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Pike By Ted Hughes Analysis

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Pike By Ted Hughes Analysis
Pike by Ted Hughes

Tone
Similar to what I’ve just said above. I think it is two tone: (1) quiet awe and appreciation for the perfection of nature; and (2) reserved and respectful due to the inherent danger of this ruthless killing machine. This should sound a little bit like Hunting Snake and would probably provide a suitable comparison.
Theme
Here is a complex appreciation of the beauty and splendour of nature, mixed in with a critical comment on mankind and human nature. Mankind is put in context next to the history and evolutionary qualities of a fish.
Structure
Hughes chooses to fill his poem with simple monosyllablic words (obviously not completely, but enough to make a point of it) that convey the simplistic nature of the pike, dedicated to one purpose, or of our own instincts. Life without the frills.

The other thing I might talk about is the pace of the poem. Notice how many examples of caesura we have when describing the pike. This has a dual effect of allowing us to appreciate the beast, but also feels as if we are tiptoeing around it and builds a sense of tension as we slowly regard this beast from the depths.

Important quotes
1. The characteristics of the Pike.
“The malevolent aged grin” wish to do evil and finds joy in accomplishing it.
“The outside eye stared: as a vice locks”
“killers from the egg”
“green tigering the gold” The pike appears grand and magnificent as he is made of “gold”. Furthermore, he appears a potential danger as he is assimilated to a tiger which is a notoriously grand, powerful and deadly animal.
“sag belly and the grin it was born with”. The “sag belly” is a result of a recent meal that the pike has made, and presents him as a fat, repulsive creature. The appearance of the word “grin” once again reminds the reader that the pike enjoys this killing, eating routine.
2. World of Pike
“over a bed of emerald” The pond is described as a wondrous vision, a precious place as it contains “emerald”.
“amber cavern of weeds”. Amber
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