Holmes, Oliver Wendell. "The Ploughman".
Summary and Analysis
- an occasional poem written for an anniversary of the Berkshire Agricultural Society
- praises the toil of a ploughman who is the first to be on the field and the last to leave
- describes the ploughing process
- a strong image of the hands of the ploughman whose toil brings bread
- elevates the merit of the ploughman and describes it in lofty words and superlatives: "This is the scholar whose immortal pen / Spells the first lesson hunger taught to men"
- calls nature our "gracious Mother" with a kind and loving face which is to be loved by the mankind, too
- concludes with a warning: though the ploughman is peaceful, should there be any danger, "the guardians of land" would rescue "what the ploughshare won"
Basics
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Author
Holmes, Oliver Wendell. (1809 - 1894). -
Full Title
"The Ploughman". -
First Published
1848. -
Form
Poem.
Works Cited
Holmes, Oliver Wendell. "The Ploughman". (1848). In: Masterpieces of American Literature. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1891.