An Analysis Of Richard Wilbur's Death Of A Toad

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Richard Wilbur’s “Death of a Toad" reflects on the appearance and thoughts that even a toad might have at the approach of death. Through structure, diction, and vivid imagery, Wilbur gradually reveals the feelings of the speaker. To the speaker, the toad’s death begins as a simple as an observation; but it turns into a mystical journey to an amphibious empire. The sequence of events follows the thoughts and changes that the speaker’s attitude goes through. The poem opens casually with the speaker’s blunt observation, “A toad the power mower caught.” The lack of sympathy is shown in the description given in the next few lines about the toad’s injury. However, when the toad hides itself in the cineraria leaves, the speaker uses symbolism and begins to exhibit some interest. He concludes that the toad will die in this “final glade”. In the second stanza, the physical death of the toad is portrayed by the now curious speaker, who watches its “rare original hearts bleed”. Watching the stillness of the toad makes the speaker …show more content…

The opening two lines are as simple and clear like a casual conversation. However, the speaker’s use of “sanctuaries” shows his realization of the toad’s unfortunate situation, and words such as “cineraria,” and “ashen” convey a deathly atmosphere. Realizing that any creature can die a tragically, the speaker watches the “rare original bloodshed” flow out; he now sees the importance of this blood. All the descriptive words used in stanza two; “wizening’s”, “banked” and “staring”, shows that the speaker is paying close attention to the toad. This new curiosity leads him to upgrade his use of diction on the “misted and ebullient seas”. The importance of such word choices is that the speaker sees the toad as something precious and respected. These critical words demonstrate the formidable change that the speaker’s attitude has passed

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