The Gallows by Edward Thomas (1934)

Name: The Gallows
Author: Edward Thomas

The poem presents a stark and haunting tableau of death and the consequences of actions, using the imagery of various animals that have met their end at the hands of a keeper. The weasel, crow, and magpie serve as symbols of different traits—deceit, thievery, and talkativeness—each facing a grim fate. The repeated motif of hanging from a dead oak tree emphasizes the finality of death, stripping the creatures of their agency and reducing them to mere objects of display. The weasel, once lively and part of a family, is shot and left to swing lifelessly, illustrating the abruptness of mortality. The crow, characterized as a thief and murderer, also meets a similar fate, suggesting a moral judgment on its actions. The magpie, known for its chatter and cleverness, finds that these traits offer no protection from death, reinforcing the theme that all creatures, regardless of their nature, ultimately succumb to the same end. The refrain of "without pleasure, without pain" highlights the indifference of death, presenting it as a state devoid of emotion or experience. The imagery of the dead oak tree serves as a grim reminder of the inevitability of death and the futility of life’s pursuits. The poem culminates in a reflection on the shared fate of all beings, suggesting a universal truth about existence and the inescapable nature of mortality. The final lines evoke a sense of eerie stillness, where the once vibrant lives are reduced to mere remnants, hanging in a perpetual state of leisure, devoid of the vibrancy that once defined them. Overall, the work explores themes of death, morality, and the consequences of one's actions, using vivid imagery and a somber tone to convey the weight of these reflections.

By Edward Thomas · First published 1934 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Allegory · 233 words

First lines

There was a weasel lived in the sun With all his family, Till a keeper shot him with his gun And hung him up on a tree, Where he swings in the wind and rain, In the sun and in the snow, Without pleasure, without pain, On the dead oak tree bough.

There was a crow who was no sleeper, But a thief and a murderer Till a very late hour; and this keeper Made him one of the things that were, To hang and flap in rain and wind, In the sun and in the snow.

There are no more sins to be sinned On the dead oak tree bough.

There was a magpie, too, Had a long tongue and a long tail;

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The Gallows is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1934 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edward Thomas
Date: 1934 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Nature, Allegory, Dark Humor, Philosophical
Length: 233 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
Nature — The poem reflects on animals and their existence in nature, highlighting themes of life and death.
Allegory — The hanging of animals serves as a metaphor for broader themes of morality and consequence.
Dark Humor — The juxtaposition of death and the indifferent nature of the animals creates a darkly humorous tone.