Poem Analysis - The Invention Of Pigs

Introduction: An Apocalyptic Anecdote

Les Murray's "The Invention of Pigs" presents a stark, almost biblical, scene of destruction and survival. The poem unfolds as a narrative of a devastating bushfire, focusing on the surprising behavior of pigs amidst the chaos. The tone begins with a matter-of-fact observation, quickly shifting to one of awe and perhaps even a touch of dark humor as the pigs' peculiar resilience is revealed. This resilience becomes the central point, transforming the poem into a meditation on adaptation, instinct, and the unexpected qualities of creatures in the face of annihilation. The overall impression is one of grim fascination with the natural world's capacity for both destruction and improbable survival.

Resilience in the Face of Annihilation

One of the primary themes is resilience, specifically the resilience of the pigs. While other animals, described with vivid imagery of panicked flight ("Other beasts ran headlong, whipping off with genitals pinched high"), succumb to the fire's terror, the pigs "declined to quit their pavements of gravel and shit." This steadfastness, bordering on obstinacy, sets them apart. The poem highlights how their seemingly mundane existence, rooted in "gravel and shit," paradoxically equips them to withstand the inferno. Their choice, whether born of stupidity or profound instinct, is to remain, a decision that ultimately saves them.

The Failure of Instinct and the Paradox of Survival

Another prominent theme is the failure of instinct. The poem contrasts the frantic, ultimately futile, actions of other creatures with the pigs' unyielding behavior. The "human mothers" and "fathers galloped," their efforts driven by primal urges to protect and escape. Yet, their actions are depicted as desperate and largely ineffective. The "horse baked in a tin shed," and the "poultry lay about dead," victims of their own panicked flight. The pigs, by resisting this instinctual drive for escape, subvert expectations and demonstrate that sometimes, the most effective survival strategy is to remain grounded, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. This poses an interesting question about whether instinctual behavior is always the most logical.

The Absurdity of Disaster

A third theme is the absurdity of disaster and its effects. The lines describing animals such as "naked poultry lay about dead having been plucked in mid flight" border on the surreal, creating a sense of dark humor amidst the devastation. The phrase "B B B" mimics the sound of surviving pigs which may symbolize their strange success. The poem doesn't shy away from the grim reality of the fire, but it also finds moments of bizarre, almost comical, imagery. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the unpredictable and often illogical nature of survival. The pigs' triumph is not presented as heroic or noble, but rather as a strange and inexplicable outcome, adding to the overall sense of the disaster's absurdity.

Symbols of Stasis and Transformation

The image of the pigs themselves becomes a powerful symbol of stasis. They are rooted, unmoving, and seemingly immune to the panic that grips the other animals. In contrast, the fire represents transformation and chaos, stripping away the familiar and leaving behind a landscape of "black." The "fuzzy white hoofprints" leading "upwind over black" are a stark visual representation of the pigs' improbable journey and their unexpected survival. These hoofprints could also symbolize hope. They survived, and there is visual evidence to support that.

Conclusion: The Unlikely Heroes of the Apocalypse

In conclusion, "The Invention of Pigs" is a powerful and unsettling poem that uses the backdrop of a bushfire to explore themes of resilience, the failure of instinct, and the absurdity of disaster. The pigs, unlikely heroes of this apocalyptic scenario, embody a stubborn refusal to succumb to panic, ultimately ensuring their survival. The poem's vivid imagery and shifting tone create a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the unpredictable nature of survival and the surprising strengths that can be found in the most unexpected creatures. Ultimately, Murray's poem reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming destruction, there can be unexpected pockets of resilience and survival, challenging our preconceived notions of who thrives and why.