"Wolf" by Keki Daruwalla delves into themes of fear, myth, and the loss of innocence through the portrayal of a wolf that haunts the speaker’s past. The poem juxtaposes the natural majesty and danger of the wolf with the more mundane and destructive realities of modern life. It reflects on how mythic fears can intrude upon and shape our childhood experiences and the impact of their loss in contemporary times.
Wolf by Daruwalla Poem Text
Fire-lit
half silhouette and half myth
the wolf circles my past
treading the leaves into a bed
till he sleeps, black snout
on extended paws.
Black snout on sulphur body
he nudged his way
into my consciousness.
Prowler, wind-sniffer, throat-catcher,
his cries drew a ring
around my night;
a child's night is a village
on the forest edge.
My mother said
his ears stand up
at the fall of dew
he can sense a shadow
move across a hedge
on a dark night;
he can sniff out
your approaching dreams;
there is nothing
that won't be lit up
by the dark torch of his eyes.
The wolves have been slaughtered now.
A hedge of smoking gun-barrels
rings my daughter's dreams.
Quick Facts about "Wolf"
| Poet | Keki Daruwalla |
| Published In | The Glass-Blower: Selected Poems |
| Subject | Myth, Fear, Loss of Innocence |
| Rhyming Scheme | None (Free Verse) |
| Meter | Irregular, free-flowing lines |
| Tone | Reflective, Nostalgic, Somber |
| Point of View | First-person |
| Type of Poem | Free Verse, Narrative Poem |
| Mood | Melancholic, Haunted |
| Imagery | Vivid descriptions of the wolf, the forest, and the night |
| Symbolism | The wolf as a symbol of fear, myth, and loss |
| Allusions | Reference to mythic wolves and childhood fears |
| Historical Context | The slaughter of wolves and its impact on cultural memory |
Summary of "Wolf"
"Wolf" by Keki Daruwalla captures the haunting presence of a wolf in the speaker’s memory, symbolizing a blend of myth and fear. The wolf, depicted in the poem as a half-silhouette and half-myth, prowls through the speaker's past, leaving an imprint on their consciousness. It represents a powerful, almost supernatural presence that once cast a shadow over their childhood.
The wolf is portrayed as a vigilant and fearsome creature, with the ability to detect the slightest movement and sense dreams approaching. The speaker’s mother’s description of the wolf as having heightened senses underscores its mythical status. However, the poem ends on a somber note, revealing that the wolves have been slaughtered, and now, the remnants of their terror are replaced by the modern symbol of violence—smoking gun-barrels—encircling the dreams of the speaker’s daughter.
The transition from the mythical to the real signifies a loss of innocence and the encroachment of modern violence into the once pure and magical realm of childhood fears.
Themes in "Wolf"
- 1. Myth and Fear: The wolf in the poem represents both myth and the primal fears that haunt us from childhood. It signifies how mythic elements can shape and influence our perception of reality.
- 2. Loss of Innocence: The poem contrasts the mythical wolf with the modern reality of violence, reflecting the loss of innocence and the encroachment of harsher realities into a once-safe world.
- 3. Nature vs. Modernity: The tension between the natural world represented by the wolf and the modern world symbolized by gun-barrels highlights the clash between the mythic past and contemporary violence.
- 4. Memory and Trauma: The poem explores how past fears and myths linger in the memory, affecting the present and future generations.
Critical Analysis of "Wolf"
"Wolf" by Keki Daruwalla is a poignant exploration of myth, memory, and the impact of modernity on the natural world. The wolf is depicted not only as a physical presence but as a mythic entity that haunts the speaker's past. This duality reflects the way myths can have a profound effect on our psyche, embodying both fear and wonder.
The poem’s reflective tone and vivid imagery serve to create a haunting atmosphere that bridges the past and present. The juxtaposition of the wolf's mythical qualities with the stark reality of gun-barrels symbolizes the loss of a more innocent, mythic world and the harsh encroachment of modern violence.
The final image of the wolf being replaced by smoking gun-barrels conveys a deep sense of loss and nostalgia. The transition from the mythical to the real emphasizes how the once-powerful and fearsome wolf has been erased from the world, leaving behind a legacy of destruction and disillusionment. This shift reflects broader themes of cultural and environmental change, and the impact these changes have on personal and collective memory.
Literary Devices in "Wolf"
- Metaphor: The wolf is used as a metaphor for primal fears and mythic elements that influence the speaker’s perception of the world.
- Imagery: Detailed descriptions of the wolf, its actions, and the contrasting modern elements create a vivid picture of the poem’s themes.
- Personification: The wolf is given human-like qualities, such as sensing shadows and dreams, which enhances its mythical status.
- Symbolism: The wolf symbolizes the clash between myth and modernity, representing both the primal past and its displacement by contemporary violence.
Sound Devices in "Wolf"
- Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds, such as in "fire-lit" and "black snout," enhance the rhythm and focus of the poem.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds in phrases like "dark torch" and "move across" contributes to the poem's musicality and mood.
- Consonance: Repeated consonant sounds in "prowler, wind-sniffer, throat-catcher" mimic the sounds associated with the wolf and add to the poem’s rhythmic quality.
- Onomatopoeia: The word "snout" evokes the sensory presence of the wolf, enhancing the auditory imagery of the poem.
Stylistic Analysis of "Wolf"
Keki Daruwalla employs a free verse style in "Wolf," allowing for a fluid and natural expression of the poem’s themes. The lack of a fixed rhyme scheme or meter reflects the unpredictable nature of myth and memory, while the irregular line lengths mirror the fragmented recollections of the speaker.
The use of rich, sensory imagery and evocative language brings the wolf to life, making it both a physical presence and a symbol of deeper fears. Daruwalla's style emphasizes the contrast between the mythical and the real, using descriptive language to highlight the loss of innocence and the intrusion of modern violence into the natural world.
The poem’s structure, moving from the mythical portrayal of the wolf to the harsh reality of gun-barrels, underscores the theme of change and the impact of modernity on traditional myths. This stylistic choice reinforces the poem’s exploration of memory, fear, and loss, making it a compelling reflection on the intersections between past and present.