THE KINGFISHER
William Henry Davies
It was the Rainbow
gave thee birth,
And left thee all her
lovely hues;
And, as her mother’s
name was Tears,
So runs it in my
blood to choose
For haunts the lonely
pools, and keep
In company with trees
that weep.
Go you and, with such
glorious hues,
Live with proud
peacocks in green parks;
On lawns as smooth as
shining glass,
Let every feather
show its marks;
Get thee on boughs
and clap thy wings
Before the windows of
proud kings.
Nay, lovely Bird,
thou art not vain;
Thou hast no proud,
ambitious mind;
I also love a quiet
place
That’s green, away
from all mankind;
A lonely pool, and
let a tree
Sigh with her bosom
over me.
THE THEME OF THE
KINGFISHER
"The
Kingfisher" by William Henry Davies is a beautiful and simple poem that
reflects the poet’s deep connection with nature. W.H. Davies, often known as
the "Tramp Poet" because of his humble lifestyle, had a unique
ability to express his feelings through simple yet powerful language. Some of
his famous poems include "A Great Time," "A Greeting,"
"A May Morning," and "A Strange City." In "The
Kingfisher," he focuses on the beauty and grace of the kingfisher bird,
but also shares his personal emotions and thoughts.
The main theme of the
poem revolves around the beauty and brilliance of the kingfisher. However,
Davies doesn’t just describe the bird’s physical appearance; instead, he uses
the kingfisher as a symbol of natural beauty and simplicity. He expresses a sense
of oneness with nature, as he feels a close connection to the bird and its
surroundings. The kingfisher’s bright and vibrant colors catch the poet’s
attention, and he imagines that the bird is the "child of the
rainbow," as if the rainbow gave birth to the kingfisher and passed on its
colors.
The poet goes even
further by describing the rainbow as the "daughter of tears," meaning
that the rainbow is born from rain, which reflects the sunlight and creates its
beautiful colors. This poetic image ties the bird’s beauty to the natural world
in a deeper, emotional sense. The kingfisher is not just a pretty bird; it
represents something more profound—nature’s ability to create beauty out of
sadness and tears.
As the poem
progresses, Davies compares himself to the kingfisher. Just like the bird, the
poet enjoys visiting lonely and quiet places, like pools where tree branches
droop over the water. This reflects the poet’s love for solitude and his desire
to be away from the busy, noisy world of people.
In the poem, the
kingfisher is compared to the peacock, another bird known for its beauty.
However, while the peacock shows off its feathers and lives in "the King's
Garden," the kingfisher is humble. It does not seek attention or live in
grand places. Despite its brilliant colors, the kingfisher prefers to remain
hidden, away from the public eye. The poet admires this about the bird, as it
is not proud or ambitious.
Like the kingfisher,
the poet also values a quiet, peaceful life. He longs for solitude and wishes
to live far away from the "madding crowd"—the busy and noisy world of
human activity. The poet desires a life close to nature, where he can find peace
and comfort. He imagines a peaceful scene by a lonely pool, with a tree bending
over him like a mother caring for her child. This image reflects the poet’s
deep connection to nature and his desire for a simple, serene life.
Overall, "The
Kingfisher" is a gentle and inspiring poem that highlights the beauty of
nature and the importance of living a humble, peaceful life. Both the
kingfisher and the poet share a love for solitude and simplicity, making the
poem a meaningful reflection on the joy of living close to nature.
DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE KINGFISHER
In "The Kingfisher" by William
Henry Davies, the poet celebrates the beauty of the kingfisher, a bird known
for its vibrant colors and quiet grace. The poem explores themes of nature,
simplicity, solitude, and humility, using the kingfisher as a symbol to reflect
the poet’s own preferences for a peaceful and modest life away from society.
The poem begins by associating the
kingfisher’s birth with a rainbow, emphasizing its stunning array of colors.
Davies writes that the bird was "born" from the rainbow and inherited
all its lovely hues, making the bird a symbol of natural beauty. The reference
to the rainbow also implies a connection between the bird and the emotional
richness of nature, as the rainbow is described as having a mother named
"Tears." This suggests that the beauty of the kingfisher is tied to
something deeper—perhaps sorrow or melancholy—which is passed down through
generations, affecting both the bird and the poet.
The poet then reflects on the kingfisher’s
natural habitat, preferring to live in solitude by lonely pools and among
weeping trees. These lines suggest that both the bird and the poet are drawn to
quiet, melancholic places in nature, away from the noise and ambition of human
life. The image of "weeping trees" conveys a sense of mourning or
sadness, reinforcing the theme of quiet reflection and emotional depth. The
poet admires the kingfisher for choosing such serene surroundings, implying
that it shares the poet’s preference for calmness and solitude.
In the next stanza, the poet acknowledges
that the kingfisher, with its magnificent colors, could easily live among more
showy creatures like peacocks, in places associated with wealth and power, such
as green parks and manicured lawns. The poet imagines the bird being admired by
kings and living a life of grandeur. However, the poet quickly dismisses this
idea, suggesting that the kingfisher is not vain or ambitious and does not seek
attention or fame, despite its beauty.
The poet then connects this sentiment to his
own life, stating that he, too, loves quiet, peaceful places away from mankind.
He prefers to live near a lonely pool, where he can be surrounded by nature and
experience solitude. The image of a tree "sighing" over the poet
further emphasizes the poet’s desire for a deep, emotional connection with
nature, away from human distractions.
In summary, "The Kingfisher" is a
poem that praises the simplicity and modesty of the kingfisher while also
reflecting the poet’s own love for solitude and natural beauty. The bird,
despite its striking appearance, is not ambitious or vain, and this humility is
something the poet deeply admires. Through the kingfisher, Davies expresses his
own desire for a life close to nature, far from the ambitions and materialism
of society. The poem evokes a sense of peace and contentment that comes from living
in harmony with the natural world, away from the pressures of human life.
ONE MARK
QUESTIONS:
1. Who wrote the poem "The
Kingfisher"?
Answer: W.H. Davies.
2. What bird is the focus of the poem?
Answer: The kingfisher.
3. What does the poet call the kingfisher’s
mother?
Answer: The rainbow.
4. What is the kingfisher compared to in the
poem?
Answer: The peacock.
5. Where does the poet prefer to be in the
poem?
Answer: By a lonely pool.
TWO MARK
QUESTIONS:
1. Why does the poet call the kingfisher
"the child of the rainbow"?
Answer: The poet imagines that the kingfisher
was born from the rainbow and inherited its brilliant, colorful hues,
symbolizing its natural beauty.
2. What does the poet mean by saying the
rainbow is the "daughter of tears"?
Answer: The poet implies that the rainbow is
created by rain, which comes from clouds that shed "tears" in the
form of raindrops. The rainbow reflects sunlight, showing beauty after sadness.
3. How does the poet contrast the kingfisher
with the peacock?
Answer: The poet contrasts the kingfisher’s
quiet, humble nature with the peacock’s showy and proud behavior. The
kingfisher prefers solitude, while the peacock lives in grandeur, displaying
its feathers in "the King's Garden."
THREE MARK
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the significance of the kingfisher
choosing to live near lonely pools and weeping trees?
Answer: The lonely pools and weeping trees
symbolize quiet, melancholic places in nature, away from the noise of the
world. The poet admires the kingfisher for preferring these serene, peaceful
environments, much like he himself seeks solitude and calmness in nature.
2. What message does the poet convey about
humility and ambition in the poem?
Answer: The poet conveys that true beauty and
fulfillment come from humility and simplicity rather than seeking attention or
ambition. The kingfisher, despite its vibrant beauty, avoids showing off like
the peacock. Similarly, the poet values a peaceful, modest life away from the
public eye, emphasizing the importance of living humbly in harmony with nature.
3. How does the poet express his connection
with nature in the poem?
Answer: The poet expresses his connection with
nature by comparing himself to the kingfisher, preferring quiet, secluded
places like lonely pools and weeping trees. He finds peace in solitude and in
the company of nature, away from society. The kingfisher's simplicity and
preference for a calm environment reflect the poet's desire for a peaceful life
in tune with nature.
FOUR MARK
QUESTIONS:
1. Discuss how the kingfisher is used as a
symbol in the poem to reflect the poet’s thoughts and feelings.
Answer: In "The Kingfisher," the
bird symbolizes the poet's inner world and his preferences for solitude,
simplicity, and natural beauty. The kingfisher, with its brilliant colors, is
portrayed as the "child of the rainbow," representing beauty born
from nature’s tears. Though the kingfisher is vibrant and could easily live
among grander creatures like the peacock, it chooses a quiet, humble life by
lonely pools. This symbolizes the poet’s own desire for a life removed from
society's ambition and pride. Just like the bird, the poet loves peace, calm,
and a quiet existence in harmony with nature, far from the "proud
kings" and the public eye. Thus, the kingfisher becomes a reflection of
the poet's philosophy of life—valuing humility and inner peace over external
recognition or wealth.
2. Explain how the poet’s preference for
solitude and peace is depicted through the imagery in the poem.
Answer: The poet uses vivid imagery of nature
to depict his love for solitude and peace. He describes lonely pools and
weeping trees as serene places where he and the kingfisher both feel at home.
The image of the tree "sighing" over the poet, much like a mother
over her child, reinforces a sense of nurturing and protection from the noise
of society. The kingfisher’s quiet presence near these pools reflects the
poet’s own yearning for peaceful isolation, away from human distractions. The
contrast with the peacock, which flaunts itself in royal gardens, further
highlights the poet's preference for a modest, secluded life rather than one
spent in the public eye. The imagery paints a picture of a world where nature
offers solace and tranquility, and the poet seeks refuge in its quiet beauty.
TEN MARK
QUESTION:
Q: How does W.H. Davies use nature,
symbolism, and contrasts in "The Kingfisher" to convey his ideas
about beauty, humility, and solitude?
Answer:
In "The Kingfisher," W.H. Davies skillfully uses elements of nature,
symbolism, and contrasts to reflect his thoughts on beauty, humility, and
solitude. The poem, though seemingly about the kingfisher bird, delves much
deeper into the poet’s philosophical musings on life, showcasing his preference
for simplicity and a peaceful existence away from the complexities of society.
Nature as a Reflection of the Poet’s Soul:
The poem is infused with natural imagery,
highlighting Davies' deep connection with the natural world. The kingfisher, as
a creature of nature, embodies the beauty and serenity that the poet values.
Nature becomes a mirror for the poet’s soul, with descriptions of "lonely
pools" and "weeping trees" symbolizing places of peace,
melancholy, and reflection. These quiet, isolated locations reflect the poet’s
desire for solitude, away from the bustling world of people. The calmness of
the natural setting allows the poet to find inner peace, suggesting that true
beauty and contentment come from being in harmony with nature, rather than from
seeking external validation.
Symbolism of the Kingfisher and the Rainbow:
The kingfisher itself is symbolic in multiple
ways. Its brilliant, multicolored plumage is attributed to the rainbow, which
the poet imagines as the bird’s mother. This association with the rainbow
introduces a sense of both beauty and impermanence. Rainbows are fleeting,
temporary spectacles, appearing after storms and disappearing quickly,
symbolizing the transient nature of life and beauty. The poet deepens this
symbolism by stating that the rainbow is the "daughter of tears,"
suggesting that beauty often arises from sorrow or hardship. This evokes the
idea that the kingfisher’s vibrant appearance is not merely superficial but is
born out of something deeper—perhaps the struggles and emotional experiences of
life.
The kingfisher’s connection to the rainbow
emphasizes the poet’s belief in the simplicity and purity of natural beauty.
The bird, with all its brilliance, does not seek to display itself proudly or
draw attention, unlike the peacock, which is described as flaunting itself in
"the King's Garden." This modesty of the kingfisher becomes a key
symbol of humility, showing that true beauty does not need to be boastful or
extravagant.
Contrasts Between the Kingfisher and the
Peacock:
Davies makes a clear contrast between the
kingfisher and the peacock. The peacock is portrayed as proud, showy, and
ambitious, living in royal gardens and displaying its feathers for all to
admire. This symbolizes the vanity and superficiality often associated with
wealth, status, and public life. The kingfisher, on the other hand, chooses a
more humble and reclusive life. Despite its beauty, it prefers to live in
quiet, solitary places by "lonely pools" and among "weeping
trees." This contrast highlights Davies' admiration for humility and his
belief that true beauty lies in simplicity and quietness, rather than in
grandeur and public recognition.
The kingfisher’s choice to stay away from
"the windows of proud kings" reflects the poet’s own rejection of
fame, power, and materialism. Davies, known as the "Tramp Poet,"
lived a simple life and often wrote about the joys of nature and solitude.
Through the contrast between the two birds, he conveys that a life of modesty
and peace is far more fulfilling than one spent in the pursuit of attention and
ambition.
Themes of Solitude and Peace:
At the heart of the poem is the poet’s
longing for solitude and peace. Both the kingfisher and the poet find comfort
in secluded, natural places, far from the "madding crowd" of human
society. The lonely pool, where the kingfisher resides, symbolizes a place of
quiet reflection, away from the noise and distractions of the world. The poet
imagines himself in such a place, where a tree bends over him "like a
mother" caring for her child. This nurturing image reinforces the idea
that nature offers solace, protection, and peace to those who seek it.
Davies’ preference for solitude is not a
rejection of beauty but a different understanding of it. For him, beauty lies
in the natural, the unpretentious, and the quiet. He, like the kingfisher,
chooses to remain hidden, avoiding the gaze of the world and finding
fulfillment in the simplicity of nature. The kingfisher’s decision to avoid
"proud kings" mirrors the poet’s own decision to avoid the ambitions
of society. Through these images, Davies suggests that true happiness and peace
can be found in a humble life, close to nature, rather than in a life spent
chasing fame or fortune.
Conclusion:
In "The Kingfisher," W.H. Davies
uses nature, symbolism, and contrasts to communicate his ideas about beauty,
humility, and solitude. The kingfisher symbolizes natural beauty that is modest
and humble, contrasting with the proud peacock and its association with
material wealth and social status. The poet’s love for nature, reflected in his
admiration for the kingfisher’s quiet life, underscores his belief that true
fulfillment comes from living in harmony with nature and embracing simplicity, rather
than seeking attention or ambition. Through these themes, the poem celebrates
the quiet joy and peace that can be found in solitude and the natural world.
