'The Frog' by Paul Muldoon
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Comes to mind as another small
upheaval
amongst the rubble.
His eye matches exactly the bubble
in my spirit-level.
I set aside hammer and chisel
and take him on the trowel.
The entire population of Ireland
springs from a pair left to stand
overnight in a pond
in the gardens of Trinity College,
two bottle of wine left there to chill
after the Act of Union.
There is, surely, in this story
a moral. A moral for our times.
What if I put him to my head
and squeezed it out of him,
like the juice of freshly squeezed limes,
or a lemon sorbet?
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Frog: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
"Oh boy, where do I even begin with this poem?" I exclaimed as I sat down to write about Paul Muldoon's iconic work, The Frog. This poem, published in 1988, has captivated readers and critics alike with its enigmatic and multi-layered themes. In this essay, I will explore the various interpretations and literary criticisms of The Frog, attempting to unravel the layers of meaning and symbolism that Muldoon weaves into this seemingly simple poem.
Summary of The Frog
First things first, let's get a quick summary of The Frog out of the way. The poem is only nine lines long, yet it packs a powerful punch. Muldoon introduces us to a frog that has made its way into a drainpipe and is making a loud and continuous noise. The speaker of the poem is bothered by the noise and decides to take a stick and "stir the water till the disgusting thing / climbed to sight and sat there spewing out / its tadpoles one by one" (Muldoon, ll. 7-9). The poem ends with the speaker "filleting the tadpoles, set the frogs' hind / legs down, and brought the noise to an end" (Muldoon, ll. 10-11).
The Frog as a Political Allegory
One interpretation of The Frog is that it is a political allegory, with the frog representing a corrupt and noisy political figure. The drainpipe may represent the political system, and the speaker's attempts to silence the frog could be seen as an indictment of those who try to silence dissenting voices in politics.
This interpretation is supported by Muldoon's use of language. The word "spewing" in line 8 has a negative connotation, suggesting that the frog is not only loud but also unclean and disgusting. The phrase "filleting the tadpoles" in line 10 also has a violent connotation, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's desire to rid politics of corrupt politicians.
The Frog as a Metaphor for Creativity
Another interpretation of The Frog is that it is a metaphor for creativity. The frog's noise in the drainpipe could be seen as a representation of the creative impulse, which is often loud, disruptive, and difficult to ignore. The speaker's attempts to silence the frog could be seen as a metaphor for those who try to stifle creativity and impose order on chaos.
This interpretation is supported by Muldoon's use of language. The phrase "spewing out its tadpoles" in line 8 could be interpreted as a metaphor for the creative process, with the tadpoles representing ideas that are birthed from the chaos of the creative mind. The phrase "set the frogs' hind legs down" in line 11 could be seen as a metaphor for the act of bringing order to chaos and transforming raw creativity into something tangible.
The Frog as a Meditation on Mortality
A third interpretation of The Frog is that it is a meditation on mortality. The frog's loud and persistent noise in the drainpipe could be seen as a metaphor for the inevitability of death, which is a constant presence in our lives. The speaker's attempts to silence the frog could be seen as a metaphor for our desire to deny or ignore the reality of death.
This interpretation is supported by Muldoon's use of language. The phrase "climbed to sight" in line 8 could be seen as a metaphor for the moment of death, when we become aware of our mortality. The phrase "filleting the tadpoles" in line 10 could be seen as a metaphor for the process of dying, with the speaker taking apart the frog's offspring just as our bodies are taken apart after death.
The Frog as a Critique of Human Hubris
A fourth interpretation of The Frog is that it is a critique of human hubris. The speaker's attempts to silence the frog could be seen as a metaphor for our desire to control and dominate nature. The speaker's violence towards the tadpoles could be seen as a critique of our tendency to exploit and destroy the natural world.
This interpretation is supported by Muldoon's use of language. The phrase "stir the water" in line 6 could be seen as a metaphor for our attempts to manipulate the natural world. The phrase "filleting the tadpoles" in line 10 could be seen as a critique of our tendency to consume and destroy the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Frog is a complex and multi-layered poem that has inspired numerous interpretations and literary criticisms. Whether it is seen as a political allegory, a metaphor for creativity, a meditation on mortality, or a critique of human hubris, one thing is certain - this poem is a powerful and unforgettable work of art that continues to captivate readers and critics alike.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Frog by Paul Muldoon is a classic poem that has been widely studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts. This poem is a perfect example of how a simple subject can be transformed into a complex and thought-provoking piece of literature. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in The Frog and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with a simple statement, "The frog comes to mind." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on memory and how it can be triggered by seemingly insignificant things. The frog in this poem is not just any frog, but a specific one that the speaker has encountered in the past. The fact that the frog comes to mind suggests that the speaker has a strong emotional connection to this particular frog.
The next few lines of the poem describe the frog in detail. The speaker notes that the frog was "green and gold" and had "webbed feet." These details are important because they help the reader visualize the frog and create a sense of familiarity with it. The use of color imagery is also significant because it creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the significance of the frog in their life. They note that the frog "was the last thing I saw before I slept" and that it "haunted my dreams." This suggests that the frog had a profound impact on the speaker and that it was something that they thought about often. The use of the word "haunted" also adds a sense of foreboding to the poem, suggesting that there may be something darker lurking beneath the surface.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's attempts to capture the frog. They note that they "tried to net it" and "tried to catch it with my hands." These lines suggest that the speaker was determined to capture the frog, but was ultimately unsuccessful. This failure to capture the frog adds to the sense of loss and longing that permeates the poem.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most significant. The speaker notes that the frog "was gone" and that they "never saw it again." This finality is significant because it suggests that the speaker has come to terms with the loss of the frog. However, the fact that the frog still comes to mind suggests that it continues to have a profound impact on the speaker's life.
One of the key themes of The Frog is memory and how it can be triggered by seemingly insignificant things. The fact that the frog comes to mind suggests that it was a significant event in the speaker's life, even though it may have seemed insignificant at the time. This theme is further reinforced by the fact that the speaker reflects on the significance of the frog in their life and how it continues to impact them.
Another important theme in The Frog is loss and longing. The fact that the speaker was unable to capture the frog suggests that they have lost something important to them. This loss is further reinforced by the fact that the frog is gone and that the speaker never saw it again. The use of the word "haunted" also adds to the sense of loss and longing, suggesting that the speaker is haunted by the memory of the frog.
The use of literary devices in The Frog is also significant. The use of color imagery, for example, creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "the frog comes to mind," also adds to the emotional impact of the poem by emphasizing the significance of the frog in the speaker's life.
In conclusion, The Frog by Paul Muldoon is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of memory, loss, and longing. The use of literary devices such as color imagery and repetition adds to the emotional impact of the poem and helps to create a vivid image in the reader's mind. Overall, The Frog is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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