Snowdrop - Ted Hughes

Snowdrop - Ted Hughes
Q1- Discuss how Ted Hughes makes ‘Snowdrop’ such an impactful Poem.
‘Snowdrop’ by Ted Hughes depicts the struggle that animals face to survive the severe and
ruthless winter. Juxtaposing the animal’s tussle to survive, the poet draws an exhilarating image
of the snowdrop and its will to survive in the cold winter. The poet makes the poem impactful
through profound themes, exceptional language, and a unique structure.
Hughes successfully depicts the theme of resilience through the snowdrop, making the poem
effective. To begin with, the “mouse”, “weasel, and crow” struggle to survive as the winter
drains them of energy. The animals and birds are “not in their right minds” as the cold winter
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affects their sanity as they grieve upon “the other deaths” of their friends and family, while
simultaneously being burdened with the fear of losing their own lives. Moreover, they navigate
through “outer darkness” in search of hope, “pursuing” their “ends” of survival. The
snowdrop’s “pale” petals were as “heavy as metal” portraying a remarkable ability to survive
in the harsh winter conditions. Hughes employs the theme of resilience to compare the harsh
winters to the tough times we face in our lives, highlighting the strength that is required to
survive the hard times. The poem is made exceptional by portraying the snowdrop as a symbol
of resilience.
The use of language through literary devices makes the poem powerful. The use of similes
conveys to the readers the harsh realities of our lives and how important it is to stay focused
when faced with challenges. Firstly, the weasel and crow are so still and lifeless “as if” they are
“moulded” in brass and have no guiding light to guide them in these tough times. The poet uses
a simile to compare them to a statue of brass conveying a sense of stillness and immobility. The
harshness of life is demonstrated to be “as brutal” as the stars of winter months. Further, the
Snowdrop’s blooming bell-shaped white head is compared to “metal” because it is strong and
persistent. The poet uses similes to highlight life’s injustice and the necessity of perseverance in
the face of difficulty. Hughes uses imagery to bring the poem to life. The small mouse’s
“wintering” heart is shown to be surrounded by a massive demonic “globe” that is “shrunk
tight” and is crushing the defenseless creature. The menacing picture of the “outer darkness”
portrays an eerie and gloomy setting. It focuses on the absence of light and positivity in the
skies, the land, and the overall atmosphere. Furthermore, The flower’s “pale head” brings forth
an enchanting image of the majestically white yet drooping petals of the snowdrop. Through
imagery, Hughes highlights the harshness that everyone faces at one time or another. The
remarkable use of language leaves a profound effect on the reader.
The unique structure of the poem leaves an everlasting mark on the reader's mind. The title
Snowdrop is very well thought out as it gives the readers a clear idea of what the poem is about.
“Snowdrop” is a flower that blooms abundantly in the cold winter months of the year, and as a
result, it is naturally destined to survive in the winters with ease, while the other animals
struggle to do the same. The poet chooses this title to show the blossoming of these flowers as a
symbol of life's inherent resilience. Hughes uses a caesura to highlight the flower's remarkable
ability not just to survive but to also thrive with little to no resources. Hughes employs caesura
in line six with “Death. She, too,” creates a contrast between animals and the flower. The
caesura acts as a natural phrase end just like death is a natural end of life. Hughes changes the
tone of the story, from portraying the cruel image of the animals struggling to survive the
winters and eventually dying, to Snowdrop thriving even in these difficult conditions. Moreover,
Snowdrop “pursues her ends”, emphasizing on her ability to adapt to these chilly conditions.
Hughes uses a caesura to portray the flower's exceptional ability to survive whatever life throws
at it. The structure of the poem makes it persuasive.
Snowdrop is made impatfull by Ted Hughes's careful examination of perseverance in the face of
hardship. He achieves this by employing a organised structure, theme, and language. It draws
attention to the enduring power of nature and asks readers to reflect on their own ability to
strive in difficult situations.

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