Animals Poem Summary, Appreciation, and Figures of Speech | Class 10 English

Find summaries, figures of speech, appreciation and notes the poem "Animals" by Walt Whitman of Maharashtra State Board (SSC) Class 10. 

The Ultimate Guide to the Poem "Animals" 

by 

Walt Whitman (Class 10 SSC)

In Unit 2.1 of the Class 10 English (Higher Level) textbook, we have a powerful piece of literature: "Animals" by Walt Whitman. This poem doesn't just describe nature; it holds a mirror up to human society.

Walt Whitman who is often called the "Father of Free Verse," expresses his desire to leave the human world behind and live with animals. But why? Let’s dive deep into this masterpiece.

1. About the Poet: Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was a revolutionary American poet. He was a nonconformist who broke away from strict rhyming rules. In this poem, he explores the theme that animals have retained the basic virtues that humans have lost in the name of "civilization."

2. "Animals" Poem Summary & Explanation

The poem is a direct comparison between human behavior and animal behavior. Think of a small child and a puppy. Both are happy, they don't care about money, and they don't lie. Why does the child change when they grow up, but the puppy stays the same? This is what the poet wants to show through this poem.

The Peace of Animals

Whitman begins by saying he could "turn and live with animals." He admires their placid (calm) and self-contained nature. Animals don't depend on others for their happiness, nor do they live in a constant state of panic.

Freedom from Anxiety and Guilt

The poet highlights three things animals never do, which humans do constantly:

• They do not sweat and whine: 
• Animals don't complain about their living conditions or hard work.
• They do not lie awake in the dark: 
• Animals have a clear conscience. They don't lose sleep crying over their "sins" or mistakes.
• They do not make the poet sick: 
• Whitman dislikes when humans boast about their religious duties to God. Animals live their spirituality through their actions, not through hollow talk.

Materialism and Equality

Whitman observes that no animal is "demented with the mania of owning things." In the animal kingdom, there is no greed. Furthermore, no animal kneels to another. There are no social hierarchies or "respectable" classes; every animal is equal and content.

The Lost "Tokens" of Humanity

The most profound part of the poem is the end. Whitman sees "tokens" (virtues like innocence, kindness, and honesty) in animals. He wonders if humans possessed these qualities long ago but "negligently dropped them" as they became more greedy and complicated.

3. Figures of Speech in the Poem "Animals"

For the Language Study section of your exam, remember these key poetic devices:

• Alliteration: "I stand and look at them long and long." (Repetition of the sound 'l').
• Repetition: The word "long" is repeated to emphasize the duration of the poet’s admiration. The phrase "Not one is..." is also repeated to create a rhythmic effect.
• Hyperbole: "Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago." (An exaggeration to show the lack of ancestor worship in animals).
• Metaphor: The word "tokens" is a metaphor for human virtues like innocence and simplicity.
• Onomatopoeia: The word "whine" imitates the sound of complaining or crying.

Figure of Speech: Anaphora

1. Definition:

Anaphora is a specific type of Repetition where a word or a phrase is repeated at the beginning of successive (one after another) lines, clauses, or sentences.

2. Example from the Poem "Animals":

"They do not sweat and whine about their condition,"

"They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,"

"They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,"

Here, the phrase "They do not" is an example of Anaphora.

Another example in the same poem!

Look at these lines:

"Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things,"

"Not one kneels to another..."

"Not one is respectable or unhappy..."

Here, the phrase "Not one (is)" is also an example of Anaphora.

3. Why did the poet use it? (The Poetic Effect):

Emphasis: It strongly emphasizes the qualities that animals possess by highlighting what they refuse to do (unlike humans).

Rhythm: Since this poem is written in Free Verse (no rhyme scheme), Anaphora helps create a musical rhythm and structure to the poem.

Comparison: It builds a cumulative effect, making the list of human flaws seem longer and more irritating compared to the peaceful nature of animals.

4. Poem Appreciation (Exam Format)

The title of the poem is 'Animals'. It is written by the great American poet Walt Whitman who is often called the "Father of Free Verse,". This poem is also written in Free Verse. There is no rhyme scheme.

There are many figures of Speech like Alliteration, Repetition, Metaphor, Hyperbole and onomatopoeia in the poem. 

• Repetition: The word "long" is repeated for emphasis. 
• Onomatopoeia: The word "whine" imitates the sound of complaining or crying.

The theme or central idea of the poem is that it criticizes the human nature. The  poet believes that animals are better than humans because they are calm and self-contained. They are free from greed. He regrets that  humans have lost their basic virtues (tokens) of innocence and honesty, while animals have preserved them. It encourages us to look back at our roots and be cam and satisfied once again.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why does the poet want to live with animals?

A: He finds animals more peaceful, honest, and content than humans, who are often greedy, complaining, and hypocritical.

Q: What does "mania of owning things" mean?

A: It refers to the human behaviour of gathering wealth, property, and material possessions.

Q: Is there any rhyme scheme in the poem?

A: No, Walt Whitman wrote this in "Free Verse," which focuses on the rhythm of natural speech rather than rhyming words.

Q: So they show their relations to me and I accept them they bring me tokens of my self...... Explain. 

In these lines, the poet expresses a sense of kinship with animals. He uses the word "tokens" as a metaphor for basic human virtues like innocence and simplicity. He feels that animals have preserved these "tokens" of goodness, while humans have lost them in the race for civilization and materialism. By observing animals, the poet reconnects with his own true, natural self.

The poet feels that animals are his true "relatives." In human society, relationships are often based on status, money, or selfishness. However, animals show their true nature. They are honest, loyal, and straightforward. The poet accepts the tokens because animals are not hypocrites and do not have "hidden agendas," the poet feels comfortable with them. He accepts their friendship because it is pure and uncomplicated.

Conclusion

"Animals" is not just a poem about creatures; it is a critique of human evolution.  For SSC students, this poem is a reminder to value character over possessions.