Poem Analysis - An Appointment

A Moment of Rebellion and Admiration

Yeats' "An Appointment" is a short, contemplative poem that contrasts the speaker's dissatisfaction with the government with his admiration for the untamed spirit of a squirrel. The poem begins with a tone of weary disillusionment, shifting to one of almost joyful appreciation as the speaker observes the squirrel's carefree movements. Through the simple act of throwing a root, the speaker finds a momentary escape from his political frustrations, drawn to the natural world as a source of freedom and inspiration. The poem ultimately celebrates the inherent, ungovernable spirit that exists outside of human constructs.

Escaping Political Discontent

The poem opens with the speaker's clear dissatisfaction: "Being out of heart with government." This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, indicating a weariness with political structures and perhaps a feeling of powerlessness within them. This line is not simply about policy, but about a deeper disillusionment. The speaker feels **out of heart**, implying a loss of spirit or enthusiasm due to the constraints and disappointments associated with governance. The act of throwing the "broken root" is a small, symbolic rebellion against this system, a physical expression of frustration directed at something tangible, albeit indirectly. He is not engaging in political action, but rather seeking a personal outlet.

The Squirrel as a Symbol of Untamed Freedom

The squirrel serves as a central symbol of untamed freedom and natural grace. Its actions are described with admiration: it is "proud," "wayward," and takes "delight" in its ability to spring. These qualities are presented as inherent, not learned or imposed. The "low whinnying sound" that is "like laughter" further emphasizes the squirrel's joyous and carefree nature. The contrast between the speaker's weariness and the squirrel's vitality is stark. The squirrel’s effortless movement – "sprang again / And so to the other tree at a bound" – highlights its independence and self-sufficiency, qualities the speaker seems to yearn for.

Nature's Independence from Governance

The lines "Nor the tame will, nor timid brain, / Nor heavy knitting of the brow / Bred that fierce tooth and cleanly limb / And threw him up to laugh on the bough; / No government appointed him," are the core of the poem's message. These lines explicitly state that the squirrel's inherent abilities and spirit are not products of human control or intellectual effort. The "tame will" and "timid brain" represent the qualities that might be valued within a structured society, but they are contrasted with the squirrel's "fierce tooth and cleanly limb," suggesting that true power and beauty come from something more primal and untamed. The final line, "No government appointed him," drives home the point that the squirrel's freedom is inherent and unearned, free from the structures that govern human existence. This also emphasizes that qualities such as joy, freedom, and natural ability are not the result of political systems, but simply exist.

A Final Reflection on Freedom and Dissatisfaction

"An Appointment" is a poem that finds solace in nature's indifference to human affairs. The speaker, disillusioned with government, finds a temporary escape in the observation of a squirrel, a creature whose freedom and vitality are untainted by political constraints. The poem suggests that true freedom lies outside the realm of human governance, in the natural world where inherent spirit reigns supreme. Ultimately, the poem invites us to consider where we find our own moments of untainted joy and freedom, especially when weighed down by the burdens of societal structures. Is the speaker simply admiring the squirrel, or is he envying it?