To+A+Mouse


 * 'To A Mouse'**
 * Robert Burns**

Genre/Influence: Poem written in common language of the people, almost seen as slang. While first verse is very slang-like in it's words and descriptions, the second is written in a much more formal fashion, serving as the official apology to the unfortunate mouse.

Historical Period/Influence: Written during the Romantic Period (1785), this poem takes on a very casual style of writing, one that had become very common at the time. While literary works of previous eras often contained epic, classical elements, Robbie Burns' style of writing displayed here deals with more relatable, down to Earth issues. His casual, fun style of poetry is what helped earned him the title of 'the people's poet'.

Characters/Relationships: The poem is from the point of view of a farmer, who apologizes to a little mouse whose home has been overturned by his plough. The farmer feels very sorry for the mouse, knowing that without shelter, the little creature will perish in the harsh winter. This initial apology segues into a section of self reflection where the farmer contemplates his own life and mortality, comparing it to that of the mouse.

Setting/Plot: Takes place in the farmer's field, presumably right after upturning the mouse's dwelling. Farmer at first apologizes, then reflects upon himself and human beings in general. He knows that, although the mouse is going to die, it doesn't face the burden of humanity: the knowledge of the past, present, and future. Instead, the mouse just lives in the moment, almost unaware of itself, not knowing that it's death is imminent. For this, the farmer almost seems to envy the mouse, fearing for the future.

Thematic Observations: -Speaks of man's dominion, knowing that humans completely rule the Earth, and has disrupted nature. By running over mouse's home, shows destruction of nature on a smaller scale. -Farmer knows that the mouse has stolen from him, but doesn't really care as it only took small amounts and needed it to survive. Shows how sympathetic the narrator is towards the mouse. -Narrator makes many comparisons to mice and humans, yet also points out differences, such as their stance on mortality and knowledge of the future.

Quotable: -'I'm truly sorry man's dominion has broken Nature's social union' Narrator points out how humans have overrun nature. -'I doubt na, whiles, but thou may thieve; What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!' Mice steals his food, but needs it to live. -'An weary winter comin' fast.' A cold winter approaches, which the mouse will not survive. -'In proving foresight may be vain' Foresight is a useless and pointless thing. 'An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!' The farmer fears the future.