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Hawk Roosting Mind Map
Hawk Roosting Mind Map
PARA 1:
NEGATIVE DICTION:
The Hawk sees itself as the Ultimate Predator with the ability to “kill where” he
“pleases”
wherever it wants without retributions, thereby harshly demonstrating how the
Hawk is on the top of the chain and is the apex predator.
LINK BACK: This portrayal engages readers by instilling a sense of awe and
respect for the hawk's unapologetic confidence and dominance in its natural habitat,
thereby creating potent impressions of the hawk.
NEGATIVE DICTION: Another use of negative diction is seen as the Hawk says
that his “manners” are ruthlessly “tearing off heads.”, which reveals the protagonist's
violent nature and lack of empathy. “My manners” suggests that this is normal for the
hawk as it sees its behavior as Perfectly acceptable The use of the full stop at the end
shows the finality of the situation.
LINK BACK: The readers may feel discomfort and that, this is unreal, as they
witness the hawk's ruthless behavior. This thereby creates mighty impressions of the
Hawk.
NEGATIVE DICTION: The Hawk believes that He is the one who “allots death”
depicting the dominance of the Hawk. It suggests that the hawk sees itself as a god,
which decides who lives and dies. The hawk believes that he has been allocated this
and it is the right exercise.
LINK BACK: Readers might also be intrigued by the hawk's perspective, as it
challenges human notions of morality and power in the natural world, thereby creating a
paramount impression of the hawk.
PARA 2:
FORM: “Hawk Roosting” is a short but powerful dramatic monologue that is
written in free verse. In total, there are 6 quatrains each of four lines. This shows
uniformity and a sense of control which can be marked as the only sense of control in
the entire poem. Nonuniformity can again be seen in the use of short lines and long
lines coupled together. The use of short lines along with long lines depicts the finality of
the situation and also creates a sense of unpredictability and intrigue in the reader’s
mind
STRUCTURE:
The poem's title seems contradictory to its content and structure, hinting at a sense of
tranquillity for the hawk. However, the poem itself presents a hawk that is acutely aware
of its violent tendencies and its position above all of "Creation," creating an assertive
impression of the bird. This contrast between the title and the poem's content sparks
curiosity and intrigue in the readers' minds as they delve deeper into the poem to
unravel its meaning.
The poem employs a free-verse structure without a rhyme scheme, reflecting the hawk's
autonomy and freedom from constraints. The varying line lengths, from short to long,
effectively depict the hawk's soaring flight through the woods. With its consistent
structure of six quatrains, the poem mirrors the stability of the hawk's position, leaving a
lasting impression. Readers can appreciate how the poem's structure mirrors the hawk's
own unchanging dominance, evoking a sense of awe and reverence.
The strategic use of enjambments in lines 2-3 and 6-8 creates a sense of continuity,
emphasizing the hawk's control and its seamless transition between thought and action.
The absence of punctuation underscores the hawk's autonomy and defiance of
conventional rules. In particular, the end-stopped lines in the poem, especially in the
final stanza, highlight the definitive nature of the hawk's situation and its assertive tone,
thereby creating dominant impressions of the hawk. These structural choices immerse
readers in the hawk's world, making them feel the unwavering power of its perspective.
Furthermore, the presence of plosive sounds like "h," "k," and "t" in lines 3-4 adds to the
poem's harsh and blunt quality, reflecting the hawk's own demeanor. The use of
negation in lines 2 and 15 reinforces the hawk's sense of dominance, leaving readers
with a sense of unease as they confront the stark reality of the natural world.
● The hawk's absolute control and authority over the world are evident as it
perceives the entire "world" beneath it, with the earth itself positioned
"upwards" for "his inspection." This portrayal establishes a striking image
of the hawk's dominance, as it views the world not as a living ecosystem
but as an object for its scrutiny and domination. Readers are prompted to
contemplate the hawk's unchallenged reign and the stark contrast between
its perspective and our human-centric view of the world, evoking a sense
of awe and humility in the face of nature's hierarchy, thereby creating
notable impressions if the hawk.
CONCLUSION
The reconnaissance of the poem brings to the surface the use of evocative
diction, form, and structure in addition to the theme of sovereignty and violence
to cast dominance of the hawk, thereby creating Majestic Impressions of The
Hawk. “Hawk Roosting” by Ted Hughes is a dramatic monologue that portrays
the power and dominance of The protagonist and is written from the perspective
of The Hawk celebrating its control over its surroundings. The poem's ability to
evoke both admiration and contemplation leaves readers with a complex and resonant
emotional experience, thereby creating staggering impressions of the hawk