The jaws' hooked clamp and fangs Not to be changed at this date; A life subdued to its instrument.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The pike's jaws are fixed tools for killing, showing how its life is reduced to its function.
- In plain terms
- The fish is shaped for killing.
- What can you take from it?
- Design serves purpose in nature.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a living thing?
- Is purpose natural or assigned?
Another view
It implies animals have no life beyond survival.
More from Ted Hughes
Pike, three inches long, perfect Pike in all parts, green tigering the gold. Killers from the egg: the malevolent aged grin.
Permalink to quote #3 Stilled legendary depth: It was as deep as England. It held Pike too immense to stir, so immense and old That past nightfall I dared not cast.
Permalink to quote #5 With a sudden sharp hot stink of fox, It enters the dark hole of the head. The window is starless still; the clock ticks, The page is printed.
Permalink to quote #2
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