Relevance of the Title �The Owl� � Edward Thomas


The title seems irrelevant, if judged on the surface. It is because the owl is neither a character in the poem nor related to the basic theme of the poem, which is the necessity of �food, fire and rest�. However, the title is symbolically significant. In the poem, the owl stands for the poet�s conscience and the owl�s cry symbolizes the poet�s inner voice. The owl�s cry brings a dramatic twist in the poem. It throws focus on the heart-rending suffering of soldiers and the poor through the poet�s feelings for them. The owl�s cry reveals the humanitarian trait of the poet�s character. It also helps establish the fact that the human conscience is a great teacher. So undeniably the title of the poem �The Owl� is apt and relevant to the core.   

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