Winfreda

By Eugene Field

Ballad
(A BALLAD IN THE ANGLO-SAXON TONGUE)     When to the dreary greenwood gloam     Winfreda's husband strode that day,     The fair Winfreda bode at home     To toil the weary time away;     "While thou art gone to hunt," said she,     "I'll brew a goodly sop for thee."     Lo, from a further, gloomy wood,     A hungry wolf all bristling hied     And on the cottage threshold stood     And saw the dame at work inside;     And, as he saw the pleasing sight,     He licked his fangs so sharp and white.     Now when Winfreda saw the beast,     Straight at the grinning wolf she ran,     And, not affrighted in the least,     She hit him with her cooking pan,     And as she thwacked him on the head--     "Scat! scat!" the fair Winfreda said.     The hills gave answer to their din--     The brook in fear beheld the sight.     And all that bloody field within     Wore token of Winfreda's might.     The wolf was very loath to stay--     But, oh! he could not get away.     Winfreda swept him o'er the wold     And choked him till his gums were blue,     And till, beneath her iron hold,     His tongue hung out a yard or two,     And with his hair the riven ground     Was strewn for many leagues around.     They fought a weary time that day,     And seas of purple blood were shed,     Till by Winfreda's cunning lay     That awful wolf all limp and dead;     Winfreda saw him reel and drop--     Then back she went to brewing sop.     So when the husband came at night     From bootless chase, cold, gaunt, and grim,     Great was that Saxon lord's delight     To find the sop dished up for him;     And as he ate, Winfreda told     How she had laid the wolf out cold.     The good Winfreda of those days     Is only "pretty Birdie" now--     Sickly her soul and weak her ways--     And she, to whom we Saxons bow,     Leaps on a bench and screams with fright     If but a mouse creeps into sight.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a mock ballad, adopting the traditional ballad form while infusing it with humor and satire. Field parodies the heroic tone and themes of Anglo-Saxon poetry, blending the grandiose style of epic tales with an exaggerated, domestic conflict: a housewife’s battle with a wolf. The poem employs the ABAB rhyme scheme typical of ballads, coupled with a rhythmic cadence that evokes oral storytelling traditions.

Themes:
Heroism and Domesticity:

The poem humorously elevates Winfreda's act of defending her home into an epic, heroic battle. By placing a mundane figure—a housewife—at the center of a grandiose narrative, Field both honors and pokes fun at traditional heroism.
The Strength of Women:

Winfreda is depicted as fiercely capable, embodying a strength and resolve that contrasts with the stereotypical "damsel in distress." This reversal of expectations highlights the resilience of women, albeit with a humorous undertone.
Satire of Heroic Traditions:

Field satirizes the conventions of Anglo-Saxon epics by applying their lofty tone and diction to a humorous and exaggerated domestic scenario. The "wolf-slaying" becomes an over-the-top allegory for everyday challenges.
The Decline of Strength:

The final stanza contrasts Winfreda’s legendary prowess with her present-day frailty, lamenting how time (or societal expectations) has reduced her from a heroic figure to one afraid of mice. This could be seen as commentary on how perceptions of women’s roles have changed or diminished over time.
Structure and Form:
The poem is written in quatrains (four-line stanzas) with alternating rhyme (ABAB), giving it a steady, song-like rhythm. This structure, combined with vivid imagery and a storytelling focus, is characteristic of traditional ballads. The exaggerated tone and playful language contribute to the mock-epic quality, making the poem both humorous and engaging.

Analysis of Key Elements:
Tone and Mood:
The tone is playful and satirical, blending the gravitas of heroic epics with the absurdity of its domestic premise.
The mood is lighthearted and amusing, inviting readers to laugh at the overblown drama and exaggerated descriptions of Winfreda’s battle.
Imagery and Symbolism:
The Wolf:
The wolf represents a classic antagonist in heroic tales, but here it is defeated not by knights or warriors but by a determined housewife with a cooking pan.
The Sop:
The sop symbolizes domestic life and routine. Winfreda’s return to brewing sop after slaying the wolf underscores her pragmatic, no-nonsense character.
Cooking Pan:
The pan becomes a humorous stand-in for a weapon, highlighting the absurdity of the situation while emphasizing Winfreda’s resourcefulness.
Characterization:
Winfreda:
A parody of the heroic archetype, Winfreda combines Saxon grit with domestic practicality. Her transformation from a fierce warrior to a "pretty Birdie" afraid of mice underscores the satirical tone.
The Saxon Lord:
He serves as a contrast to Winfreda’s heroism, returning from a fruitless hunt to find his wife victorious. His reliance on her highlights her strength.
Satirical Elements:
Field humorously inflates the stakes of a simple domestic conflict, using exaggerated diction and imagery to parody the high drama of traditional ballads.
The contrast between the lofty, epic tone and the mundane subject matter creates comedic irony.
Interpretation:
"Winfreda" is both a celebration and a parody of heroism, using humor to elevate a domestic tale into the realm of epic poetry. By casting a housewife as the central hero, Field subverts traditional gender roles and challenges the notion of heroism as exclusive to men or warriors. The poem also reflects nostalgia for a mythical past while critiquing modern society’s diminished appreciation for strength and resilience, particularly in women.

Context and Universality:
While rooted in the stylistic traditions of Anglo-Saxon and medieval ballads, the poem’s themes of resourcefulness, gender roles, and the humor of everyday life remain universally relatable. The satirical lens ensures that it transcends its historical parody, offering timeless commentary on human nature.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.