English Literature made easy

Poetry:

GCE O/L - New syllabus

Elegy on the death of a mad dog

by Oliver Goldsmith

Oliver Goldsmith, in his poem elegy on the death of a mad dog, relates a rather humorous story; evoking laughter and at the sametime presenting the episode in cynical manner. Goldsmith's expert skill in inspiring his readers to share with him, watching the funny attitudes of some people.

This poem is in ballad form inviting the attention of the reader and inspiring the reader in indirect manner, to enjoy observing the varied behaviour pattern of a dog (may be a human character in dog form)

"Good people all of every sort

Give ear unto my song"

In the second stanza, the poet highlights the character of his hero, as a very religious person. The poet introduces the competitive porcedure existing - "A godly race he ran whenever he went to pray" emphasising the man's deceptive outward appearance, hiding his real self during his stay in the church premises.

"That still a godly race he ran

When're he went to pray"

The third verse highlights his gentle behaviour among friends and his attempts to "comfort friends and foes," reflecting the interior motives of the man rather than his pity and sympathy wearing a kind and gentle heart while helping others. Thus hiding his interior motives, highlighting his behaviour pattern.

"The naked everyday he clad

when he put on his clothes"

The metaphor clothes reveals the real truth unveiling his exact self. The Villain of the story is a "dog" amidst a variety of members of the "canine family"

"Both mongrel, puppy, whelp and hound,

And curs of low degree"

The poet has not mentioned the species of this particular dog and undoubtedly it has to be a "two legged dog." Irritation that occurs between the man and the dog over some

"mundane affair" and the dog strives to hurt the man.

"The dog to gain some private ends,

went mad and bit the man."

The man and the dog appear to be clever individuals and their "wondering neighbours"

"And swore the dog had lost his wits

To bite so good a man"

The anxiety to deceive the society worked out so well. The pious christians, sympathising with the man swore that the dog was mad and that "The man would die".

The poet is ironic in his expressions when he reveals the sympathy of the people towards the injured man, though he does not deserve their sympathy.

"The wound it seemed both sore and sad to every christian eye; And while they swore the dog was mad, they swore the man would die"

There is a paradox in the last stanza highlighting the central theme of the poem.

"But soon a wonder came to light

That showed the rouges they hid:

The man recovered of the bite -

The dog it was that died"

Usually a dog bite could kill a man. But here a bite of this so-called pious man caused death to a dog. The man seems to carry venom in his body. The great poet oliver Goldsmith has highlighted the clear truth in strategic manner "The reality behind a hypocrite in society"

The poet has revealed the clear truth of certain middle class people trying to show off their religious feelings - their attachment to religion and the type of virtue a church could preach. "The reality behind a hypocrite" is revealed through the characters of a man and a dog.

The dog could be the character of a human being in canine form and the poet has successfully achieved his motives he has intended to reveal to the public.

Goldsmith's diction style is simple and direct. Following the ballad form the poet has succeeded in inviting his readers' attention and appreciation. The melodious rhyming pattern and wording enhance the theme of the poem.

"The dog and the man at first were friends

But when a pique began,

The dog to gain some private ends

went mad and bit the man"