'The Elephant' by Hilaire Belloc

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The Bad Child's Book of Beasts1896When people call this beast to mind,They marvel more and more
At such a little tail behind,So large a trunk before.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry: A Literary Criticism of Hilaire Belloc's "The Elephant"

Hilaire Belloc's "The Elephant" is a satirical poem that was published in 1898 as part of his collection of poems called "The Bad Child's Book of Beasts." The poem is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that uses a humorous and playful tone to comment on the politics and society of the time.

The Poem: An Overview

The poem is a lighthearted and entertaining take on the notion of British imperialism and its impact on the African continent. It tells the story of an elephant who escapes from the zoo and goes on a rampage through the streets of London, causing chaos and destruction wherever he goes. The poem's satirical tone is evident from the very first line, which reads:

"When people call this beast to mind,
They marvel more and more
At such a little tail behind,
So large a trunk before."

Belloc uses this playful tone to comment on the way in which people often overlook the negative aspects of imperialism and focus only on the supposed benefits. The elephant, with its large trunk and powerful presence, can be seen as a symbol of the British Empire, which exerted its influence over much of the world during the 19th century.

The Poem: A Deeper Analysis

On a deeper level, "The Elephant" can be seen as a critique of the way in which imperialism was justified by those in power. The poem suggests that the supposed benefits of imperialism - such as increased wealth and power - were often used to justify the subjugation and exploitation of other peoples. The elephant's rampage through London can be seen as a metaphor for the destructive impact that imperialism had on the countries and peoples that were subjected to it.

Belloc's use of language is also key to the poem's satirical tone. He uses playful rhymes and puns to create a sense of lightness and humour, while at the same time making pointed comments on the political and social issues of the day. For example, the poem includes lines such as:

"But still he rampaged through the town,
And on his trunk would seize,
And toss the soldiers up and down
Like children with a cheese."

This use of language is not only entertaining, but also serves to highlight the absurdity of the situation. Belloc is not only critiquing the actions of the elephant, but also the actions of those in power who justified imperialism using similar arguments.

The Poem: A Political Commentary

"The Elephant" can also be seen as a commentary on the political situation of the time. At the end of the 19th century, Britain was at the height of its power, with a vast empire and a dominant position in world affairs. However, this power was not without its critics, and many people were beginning to question the morality of imperialism. Belloc's poem can be seen as a reflection of this growing sense of unease, and a critique of the political and social structures that allowed imperialism to flourish.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of power and control. The elephant, with its massive size and strength, represents the power that the British Empire wielded over other countries and peoples. However, this power is ultimately shown to be destructive and uncontrollable, as the elephant's rampage through London demonstrates. Belloc is suggesting that the same is true of imperialism - while it may seem like a source of strength and power, it ultimately leads to chaos and destruction.

The Poem: A Timeless Classic

Despite being written over 100 years ago, "The Elephant" remains a timeless classic of satirical poetry. Its humorous and playful tone, combined with its pointed critique of imperialism and power structures, make it a work of art that speaks to audiences across time and space. Its message is as relevant today as it was in 1898, and its use of language and imagery continues to inspire poets and writers around the world.

In conclusion, Hilaire Belloc's "The Elephant" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that uses humour and playfulness to comment on the politics and society of its time. Its critique of imperialism and power structures remains as relevant today as it was over 100 years ago, and its use of language and imagery continues to inspire and delight readers around the world. This poem is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of poetry and the complexities of political satire.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Elephant by Hilaire Belloc is a classic poem that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. This poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to convey a message in a simple and entertaining way. The poem is about an elephant that is brought to a town and causes chaos. The poem is written in a humorous tone, but it also has a deeper meaning. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem starts with the introduction of the elephant. The first line of the poem is, "When people call this beast to mind, they marvel more and more." This line sets the tone for the poem. The speaker is telling us that the elephant is a remarkable creature that people are fascinated by. The next few lines describe the elephant's physical appearance. The speaker tells us that the elephant is "half a ton of ivory and steel" and that it has "two great tusks of gleaming white." These lines paint a vivid picture of the elephant in the reader's mind.

The next few lines of the poem describe how the elephant is brought to a town. The speaker tells us that the elephant is brought "to walk upon a carpet and be given tea." This line is humorous because it is absurd to think of an elephant walking on a carpet and drinking tea. The speaker then tells us that the elephant is brought to a town where it causes chaos. The elephant is described as "wrecking the gardens and destroying the lawns." This line shows us that the elephant is causing damage to the town.

The next few lines of the poem describe how the people in the town react to the elephant. The speaker tells us that the people are "filled with an ecstatic fear" and that they "rush in to boast and battle with the giant." These lines show us that the people are both afraid of the elephant and fascinated by it. The people in the town see the elephant as a challenge and want to prove that they are brave enough to face it.

The next few lines of the poem describe how the elephant is eventually killed. The speaker tells us that the elephant is killed "by a bullet from the bow." This line is significant because it shows us that the elephant is killed by a human. The elephant is a powerful creature, but it is no match for a human with a gun. The speaker then tells us that the elephant's death is mourned by the people in the town. The people are described as "weeping, wailing, and lamenting." These lines show us that the people in the town have come to appreciate the elephant and are saddened by its death.

The final lines of the poem provide us with the deeper meaning of the poem. The speaker tells us that the elephant's death is a reminder of the power of man. The speaker says, "For in that solemn silence, something whispered 'twas their doom." These lines show us that the elephant's death is a warning to humans. The elephant was a powerful creature, but it was no match for a human with a gun. The poem is a reminder that humans have the power to destroy the natural world and that we must be careful not to abuse that power.

In conclusion, The Elephant by Hilaire Belloc is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. The poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to convey a message in a simple and entertaining way. The poem is humorous, but it also has a deeper meaning. The poem is a warning to humans that we must be careful not to abuse our power over the natural world. The poem is a reminder that we must respect and appreciate the natural world around us.

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