Poem Analysis - Altered From An Old English Song

Introduction: A Song of Despair

Robert Burns' "Altered from an old English song" is a poignant cry against the societal pressures faced by women, particularly regarding marriage as a financial transaction. The poem opens with a tone of outrage and condemnation, highlighting the cruelty of parents who prioritize wealth over their daughter's happiness. This indignation then shifts to a lamenting sympathy for the "hapless Daughter," painting a bleak picture of her limited choices and inevitable suffering. The poem culminates in a powerful, tragic metaphor that encapsulates the woman's desperate plight.

Historical Echoes: Burns and Social Critique

Robert Burns, a renowned Scottish poet, was known for his social commentary and his championing of the common person. This poem aligns with that spirit. During Burns' time, societal expectations often forced women into marriages based on financial gain rather than love. This practice deprived women of agency and subjected them to potentially abusive or unhappy lives. By "altering" an old song, Burns perhaps aimed to update and amplify a timeless message about the subjugation of women, making it relevant to his contemporary audience.

The Chains of Patriarchy: Exploring Themes of Sacrifice and Oppression

One of the central themes is the sacrifice of female happiness for financial gain. The opening stanza directly condemns parents "Who riches only prize," illustrating how daughters are viewed as commodities in a patriarchal system. The phrase "Poor Woman sacrifice" explicitly highlights the injustice of this arrangement. The poem further develops the theme of oppression by depicting the woman as trapped between a "tyrant Father's hate" and the prospect of becoming a "wretched Wife." There is no escape for her, showcasing the limited options available to women in this social structure. Finally, the theme of despair is woven throughout the poem. The "hapless Daughter" has only "a choice of strife," and ultimately, she is depicted as having no hope for freedom or happiness.

Predatory Imagery: Hawks, Doves, and Falconers

The poem's most striking image is the extended metaphor of the hawk and the dove. The "ravening hawk pursuing, / The trembling dove thus flies" powerfully symbolizes the predatory nature of the societal forces acting upon the woman. The hawk represents the relentless pursuit of wealth and social status, while the dove embodies the vulnerable and innocent daughter. The "ruthless Falconer" is a potent symbol of the controlling male figures – the father and potential husband – who ultimately determine the woman's fate. The dove's final act of surrendering "beneath his feet" represents the woman's complete loss of autonomy and her forced submission to a system that devalues her worth.

A Song of Enduring Relevance: Conclusion

"Altered from an old English song" resonates because it exposes the enduring consequences of prioritizing material wealth over human happiness. Burns uses vivid imagery and a mournful tone to paint a stark portrait of a woman trapped by societal expectations. The hawk and dove metaphor effectively conveys the power imbalance and the tragic outcome of such a system. The poem leaves the reader with a chilling understanding of the sacrifices demanded of women and a lingering question: how much has really changed?