D.H. Lawrence, a renowned English novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his deep reflections on the natural world, human psychology, and societal structures. One of his lesser-known but deeply symbolic poems is “Bats,” where he intricately explores the transition between day and night, life and death, through the sudden appearance of bats. Written with Lawrence’s signature vivid imagery and metaphorical language, this poem delves into themes of change, unsettling emotions, and the haunting passage of time.
In “Bats,” Lawrence presents a moment in time, at evening, when the world seems to stand still, yet the arrival of bats introduces an element of discomfort, questioning, and fear. Let’s explore the symbolism and thematic layers of this poem, which is both a natural observation and a deeply existential meditation.
A Surprising Transition: From Swallows to Bats
The poem opens with a serene description of the evening over Florence, as the sun sets behind the mountains of Carrara. Lawrence uses the beauty of the setting to set up an emotional tone that quickly changes when the bats arrive. The swallows, which are typically associated with migration, freedom, and the coming of dusk, are suddenly replaced by bats.
At first, the reader might assume the creatures flying between the twilight of day and night are swallows, but Lawrence quickly shifts this expectation. The swallows, with their graceful, effortless flight, are gone, replaced by bats—creatures that evoke unease and discomfort. The bats’ erratic, seemingly frantic movements contrast sharply with the calmness associated with swallows, signaling a shift from beauty to unease, order to chaos.
The Symbolism of the Bat
The bat, often associated with darkness, death, and mystery, serves as a symbol of a more unsettling reality. While swallows are traditionally seen as symbols of joy and hope, bats carry a darker connotation. Lawrence’s portrayal of the bats as “creatures that hang themselves up like an old rag, to sleep” reflects the unsettling and grotesque nature of these creatures. The bats’ “disgusting” upside-down sleeping position is described with vivid language, which makes them more eerie, suggesting an unnatural, even sinister presence.
Interestingly, Lawrence contrasts Western perceptions of bats with their symbolic meaning in other cultures. In China, bats represent happiness and good fortune, but for Lawrence, the bat signifies the opposite—a creeping sense of discomfort and dread. This cultural contrast adds depth to the poem, showing how different symbols can evoke varied emotional responses depending on one’s perspective.
The Bats and the Human Condition
At its core, Lawrence’s poem is about more than just bats—it is an exploration of how we respond to the inevitable transition from one state of being to another. The swallows’ departure and the bats’ arrival can be seen as a metaphor for the passage of time, the shift from life to death, or the unsettling feeling that comes with significant change. The bats’ erratic flight and their association with the night reflect the unknowns of existence and the discomfort of confronting our mortality.
Lawrence does not shy away from the unsettling. The bats “fly madly,” and their “voices indefinite, wildly vindictive” are haunting and chaotic, stirring a sense of unease in the speaker. This feeling is heightened by the physical discomfort the speaker experiences—“an uneasy creeping in one’s scalp”—as if the very presence of the bats challenges one’s mental and emotional stability.
Understanding the Themes of Transformation and Fear
The poem’s transition from the swallows to the bats symbolizes a larger theme of transformation. Lawrence juxtaposes the graceful, natural flow of life (represented by the swallows) with the chaotic, unpredictable forces of nature (represented by the bats). This shift is not just external; it is internal as well, suggesting a deeper emotional transformation.
In this way, Lawrence captures the disorientation that comes with facing change. The “disgusting” image of the bats—hanging upside down, grinning in their sleep—reflects the uncomfortable feelings that arise when we encounter forces beyond our control, whether they be physical, psychological, or existential.
The Emotional Journey: A Final Reflection
As the poem concludes, Lawrence’s speaker declares that the bats, unlike the swallows, do not bring happiness. This final rejection of the bats as symbols of happiness and good fortune speaks to a more existential truth—the speaker’s unease with the unknown, with transformation, and with the inevitable encroachment of darkness.
Through the unsettling imagery of the bats, Lawrence invites the reader to reflect on their own fears and discomforts. The poem becomes a meditation on the inevitability of change and the discomfort that often accompanies it. Whether it’s the fear of death, the unknown, or simply the passage of time, Lawrence’s “Bats” challenges us to confront the unsettling and find meaning in the darkness.
Objective Questions on D.H. Lawrence’s “Bats”
- What time of day is described in the poem?
- A) Morning
- B) Afternoon
- C) Evening
- D) Night
- Answer: C) Evening
- Which creatures are initially thought to be flying in the poem?
- A) Crows
- B) Swallows
- C) Bats
- D) Sparrows
- Answer: B) Swallows
- What do the bats symbolize in the poem?
- A) Hope
- B) Death and discomfort
- C) Freedom
- D) Joy
- Answer: B) Death and discomfort
- How does the speaker describe the bats’ flight?
- A) Graceful and effortless
- B) Chaotic and frantic
- C) Slow and peaceful
- D) Fast and direct
- Answer: B) Chaotic and frantic
- What emotion does the speaker feel when the bats appear?
- A) Peacefulness
- B) Unease
- C) Joy
- D) Excitement
- Answer: B) Unease
- Which culture is mentioned as viewing the bat as a symbol of happiness?
- A) Japanese
- B) Chinese
- C) Indian
- D) Egyptian
- Answer: B) Chinese
- What does the speaker think about the bats’ upside-down sleeping position?
- A) Beautiful
- B) Disgusting
- C) Fascinating
- D) Natural
- Answer: B) Disgusting
- What natural setting is the poem describing?
- A) A forest
- B) A cityscape in Florence
- C) A mountain range
- D) A beach
- Answer: B) A cityscape in Florence
- What does the speaker notice about the “serrated wings” of the bats?
- A) They shimmer in the light
- B) They are graceful and smooth
- C) They are jagged and unsettling
- D) They resemble swallows’ wings
- Answer: C) They are jagged and unsettling
- What does the phrase “changing guard” imply about the bats’ arrival?
- A) They are replacing the swallows
- B) They are taking over the city
- C) They symbolize a new beginning
- D) They are a sign of peace
- Answer: A) They are replacing the swallows
- How are the bats’ voices described?
- A) Clear and melodic
- B) Indefinite and vindictive
- C) Loud and obnoxious
- D) Silent
- Answer: B) Indefinite and vindictive
- What do the bats’ erratic flight patterns suggest about them?
- A) They are calm and peaceful
- B) They are unpredictable and wild
- C) They are controlled and graceful
- D) They are orderly and calm
- Answer: B) They are unpredictable and wild
- What does the poem suggest about the passage of time?
- A) It is predictable and steady
- B) It is full of joy and certainty
- C) It is unsettling and filled with change
- D) It is irrelevant to the natural world
- Answer: C) It is unsettling and filled with change
- What does the speaker mean by “the world is taken by surprise”?
- A) The sun has set
- B) The bats appear unexpectedly
- C) The swallows are still flying
- D) The weather is changing
- Answer: B) The bats appear unexpectedly
- What does the bat symbolize in Western cultures, according to the poem?
- A) Peace
- B) Happiness
- C) Darkness and fear
- D) Good fortune
- Answer: C) Darkness and fear
- How are the swallows described in contrast to the bats?
- A) More graceful and peaceful
- B) Loud and aggressive
- C) Flightless and sluggish
- D) Absent from the scene
- Answer: A) More graceful and peaceful
- What physical sensation does the speaker experience when the bats appear?
- A) A sense of joy
- B) A creeping unease on the scalp
- C) A sense of peace
- D) A sense of wonder
- Answer: B) A creeping unease on the scalp
- What literary device is used in describing the bats’ wings as “like a glove, a black glove thrown up at the light”?
- A) Simile
- B) Personification
- C) Metaphor
- D) Hyperbole
- Answer: A) Simile
- How does the poem challenge the reader’s perception of nature?
- A) By emphasizing the beauty of swallows
- B) By presenting nature as chaotic and unpredictable
- C) By showing nature as a calm and peaceful entity
- D) By comparing nature to human society
- Answer: B) By presenting nature as chaotic and unpredictable
- What is the central theme of “Bats”?
- A) The beauty of the natural world
- B) The discomfort and fear associated with change
- C) The joy of the evening
- D) The flight of birds
- Answer: B) The discomfort and fear associated with change
