Critical Commentary on The Though-Fox written by Ted Hughes Essay Example

within his mind and commence filling the page. To differentiate between actuality and his imaginary realm, the speaker utilizes a colon following "star."

By ending the second stanza with a colon, it becomes clear that there's a difference between it and the third one. The former deals with an external thought while the latter focuses on how that same idea enters the poet's mind. Through this stanza, we enter into his thoughts and discover that what was once mysterious is now revealed to be a "fox". As it touches twigs and leaves, we see how it searches for something and slowly reveals itself. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for the poet's imagination where ideas are becoming clearer gradually, without knowing where they'll lead.

The initial stage of the writing process is delicate, but once momentum is established, progress becomes more certain. The writer's purpose is conveyed through the repeated use of "now," which not only accelerates the pace but also highlights the systematized aspect of writing. In stanza four, a seamless transition from the preceding stanza is achieved. The fox's paw prints in the snow are deemed "neat," which doubles as a play on words referring to the writer's precise penmanship on a "blank page." The fox itself is alluded to as a "lame shadow" that trails behind.

The use of the term "shadow" is fitting as it implies that the fox's shape and ideas are still uncertain, but becoming more dominant and self-assured. The writer's body, on the other hand, is courageous and determined to emerge. This is possibly a pun implying that the physical text will only appear once the fox's shape or

inspiration becomes fully visible. In stanza four, the "shadows" are depicted, leading up to the unveiling of the fox's "eye" in stanza five. To date, the writer's ideas and words have been indistinct, with little exactness or aim.

As the fox is about to appear, the speaker's mind widens, allowing for detailed observation. The fox "comes about its own business", suggesting that the creative process is not entirely under the speaker's control. This stanza's use of multi-syllabic words, such as "widening", "deepening greenness," "brilliantly," and "concentratedly," creates extreme intensity, making it the poem's heart. The final stanza concludes with the hissing sound of sibilance in "sudden sharp hot stink of fox" representing forceful ideas entering the mind.

The head referred to as a "hole" and "dark" implies that it was empty and lifeless before inspiration entered. The presence of the first full stop since stanza one portrays the relentless flow of ideas, symbolized by the fox, into the head. Additionally, the rhythm of the poem intensifies as the fox materializes. The full stop after "head" serves to return us to the actual setting of the poem.

Despite the fact that "the window is starless still" and the "clock" continues to "tick", the "page is printed" as if by magic. This stands in contrast to the earlier stanza where the page remained "blank", linking the two sections and highlighting the speaker's creative process. The use of the caesura in this sentence creates a break in rhythm and emphasizes the mundane nature of reality in comparison to the writer's imagination. Ultimately, the poem explores the speaker's journey of creativity through the metaphor of a fox emerging from a forest,

as seen in the titular figure of The Thought-Fox.

We believe that writing occurs almost subconsciously as words slowly take shape and become clear, ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion. To the writer, the imagined setting holds great significance and feels more tangible than reality itself.