Poem Analysis - Answer To An Invitation

A Whimsical Excuse

Robert Burns's "Answer to an Invitation" is a short, playful poem that conveys a sense of reluctant obligation mixed with a touch of irreverent humor. The tone is casual and almost flippant, masking a possible busyness or disinclination with a lighthearted threat. The poem's brevity and directness contribute to its charm, leaving the reader with a smile and a sense of Burns's characteristic wit.

Burns and The Common Touch

Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, often wrote in Scots dialect and focused on the lives and experiences of ordinary people. Knowing this context is crucial. He was known for his sharp wit, social commentary, and championing of the common person. While the poem's specific historical invitation is lost to time, it’s reasonable to assume it’s related to Burns’s busy social life and literary circles. The phrase "The King's most humble servant" could be interpreted ironically, highlighting the social divide between the monarchy and the working man which Burns frequently alluded to in his work.

Obligation and Irreverence: The Poem's Core

One of the central themes of the poem is the tension between obligation and personal desire. The speaker acknowledges the invitation and his duty ("The King's most humble servant, I"), yet immediately counters this with an expression of scarcity of time. This creates a conflict, resolved by the promise of eventual attendance, but tinged with a hint of resentment or perhaps playful annoyance. Another subtle theme is social expectation. The speaker feels some level of pressure, or perhaps obligation, to attend, possibly stemming from the social standing of the inviter or the nature of the gathering. This is highlighted by the urgency conveyed in the second couplet. Lastly, the poem explores the theme of human fallibility through humor. The speaker's joking threat ("Or else the deil's be in it") underscores the human tendency to procrastinate or avoid unwanted commitments, couching the truth in a humorous, accessible way.

The Devil is in the Details

The most striking image in the poem is the reference to "the deil." This symbol serves multiple purposes. It adds a touch of dark humor, implying that dire consequences will follow if the speaker fails to attend. It also hints at a potential inner struggle, suggesting the speaker might be battling a temptation to avoid the invitation altogether. Finally, the use of "deil" is a familiar Scottish term and would resonate with Burns's intended audience. The image is not literal or terrifying but rather adds a layer of comedic urgency and highlights the speaker's playful exasperation.

A Lasting Impression of Lighthearted Duty

In conclusion, "Answer to an Invitation" is a deceptively simple poem that reveals the subtle complexities of human interaction. It balances duty with desire, social expectation with personal inclination, all through the lens of Burns's characteristic wit and humor. The poem's lasting significance lies in its ability to capture a universal experience – the struggle to balance obligations with personal preferences – and to present it in a lighthearted and memorable way. The poem asks us: Is the speaker actually reluctant, or is the entire thing a clever game of social maneuvering?