Example of technology failing in the hands of mankind. Adds to the theme of man kinds over reliance on technology as man kinds stupidity has caused this nuclear disaster to happen and to destroy everything that they built. Again matter of fact tone suggests that the world was crumbling under mankind’s feet and there was nothing they could do about it.
Here the writer is giving the radio human characteristics, as it is a symbol of technology and man kinds’ stupidity. The word dumb is ambiguous as it has two clear meanings. Firstly the radio is literally dumb; no longer able to “speak” as a consequence of the nuclear radiation; as are humans too terrified and shocked to speak after this life threatening experience. Secondly, personification in the word “dumb”, aimed at humankinds stupidity at letting technology have such a dramatic effect on the way they lead their lives. The world is in silence- state of shock.
- “That old bad world that swallowed its children quick”
Personification-the world is taking revenge on humankind for miss-using and harming it. Nothing worse than killing a child, horrific image. Highlights how much mankind destroyed the world and the result of their actions. Also highlights the vast number of deaths, the world is swallowing everyone “quick”.
- “Curled blindly in impenetrable sorrow”
The phrase “curled” normally means in a state of hopelessness, as it is a position you normally go in when you’re in some kind of sadness. Also it reminds us of a foetus in a mother’s tummy- The world wants to feel safe/protected but it is cowering away from the evil of mankind.
“Blindly” – Radiation from the nuclear war literally causes blindness.
Also mankind’s blindness to their over reliance on technology has been the cause of this underlying disaster.
“Impenetrable sorrow” is the idea of the ever lasting effect the devastation has on the survivors. They can never go back to their way of life they will always be haunted by the mistake of relying too heavily on technology in their everyday lives.
- “They look like dank sea monsters couched and waiting.”
Dank sea monsters are mythical creatures. Tractors are representative of technology. Everything that seemed normal to the people took on a different appearance after the war. After the disaster the survivors are wary of technology and they have learnt their lesson, they will never go back to their old ways and they don’t associate themselves with these tractors anymore.
“Couched and waiting”- This shows that humanity are now scared of technology and they are anxious about letting technology have an influence over their lives again.
Second Stanza
- “We heard a distant tapping on the road,
A deepening drumming; it stopped, went on again
And at the corner changed to hollow thunder.”
A crescendo of noise. Gradually getting louder and building up the suspense of the arrival of the horses- the savour of mankind. The survivors couldn’t believe that there were other living things on the planet. First element of hope, that things might be alright.
- “Like a wild wave charging”
The horses bring with them such power and force. “Wave”- it is unpredictable and so are the horses they have come to find the survivors and they don’t know whether the horses are there to help them or not. The horses are now dominant over humanity due to mankind’s mistake. They have gone back to old ways
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“As fabulous steeds set on an ancient shield.”
The survivors are realising how ancient creatures horses were. They are seen as a part of history. Something no longer part of their lives. Something unimaginable. The horses are long lost companions.
- “That they were creatures to be owned and used”
Horses used to be used for working instead of tractors. Before technology humanity relied greatly on nature and on horses to work beside humans.
- “New as if they has come from their own Eden”
Link back to the story of genesis. The idea of the world starting again, rebuilding itself and returning to old fashioned ways. The story of creation and hope, the horses have changed the life of the survivors and there is hope for a new beginning.
- “Our life has changed; their coming, our beginning”
Final sentence of the poem. Leaves the reader with a feeling of hope. The horses have changed the lives of the survivors and they have seen the error of their ways. Human kind have seen their over reliance on technology and the effect it has on their lives. They have gone back to their “fathers land” to start a new beginning,
