To call Ted Hughes (1930-1998) a nature poet, should not be considered pejorative. It simply means that nature is a frequent subject in his poetry. However, while a great many of his predecessors expressed nature as the idyllic, romantic, and peaceful opposite of a denatured and technological world, Hughes highlighted the darker and more realistic aspects of nature by putting its murderousness in the foreground.
Thus, the recognition of violence and aggression in nature became one of Hughes’ dominant themes in numerous of his poems. Yet, looking at his work, we can state a significant change when it comes to describing nature. With Terry Gifford’s analysis of Hughes’s poetry in mind, two different concepts of nature can be traced which may be called ‘anti-pastoral’ and ‘post-pastoral’ (Gifford 1994: 131pp). While a lot of his early works reveal a militant opposition to any Arcadian descriptions of nature, Hughes later on creates his post-pastoral poetry in which he reconnects ‘our own natural energies with those at work in the external natural world’ (Gifford 1994: 129). Such classification of poetry as suggested by Gifford should not be an end in itself; instead, it ought to be relevant to all contemporary readers who take an interest in clarifying for themselves ‘which writing is likely to raise the most useful questions for our time’ (Gifford 2012: 69).
In the following, I will devote myself to Terry Gifford’s classification of Ted Hughes’s poetry and illustrate whether or not it can be regarded as appropriate when it comes to the poet’s concept of nature. In order not to remain in pure theory, I will concentrate on Hughes’ poems Hawk Roosting and February 17th which can be referred to as palpable examples either of Hughes’ anti-pastoral or post-pastoral reference to nature. For a better understanding, I will initially define the terms ‘anti-pastoral’ and ‘post-pastoral’ as used and understood by Gifford, before I will prove them in the concepts in Hawk Roosting and February 17th by also clarifying the different effect that Hughes’ approaches to nature necessarily have on the reader. At the end, I will come to a conclusion in which I briefly state the results of my investigation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definitions of terms and concepts
- The anti-pastoral concept of nature in Hawk Roosting
- The post-pastoral concept of nature in February 17th
- Conclusions
- The poems
- Hawk Roosting
- February 17th
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines Ted Hughes' portrayal of nature in his poetry, focusing on the shift from an "anti-pastoral" to a "post-pastoral" perspective as defined by Terry Gifford. The analysis uses two poems, "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th," as case studies to illustrate these contrasting concepts.
- The evolution of Ted Hughes' depiction of nature in his poetry.
- The contrasting concepts of "anti-pastoral" and "post-pastoral" nature.
- Analysis of the imagery and language used in "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th."
- The impact of Hughes' portrayal of nature on the reader.
- The use of animal imagery as a metaphor for human behavior.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introduction establishes the central theme of the paper: exploring the portrayal of nature in Ted Hughes' poetry, specifically focusing on the transition between his earlier "anti-pastoral" and later "post-pastoral" phases, as categorized by Terry Gifford. The paper will analyze two of Hughes' poems, "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th," to exemplify this shift. The introduction emphasizes the importance of understanding Hughes' unique perspective on nature, departing from the idyllic portrayals of his predecessors and embracing a more realistic and often brutal depiction.
Definitions of terms and concepts: This section provides clear definitions of the key terms "pastoral," "anti-pastoral," and "post-pastoral" as used by Gifford. It contrasts the idealized, romanticized view of nature in pastoral works with the harsh, realistic, and often violent portrayal found in anti-pastoral literature. The "post-pastoral" concept, introduced as a more nuanced approach, is defined as encompassing aspects of both pastoral and anti-pastoral perspectives, recognizing the dynamic interplay between humans and nature and the reflection of inner human experiences in the external natural world. This section lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of Hughes' poems by providing a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical framework employed in the paper.
The anti-pastoral concept of nature in Hawk Roosting: This chapter focuses on "Hawk Roosting," analyzing how Hughes employs anti-pastoral elements to depict nature as a brutal and unforgiving environment. The poem's first-person perspective, from the hawk's point of view, reveals a self-assured predator, highlighting the dominance and violence inherent in the natural world. The language used is stark and realistic, devoid of any romanticism or idealization, reinforcing the poem's anti-pastoral nature. The chapter connects the hawk's behavior to human characteristics, suggesting a metaphorical comparison between the hawk and humanity's own predatory tendencies. The chapter emphasizes how the poem's depiction of nature challenges the reader's conventional understanding of nature's harmony and order, substituting it with a more unsettling reality.
Keywords
Ted Hughes, nature poetry, anti-pastoral, post-pastoral, Hawk Roosting, February 17th, violence in nature, animal imagery, human-nature relationship, literary analysis, Gifford's typology.
Ted Hughes' Nature Poetry: An Analysis of "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th" - FAQ
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper examines Ted Hughes' portrayal of nature in his poetry, specifically focusing on the shift from an "anti-pastoral" to a "post-pastoral" perspective as defined by Terry Gifford. The analysis uses two poems, "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th," as case studies.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the evolution of Ted Hughes' depiction of nature, the contrasting concepts of "anti-pastoral" and "post-pastoral" nature, analysis of imagery and language in the chosen poems, the impact of Hughes' portrayal on the reader, and the use of animal imagery as a metaphor for human behavior.
What are the "anti-pastoral" and "post-pastoral" concepts?
The paper defines these concepts as described by Terry Gifford. "Pastoral" represents an idealized, romanticized view of nature. "Anti-pastoral" depicts nature as harsh, realistic, and often violent. "Post-pastoral" is a more nuanced approach, encompassing aspects of both, recognizing the dynamic interplay between humans and nature and the reflection of inner human experiences in the external natural world.
How does the paper analyze "Hawk Roosting"?
The analysis of "Hawk Roosting" focuses on its anti-pastoral elements, depicting nature as brutal and unforgiving. The hawk's perspective reveals a self-assured predator, highlighting the dominance and violence of the natural world. The stark and realistic language reinforces the poem's anti-pastoral nature, drawing parallels between the hawk's behavior and human predatory tendencies.
How does the paper analyze "February 17th"?
While the provided text focuses more extensively on "Hawk Roosting" within its chapter summaries, the overall objective is to contrast the anti-pastoral perspective of "Hawk Roosting" with the post-pastoral perspective found in "February 17th". This comparison is central to demonstrating the shift in Hughes' portrayal of nature across his work. The detailed analysis of "February 17th" is likely presented elsewhere within the complete text.
What poems are analyzed in this paper?
The paper analyzes two poems by Ted Hughes: "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th."
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, definitions of key terms, chapters dedicated to analyzing "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th" through the lens of anti-pastoral and post-pastoral concepts, conclusions, and a list of keywords. The complete work also includes the full text of both poems.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Ted Hughes, nature poetry, anti-pastoral, post-pastoral, Hawk Roosting, February 17th, violence in nature, animal imagery, human-nature relationship, literary analysis, Gifford's typology.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section of the paper, highlighting the main points and arguments presented in each chapter, providing the reader with a clear understanding of the paper's structure and content before delving into the detailed analysis.
For whom is this paper intended?
This paper is intended for academic use, focusing on analyzing themes in a structured and professional manner. It is suitable for researchers, students, and anyone interested in a deeper understanding of Ted Hughes' work and the literary concepts of anti-pastoral and post-pastoral nature writing.
- Quote paper
- Dominik Jesse (Author), 2014, Concepts of Nature in Ted Hughes’ poems "Hawk Roosting" and "February 17th", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/294748
