Tomcat Analysis J.K Baxter
t Tomcat
Content:
A description of a rebellious tomcat that “cuts across the zones” , follows “other routes, his own” is “scruffy” and has “ash-black coat”. The cat defies the rules of society as the ‘social norm’ expects all cats to be doctored and the tomcat is not.
Form:
The poem has 5 six lined stanzas. The first stanza describes the cat’s rebellious nature as he is not confined. He “cuts across the zones” and follows” other routes, his own”. The tomcat is free and does not seem to care about the confinements of society unlike people are. The next 2 stanza shows the protagonists admiration towards the cat and his fondness towards it this is shown through the oxymoron “He has no dignity, thank god!” The 4th stanza describes the narrator’s search for the cat while the last stanza concludes with people telling him to get the cat “doctored” which reflects society’s view on the cat. The poem ends with the line “I think not” this further elaborates on the protagonist’s fondness of the cat as he is almost standing up for it. This perhaps shows that he does not want to repress the cat due to society’s limited views Enjambment is used through out the poem and it is structured almost like a stream of consciousness. It is not uniformed which reflects the persona of the cat. The structure shows the movements of the cat and how it is wondering without boundaries. It is continual and free which shows the personality of the cat. The poem defies rules of grammar and this reflects the tomcat defying rules of society.
Effect:
The poem illustrates the confinements of society and it’s repression of an individual. It also shows the rigidity and sterility of Suburban life in New Zealand and resistance of it. The cat represents freedom as it is unbounded by preconceived ideas of society. James K Baxter himself felt suffocated in his domestic role and this lead to him eventually leaving and going into the Jerusalem community. In ways, the cat could be a representation
Content:
A description of a rebellious tomcat that “cuts across the zones” , follows “other routes, his own” is “scruffy” and has “ash-black coat”. The cat defies the rules of society as the ‘social norm’ expects all cats to be doctored and the tomcat is not.
Form:
The poem has 5 six lined stanzas. The first stanza describes the cat’s rebellious nature as he is not confined. He “cuts across the zones” and follows” other routes, his own”. The tomcat is free and does not seem to care about the confinements of society unlike people are. The next 2 stanza shows the protagonists admiration towards the cat and his fondness towards it this is shown through the oxymoron “He has no dignity, thank god!” The 4th stanza describes the narrator’s search for the cat while the last stanza concludes with people telling him to get the cat “doctored” which reflects society’s view on the cat. The poem ends with the line “I think not” this further elaborates on the protagonist’s fondness of the cat as he is almost standing up for it. This perhaps shows that he does not want to repress the cat due to society’s limited views Enjambment is used through out the poem and it is structured almost like a stream of consciousness. It is not uniformed which reflects the persona of the cat. The structure shows the movements of the cat and how it is wondering without boundaries. It is continual and free which shows the personality of the cat. The poem defies rules of grammar and this reflects the tomcat defying rules of society.
Effect:
The poem illustrates the confinements of society and it’s repression of an individual. It also shows the rigidity and sterility of Suburban life in New Zealand and resistance of it. The cat represents freedom as it is unbounded by preconceived ideas of society. James K Baxter himself felt suffocated in his domestic role and this lead to him eventually leaving and going into the Jerusalem community. In ways, the cat could be a representation