The Poplar Field
Writer: William Cowper
SUMMARY
This poem ‘The Poplar Field’ is composed by William Cowper. In this poem, the poet has raised his voices against the destruction of the forests and the favour of nature conservation. According to this poem, poplars are cut down and there are no shades. The leaves can’t sing melodious songs. So the poet is very sad. The shade and the song of the wind have missed from his sight and the poet doesn’t get the image of Ouse River. The blackbird has fled away to find the shelter in next trees. Twelve years before, the poet used to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the poplar tree heard the melodious song of the blackbird. But now, there is no melodious music of birds and wind as it was before. The poet thinks that he will die one day. He says that all the pleasures of man are destroyed. Even our life is short but our enjoyment will die before our death. He says that he is lying on the earth like the tree. He feels that cutting down the trees is as serious as the death of human beings. The poet thinks that she pleasures of man are perishable and momentary. So, he appeals to the people for conserving nature. He says that deforestation should be stopped. This poem is remarkable for its celebration of the rural and its nostalgic tone. In the past, he had recollected the beauty of nature. But now he has no pleasures in the world’s trees. Thus, he gives the idea of the cut-down poplars trees with the end of human life and pleasures.
Questions and Answers :
1. Summarize the poem “The Poplar Field” in one paragraph.
Ans: The poem ‘The Poplar Field’ was composed by William Cowper. The poet compares the condition of the poplar field before 12 years and after 12 years. Before twelve years, when he visited the poplar field, at that time there were many trees and the shade of these trees could be seen in the Ouse River. The blackbird used to sing. The wind used to blow in the leaves. He sat under the trees. But after twelve years he found nothing, only cut down trees were lying on the ground. Finally, the poet compares his life with the condition of those poplar trees. The trees were once strong and straight but now they are lying on the ground, similarly, the poet was also handsome and young but now he has become old and he thinks he will lie on the ground soon. It means he will die soon.
2. What changes did the poet see in the poplar field when he came back after 12 years?
Ans: After twelve years, he saw many changes in the poplar field. The trees were cut down. They were lying down on the ground there was no reflection of trees in the Ouse River. The blackbirds had left the poplar field. The poet couldn’t hear the bird’s song. The wind wasn’t blowing in the leaves of the trees as in the past. He sat on cut down trees.
3. Discuss how the poet links up the idea of the cut-down poplars with the end of human life and pleasures.
Ans: After twelve years, he saw many changes in the poplar field. The trees were cut down. They were lying down on the ground there was no reflection of trees in the Ouse River. The blackbirds had left the poplar field. The poet couldn’t hear the bird’s song. The wind wasn’t blowing in the leaves of trees as in the past. He sat on cut down trees. The poplar field has changed to a desert. The sight of the fallen poplars makes the poet feel sad. He realizes that he will die soon in the future and lie in the grave like the fallen poplars lying on the grass. The poet also says that our pleasures are shorter than our life.
