Fable Poem critical line by line analysis

Line by line analysis of the poem Fable 

Dear students, in this blog I've presented a line by line explanation of the poem Fable (also known as The Mountain and the Squirrel) by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Fable is included in the class 10 syllabus of WBBSE.The easy explanation of the poem will help you to understand the deeper meaning conveyed here and at the same time you will also be able to answer any questions related to this particular poem Fable. 

                                     Fable

Analysis of The Poem Fable

Fable by Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects that every individual being on earth possesses different talents. Everyone is unique but no one is perfect. Everyone has their own strength and weaknesses. The quality that one lacks is possessed  by another. This makes us dependent on one another for survival and to live in a state of harmony.  Therefore, we should never ridicule anyone for all subjects on earth have their own individual reason for existence. 

Line by line explanation:

Line 1 to 4

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter, "little prig":

  Word note:    

Prig- one who considers oneself as superior to                others.

Former- the mountain.

Latter- the squirrel. 

In the very beginning of the poem Fable , the mountain and the squirrel had an argument between them regarding their size and abilities and most importantly the position of squirrel in nature. The mountain,who is too proud of its gigantic size, ridiculed the squirrel by calling it a 'prig'. This indicates the supercilious (arrogant) mentality of the mountain who represents those people who judge others on the basis of their appearances or on the basis of their shortcomings.

      Line 5 to 9

         You are doubtless very big;         
         But all sorts of things and weather  
         Must be taken in together,  
         To make up a year  
         And a sphere.  

 

       In these lines, the squirrel beautifully depicts the value of each and every creation of God. Without being disrespectful to the mountain, the squirrel shows its innate wisdom. It recognises the mountain's reality saying that there's no doubt that the mountain is very big but 'all sorts of things and weather' must be taken in together to make up a year and a sphere. What the squirrel tries to indicate here is that God has bestowed every individual being with some unique qualities so that they can help one another to survive on earth, can create a balance and live in harmony. If a single thing is absent from earth then the balance will be broken. Thus, every being, living or non living, big or small are equally important.

   Line 10 to 14

       I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:

      Word notes: 

      Disgrace: shame.

      Occupy: fill.

      Spry: active, lively. 

       The squirrel goes on explaining its importance in nature. It doesn't feel ashamed of its tiny size rather it's confident and proud of its position on earth. It doesn't deny the fact that the mountain is much bigger in comparison and is capable of carrying out bigger tasks but arlt the same time, it reveals the setbacks of the mountain. Although the mountain is huge, it can't move, it has to stand on the same position whereas the squirrel is active and free. It can move wherever it likes. 

       Line 15 to 19

   

        

        I'll not deny you make

       A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,

               Neither can you crack a nut.

         Word notes:

         Deny: refuse

In these lines , the squirrel conveys the ultimate message or the moral lesson of the poem Fable i.e. we should embrace our flaws and that of the others for every individual has an equally important role to play on earth. every individual being on earth possesses different talents. Everyone is unique but no one is perfect. Everyone has their own strong points and limitations. The quality that one lacks is possessed  by another. If the mountain carries forests on it's back, the squirrel can crack nuts. This makes us dependent on one another for survival and to live in a state of harmony.  Therefore, we should never ridicule anyone for their limitations as all subjects on earth have their own individual reason for existence. 

Figures of speech used in the poem Fable 

      Personification : The mountain (inanimate object) and the squirrel(animal) are given the human attributes to bring out message of the poem. The whole poem is a sort of conversation between them.

     Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds appeared in 'can carry', 'well and wisely '.

     Lilotes- Affirmative is expressed by negative statements:        "I'll not deny you make",

       " If I'm not so large as you."

       "You're not so small as I."

       

       So this was all about the poem Fable. I hope you have understood the explanation. Thank you for reading my blogs. Write your suggestions and queries the comment section. Please explore my YouTube channel also to get a better understanding of the grammar topics 👇👇👇

       Uma's Educational Vlogs.

       Some of the hVideo Links: 

https://youtu.be/j7RrEsnRmXs (simple Present Tense)
https://youtu.be/iVJYX1dOEFM (present perfect tense)

https://youtu.be/yAV_68kdpto

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