” The humour in the poem , ‘ Parrot ‘ is enhanced mainly by satire. ” Do you agree? How does the poet use satire? Why does he use it? Explain with close reference to the poem.
The poem ‘ Parrot ‘ by Alan Brownjohn is about a parrot who is caged. The poem is in parrot’s point of view. This poem is humorous because of many reasons. And also there are so many moments that are sarcastic. The poet has used satire to enhance humour in the poem. So I can agree with the statement that the humour in the poem ‘ Parrot ‘ is enhanced mainly by satire.
The poet is satirical about so many things. One is caring the bird. The family members are very ignorant and selfish. They use the parrot for their entertainment. They are proud to have this bird and they give various reasons for not talking of the parrot.
” He won’t talk because
he is a thinking bird ”
It is very sarcastic as they make themselves happy by hurting and caging a free bird who should fly everywhere he likes. And also it is humorous as their ignorance has shown up.
The family members are very happy to have a caged bird. They think they are superior and they try to control the bird. But here the poet is very sarcastic about superiority of humans and wildness of people. So he tells the parrot can understand everything.
” I’m working on some shocking things
In order to surprise them
And when my thoughts are ready I’ll
Certainly not disguise them ! ”
Because of that the parrot is superior here. Although family members think that the parrot is ignorant the parrot is not ignorant but the family members are ignorant. Likewise because of family members’ ignorance the poem is humorous and the poet has presented the poem enhancing humour by satire.
The poet is not only satirical about actions of people but also about parrot’s actions. The parrot has over estimated himself. He tries to get revenge from people and he is boasting that he will control people by his trick. He is going to talk for a week non stop.
” And go on for about the week ”
This action is very humorous. He is going to talk for about a week the language which he had not talked before. And his preparations for this plan is also very humorous.
” And clear my throat and raise my beak
And give a squawk and start to speak ”
All these things are very humorous and sarcastic mainly because the parrot is planning to get his revenge.
And here the small one is going to defeat a powerful one. Normally small person is defeated by powerful one. So his pride is also very humorous and sarcastic. Likewise the poet has enhanced satire through parrot’s actions.
Mainly the poet wanted to give the message that we should not violate animal lives. He doesn’t approve caging the bird. He wants to show even birds are sensitive and like humans they also want freedom. The poet has used satire to prove that very deeply.
And the poet wants to show that humans are not superior always. People think that they are superior and they can control anything. Here the family members try to make the parrot speak.
” They’re saying , ” He won’t talk because
He is a thinking bird “
This is very sarcastic and it proves that the poet has used satire to reduce the superiority of people And the poet wants to tell that we should not take revenge from anybody. But if we violate someone’s rights they will try to take revenge. So we should give freedom to others and also we should not get angry and try to take revenge from anybody. The plan of the parrot is shown sarcastically here by the writer as he wanted to enhance the humour of the readers.
And the plan of the parrot is very impractical. And it is very humorous and sarcastic. The poet gives an advice to the readers not to try impractical things.
And also he says people should be careful in speaking. We should know what we speak before we tell it. But if we don’t do that it will cause lot of problems. That’s why the poet says we should think before we tell something.
Likewise the poet uses satire to give many advices to the reader. And also usage of satire in the poem has enhanced humour. So again I can agree with the statement that the humour in the poem ” Parrot “ is enhanced mainly by satire.