Question

The poem ‘The Dolphins’ brings out the relationship that a dolphin has with

human beings. How has the poet described this relationship.​

Answer 1

Answer:

The Dolphins’ by Carol Ann Duffy is a dramatic monologue written from the perspective of dolphins. It tries to enumerate the emotions of a dolphin which was once free, swimming around at its own will, but is now confined to an aquarium or a water-park — a place where it does what its owner or trainer tells it to do. Its master uses it to perform tricks to amuse people in the circus.

The poem shows how dolphins and other animals are suffering in the hands of men. It urges us to look at the world from their perspective. It conveys the poet’s massage against human cruelty towards animals. On a metaphoric level, the poetess may also want to indicate the troubles of humans who think they are caught in the confines of this world.

The Dolphins: Form and language

The poem is simple and straight-forward. The language for most part is plain. But the juxtaposition of simplicity and ambiguity at some places makes an impression on the reader. It is sometimes more suggestive than explicit. Lack of a rhyme scheme and the use of enjambment mark the poem. The poetess uses cliches with a twist. Further, she makes use of repetition to highlight the weariness of the dolphins.

The poem is full of pathos. Confinement of dolphins evokes emotions in the minds of readers.

The Dolphins: Line by Line Analysis

First Stanza

World is what you swim in, or dance, it is simple.

The poem starts with the dolphin speaking in second person, addressing us, the humans. The dolphin goes on to explain its own meaning of the ‘world’, its own expectations about what the world should be like.

Explanation:

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