Writer:- Lekhnath Paudel (1884-1965)
Summary
“The Parrot in the Cage” is a poem by Nepalese poet Lekhnath Paudyal. The poem tells the story of a parrot that is trapped in a cage and longs for freedom. The main theme of the poem is the importance of freedom and the pain of being trapped or constrained.
In the poem, the parrot is depicted as a symbol of freedom, beauty, and grace. It is shown as a creature that is meant to fly and soar, but is confined to a small cage. The parrot expresses its desire to be free and fly in the open sky, and laments the fact that it is trapped in the cage.
The poem also explores the theme of captivity and confinement. The parrot is shown as being trapped and constrained, unable to move or spread its wings. The poem highlights the pain and suffering that come with being confined and restricted, and the yearning for liberation and freedom.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of hope and resilience. Despite being trapped in the cage, the parrot continues to sing and express its desire for freedom. The poem suggests that even in the face of adversity and confinement, there is always hope for liberation and a better future.
Overall, “The Parrot in the Cage” is a powerful poem that explores the themes of freedom, captivity, and hope. It highlights the pain of being trapped or constrained, and the importance of freedom for all living beings.
Understanding
1. Who is the speaker of the poem? why does he call himself “a twice-born child” ?
Ans: The speaker of the poem is the parrot itself.
The speaker refers to itself as a “twice-born child” in the opening lines of the poem. ” Here, the term “twice-born” is used metaphorically to suggest that the parrot has undergone a spiritual rebirth or transformation. The parrot is not literally born twice, but rather, it has been reborn into a new state of consciousness, one in which it longs for freedom and feels trapped in its current state.
2. How do you evaluate human sensibility towards the non-human in the poem?
Ans: In “The Parrot in the Cage,” the poet Lekhnath Paudyal portrays a sense of human sensibility towards the non-human, specifically towards the parrot trapped in the cage.
Throughout the poem, the parrot expresses its desire for freedom and its longing to be in the open sky, but it is unable to do so because it is trapped in a cage. This represents the human desire for freedom and the need to be able to express oneself. The fact that the parrot is speaking in the first person and expressing its thoughts and feelings as if it were human shows that humans are able to empathize with non-human creatures.
Furthermore, the poem highlights the fact that animals have their own unique personalities and desires, just like humans do. The parrot is not simply a caged bird; it is a being with its own thoughts, feelings, and desires. This idea of animal sentience and consciousness is becoming more widely recognized and accepted by humans, leading to a greater sense of empathy and responsibility towards non-human creatures.
Overall, the poem portrays a sense of human sensibility towards the non-human by highlighting the shared desires and emotions between humans and animals, and emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding towards all living beings.
Rhetoric/Language/Writing
1. Do you think that the speaker judgement upon mankind is fair enough? or is this an overstatement?
Ans: The speaker in “The Parrot in the Cage” by Lekhnath Paudyal expresses a negative judgment towards mankind for confining the parrot in a cage. The speaker suggests that humans are cruel and heartless for trapping the parrot and not allowing it to fly freely in the open sky.
It is important to note that the speaker in the poem is the parrot itself, and thus its perspective is limited to its own experiences and desires. While it is true that humans have a history of mistreating and exploiting animals, it is also important to recognize that not all humans are guilty of such actions.
Furthermore, it could be argued that the speaker’s judgment of mankind is somewhat of an overstatement. While it is true that humans have caused harm to animals, it is also true that many humans have made efforts to protect and care for animals. There are organizations and individuals who work tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate animals, and to advocate for their rights and welfare.
In conclusion, while the speaker’s judgment of mankind may be fair in some cases, it is also important to acknowledge that not all humans are guilty of mistreating animals, and that efforts are being made to improve the treatment of animals by humans.
Discussion
1. Discuss the differences between god, destiny, fate, and providence. what qualities does the speaker attribute to each one of these in the poem?
Ans: The concepts of God, destiny, fate, and providence are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and implications. The speaker in the poem may attribute different qualities to each of these concepts, depending on their individual beliefs and worldview. Here is a brief overview of the differences between these concepts and some possible qualities attributed to them in the poem:
God: In most religions, God is the supreme being who created and governs the universe. God is often viewed as benevolent, just, and omnipotent, with the power to intervene in the affairs of humans and determine their destiny. The speaker in the poem may attribute qualities such as love, wisdom, and sovereignty to God.
Destiny: Destiny refers to the events and circumstances that are predetermined for a person or group, often by a higher power or by a combination of factors such as genetics, upbringing, and environment. Destiny is often seen as inevitable and unchangeable, and it may be viewed as either positive or negative. The speaker in the poem may attribute qualities such as inevitability, purpose, or mystery to destiny.
Fate: Fate is similar to destiny in that it involves predetermined events and outcomes, but it often carries a sense of finality or doom. Fate is sometimes seen as a force beyond human control, and it may be associated with negative or tragic events. The speaker in the poem may attribute qualities such as inevitability, cruelty, or irony to fate.
Providence: Providence refers to the idea that a benevolent or divine power is actively guiding the course of human events, often for the benefit of a particular group or individual. Providence is often associated with positive outcomes and a sense of purpose or meaning. The speaker in the poem may attribute qualities such as guidance, blessing, or grace to providence.
In the poem, the speaker seems to be contemplating the nature of existence and the role of these concepts in shaping human experience. The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea that life is both predetermined and unpredictable, and that there may be forces beyond human understanding at work in the world. The qualities attributed to each of these concepts may reflect the speaker’s own beliefs or doubts about the nature of the divine or the meaning of life.
2. The poem is presented from the parrot point of view. how different will it be if presented from a human being point of view?
Ans: If the poem “The Parrot in the Cage” were presented from a human being’s point of view, it would likely focus on the reasons why the parrot was confined in a cage. A human narrator might explain that the parrot was kept as a pet, or for breeding purposes, or for some other reason.
The human narrator might also express sympathy for the parrot’s plight, and acknowledge that it is cruel to keep animals in cages. However, the perspective would be different from that of the parrot itself. The human narrator would not be able to fully understand the parrot’s experience of being confined in a cage and denied its natural instincts to fly and explore.
Furthermore, the human narrator might have a different attitude towards the situation. While some humans might view keeping animals in cages as cruel and inhumane, others might see it as necessary for the animal’s own safety or for the benefit of humans.
Overall, the perspective of the poem would be very different if it were presented from a human being’s point of view, and the focus would be on the human’s motivations and attitudes towards the parrot, rather than the parrot’s own experience of being trapped in a cage.
3. Discuss the political implication of the poem on the basis of a close textual reading of the poem?
Ans: The poem “The Parrot in the Cage” by Lekhnath Paudyal is not inherently political in nature. It is a poem about the suffering of a captive parrot and its longing for freedom, and it is often interpreted as a commentary on human cruelty towards animals.
However, if one were to analyze the poem from a political perspective, it could be argued that it is a metaphor for the oppression of marginalized groups by those in power. The parrot represents the oppressed, who are kept captive and silenced by the ruling class. The speaker’s call for freedom could be seen as a call for social justice and equality.
Additionally, the idea of the “twice-born child” could be interpreted as a reference to the caste system in India, in which one’s social status is determined by birth. The speaker’s rejection of this system and assertion of his own agency could be seen as a political statement in support of individual rights and freedoms.
Overall, while “The Parrot in the Cage” is not overtly political, it can certainly be analyzed through a political lens and used as a commentary on issues related to power, oppression, and liberation.
