In Margaret Atwood’s red fox we see the use of conceit to portray a sense of savage actions that humans take in life, and diction to highlight specific characteristics of that conceit. We are humans savage and cunning to get a scrap of food and survival.
The conceit in this poem is very clearly the red fox, hence the title, as carrier for the symbol of humans, and the savage things we do as humans. The first stanza shows that the fox is not bothered by what is going on in her life, but only focused on one thing, survival. This is compared to how when humans see something that they lust after, that they think they need and desire, they don’t stop to wonder about the collateral damage that could b done and just focus on attaining that goal.
Another notable instance of this conceit and diction is in the third stanza where the speaker talks of the slyness and the lies that this trickster can tell. This shows that humans are liars and tricksters to get what they want, and are as sly as the Grinch to get it. This further highlights the savageness of humans and how we will do anything to get what we want, to get what we think we need to survive.
Another wonderful instance of diction that adds to this conceit is the line about the white knife of a smile. This shows that humans ill be nice and sly when they are trying to get what they want, but when they don’t get it they will turn on you and stab you in the back. Behind every nice gesture is a dangerous and savage motivation that drives the human to act.
The key line that underlines the thesis is “hunger corrupts, and absolute hunger corrupts absolutely”. This beautifully shows the savage nature of animals and beasts when survival is brought into the question, and for humans, for Americans, survival is the material worth that we often kill for. This line best shows that the human being is a savage monster that will do anything when it wants to get something of value that it desires.
Red fox by Margaret Atwood is a wonderful social commentary on what we as humans have become. She shows this through her use of conceit and diction to show humans as savage conniving creatures that will do anything to get what they want, and to survive.
3 comments:
Another connection that I saw between the fox and humans was the "coat of an elegant scoundrel" It shows how often people are outwardly very different than what is being covered up on the inside.
very well written. ehy, but i have a question..what role do you guys think the speaker plays? I mean, it seems as though they are just observing the "normal" means of survival of the red fox, or "human". Are they just another fox/human just pondering upon the thought that humans will go to great lengths t survive and get what they want. And...actually, i kind of dont see greed so much in this poem, i need necessity, however, i can see thsi poem being a statement about humans being greedy because maybe we are the observer and we have our needs, so we watch as this "fox" fights for her survival. ????? who knows???
Nice job Roman! I love ur interpretation of this poem. It was very difficult to understand but after awhile, I began to notice certain things and they were very similar to yours. I like how you said that there is motivation behind every animals savage behavior. Foxes are portrayed as very sneaky and sly, but its only necessary for them if they want to survive. I think its interesting that Atwood decided to use a red fox, or an animal period bcuz many people in science claim that animals dont have emotions or feelings. However, she compared a weak red fox to the struggling women (or people as a whole)in society. They are both desperate to provide for themselves and families. I have a question though...In my group, we thought the speaker was a hunter but others thought otherwise. What do you think the speaker was?
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