I.A. Richard : Reading Poems

This blog is part of a classroom activity where we dig into a poem, looking at how it uses language, its structure, metaphors, and figures of speech—based on I.A. Richards' practical approach to criticism.

For the background reading you can check out Barad sir's blog 

The poem 

How to Tame a New Pair of Chappals

(A Poem by Gopal Honnalgere)

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

Some questions that arise in the  first reading: 

1. Who are "they" in the poem poet talks about?

2. What is the connection of temple and weakness?

3. How would they know about the false god and why would they bite after knowing that?

4. What is the meaning of "fat feet" in the poem?

5. If there is any reference to dogs the what type of work one makes them to do?

6. How can dogs form a union?

Now let's try to justify the above problems:

1. In the poem "they" is referred to the workers.

2. In previous centuries rich people used to make workers believe that through the God they are instructed to work. So when workers would go to the temple they would realise the falseness if God. And It will make the masters weak because then workers would know that upper class people do not have any power from god they masters would become weak.

3. When the workers or lower class people would know that there is no God or there is no-one who are with the masters or high class (caste) people then they will go against them and will not obey them.

4. "Fat feet" refers to the high class or high caste people who make the lower caste people work. In these line poet says in satirical tone that if "masters" do not keep these people in straps they will go against them.

5. There is not a refrence to dog but by "barking" and "starps" types of words poet wants to satirizes that people are treated as animals.

6. It is about the workers, if they get to know about their rights they will form a union then go against the factory owners or people who make them work.

Essence of the poem :

The poem "How to Tame a New Pair of Chappals" encapsulates the universal experience of adapting to change and facing discomfort. Through the metaphor of breaking in sandals, the poet explores the challenges and emotions associated with embracing new experiences, inviting readers to reflect on the broader theme of resilience amid life's transitions.

Thank you 😊