Compare and contrast the treatment of weeds in these two poems. Consider connotations, tones and attitudes expressed, language techniques used and ideas derived from each and say which you prefer and why.

Another comparison between Tall Nettles and Thistles is that both of the poems express sentimental and nostalgic themes.  The lines “as they have done/these many springs” and “This corner of the farmyard I like most” from Tall Nettles suggest that the farmyard has remained the same for many years, perhaps since the poet’s childhood, and he doesn’t want anything to change as it has a sentimental value to him. Similarly, a sentimental theme is expressed in Thistles with the ‘circle of life’ being referred to in the final stanza. This is apparent when Hughes talks of the thistles growing “grey, like men.” And dying, but it doesn’t end because the “mown down” men’s sons appear to fight the battle, in this case the new group of thistles growing from the seeds of the last group which has been “mown down”. This stanza shows a change in the poet’s viewpoints on thistles, all the way through the poem he was talking with distaste of thistles whereas in the final stanza he talks with almost a loyalty for the thistles’ cause, thus the aspect of sentimentality forms an important comparison between the two poems.

The obvious contrast between Tall Nettles and Thistles is the attitudes expressed with regard to the weeds. In Tall Nettles Thomas is prepared to tolerate the weeds because he knows from experience the sensual feeling the new spring rain falling on the nettles will bring, “I like the dust on the nettles, never lost/Except to prove the sweetness of a shower” is the line which illustrates this sensual feeling to the reader and in doing so explains why the poet is prepared to put up with the nettles and the ageing tools. It is because of this knowledge of what the nettles will bring with the spring rain that Thomas does not speak with distaste for the weeds. In Thistles however, Hughes expresses an extreme disliking for the weed throughout the whole poem, and this is expressed by the language techniques he uses. “Every one a revengeful burst” is an example of personification which conveys the idea that thistles are violent and aggressive, the word “revengeful” suggests strong feelings of spite and revenge, and “burst” suggests abrupt, unprovoked violence. Likewise, the simile in the line “They are like pale hair and the gutturals of dialects” conveys the idea of crudeness and ‘ruggedness’, and the harsh sound in the word “gutturals” helps add to this effect. In this respect, the poems are contrasted by the way in which the connotations derived from the titles’ are addressed, the negative connotations derived from “Thistles” are continued throughout the poem whereas those derived from “Tall Nettles” are reversed in the poem.

In summary, the poems Tall Nettles by Edward Thomas and Thistles by Ted Hughes can be compared and contrasted on various aspects of the poems. Comparisons can be made between the ideas derived from the titles of each poem; the fact that both titles’ have negative connotations attached to them is an obvious similarity. Another similarity between the poems is the strong sentimental theme which is apparent in both poems. The main contrast between Tall Nettles and Thistles is the way in which the negative ideas derived from the titles are addressed, Hughes in Thistles carrying these connotations through the whole poem but Thomas in Tall Nettles not attaching any negative ideas to nettles in the poem.