CAT AND MOUSE

INTRODUCTION-
“The mouse crouched, staring out the chance it dared not take.”
Explaining how the mouse hopes to make a break for freedom but
doesn't, for fear of being eaten by a cat. The ‘Cat and Mouse’, a ten-line
poem, by Ted Hughes presents, as the title says, the relation between a
cat and a mouse. Through the metaphor of the cat and mouse, Hughes
intricately describes the natural order and balance the world is in,
without being altered. Hughes incorporates themes, diction, form and
structure, making the poem memorable.
Paragraph 1 (Themes)
1. Point - Hughes used the theme of nature to make the poem
noteworthy.
● Evidence- The world, says the poem, is "too old to alter"
● Explanation- It's defined by ancient and unchangeable laws
that govern humanity as much as animals. It’s also a
proclamation.
● Exploration- The idea aligns with the nature of life and
death. The predator-prey relationship between the cat and
mouse is an ancient and recurring pattern.
● Linkback- The concept of nature has a powerful impact on
the reader, prompting them to ponder on the cat-mouse
relationship.
2. Point - Hughes used the theme of nature to make the poem
noteworthy.
 ● Evidence- According to the speaker the mouse will
visit“woods, villages, farms” before reaching its five mile
prospect
● Explanation- Just as the mouse might be caught by the cat at
any moment, humans can also get struck down by all kinds of
threats, such as illness or natural disaster. Similarly, the
mouse might find food in the villages, representing the ups
and downs in a journey. This is regardless of time and space,
struggle for survival is ever present.
● Exploration- The poem suggests, then, that simply to live is
to be endangered, and that the mouse's fear of the cat is
hardly different from people's feelings as they contemplate
death.
● Linkback- The concept of nature has a powerful impact on
the reader, prompting them to ponder on the cat-mouse
relationship.
3. Point - Hughes used the theme of nature to make the poem
noteworthy.
● Evidence- “contracted”
● Explanation- Humans and animals always appeal to higher
powers for their survival. The poem likens the mouse's desire
to escape the cat to a prayer “contracted” to the cat: the cat
has the power to make the mouse's wish come true or not.
● Exploration- Human beings who wish to survive might
offer up prayers to God. Both animals and human beings, in
other words, are "contracted" to powers beyond their control.
Humans seek solace in the presence of their saviour god.
● Link back- The concept of nature has a powerful impact on
the reader, prompting them to ponder on the cat-mouse
relationship.
Paragraph 2 (Language)
1. Point - Hughes used diction to make the poem remarkable.
● Evidence- “chance”
● Explanation- The image of the mouse crouching and hiding
represents god-fearing men. However, the mouse is waiting
for a chance but can’t take it because of an underlying fear. It
is a reference to a man’s conscience or instincts. Shows the
uncertainty, risk, danger of life.
● Exploration- Hughes used the word to set a tense
environment, he could have used the word “opportunity’”
however he cleverly did not. The word ‘chance’ represents an
outcome where death is highly probable.
● Link back - The choice of diction has a significant influence
on the reader, prompting them to analyse the poem.
2. Point - Hughes used diction to make the poem remarkable.
● Evidence- “crouch”
● Explanation- representing a state of caution and hesitation,
perhaps fearing death or even the cat. The mouse is adopting
a defensive stance, possibly indicative of its underlying fear
or reluctance to take action. Crouched suggest extreme fear
and existential struggle.
● Exploration- "crouched" serves as a metaphor for the human
conscience or instincts. Individuals may find themselves in
situations where they adopt a defensive stance,
● Link back- The choice of diction has a significant influence
on the reader, prompting them to analyse the poem.
3. Point - Hughes used diction to make the poem remarkable.
● Evidence- “stupor of life”
 ● Explanation- Suggests a state of dullness, lethargy, or inertia
in the experience of living. Refers to the mouse’s immobility
due to the fear of the cat. Life being personified.
● Exploration- Dual nature of existence. It suggests that life,
which is often associated with vibrancy and activity, can also
be marked by moments of stagnation or weariness. Forced to
be still and passive in order to survive, which is ironical.
● Linkback- The choice of diction has a significant influence
on the reader, prompting them to analyse the poem.

Paragraph 3 (Form and Structure)

1. Point -Hughes used form and structure to prove the poem is iconic.
● Evidence- Stanza
● Explanation- The poem is a stanza with 10 lines.
● Exploration- A free verse with a singular stanza, consisting
of 10 lines, encapsulates a profound moment. Within this
unity, the poem is intricately divided into three distinct
sections—a tercet, a quatrain, and another tercet. Shows
unpredictability, much like the dangers of life. Moment of
ramification.
● Linkback- The form and structure of the poem have an
everlasting impact on the reader
2. Point -Hughes used form and structure to prove the poem is iconic.
● Evidence- lack of Rhyme scheme
● Explanation- No rhyme scheme
 ● Exploration- The rhyme scheme can suggest harmony and a
feeling of knowing what is coming next- in Cat and Mouse
no one knows what the future holds!
● Linkback- The form and structure of the poem have an
everlasting impact on the reader
3. Point -Hughes used form and structure to prove the poem is iconic.
● Evidence- “It dared not take.”
● Explanation- Enjambment, this fastens the pace and gives
the poem a sense of continuity and fluidity. Intense fear that
continues to goven the life of the prey.
● Exploration- Mimics the anxiety of the mouse, spikes a
sense of suspense, the senses sense an opportunity but its
instincts hold it back.
● Linkback- The form and structure of the poem have an
everlasting impact on the reader

CONCLUSION-
The poem "Cat and Mouse" by Ted Hughes explores the dynamics of
power and death within a relationship using the metaphor of a cat and a
mouse. Not only that, the cat represents a god- like figure with absolute
power and control, the mouse a petite human. Hughes injects themes,
diction, form and structure, making the poem memorable.