Vocabulary
This word in the poem describes the smell that the speaker can’t detect on the sweater.
What is "scent"?
The use of this word, referring to "cultivating" the garden, suggests a theme of tending and nurturing.
What is "hoe"?
This word describes the tone of sadness as the poet watches the animals feed.
What is "sorry"?
The speaker says, “I also was domesticated.” This implies she sees herself as...
What is "tamed" or "controlled"?
The poet uses this verb to describe the fox’s respectful gesture.
What is "bows"?
The herb garden likely symbolizes this aspect of human control over nature.
What is "cultivation" or "domestication"?
In the poem, this term refers to an aromatic type of plant that "swells" in the garden.
What is "herb"?
This animal is described as "wild" in contrast to the domesticated pets.
What is the "fox" or "vixen"?
The use of "give me strength" portrays this feeling in the poet as she observes wild nature.
What is "pleading" or "desperation"?
By stating "The dogs do not understand wild nature," the poet implies these animals are what?
What is "domesticated"?
The animals have "sorry looks" while a bevy of vixen feed. This phrase shows what human emotion on animals?
What is "remorse"?
The presence of the "vixen" represents what element of nature in the poem?
What is "predatory instinct" or "wildness"?
This word describes the demeanor of the fox toward the feline and dogs.
What is "bows"?
This line suggests a connection between the natural world and past generations.
What is "many tales spun this tract long before I came"?
The phrase "do not understand wild nature" suggests this tone towards the dogs.
What is "disappointment" or "pity"?
The bevy of vixen represent this aspect of the natural world.
What is "wildness"?
This line uses animal behavior to imply human longing for freedom and instinct.
What is "I also was domesticated"?
The poet’s plea for “strength” symbolizes her struggle to accept what about nature?
What is "its brutality" or "danger"?
This term refers to a collection of female foxes feeding in the poem.
What is "bevy"?
This phrase refers to the speaker’s ability to shape the garden and connect with nature.
What is "find my dead aim"?
The word "domesticated" conveys a sense of what about the poet's life?
What is "confinement" or "control"?
This animal is shown as an observer, caught between domesticated and wild.
What is the "cat"?
This noun describes the "tales" of previous generations that connect humans and nature.
What is "tract"?
The poet’s “dead aim” refers to her sense of purpose and connection with...
What is "the natural world"?
This vocabulary word captures the powerful appeal the poet feels for support.
What is "strength"?
This animal is described as a "feline" and is respected by the fox and dogs alike.
What is the "cat"?
By describing "vixen" feeding, the poet evokes a tone of what?
What is "brutality" or "primal nature"?
The juxtaposition of the "garden" with "wild nature" conveys a theme of what?
What is "the clash of nature and civilization"?
The phrase "much smaller body" is a metaphor for what in the poem?
What is "vulnerability" or "prey"?
The poem’s closing line “But it could be” suggests the poet’s awareness of what theme?
What is "the fragility of life" or "the inevitability of death"?