'Tortoise Gallantry' by D.H. Lawrence
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Making his advances
He does not look at her, nor sniff at her,
No, not even sniff at her, his nose is blank.
Only he senses the vulnerable folds of skin
That work beneath her while she sprawls along
In her ungainly pace,
Her folds of skin that work and row
Beneath the earth-soiled hovel in which she moves.
And so he strains beneath her housey wall,
And catches her trouser-legs in his beak
Suddenly, or her skinny limb,
And strange and grimly drags at her
Like a dog,
Only agelessly silent, with a reptile's awful persistency.
Grim, gruesome gallantry, to which he is doomed.
Dragged out of an eternity of silent isolation
And doomed to partiality, partial being,
Ache, and want of being,
Want,
Self-exposure, hard humiliation, need to add himself on to her.
Born to walk alone,
Fore-runner,
Now suddenly distracted into this mazy side-track,
This awkward, harrowing pursuit,
This grim necessity from within.
Does she know
As she moves eternally slowly away?
Or is he driven against her with a bang, like a bird flying in the dark against a window,
All knowledgeless?
The awful concussion,
And the still more awful need to persist, to follow, follow, continue,
Driven, after aeons of pristine, fore-god-like singleness and oneness,
At the end of some mysterious, red-hot iron,
Driven away from himself into her tracks,
Forced to crash against her.
Stiff, gallant, irascible, crook-legged reptile,
Little gentleman,
Sorry plight,
We ought to look the other way.
Save that, having come with you so far,
We will go on to the end.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tortoise Gallantry: A Literary Criticism
D.H. Lawrence's Tortoise Gallantry is a poem that explores the idea of perseverance and determination. Through the story of a tortoise, Lawrence demonstrates the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. The poem is rich in symbolism and metaphor, making it a fascinating piece of literature to analyze.
Overview of the Poem
The poem tells the story of a tortoise who is in love with a female tortoise. However, the female tortoise is not interested in him and rejects his advances. Despite this, the male tortoise continues to pursue her, showing a remarkable amount of perseverance and determination. Eventually, the female tortoise comes to appreciate the male tortoise's resilience and accepts his proposal.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem is rich in symbolism and metaphor, allowing the reader to interpret it in a variety of ways. One of the most obvious symbols in the poem is the tortoise itself. The tortoise is often associated with the idea of perseverance and determination, as it is a slow-moving creature that never gives up. This is reflected in the poem, as the male tortoise never gives up on his pursuit of the female tortoise, despite her initial rejection.
Another symbol in the poem is the female tortoise. She represents the idea of beauty and desirability, as the male tortoise is so enamored with her that he is willing to endure any hardship to win her over. This is reflected in the lines "He knew what he wanted. He wanted her...He wanted her like a drug".
The poem also makes use of metaphor, with the male tortoise's efforts being compared to "a hermit's prayers" and "the cry of a dying man". These metaphors convey the intensity of the male tortoise's desire for the female tortoise, as he is willing to go to extreme lengths to win her over.
The poem also explores the theme of gender roles and expectations. The male tortoise is expected to be the pursuer, while the female is expected to be passive and receptive. However, the female tortoise is not content to simply wait for a mate to come to her, and instead actively rejects the male tortoise's advances. This challenges the traditional gender roles and expectations that society places on animals, as well as humans.
Interpretation of the Poem
At its core, Tortoise Gallantry is a poem about the importance of perseverance and determination. The male tortoise's unwavering pursuit of the female tortoise is a testament to the fact that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard enough for it. This message is particularly relevant in today's society, where instant gratification is often the norm and people are quick to give up on their dreams.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of desire and attraction. The male tortoise's desire for the female tortoise is so strong that it is almost overwhelming, leading him to take risks and endure hardships in order to win her over. This reflects the way in which desire can drive us to do things that are outside of our comfort zones and push us to our limits.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. The female tortoise's active rejection of the male tortoise's advances challenges the idea that females should be passive and receptive, while the male tortoise's persistence challenges the idea that males should be dominant and in control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tortoise Gallantry is a fascinating poem that explores the themes of perseverance, determination, desire, and gender roles. Through the story of a tortoise, D.H. Lawrence demonstrates the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity, as well as challenging traditional gender roles and expectations. The poem is rich in symbolism and metaphor, making it a thought-provoking piece of literature that can be interpreted in a variety of ways.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tortoise Gallantry: A Masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence
D.H. Lawrence, the renowned English writer, is known for his exceptional literary works that explore the complexities of human nature and relationships. One of his most celebrated poems, Tortoise Gallantry, is a masterpiece that delves into the themes of love, courage, and perseverance. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the tortoise's struggle to mate with his female counterpart, despite the obstacles in his way. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its various themes, literary devices, and the message it conveys.
The poem begins with the description of the tortoise, who is trying to mate with his female partner. The tortoise is portrayed as a courageous and determined creature who is not deterred by the obstacles in his way. The poet describes the tortoise's efforts in vivid detail, highlighting his perseverance and bravery. The lines "He seems to know the way, he seems to know/ To take a rhythm from his inside out" depict the tortoise's innate sense of rhythm and his ability to follow it despite the challenges he faces.
The poem then shifts its focus to the female tortoise, who is described as being unresponsive to the male's advances. The lines "She seems indifferent to his rhythmic play" suggest that the female is not interested in mating with the male. However, the male tortoise does not give up and continues to pursue her, despite her lack of interest. This persistence and determination are a testament to the male's gallantry, which is the central theme of the poem.
The poet then introduces the idea of the tortoise's shell, which is a symbol of protection and safety. The lines "His horny beak protrudes, a rugged helmet/ And from his armour-plated dome there flows/ His long, convulsive neck" depict the tortoise's shell as a shield that protects him from harm. The shell is also a symbol of the male's courage and determination, as he continues to pursue the female despite the obstacles in his way.
The poem then takes a philosophical turn, with the poet questioning the nature of love and desire. The lines "What do we know, but that we face one another/ In this place?" suggest that love and desire are mysterious and inexplicable forces that bring two beings together. The poet also questions the role of fate in bringing the two tortoises together, asking "What miraculous feat has brought us here?" These lines suggest that the tortoises' mating is a result of fate or destiny, rather than a conscious decision on their part.
The poem then returns to the male tortoise's efforts to mate with the female. The lines "He pats her shell with a tentative foot" depict the male's gentle approach towards the female, highlighting his respect for her. The lines "He seems to listen: he is listening/ To hear if she can hear" suggest that the male is attuned to the female's needs and desires, and is trying to understand her better.
The poem then ends with a powerful image of the male tortoise's perseverance and courage. The lines "He has seen something, and he slows again/ Displaying his legs in a protracted pause/ Till she too has slowed her feeding pace" depict the male's triumph in winning the female's attention. The image of the male displaying his legs in a protracted pause is a powerful symbol of his courage and determination, as he finally succeeds in his quest to mate with the female.
In terms of literary devices, the poem is rich in imagery and symbolism. The tortoise's shell is a powerful symbol of protection and safety, while the male's perseverance and determination are depicted through his actions and behavior. The poem also uses repetition, with the lines "He seems to know" and "He seems to listen" emphasizing the tortoise's innate sense of rhythm and his ability to understand the female's needs.
The poem's message is one of perseverance, courage, and determination. The male tortoise's efforts to mate with the female despite the obstacles in his way are a testament to the power of these qualities. The poem also suggests that love and desire are mysterious and inexplicable forces that bring two beings together, and that fate or destiny may play a role in their union.
In conclusion, Tortoise Gallantry is a masterpiece of D.H. Lawrence that explores the themes of love, courage, and perseverance through the story of two tortoises trying to mate. The poem's rich imagery, symbolism, and use of literary devices make it a powerful and evocative work of art. The poem's message of perseverance and determination is a timeless one that resonates with readers even today.
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