hawk roosting Flashcards
what themes are in hawk roosting?
power, nature, death and religion
“rehearse perfect kills and eat.”
Verb and adjective – chosen to perhaps imply that this is what the Hawk is made for. He deserves to kill and eat whatever he chooses.
“earth’s face upward for my inspection”
Metaphor – implying that the Hawk believes that the earth is there for him to observe and watch and that he is stronger than nature.
“Creation”
Biblical symbolism – linking to the fact that the hawk thinks he is a god-like authority.
“My manners are tearing off heads”
Violent imagery and use of oxymoron - showing how the hawk has no thought or feelings other than to kill, contrast between manners and tearing.
“has permitted no change”
Imperative – nothing has changed because the hawk arrogantly believes he has not allowed it.
what is hawk roosting about?
The persona in the poem is the voice of a hawk that boasts of its power and perfection in
a God like manner. It describes how the hawk relishes and admires its own ability to kill, and feels like it holds dominion over its environment – even challenging the power of its creator. The hawk rejects the rule of society and refuses to debate or question its own actions. It allows nothing to change and rules through brutality and fear.
