Horses

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

A horse lover (for their majesty and strength) recalls his childhood and his experience through the industrial revolution.

Question 2

Themes

Answer 2

Religion
Memories
Industrial Revolution

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

• Quatrain (4 lines per stanza)
• Constant caesura => attempt to reminisce
• 1st person at first (recall memory) then shifts to 3rd person to give a more detailed overall POV/sink in memories
• AABB rhyme scheme throughout

Question 4

Word analysis - Industrial Revolution

Answer 4

• “blackening rain” implicitly implies air pollution

Question 5

Word analysis - Memories/Past

Answer 5

• “some childish hour has come again” => recalling his childhood
• “move up and down, yet seem as standing still” => contrast movement of hooves => dreamlike memory
• “It fades! It fades! and I must pine” => exaggerate the poet’s distress when he’s unable to reminisce

Question 6

Word analysis - Biblical image

Answer 6

• “their great hulks were seraphim of gold” => “great” represents divinity of the horse. “seraphim” = angels = messengers of God as well as the messengers of the apocalyptic revelation, associated with immortality, purity and guardianship => horses are cherubic. “gold” = durable, rare and precious material that many people lust after => poet emphasizes mesmerizing and unique beauty of horses
• “gleamed with apocalyptic light” => links to the idea above as the messenger => horses are not only living creatures but the incarnation of angels. “light” = iconic symbol of religion, especially in Christianity => extensive significance as it represents the presence of God. “gleamed” = spread => horses = guardians = emblematic of the direction and guidance of God.
• “warm and glowing with mysterious fire”. “glowing” suggests light => link to the idea above as well as describing a bright and reddish colour => evokes “warm” feelings which might be radiated from “fire”. “Fire” = representation of Holy Spirit and light => deifying horses. However, fire is used in many descriptions of Hell (eternal torment) ,manipulate fire to burn or torture someone => opposite with idea above => ambiguous and “mysterious”