Chapter 7 – Animals 10

Chapter 7 – Animals     by Walt Whitman) 

Animals – Walt Whitman

 Word Meanings 

• Placidity – calmness, peace

• Self-contained – complete in themselves

• Evince – show clearly

• Token – symbol, sign

• Demented – crazy, mad

• Manifold – many, in large numbers

• Negligence – carelessness

• Whine – complain in an annoying way

 Central Idea

In the poem Animals, Walt Whitman highlights the noble qualities of animals and contrasts them with human weaknesses. He admires animals for being calm, self-contained, and satisfied with their lives. They do not complain, cry over sins, or worship ancestors. Unlike humans, they are free from greed, pride, and jealousy. The poet feels that animals live closer to nature and possess qualities that humans once had but have now lost. Through this poem, Whitman suggests that true happiness lies not in material wealth or false pride but in simplicity, honesty, and living peacefully with contentment.

Figures of Speech

1. Repetition – “I stand and look at them long and long” (words repeated).

2. Alliteration – “So placid and self-contained” (‘s’ sound repeated).

3. Metaphor – Animals are compared to ideal beings who possess lost human qualities.

4. Contrast – Between animals’ simple life and humans’ greedy, restless life.

5. Irony – Humans, though advanced, have lost values, while animals preserve them.

 Textbook Questions and Answers 

Q1. Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line. What is the poet turning to?

The poet turns to animals instead of humans. He admires their calmness, simplicity, and honesty. By “turning,” he means shifting his attention and interest to animals because they are better examples of living peacefully.

Q2. Mention three things that humans do and animals don’t.

Humans complain about their lives, weep over sins, and run after money and luxuries. Animals do not do these things. They live peacefully, remain satisfied with what they have, and never show greed or jealousy.

Q3. Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in groups.

Yes, humans worship great men, saints, or ancestors who lived thousands of years ago. They show respect through prayers, rituals, or traditions. But animals do not follow such customs; they live freely without kneeling or worshipping anyone.

Q4. What are the ‘tokens’ that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him?

The ‘tokens’ are qualities like honesty, simplicity, innocence, calmness, and satisfaction. Humans once had these values but lost them due to greed, pride, and selfishness. Animals still preserve them, reminding humans of their lost virtues.