Analyse the poem Hawk with quotation and explanation of important lines.

The poem "Hawk" by Keki N. Daruwalla is a powerful exploration of the wild and untamed nature of the hawk, juxtaposed with the controlled and manipulated existence of the hawk in captivity. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, Daruwalla delves into themes of freedom, violence, and the predatory instincts inherent in both the natural and human realms.

 Stanza 1:

"I saw the wild hawk-king this morning

riding an ascending wind

as he drilled the sky.

The land beneath him was filmed

with salt:

Grass-seed, insect, bird—

nothing could thrive here."

In this opening stanza, Daruwalla introduces the majestic presence of the wild hawk as it rides the currents of the wind and dominates the sky. The hawk is portrayed as a regal and powerful figure, symbolizing the untamed forces of nature. The desolate landscape below, "filmed with salt," suggests a barren and inhospitable environment where life struggles to survive. This imagery sets the stage for the conflict between the hawk's instinctual drive for survival and the harsh realities of its natural habitat.

 Stanza 2:

"But he was lost

in the momentum of his own gyre,

a frustrated parricide

on the kill.

The fuse of his hate was burning still."

In this stanza, Daruwalla delves into the psyche of the wild hawk, portraying it as a creature consumed by its own predatory instincts and primal desires. The hawk's relentless pursuit of prey is driven by a deep-seated sense of frustration and anger, symbolized by "the fuse of his hate." This imagery suggests that the hawk's violence is not merely instinctual but also borne out of a complex emotional state, characterized by a desire for dominance and a thirst for revenge against perceived threats.

 Stanza 3:

"But in the evening he hovered above

the groves, a speck of barbed

passion.

Crow, mynah and pigeon roosted here

while parakeets flew raucously by.

And then he ran amok,

a rapist in the harem of the sky."

Here, Daruwalla contrasts the wild hawk's predatory nature with the tranquility of the evening scene below. The hawk's presence disrupts the peaceful coexistence of other birds, turning the sky into a battleground where dominance is asserted through violence. The hawk is portrayed as a "rapist in the harem of the sky," symbolizing the violation of natural order and the imposition of power through force. This imagery underscores the primal and brutal nature of the hawk's existence, as it asserts its dominance over the landscape with ruthless efficiency.

 Stanza 4:

"As he went up with a pigeon

Skewered to his heel-talon

he scanned the other birds, marking out their fate,

the ones he would scoop up next,

those black dregs in the cup of his hate!"

Here, Daruwalla emphasizes the hawk's predatory prowess and its mastery of the art of hunting. The image of the hawk carrying a pigeon skewered to its talon highlights the brutal efficiency with which it dispatches its prey. The hawk's scanning of the other birds symbolizes its predatory instinct, as it identifies potential targets and plans its next attack. The phrase "black dregs in the cup of his hate" suggests the hawk's contempt for its prey, viewing them as mere objects to be consumed in its relentless quest for survival.

 Stanza 5:

"The tamed one is worse, for he is touched by man.

When snared in the woods

his eyelids are sewn with silk

as he is broken to the hood."

In this stanza, Daruwalla shifts focus to the captive hawk, highlighting the cruelty and brutality of its treatment at the hands of humans. The tamed hawk is subjected to a process of domestication that robs it of its freedom and autonomy. The image of its eyelids being sewn with silk symbolizes the deprivation of its senses and the imposition of control through physical manipulation. This imagery serves as a stark reminder of the human capacity for domination and exploitation, as well as the devastating impact of captivity on the psyche of wild creatures.

 Stanza 6:

"He is momentarily blinded, starved.

Then the scar over his vision is perforated.

Morsels of vision are fed to his eyes

as he is unblended stitch by relenting stitch.

Slowly the world re-forms:

mud walls, trees burgeon.

His eye travels like the eye of the storm."

Here, Daruwalla describes the process of the captive hawk's rehabilitation and reintegration into the natural world. The hawk's gradual recovery of its sight symbolizes its journey towards reclaiming its autonomy and reconnecting with its natural instincts. The imagery of "mud walls, trees burgeon" suggests a return to the wild and the rediscovery of freedom. This stanza highlights the resilience of the hawk's spirit and its ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.

 Stanza 7:

"Now the sky is his eyrie.

He ferocious floats on splayed wings;

then plummets like a flare,

smoking, and then a gust of feathers

proclaims that has struck."

In this final stanza, Daruwalla celebrates the liberated hawk's return to the sky and its reclamation of its rightful place in the natural order. The hawk's soaring flight symbolizes its freedom and autonomy, as it navigates the vast expanse of the sky with grace and power. The image of the hawk "plummeting like a flare" evokes a sense of awe and admiration for its agility and speed. This stanza serves as a triumphant conclusion to the poem, as the hawk embraces its wild nature and asserts its dominance over the landscape once more.

Thematic Analysis:

Freedom vs. Captivity:

One of the central themes of "Hawk" is the contrast between the wild hawk's freedom and the captive hawk's captivity. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, Daruwalla highlights the brutality and cruelty of human intervention in the natural world, as well as the resilience and indomitable spirit of wild creatures. The poem serves as a powerful indictment of the exploitation and abuse of animals for human entertainment and profit, as well as a celebration of the innate beauty and majesty of the natural world.

Violence and Predation:

Another key theme in "Hawk" is the theme of violence and predation. Through graphic imagery and visceral language, Daruwalla depicts the brutal realities of life in the wild, as well as the predatory instincts that drive the hawk's behavior. The poem serves as a stark reminder of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the natural world, where survival is predicated on strength and cunning. However, Daruwalla also explores the ways in which human intervention exacerbates and perpetuates violence in the natural world, as seen in the treatment of the captive hawk.

Humanity's Relationship with Nature:

"Hawk" also delves into humanity's relationship with nature and the ethical implications of our interactions with the natural world. Through the juxtaposition of the wild and captive hawks, Daruwalla raises questions about the morality of human intervention in the lives of wild creatures, as well as the broader consequences of our exploitation of the environment. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of respecting and preserving the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Hawk" by Keki N. Daruwalla is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the wild and untamed nature of the hawk, juxtaposed with the controlled and manipulated existence of the hawk in captivity. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, Daruwalla delves into themes of freedom, violence, and the predatory instincts inherent in both the natural and human realms. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the brutality and beauty of the natural world, as well as the ethical complexities of humanity's relationship with nature.