Poem Analysis - The Auld Mans Mares Dead

Robert Burns' "The Auld Man's Mare's Dead" is a lament, delivered with a heavy dose of dark humor, for the loss of an old man's horse. The poem, written in Scots, mixes mournful repetition with grotesque descriptions of the mare's physical condition, creating a tone that is both sympathetic and slightly mocking. While the death of an animal might seem trivial, Burns uses it to explore themes of poverty, hardship, and the casual cruelty of life. The poem's simplicity and stark imagery belie a deeper commentary on the realities faced by the working class.

A Working Class Elegy

Burns, a celebrated Scottish poet, was known for his poems about the lives and struggles of ordinary people. This context is crucial for understanding "The Auld Man's Mare's Dead." In 18th-century Scotland, a horse was not just an animal; it was a vital tool for survival, especially for a poor farmer. Its loss would have been devastating, impacting the ability to plow fields, transport goods, and generally earn a living. The poem, therefore, reflects the harsh economic realities of the time and the precariousness of existence for the working class.

Poverty and Loss Intertwined

One of the central themes is the crushing effect of poverty. The loss of the mare, explicitly described as "the poor man's mare," is a tangible symbol of his already impoverished state. The poem underscores how this loss will inevitably lead to additional burdens. The final stanza, where the speaker mentions the horse used to lead "the peats and tours and a'," suggests that the horse did all the hard labor and the future is now in doubt. Poverty is not just an absence of wealth, but a constant struggle against hardship and loss, which resonates throughout the poem.

The Brutality of Existence

The poem also explores the theme of the casual cruelty of existence. The description of the mare's physical ailments – "cut-luggit, painch-lippit, steel-waimit, staincher-fittit" – paints a picture of an animal that has endured a hard life. More to the point, the third stanza shows how the horse was worked till it died without any consideration. The contrast between the master enjoying a drink ("He took a chappin till himsel") and the horse receiving "fient a drap" highlights this indifference. This lack of compassion suggests a world where survival is prioritized over kindness and where even animals are expendable in the face of economic necessity.

Grotesque Imagery and its Meaning

The vivid, grotesque imagery used to describe the mare serves a crucial purpose. Phrases like "lunzie-banes were knaggs and neuks" and "jawpish and the wanton yeuks" are not simply meant to be disgusting; they emphasize the mare's suffering and the harsh conditions it endured. The accumulation of these images reinforces the idea that the mare's death was not a sudden tragedy, but the inevitable result of a life of hard labor and neglect. The repetition of "the auld man's mare's dead" acts as a morbid refrain, hammering home the grim reality and forcing the reader to confront the physical decay and suffering associated with poverty.

A Bitter Requiem

In conclusion, "The Auld Man's Mare's Dead" is a deceptively simple poem that speaks volumes about the hardships of poverty and the indifference of the world. Through its stark imagery, mournful repetition, and darkly humorous tone, Burns creates a powerful lament for both the lost animal and the poor man whose life is further diminished by its death. The poem's significance lies in its unflinching portrayal of the harsh realities faced by the working class in 18th-century Scotland, reminding us that even the smallest losses can have devastating consequences for those already struggling to survive.