Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Hippopotamus" is a poem by T.S. Eliot, first published in 1917. The poem is part of Eliot's early work and reflects his interest in exploring the themes of religion, morality, and the role of the poet in society.

Content:

"The Hippopotamus" is a satirical poem that uses the figure of the hippopotamus to critique the institutions of religion and morality. The poem takes the form of a monologue delivered by the hippopotamus, in which he expresses his disdain for the human institutions of religion and morality. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the hippopotamus's critique.

In the first part of the poem, the hippopotamus criticizes the human institutions of religion. He notes that while humans claim to worship a God who is omnipotent and omniscient, they also try to placate this God with offerings and sacrifices. The hippopotamus finds this contradiction to be absurd, and he suggests that humans only worship God in order to obtain favors and avoid punishment.

In the second part of the poem, the hippopotamus turns his attention to the institutions of morality. He argues that human morality is based on arbitrary rules and conventions that are not based on any objective standard. He suggests that humans are hypocritical in their adherence to these rules, and that they only follow them out of fear of punishment or desire for social approval.

In the final part of the poem, the hippopotamus suggests that the role of the poet is to criticize and satirize human institutions. He argues that poetry should not be a tool for promoting the status quo, but rather should challenge and subvert the dominant values and beliefs of society. He suggests that the hippopotamus is an ideal figure for this task, as he is an outsider who can see through the hypocrisy and absurdity of human institutions.

Form:

"The Hippopotamus" is a poem consisting of nine stanzas. The poem follows a strict rhyming scheme, with an ABAB pattern in each stanza. The form of the poem is characterized by its use of irony and satire to critique the institutions of religion and morality.

Poetic Elements:

Eliot uses a variety of poetic elements in "The Hippopotamus" to create a sense of satire and irony. The poem contains numerous examples of ironic and satirical imagery, such as the description of the "saintly hypocrites" and the "sham spiritualist" who "hold séances and write letters to the Times." Eliot also makes use of repetition and rhetorical questions to create a sense of the absurdity of human institutions.

Summary:

"The Hippopotamus" is a witty and biting poem that uses satire and irony to critique the institutions of religion and morality. The poem's strict rhyming scheme and use of repetition demonstrate Eliot's skill as a poet, while the poem's themes of disillusionment and moral decay are characteristic of his early work. In terms of literary merit, "The Hippopotamus" is an important and influential poem that has had a lasting impact on the development of modernist literature. While it may not be as well-known as some of Eliot's other works, "The Hippopotamus" remains a powerful and effective critique of the institutions of religion and morality, an important and influential poem in the canon of modernist literature.

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