Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
A gentleman of wit and charm, A kindly heart, a cleanly mind, One who was quick with hand or purse, To lift the burden of his kind. A brain well balanced and mature, A soul that shrank from all things base, So rode he forth that winter day, Complete in every mortal grace. And then the blunder of a horse, The crash upon the frozen clods, And Death? Ah! no such dignity, But Life, all twisted and at odds! At odds in body and in soul, Degraded to some brutish state, A being loathsome and malign, Debased, obscene, degenerate. Pathology? The case is clear, The diagnosis is exact; A bone depressed, a haemorrhage, The pressure on a nervous tract. Theology? Ah, there's the rub! Since brain and soul together fade, Then when the brain is dead enough! Lord help us, for we need Thine aid!
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem presents an intriguing exploration of the dual nature of man, physical and spiritual, and the interplay between the two. The first half of the poem describes a paragon of virtue—kind, charitable, and noble—while the second half introduces a sudden incident—a horse's blunder—that brings about a transformation in this man, reducing him to a debased, disfigured form of life. The shift in tone between the two halves is jarring, moving from admiration and respect to horror and pity.
The structure of the poem, split neatly into two parts, underlines this transformation. The first part is filled with positive adjectives and noble deeds, presenting an idealized vision of the protagonist. The second part, in contrast, is filled with harsh, negative language, making the protagonist's fall from grace clear. The poet uses repetition of the phrase "at odds," underscoring the protagonist's uncomfortable, misaligned state in his new form.
The poem touches on themes of mortality, dignity, and the human condition. It raises questions about the nature of the soul and the role of the brain in determining one's personality and moral character. The final stanzas introduce a sense of struggle and despair, as the speaker appeals to a higher power for assistance. This adds a religious dimension to the poem, suggesting a conflict between faith and science. The poet's use of medical terms in the penultimate stanza serves as a reminder of the physicality of our existence, in stark contrast to the spiritual ideals expressed in the first half of the poem. This juxtaposition invites the reader to ponder the complex interplay of physical and spiritual elements in the human experience.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.