D.H. Lawrence’s poem “Bats” explores the eerie and unsettling imagery of bats in a nocturnal setting, using vivid descriptions and an intricate web of literary techniques. The poem takes the reader through a moment of twilight, where the familiar swallows give way to the unsettling presence of bats. In this educational article, we will dissect the poem’s figures of speech, mood, tone, and language to provide a thorough understanding of the text and its underlying themes. This analysis will be accessible to both novices and seasoned readers, aiming to enhance comprehension and provide deeper insights.
The Poem: “Bats” by D.H. Lawrence
Bat
By D. H. Lawrence
At evening, sitting on this terrace,
When the sun from the west, beyond Pisa, beyond the mountains of Carrara
Departs, and the world is taken by surprise …
When the tired flower of Florence is in gloom beneath the glowing
Brown hills surrounding …
When under the arches of the Ponte Vecchio
A green light enters against stream, flush from the west,
Against the current of obscure Arno …
Look up, and you see things flying
Between the day and the night;
Swallows with spools of dark thread sewing the shadows together.
A circle swoop, and a quick parabola under the bridge arches
Where light pushes through;
A sudden turning upon itself of a thing in the air.
A dip to the water.
And you think:
“The swallows are flying so late!”
Swallows?
Dark air-life looping
Yet missing the pure loop …
A twitch, a twitter, an elastic shudder in flight
And serrated wings against the sky,
Like a glove, a black glove thrown up at the light,
And falling back.
Never swallows!
Bats!
The swallows are gone.
At a wavering instant the swallows gave way to bats
By the Ponte Vecchio …
Changing guard.
Bats, and an uneasy creeping in one’s scalp
As the bats swoop overhead!
Flying madly.
Pipistrello!
Black piper on an infinitesimal pipe.
Little lumps that fly in air and have voices indefinite, wildly vindictive;
Wings like bits of umbrella.
Bats!
Creatures that hang themselves up like an old rag, to sleep;
And disgustingly upside down.
Hanging upside down like rows of disgusting old rags
And grinning in their sleep.
Bats!
In China the bat is symbol for happiness.
Not for me!
15 Figures of Speech in “Bats”
D.H. Lawrence’s “Bats” is rich with figurative language, which he uses to heighten the tension and drama of the poem. Here are 15 key figures of speech found within the text:
- Alliteration (Line 4):
“When the sun from the west, beyond Pisa, beyond the mountains of Carrara”
The repetition of the “b” sound in “beyond” enhances the rhythm and helps to set the scene with a musical quality, mimicking the gentle fading of day. - Personification (Lines 4-5):
“The world is taken by surprise…”
Personifying the world as “taken by surprise” adds an element of suspense, as if the world itself is unaware of the impending transition from day to night. - Imagery (Lines 6-7):
“When the tired flower of Florence is in gloom beneath the glowing / Brown hills surrounding…”
The imagery of the “tired flower” and the “gloom” creates a sense of weariness and darkness that mirrors the coming change. - Metaphor (Line 10):
“Swallows with spools of dark thread sewing the shadows together.”
The swallows are compared to thread spools, suggesting their graceful movements stitch the twilight sky, blending day and night together. - Simile (Line 13):
“A sudden turning upon itself of a thing in the air. / A dip to the water.”
The swallows’ flight is described with a metaphor, implying fluidity and circularity, capturing the grace of their motions. - Rhetorical Question (Line 17):
“The swallows are flying so late!”
This rhetorical question introduces an element of surprise or intrigue, emphasizing the unusual timing of the swallows’ flight. - Juxtaposition (Lines 19-20):
“Swallows? / Dark air-life looping”
The contrast between the initial thought of swallows and the dark, looping air-life introduces the shift from the swallows to bats, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. - Metaphor (Lines 21-22):
“Like a glove, a black glove thrown up at the light”
The bat’s wings are compared to a black glove, intensifying the dark and ominous presence of the bat against the sky. - Allusion (Line 28):
“Pipistrello!”
This Italian word for “bat” serves as an allusion to European culture, signaling the identity of the creature and introducing an element of foreignness to the scene. - Simile (Line 30):
“Wings like bits of umbrella.”
The bat’s wings are compared to an umbrella, emphasizing their texture and form, and adding to the image of a chaotic, ungraceful flight. - Repetition (Lines 32-34):
“Bats! / Creatures that hang themselves up like an old rag, to sleep.”
The repetition of “bats” reinforces the focus of the poem and heightens the unsettling feeling of their nocturnal presence. - Simile (Lines 34-35):
“Hanging upside down like rows of disgusting old rags”
This simile emphasizes the disturbing and grotesque nature of the bats, likening them to old rags hanging upside down, furthering the sense of revulsion. - Hyperbole (Line 36):
“And grinning in their sleep.”
The hyperbolic suggestion of the bats “grinning” adds an exaggerated sense of menace, suggesting they are sinister even in rest. - Symbolism (Lines 38-39):
“In China the bat is symbol for happiness.”
The reference to bats symbolizing happiness in Chinese culture provides a cultural counterpoint to the speaker’s negative feelings, contrasting different interpretations of the bat. - Irony (Last Line):
“Not for me!”
The ironic twist at the end shows the speaker’s personal aversion to the bat, even though it holds positive connotations elsewhere, deepening the conflict between personal perception and cultural symbolism.
Mood and Tone in “Bats”
- Mood: The mood of the poem is unsettling and eerie, with the transition from the peaceful presence of swallows to the unnerving presence of bats. As night falls, the speaker’s discomfort and disgust with the bats are palpable, creating an atmosphere of dread and mystery.
- Tone: The tone of the poem is one of surprise, followed by discomfort and distaste. Initially, the speaker is enchanted by the swallows, but the introduction of the bats brings a shift to a more ominous and unsettling tone. The final declaration “Not for me!” reveals the speaker’s rejection of the bats as a symbol of happiness.
Language in “Bats”
The language in “Bats” is vivid and intense, capturing the tension between the peaceful end of the day and the unsettling intrusion of the bats. Lawrence’s use of sensory details—sight, sound, and touch—immerses the reader in the experience of twilight, building a contrast between the familiar and the grotesque. The language also highlights the speaker’s personal discomfort, adding depth to the emotional impact of the poem.
Class Activities:
- Poem Recitation with Expression: Have students read the poem aloud, paying close attention to the changing mood. Encourage them to experiment with different tones to express the shifts in the speaker’s perception.
- Creative Writing: Ask students to write a poem or short story about an encounter with a nocturnal creature, using the figures of speech and techniques found in “Bats”.
- Symbolism Exploration: Have students research the cultural symbolism of bats in different societies, comparing the views presented in the poem to other interpretations.
- Imagery Analysis: In groups, students should break down the imagery in the poem and present how each image contributes to the overall mood and tone of the piece.
- Debate the Mood: Host a class debate on whether the mood of the poem is more sinister or reflective, using evidence from the text to support both sides.
Class Assignments:
- Poetry Analysis: Write an essay analyzing how Lawrence uses figures of speech to create mood and tone in the poem. Focus on at least five figures of speech from the poem.
- Cultural Study: Research the significance of bats in various cultures, writing a report on how their symbolism compares to the one found in “Bats”.
- Character Study: Analyze the speaker’s emotions and reactions to the bats. How do these emotions evolve from the beginning to the end of the poem?
- Poetic Devices Paper: Write a paper discussing how Lawrence uses metaphor, simile, and symbolism to enhance the themes of the poem.
- Personal Response: Write a personal reflection on how you would react to encountering the creatures in the poem, comparing your reaction to the speaker’s.
Conclusion
D.H. Lawrence’s “Bats” offers a rich tapestry of literary techniques, mood, and tone that engage readers and evoke deep emotional responses. By examining the figures of speech, mood, tone, and language, we can gain a greater appreciation for the complexity of this short yet powerful poem. Understanding these aspects will also help readers connect with the text on a deeper level and encourage a more thoughtful analysis of other works by Lawrence.