The Vowels (Poem by Robert Burns)

The Vowels

A Tale

By Robert Burns

’Twas where the birch and sounding thong are ply’d,

The noisy domicile of pedant pride;

Where ignorance her darkening vapour throws,

And cruelty directs the thickening blows;

upon a time, Sir Abece the great,

In all his pedagogic powers elate,

His awful chair of state resolves to mount,

And call the trembling vowels to account. — 

First enter’d A, a grave, broad, solemn wight,

But, ah! deform’d, dishonest to the sight!

His twisted head look’d backward on the way,

And flagrant from the scourge he grunted, ai!

Reluctant, E stalk’d in; with piteous race

The justling tears ran down his honest face!

That name! that well-worn name, and all his own,

Pale he surrenders at the tyrant’s throne!

The pedant stifles keen the Roman sound

Not all his mongrel diphthongs can compound;

And next the title following close behind,

He to the nameless, ghastly wretch assign’d.

The cobweb’d gothic dome resounded Y!

In sullen vengeance, I, disdain’d reply:

The pedant swung his felon cudgel round,

And knock’d the groaning vowel to the ground!

In rueful apprehension enter’d O,

The wailing minstrel of despairing woe;

Th’ Inquisitor of Spain the most expert

Might there have learnt new mysteries of his art;

So grim, deform’d, with horrors entering U,

His dearest friend and brother scarcely knew!

As trembling U stood staring all aghast,

The pedant in his left hand clutched him fast,

In helpless infants’ tears he dipp’d his right,

Baptiz’d him eu, and kick’d him from his sight.

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns' poem "The Vowels" offers a humorous and satirical commentary on the English language and the treatment of vowels by a pedantic teacher. Through the personification of vowels as characters, the poem playfully explores the quirks and idiosyncrasies of language education and highlights the absurdity of pedantry. This analysis delves into the poem's themes, structure, and satirical elements.

Structure and Form:

"The Vowels" is written in rhymed. The use of consistent rhyme and rhythm adds to the poem's playful and rhythmic quality, enhancing its satirical tone. The poem is also characterized by its concise and witty descriptions of each vowel character.

Themes:

1. Pedantry and Language Education: The poem satirizes the pedantic approach to language education, where teachers focus excessively on rules, pronunciation, and grammar. It highlights the absurdity of such pedantry through the treatment of vowels as individuals.
2. Personification: By personifying the vowels as characters with distinct personalities and reactions, the poem humorously explores the idea that each vowel has its quirks and complexities when used in words.
3. Absurdity and Humor: Burns employs humor and absurdity to entertain readers while critiquing the rigidity of language instruction. The absurd situations and actions of the characters, such as A looking backward and E shedding tears, add comedic elements to the poem.

Analysis:

Introduction of the Pedant: The poem opens with a description of Sir Abece, the pedantic teacher, who decides to call the vowels to account. The use of "pedant pride" suggests the arrogance and self-importance of the teacher, setting the stage for the satire.

Personification of Vowels:

• A is described as a grave and solemn character, but also deformed and dishonest to the sight. A's backward glance and the pun on "ai" playfully emphasize the idea of looking back on the way, perhaps indicating reluctance or confusion.
• E enters with a piteous race, shedding tears, and surrendering the well-worn name "E" at the tyrant's throne. This portrayal of E as a tearful character humorously mocks the vowel's perceived sensitivity.
• I responds with disdain, and the pedant's frustration with I's refusal to comply with his wishes is evident.
• O enters as the "wailing minstrel of despairing woe," emphasizing the sorrowful sound associated with O. The mention of the Inquisitor of Spain alludes to the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition and the sinister connotations of O's sound.
• U appears grim and deformed, causing even his friend and brother, V, to barely recognize him. The use of U's ghastly appearance underscores the idea of vowels as characters with physical traits.

Satirical Elements: The poem employs satire to critique pedantic language instruction. The pedant's actions, such as baptizing U as "eu" and kicking him away, highlight the arbitrary and nonsensical nature of language rules enforced by pedants.

Playful Wordplay: Burns makes use of wordplay and puns throughout the poem. For example, the pun on "ai" with A, the baptism of U as "eu," and the reference to "the Roman sound" showcase the poet's clever manipulation of language for comedic effect.

In conclusion, Robert Burns' "The Vowels" is a humorous and satirical poem that uses personification and wordplay to mock pedantic language education and highlight the absurdity of rigid language rules. Through playful characterizations and absurd situations, Burns entertains readers while offering a lighthearted critique of pedantry in language instruction.