I.A. Richard : Reading Poems

 

I.A. Richard : Reading Poems

In this blog I am going to analyze the poem 

"How to Tame a New Pair of Chappals"

at how it uses language, its organization, metaphors, and imagery. I'll be discussing and questioning these elements to understand the practical aspects according to I.A. Richards' ideas on practical criticism. If you want more information on practical criticism, you can check out Barad sir's blog .

Original Poem : 

"How to Tame a New Pair of Chappals"

"don't leave them together

don't allow them to talk to each other

they may form a trade union

don't at anytime leave them near

a wall clock, law books, a calendar, the national flag,

gandhi's portrait, or a newspaper

they may hear about

independence, satyagraha,

hodidays, working hours, minimum wages, corruption

don't take them to your temple

they may at once know you are weak

your god is false and they may bite you

don't let them near your dining table

they may ask for food

or cast their evil eyes on your dinner

first use them only for short walks

then gradually increase the distance

they should never know the amount of work they have to do

pull their tight straps loose

let them feel happiness

they are growing bigger

smear some old oil on the rough straps

let them feel they are anointed

now they are good subdued labourers

ready to work overtime

for your fat feet"

Personal observation and queries:

1.  How would they know about the false god and why would they bite after knowing that?
2. What is the meaning of "fat feet" in the poem?
3. What does the poet mean when he says the chappals become "good subdued labourers"?

Now Essence the Problems : 

1. Because if middle class or lower class people do not believing in God as per their condition or they have fear of the consequences. 
2. This meaning of Fat Feet, the poet talked about the high class or elite class people, 

These are the words which i search it :

Straps - A long narrow piece of leather.

Anointed - To put oil or water on somebody’s head as part of a religious ceremony.

Subdued -  Quieter and with less energy than usual.

References : 

Bar       Barad, Dilip. Just Poems. blog.dilipbarad.com/2015/09/just-poems.html.

Barad, Dilip. “(PDF) I.A. Richards - Figurative Language - Practical Criticism.” ResearchGate, 5 January 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377146653_IA_Richards_-_Figurative_Language_-_Practical_Criticism. Accessed 14 January 2024.

Thank You !