19 Varieties of
Gazelle and Footfall are both
very unique and similar poems because of the use of animals. Both poems depict
the animals (gazelles and turtles) in a positive light. Both of the “voices” in
the poems speak of how beautiful the animals are and how unique and different
they are compared to humans. In 19
Varieties of Gazelle, the gazelle is depicted as a graceful and quiet
animal and is even described as a “Gentile gazelle, dipping her head, into a
pool of silver grass” (89). The reader is made to think that the observers in
the poem are in awe of the gazelle and say that there is “Nothing better than
19 varieties of gazelle” (88). In Footfall, the turtle is also appreciated
but for different reasons. The people that live in the same area as the turtle
try and show the animal the upmost respect and consideration. The turtle is sensitive
and “She feels your footfall” (114). This footfall makes the residents take
their time and slows their movements so as to not disturb the animal and they “…tiptoe
through her yard” (115). Even with the tiptoeing, the turtle is still timid and
scared.
This makes me wonder why animals are used so often in the
poems? Do certain animals mean or symbolize different aspects of the culture? Are
the animals trying to tell the reader of the poems something? Lastly, why is
the turtle in Footfall so scared and
uneasy?
I do question the same thing about all the possible symbolizm in this book. Along with Footfall and 19 Varieties of Gazelle there is also the Duck poem. Is she writing about them because she sees them as a special animal, or is she writing about them because they do in fact live in the Middle East?
ReplyDeleteI too question the use of animals in Nye's poems. There are actually a lot of poems that mention animals the more I think about it.
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