XI - The Poplar Field

Unit - 3

The Poplar Field - Analysis

- W. Cowper

The poem, "THE POPLAR FIELD" composed by Willam Cowper compares the disappearing popular tree with perishing pleasure of human being. This poem is remarkable for its celebration of the rural and its nostalgic tone. This poem can be taken as defense on nature conservation. Through this poem the poet delivers important message that for our personal benefit. We should not cut down trees as it invites a number of problems in the days to come.


The poet tells that poplar tress have been cut down as a result the shade and the whispering sound has been told goodbye. The wind no more plays with the leaves and no more sings having gentle touch with the leaves of the popular tress. Moreover, the river Ouse no more reflects the beautiful image of the poplar trees on its bosom.


The poet talks about the time of 12 years back. In the past, the poet use to go to the poplar field where he could see a number of popular trees and take rest. But at present all the popular trees have been turned into lodges and the poet sits on them.


The black bird which is known for its beautiful voice has gone to another shelter so that he could be saved from the heat of sun. The black bird takes shelter under the hazel. The poet at present can no more listen to the melodious short songs of the black bird.


The poet tells that his days are passing quickly and very soon one day he must die. His death body will be as low as the poplar trees.

The poet becomes thoughtful and engaged whenever he thinks about the time span of life of human being. According to the poet the life of human beings short lived whereas, the movement of pleasure are still shorter than that, "It means our happiest movement die sooner than we."

 Critical Analysis

• William Cowper 's fine sensitivity to nature anticipates the great nature poetry of the Romantic Movement. ‘The Poplar Field’ is a poignant expression of a feeling of anguish (sorrow) at the sight of the poplars cruelly leveled to the ground. Cowper bids his first farewell to the shade provided by the poplar trees during his childhood days. He recalls the times when the cool breeze blows, it produces a whispering sound through the colonnade of these poplar trees. But now, the same wind does not blow nor produces anymore musical effect on the leaves of these trees. The River Ouse on whose banks the poplar trees once grew no longer receives their images on its slow deep running waters.

• The poet’s feeling for nature comes through touchingly.  The first time that Cowper came to the field of poplar trees was twelve years back since this date of event. It was his favorite field which touches the banks of the River Ouse, where these trees grew.  These poplar trees that once lent him a cool shade now lay as ugly logs of timber on the grass. All the wild birds of the forest including the uncommon black bird have flown out of this destructive site to a nearby forest cover to rebuild their nest. A new forest with thick hazel leaves that offer them a proper shade from the scorching heat of the sun. All the songs of the different kinds of birds have finally vanished. The many sights and sounds associated with the poplars which were a source of joy to him are now no more.

• The poem The Poplar Field has many facets to it. One among them is the reflections on environmental concerns. The poet speaks about a specific incident, however, the image symbolizes the evils of the destruction of nature on a larger level. How all the good associated with nature vanishes, is depicted marvelously in the poem. The shade, the wind, the singing blackbirds and the reflections on the river are fond memories associated with the poplar field. The destruction of poplar fields leave the land barren with no more of these charming trifles happening in the field. The poplars have transformed to mere trunks lying on the grass, just as the dead would lie in their graves.

• The fast moving and fleeting years of his age show no signs of slowing down. His life like anybody else will come to an end and he too will have to sleep six feet down under; in his grave; dead just like the dead poplar trees. The tombstone will be placed over his head and the turfs of grass on his breast. His only last wish would be to see another grove of poplar trees to grow in place of the old. With all the joy gone, the poet sadly anticipates for himself a fate similar to that of the poplars.

• It is a sad sight indeed to see and this has compelled him to ponder on the short-lived and selfish pleasures of man. Though he lives his real life as in a dream and his enjoyments not hidden from the eyes of the world, they have a more fleeting existence more than him. The poem ends with the sad reflection that if human life is short, the joys of this life are even shorter.