Appreciation of the poem ' Nose versus Eyes'

🔸 Appreciation of the poem ' Nose versus Eyes'

1. About the poem, poet and title- 

The poet William Cowper is famous for his satirical work. The poem 'Nose versus Eyes' is such a gently humorous poem. It pokes fun at some absurd decisions arrived at in jurisprudence when the law is applied without human discretion and thought. The nose and eyes are sensory organs that symbolise human behaviour.

2. Theme -

The theme is about typical human behaviour in the society which is greedy. People who grab something which is not theirs and deprive those who deserve it.

3. Poetic style, language and poetic device- 

The poem is in stanzas of four lines each, The first and third, and the second and fourth lines rhyme in each.

The sensory organs are personified. The eyes and nose are the parties fighting the cakes, claiming ownership of the spectacles. The tongue is the lawyer ; the ear is the chief baron – The judge. The tongue is attributed with the qualities of skillful argument and learning. The tongue is also given the quality of shifting loyalties and double speak. That is what lawyers do. The ear is spoken of as having good judgement.

The poem has many words and phrases related to the legal field ‘Your lordship' is how the tongue addresses the ear. ‘Decreed, pleaded, arguments ‘are the few words used in the court.

4. Special features-

The poem is unique, in that it is a gentle criticism of the judicial system. Criticism of the judiciary is dangerous and could even land one into trouble.But the poet has been gently mocking in his style, which does not offend but is completely truthful how the things are being presented.

5. Message / values/ morals in the poem.

The message the poem gives is that the judges verdict should also keep in mind the human values are not just arrived at decisions based purely on law books.

6. Your opinion about the poem- 

The poem reminds us about one of the hypocrisy and greed in people to grab what isn't theirs. It shows how the weak are unable to defend themselves. Though they are on the side of right. They are often wrong – the nose trying to grab the spectacles when the weak eyes need them to stand on is the perfect example in the poem 'nose versus eyes'.