Analysis of The Bull Moose :: Bull Moose Essays

psychoanalysis of The Bull Moose   The Bull Moose by Alden Nowlan is a exquisitely crafted poetry which reminds us of how far man has strayed from Nature. Through a cautiously constructed series of contrasted images, Nowlan laments, in true Romantic fashion, mans separation from Nature.   The strength of the aged moose is impressive. On his death march, he nonetheless comes lurching and stumbling in hard and powerful strides to the pole-fenced pasture- the edge of civilization. A gang quickly gathers, a crowd of men and women, old and young - all notable for their insensitivity and overlook of respect. They confuse the moose with one of their own domesticated animals, like the kine or collie or gelded moose or ox, failing to devour the nobility and ancient wisdom of this moose from the purple mist of trees. The prognosis becomes obscene as men pry open his jaws with bottles and pour beer downwardly his throat. The symbolic crown of thistles hammers home the innoc ent suffering perpetrated by these giggling and snickering buffoons.   only when this moose is no shaggy and cuddlesome doll. Living in license beyond the fences of civilization, this king of the spruce, cedar, and tamarack meets his degraded executioners with overwhelming power. The deep wrawl of this magnificently horned ancient blood god contrasts sharply with the sawn-off and cowardly whine of the automobile horns.   Nowlans sympathy for the moose and his disgust for macrocosm is forcefully expressed in a natural free verse. This poem calls us to rethink the arrogant self-righteousness we hold toward Nature. By fencing ourselves in, by chance we shut ourselves away from those qualities necessary to make us truly human.     Teachers Comments  This essays strives to be concise, i.