How to Tell Wild Animals By– Carolyn Wells
How to Tell Wild Animals PDF, In this whimsical verse, the author playfully proposes unconventional methods for identifying wild animals. The poem opens with enchanting portrayals of the majestic Asian Lion and the Bengal Tiger. Next in line are the Leopard and the Bear, each characterized with a touch of daring humor. The Hyena earns attention for its perpetually smiling countenance, while the crocodile is distinguished by its seemingly tearful demeanor. The poet then turns to the remarkable color-changing abilities of the Chameleon, describing the fascinating spectacle of its ever-shifting hues.
Notable Author: Carolyn Wells (1862-1942)
Carolyn Wells, an acclaimed American writer renowned for her contributions to the mystery genre, left an indelible mark on literature. Born in 1862 and departing in 1942, her literary legacy includes well-received works such as “At the Sign of the Sphinx” (1896), “The Jingle Book” (1899), and “The Story of Betty” (1899). Wells’ expertise in crafting mysterious narratives earned her a distinguished place among the notable writers of her time.
Introduction to the Poem
Within this poetic piece, the author skillfully delves into the comical depiction of diverse wild animals. Employing language with a humorous touch, the poet introduces the reader to a menagerie of creatures including the Asian lion, Bengal tiger, bear, and more. Each animal is portrayed in a delightfully amusing manner, creating an entertaining exploration of their distinctive characteristics.
A Poetic Safari Humorous Expedition through the Wild Summary
In this delightful poem, the poet humorously explores the characteristics of various formidable wild animals. Beginning with the fearsome Asian lion, the poet describes the scenario of encountering this creature in the eastern jungles, where its tawny skin and thunderous roars induce a fatal level of fear. Moving on, the majestic Bengal tiger is introduced as a royal assailant, whimsically portrayed as the beautiful black-striped creature that swiftly attacks and devours its prey, leaving no room for escape.
Continuing the zoological journey, the poet unravels the enigmatic leopard, emphasizing its relentless attacks and the futility of crying out for mercy. The bear, depicted as a tight hugger, is humorously recognized by its lethal embrace. The poet playfully asks readers to ponder how one identifies beasts that pursue their prey, leading to amusing depictions of hyenas with their seemingly smiling faces and crocodiles shedding tears as they hunt.
Concluding the poetic exploration is the chameleon, described as a lizard-like creature lacking ears and wings. The chameleon’s distinctive trait lies in its color-changing ability, humorously illustrated by the poet through the scenario of it blending seamlessly with a tree branch. The poem, through its lighthearted tone, offers a whimsical tour of the wild, infusing laughter into the portrayal of these dangerous creatures.
Poem Analysis of “How to Tell Wild Animals”
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion…
Discerning Hues in the Jungle: “How to Tell Wild Animals” – Analysis
In this insightful poem, the poet guides readers on recognizing various animals in the East’s jungles. The initial stanza unfolds with a vivid portrayal of the Asian Lion – a creature distinguished by its yellowish-brown skin. The poet adds a touch of humor by describing the lion’s formidable roar, powerful enough to instill fear to the point of potential demise for anyone in its proximity.
Literary Devices:
- Rhyme: The poem adheres to the ababcc rhyme scheme (chance-advance, east-beast, dyin-lion).
- Enjambment: The seamless continuation of sentences across lines (and if there… tawny beast).
- Inversion: Alteration in sentence structure (if there should to you advance).
- Assonance: Utilization of the vowel sound ‘o’ (you should go, should to you, roars).
- Allusion: Reference to a well-known entity, such as the Asian Lion.
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.
Regal Beasts and Dark Humor: Unraveling the Bengal Tiger – Analysis
In this segment, the poet unveils the characteristics of a jungle dweller belonging to a distinguished lineage. Described as a creature with a yellowish skin adorned with black stripes, the poet humorously asserts that recognizing this animal becomes evident when one finds themselves as the unfortunate prey, devoured by the creature. Employing dark humor, the poet underscores the futility of distinguishing the particular species once it has claimed its victim.
Literary Devices:
- Rhyme: The poem maintains an ababcc rhyme scheme (round-ground, you-you learn-discern).
- Alliteration: Repetition of the consonant sound ‘r’ at the start of closely connected words (roaming round).
- Inversion: Alteration in sentence structure (The Bengal Tiger to discern).
- Allusion: Reference to a well-known entity, such as the Bengal Tiger.
- Assonance: Utilization of the vowel sound ‘o’ (or if some time when roaming round).
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard. ’
Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.
Sauntering through the Jungle: Decoding the Leopard’s Leap – Analysis
In this section, the poet elucidates encounters with a jungle inhabitant characterized by a spotted hide. While casually strolling, one may suddenly find themselves face to face with a swift and agile creature known for its remarkable ability to leap forward instantly – the Leopard. The poet adds a touch of wit, highlighting the futility of crying out in pain as the relentless leopard continues its leaping assault.
Literary Devices:
- Rhyme: The poem maintains an ababcc rhyme scheme (view-you, peppered-Leopard, pain-again).
- Alliteration: The repetition of the consonant sound ‘h’ at the beginning of two words (he has).
- Poetic License: The liberty taken by the poet to alter spellings for rhyme or rhythm (use of “lept” instead of “leapt”).
- Repetition: The use of the word ‘lep’ in the last line.
- Assonance: The use of the vowel sound ‘o’ (strolling-forth-you, whose-spot, do no good to roar).
- Consonance: The use of the ‘l’ sound (he’ll only lep lep).
You meet a creature there,
Who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is a Bear.
If you have any doubts, I guess
He’ll give you just one more caress.
Unveiling the Bear’s Embrace: A Backyard Encounter – Analysis
In this portion, the poet guides readers through a scenario in a domestic setting – the backyard or lawn of a house. If, while walking in this familiar space, one encounters a creature that tightly embraces them, it signifies the presence of a bear. The poet playfully suggests that lingering doubts about the creature’s identity can be dispelled by its consistent and gentle caresses, making it unmistakably clear that the visitor is indeed a bear.
Literary Devices:
- Rhyme: The poem adheres to an ababcc rhyme scheme (yard-hard, there-bear, guess-caress).
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence into the next line (if you were walking… creature there).
- Alliteration: The use of the ‘w’ sound (when-walking), the ‘h’ sound (who-hugs), and the ‘b’ sound (be-bear).
- Assonance: The use of the vowel ‘e’ (meet a creature there).
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles
Deciphering the Wild: Understanding Predators – Analysis
In this section, the poet acknowledges the challenge faced by novices in distinguishing between animals that hunt other creatures for sustenance. Providing a helpful guide, the poet underscores the contrast between two formidable predators. For those new to the task, recognizing a hyena is made simpler by its characteristic smile, while a crocodile, always adorned with tears, stands as another dangerous contender.
Literary Devices:
- Rhyme: The poem maintains an ababcc rhyme scheme (prey-may, nonplus-thus, smiles-crocodiles).
- Alliteration: The use of the consonant sound ‘n’ (novice-nonplus) and the ‘th’ sound (the-thus).
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence into the next line (though to distinguish… might nonplus, The crocodile… hyena thus).
A lizard sort of thing;
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
’Tis the chameleon you see.
The Illusive Chameleon: A Master of Disguise – Analysis
In this segment, the poet introduces the Chameleon, a diminutive creature resembling a lizard but distinct in its lack of ears and wings. The defining feature of the Chameleon lies in its remarkable ability to change color, seamlessly blending with the surface it occupies. The poet whimsically suggests that if one observes a tree devoid of any other visible presence, it is likely a Chameleon, having adeptly transformed its hue to match that of the tree.
Literary Devices:
- Rhyme: The poem adheres to an ababcc rhyme scheme (small-all, thing-wing, tree-see).
- Alliteration: The use of the ‘h’ sound (he hasn’t).
- Consonance: The use of the ‘g’ sound (single wing).
Literary Analysis: “How to Tell Wild Animals”
I’m afraid I don’t have the ability to view or analyze specific content such as a video. However, if you provide the text of the poem or specific questions about it, I’d be happy to help analyze or discuss the poetic devices used in “How to tell Wild Animals.”
Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows an ‘ababcc’ rhyme scheme, evident in lines such as: “If strolling forth, a beast you view (a) Whose hide with spots is peppered (b) As soon as he has lept on you (a) You’ll know it is the Leopard (b) ‘Twill do no good to roar with pain (c) He’ll only lep and lep again (c).”
Tone
Throughout the poem, the poet maintains a humorous tone. The descriptions of animals like the tiger, lion, and leopard killing are crafted to evoke laughter. Even the mention of a bear hug is delivered with a touch of humor.
Imagery
The poet employs descriptive language that invites readers to visualize vivid scenes. For instance, the image of the Bengal tiger is brought to life with the lines, “A noble beast greets you, with black stripes with a yellow background.”
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is ingeniously used in the term “noble wild beast,” combining conflicting ideas of honor and savagery. The phrase ‘true Chameleon’ also presents an ironic oxymoron.
Metaphor
Metaphors are employed ironically in the poem, such as comparing the painful voice to the roar of a leopard and depicting the leopard as a ‘noble wild beast.’
Alliteration
The repetition of initial sounds in closely placed words, as seen in phrases like ‘lep and lep again,’ ‘roaming round,’ ‘very, very hard,’ and ‘novice might nonplus,’ adds a rhythmic quality to the poem.
Repetition
Repetition is strategically used for emphasis, as in the lines: “He’ll only lep and lep again, Who hugs you very, very hard.”
Personification
The poem features personification, particularly in referring to the tiger as ‘he’ instead of ‘it.’ The hyena and crocodile are also personified, attributing human qualities like ‘smiling’ and ‘weeping’ to them.
Irony
Irony is skillfully incorporated to bring humor and satire. For example, the phrase ‘A noble wild beast greets you’ is ironic, portraying the leopard in an unexpectedly noble light. Similarly, ‘He’ll give you just one more caress’ uses irony to describe a bear’s claw attack.
Poetic Licence
The poet employs poetic license to maintain the rhyme scheme and create a humorous effect. This is evident in the shortened words like ‘lept,’ ‘lep,’ and ‘dyin.’ Additionally, variations in sentence structures, as seen in ‘novice might nonplus’ and ‘if strolling forth, a beast you view,’ showcase the poet’s creative liberty.
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Analysis and Answers for “How to Tell Wild Animals”
- Rhyming Creativity:
- The poet intentionally uses “dyin'” instead of “dying” to achieve a rhyme with “lion.” Pronouncing it with a specific emphasis on the ‘y’ creates a phonetic rhyme.
- Identification of Lion and Tiger:
- The poet suggests identifying the Asian lion when a large tawny beast approaches in the jungle of the east. Recognition occurs when it roars, inducing fear. For the Bengal tiger, identification happens when one encounters a yellow beast with black stripes, particularly when it eats the observer.
- Spelling Choices in the Third Stanza:
- The words “lept” and “lep” are intentionally misspelled to maintain the rhythm and rhyme scheme of the poem. The unconventional spelling aids in achieving a rhyme with the first part of “leopard,” emphasizing the identification of the creature.
- Expressions About Wild Animals:
- The poet employs familiar expressions related to wild animals. For instance, the term “bearhug” refers to a bear’s strong and friendly embrace. Similarly, hyenas are associated with laughter, and crocodiles are linked to shedding tears, known as “crocodile tears,” as they devour their prey. Such expressions are present in various languages and cultures.
- Understanding “A novice might nonplus”:
- The line “A novice might nonplus” could be written correctly as “A novice might be nonplussed.” However, the poet intentionally uses the incorrect version to maintain the rhyme scheme, creating a phonetic match with “thus.”
- Poetic Liberties in Language:
- Poets frequently take liberties with language for artistic and rhythmic purposes. For instance, in English, words like “Kirk” may replace “church” to rhyme with “work.” Similarly, “ken” might replace “see” to rhyme with “pen.” These creative liberties contribute to the beauty and uniqueness of poetic expression.
This analysis provides insights into the poet’s deliberate choices, including language play, rhyme, and humor, in crafting “How to Tell Wild Animals.”
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