Poem Analysis - What Can A Young Lassie Do Wi An Auld Man

A Young Wife's Lament

Robert Burns's "What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man" is a bitter and darkly humorous lament of a young woman trapped in a marriage with an older man. The poem begins with a plaintive questioning of her predicament and quickly descends into a scathing description of her husband's unpleasantness. The tone is primarily resentful and frustrated, laced with sarcasm and a hint of scheming. While tinged with humor, the poem ultimately reveals a desperate situation driven by economic necessity.

The Shadow of Economic Reality

The poem is firmly rooted in the social realities of Burns's time, where marriage was often a transaction driven by economic considerations. The first stanza explicitly mentions the "pennie" that tempted the speaker's "Minnie" (mother) to "sell her poor Jenny for siller and lan'!" This establishes the theme of economic coercion. Jenny's youth and happiness are sacrificed for financial security, a common occurrence in a society where women had limited economic independence. The poem, therefore, reflects a critique of a system that forces young women into undesirable unions.

The Disillusionment of Forced Intimacy

The poem vividly portrays the theme of marital dissatisfaction. The speaker's disgust for her husband is palpable in her description of him: "He's always compleenin frae morning to e'enin, / He hosts and he hirpls the weary day lang: / He's doyl't and he's dozin, his blude it is frozen." The imagery of his constant complaining, physical weakness ("hirpls"), and emotional coldness ("blude it is frozen") paints a picture of a man who is both physically and emotionally repellent to her. Her frustration is compounded by her inability to please him ("I never can please him do a' that I can") and his unreasonable jealousy. The poem highlights the profound incompatibility between the young woman and the aging man, revealing the emotional toll of a loveless marriage.

Rebellion and Resourcefulness

While trapped, the speaker doesn't succumb to passive resignation. The final stanza introduces the theme of female agency, albeit in a morally ambiguous form. Inspired by her "auld auntie Katie," she plots to "cross him, and wrack him until I heartbreak him." This is a shocking and ruthless solution, driven by her desperation. The line "And then his auld brass will buy me a new pan" is darkly humorous and cynical, reducing the inheritance from her husband to a mere means to acquire a new household item. This suggests a pragmatic approach to her situation; she will use the system that trapped her to secure her own future, however coldly calculated.

The "Auld Brass" and its Weight

The recurring image of "siller and lan'" (silver and land) and "auld brass" (old money) symbolizes the corrupting influence of wealth. It highlights how economic considerations can override personal happiness and ethical behavior. The "auld brass" is not just money; it represents the oppressive power that the old man, and by extension the patriarchal society, wields over the young woman. The poem’s conclusion, where the speaker intends to use his death to buy "a new pan," raises a question: Does her resourcefulness represent a triumph over oppression, or a further descent into the same materialistic values that trapped her in the first place? The ambiguity leaves the reader to ponder the complex moral implications of her plan.

A Darkly Comic Critique

In conclusion, "What can a young lassie do wi' an auld man" is a poignant and darkly humorous exploration of a young woman's plight in a marriage of convenience. Burns uses vivid imagery, resentful tone, and the speaker’s cynical plan to expose the economic pressures that can lead to such unhappy unions. The poem is a sharp critique of a society where women's choices are limited and their happiness is often sacrificed for financial security, leaving a lasting impression of bitterness and a chilling glimpse into the speaker's calculated survival strategy.