The Death Of A Toad By Richard Wilbur
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Some people do not care or even notice killing a toad while mowing a lawn, but some do. In Richard Wilburs poem, “The Death of a Toad”, the speaker runs over and kills a toad while mowing his lawn and feels great distress for his action. The speaker shows sympathy for the amphibian as he describes the peaceful scene of the toads fatal injury and his last minutes alive. Wilbur uses the formal elements of structure and syntax, diction, and imagery to help convey the speakers sadness towards the death of a toad. From his “hobbling hop” (line 2) to his “antique eyes” (16), the speaker exemplifies his sympathetic feelings toward the creatures death.
Wilburs excellent use of diction can be seen throughout all three stanzas. Beginning with a more casual array of words, he quickly progresses to a more dark and gloomy selection. The dismal words throughout the poem, including “dim” (5), “low” (6), “staring” (8), and “gutters” (9), help to represent the speakers grave emotion towards the toad. Wilbur describes the actual injury of the toad to be quiet simple and not so harsh. He uses the phrase “chewed and clipped” (2) instead of using ruthless words like slashed or hacked, once again giving the poem a soft and peaceful feeling of death. Wilbur depicts the toads age in a tranquil manner, as well. The toad, with his “folds and wizenings” (8), which can be associated with wrinkles and creases of an elderly countenance, and his “hobbling hop” (2), which depicts perhaps an elderly walk, comes to terms with his injury and old age and decides to accept his death. Certain words seem to take on a soothing meaning and help convey the sympathy the speaker is feeling: “sanctuaried” (3) comes from the word sanctuary, a holy or sacred place; “heartshaped leaves” (5) are prettier and more consoling than jagged and pointed edges of leaves. Serenity continues into the toads afterlife as he drifts into toad heaven, “lost Amphibias emperies” (14). The toad is moving “toward misted and ebullient seas” (14) rather than the fiery gates of hell. The denotation of ebullient is excitement and enthusiasm; the toad is “soundlessly” (11) accepting death his and looking forward to his heaven. The vision of peace draws to an end as the “day dwindles” (15), slowly fading peacefully as opposed to abruptly after the toads death.
Imagery throughout the stanzas also helps in depicting the speakers sympathy towards the deceased toad. After reading the poem, the reader can probably envision the toad being injured by the lawn mower, and slowly accepting his death. When he is making his way to the gardens