Devices
The poem is full of literary devices that make it an enjoyable read. The poem makes use of personification, which is evident in the way the deacon speaks about the shay. The deacon says, "For the wheels were just as strong as the thills, and the floor was just as strong as the sills." This statement attributes human qualities to the inanimate objects of the shay. The personification adds to the overall humor of the poem.
The poem also employs irony to great effect. The deacon claims that the shay will last for a century, and it does. However, when the shay finally falls apart, it happens all at once, with all parts giving out together. This outcome is ironic because the deacon claimed that the shay was perfectly balanced and could withstand any stress. The irony adds to the unexpectedness of the poem's ending.
The poem also uses hyperbole to create a humorous effect. The deacon claims that the shay is so well built that it will last for a century. However, this claim is exaggerated and serves to underscore the deacon's pride in his creation. The use of hyperbole adds to the poem's lightheartedness.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the nature of perfection. The deacon believes that he has built a perfect shay, and the shay indeed lasts for a century. However, when the shay finally falls apart, it does so all at once, with all parts giving out together. This outcome challenges the deacon's belief in the shay's perfection, and by extension, the concept of perfection itself. The poem suggests that perfection is an ideal that is unattainable and that even the most well-built creations will eventually succumb to time.
Another theme explored in the poem is the importance of balance. The deacon claims that the shay is perfectly balanced, with all parts equally strong and capable of bearing stress. The importance of balance is evident in the way the shay lasts for a century without any parts giving out. However, when the shay finally falls apart, it is because all parts give out together, suggesting that the balance was not as perfect as the deacon believed. The theme of balance is also evident in the poem's form, with the consistent meter and rhyme scheme contributing to its overall balance.
Interpretation
"The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story" is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways. One interpretation is that the poem is a satire of the idea of perfection. The deacon's claim that the shay will last for a century is exaggerated, and the shay's sudden collapse challenges the notion of perfection. The poem suggests that perfection is impossible to achieve, and that even the most well-built creations will eventually succumb to time.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the importance of balance. The deacon claims that the shay is perfectly balanced, with all parts equally strong and capable of bearing stress. However, when the shay finally falls apart, it is because all parts give out together, suggesting that the balance was not as perfect as the deacon believed. The poem suggests that balance is essential to the longevity of any creation, and that even the slightest imbalance can lead to its eventual collapse.
Lastly, the poem can also be seen as a celebration of ingenuity and craftsmanship. The deacon's creation of the shay is a testament to his skill and creativity, and the shay's longevity is a testament to his craftsmanship. The poem celebrates the value of human ingenuity and the beauty of well-crafted creations.
Conclusion
"The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its form and structure make it an enjoyable read, and its use of literary devices adds to its humor and lightheartedness. The poem's central themes of perfection and balance challenge our notions of these ideals and suggest that they are unattainable. The poem can be interpreted in many ways, as a satire of perfection, a commentary on balance, or a celebration of ingenuity and craftsmanship. Whatever interpretation we choose, it is clear that "The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story" is a masterpiece that is worth exploring in detail.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story is a classic poem written by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1858. This poem is a masterpiece of logical reasoning and a satirical take on the idea of perfection. It tells the story of a deacon who builds a carriage that is so perfectly constructed that it lasts for exactly one hundred years before falling apart all at once.
The poem is written in a unique style that combines humor, satire, and logic. It is a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it has stood the test of time as a classic piece of American literature. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story.
The poem begins with a description of the deacon's masterpiece, the "one-hoss shay." The deacon is described as a man who is obsessed with perfection and who has spent his life trying to create the perfect carriage. He has studied every detail of the carriage, from the wheels to the frame, and has made sure that every part is perfectly balanced and symmetrical.
The deacon's masterpiece is described as a carriage that is so perfectly constructed that it cannot possibly break down. The poem states that "For the wheels were just as strong as the thills, / And the floor was just as strong as the sills, / And the panels just as strong as the floor, / And the whipple-tree neither less nor more, / And the back-crossbar as strong as the fore, / And spring and axle and hub encore."
The deacon's masterpiece is so perfectly constructed that it is impossible for any one part to fail before the others. The poem states that "And every part with its mate in joint, / And never a bolt or a screw or a pin / In any part of the carriage was seen."
The poem then goes on to describe how the deacon's masterpiece is put to the test. The carriage is driven through the streets of Boston, and everyone marvels at its perfection. The poem states that "The parson was working his Sunday's text, / Had got to fifthly, and stopped perplexed / At what the - Moses - was coming next. / All at once the horse stood still, / Close by the meet'n'-house on the hill."
The horse stops in front of the church, and the deacon's masterpiece falls apart all at once. The poem states that "But the deacon swore (as deacons do, / With an "I dew vum," or an "I tell yeou") / He would build one shay to beat the taown 'n' the keounty 'n' all the kentry raoun'; / It should be so built that it couldn' break daown."
The poem ends with the deacon's vow to build a new carriage that is even more perfect than the first. The poem states that "And this is the way I treat my wife / When I'm vexed - at her trifling life; / And I'd have you all to know, / I'm the head of this house, and I'll have it so!"
The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story is a poem that is full of themes and literary devices. One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of perfection. The deacon is obsessed with creating the perfect carriage, and he believes that he has succeeded in doing so. However, the poem shows that even the most perfect creation is not immune to the forces of time and nature.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of logic. The poem is structured in a logical way, with each part of the carriage described in detail. The poem also uses logical reasoning to explain why the deacon's masterpiece falls apart all at once. The poem states that "For the wheels were just as strong as the thills, / And the floor was just as strong as the sills, / And the panels just as strong as the floor, / And the whipple-tree neither less nor more, / And the back-crossbar as strong as the fore, / And spring and axle and hub encore."
The poem also uses satire to poke fun at the idea of perfection. The deacon is portrayed as a man who is so obsessed with perfection that he cannot see the flaws in his own creation. The poem states that "And every part with its mate in joint, / And never a bolt or a screw or a pin / In any part of the carriage was seen."
The poem also uses humor to make its point. The poem is full of witty one-liners and clever wordplay. For example, the poem states that "The parson was working his Sunday's text, / Had got to fifthly, and stopped perplexed / At what the - Moses - was coming next."
In terms of literary devices, the poem uses repetition to emphasize the idea of perfection. The poem repeats the phrase "And every part with its mate in joint" several times, emphasizing the idea that every part of the carriage is perfectly balanced and symmetrical.
The poem also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the deacon's masterpiece. The poem describes the carriage in detail, from the wheels to the frame, and uses sensory language to create a picture in the reader's mind.
In conclusion, The Deacon's Masterpiece Or, The Wonderful "One-Hoss Shay": A Logical Story is a classic poem that is full of themes, literary devices, and humor. It is a satirical take on the idea of perfection, and it uses logical reasoning and clever wordplay to make its point. The poem has stood the test of time as a classic piece of American literature, and it continues to be read and enjoyed by readers of all ages.
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