Paper 102 : The Voice of the Common Man in Robert Burns's Poetry

 

This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 102 - Literature of the Neo-classical Period , Sem - 1, 2024.

The Voice of the Common Man in Robert Burns's Poetry:

Table of Contents:-

• Personal Information

• Assignment Details

• Abstract

• Introduction

• The Dignity of Labor and Empathy in Burns’s Poetry

• Celebrating Honest Toil in The Cotter’s Saturday Night

• Critique of Social Inequality

• Satirizing the Elite in Holy Willie’s Prayer

• The Use of Scots Dialect: Amplifying the Voice of the Common Man

• Conclusion

• References

Personal Information:-

Name:- Rutvi Pal

Batch:- M.A. Sem 1 (2024-2026)

Enrollment Number:- 5108240025

E-mail Address:-rutvipal4@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 27

Assignment Details:-

Topic: The Voice of the Common Man in Robert Burns's Poetry:

Paper & subject code:-102- Literature of the Neo-classical Period & 22393

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Date of Submission:- 20 November , 2024

Abstract:

Robert Burns, often referred to as Scotland's national bard, occupies a unique place in literary history for his poignant and powerful portrayal of the common man. Through his accessible language, vivid imagery, and egalitarian themes, Burns captured the struggles, joys, and aspirations of ordinary people. This paper explores how Burns’s works reflect the lives of the rural and working-class communities of 18th-century Scotland, with special emphasis on his revolutionary ideas, egalitarianism, and empathy for human struggles. Poems such as To a Mouse, A Man’s a Man for A’ That, The Cotter's Saturday Night, and Holy Willie’s Prayer are analyzed to showcase Burns's enduring relevance as a poet of the people.

Introduction:

Born: January 25, 1759, Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland

Died: July 21, 1796, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire

Notable Works: “A Select Collection of Original Scotish Airs for the Voice” “Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect” “Tam o’Shanter” “The Death and Dying Words of Poor Maillie” “The Scots Musical Museum” 

Role In: Scottish Enlightenment

Robert Burns (1759–1796), the “ploughman poet,” is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to English and Scots literature. Born into a modest farming family in Alloway, Scotland, Burns intimately understood the struggles of rural life. His poetry and songs, written predominantly in Scots dialect, brought the language and concerns of the common people to the forefront of literary discourse. Burns challenged the rigid social hierarchies of his time and championed universal themes of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

This essay examines how Robert Burns gave a voice to the common man through his works. It delves into his focus on the dignity of labor, his empathetic portrayal of human vulnerability, and his subtle yet impactful critiques of social inequalities. By doing so, Burns made his mark not only as a poet but also as a symbol of resistance against class-based oppression.

The Dignity of Labor and Empathy in Burns’s Poetry:

To a Mouse: The Shared Struggles of Man and Beast

Burns’s empathy for the common man and his struggles is perhaps best exemplified in his famous poem To a Mouse. Written after the poet accidentally destroyed a mouse’s nest while plowing a field, the poem underscores the shared vulnerability of all living beings:

“The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley.”

Here, Burns blurs the lines between human and animal suffering, suggesting that the forces of nature and circumstance are blind to status or species. The mouse, whose home is destroyed by the plow, becomes a metaphor for the precarious existence of the rural poor, who are often at the mercy of forces beyond their control.

The closing stanza captures the poet's poignant reflection on the uncertainties of human life:

"Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me! / The present only toucheth thee."

Burns contrasts the mouse’s focus on the present with humanity’s anxieties about the past and future, creating a shared bond of vulnerability that transcends species.

This poem is not merely about the mouse; it serves as a broader reflection on the hardships faced by farmers like Burns himself, whose livelihoods were subject to the whims of nature. By focusing on such a seemingly mundane incident, Burns amplifies the universal themes of loss, resilience, and survival.

Celebrating Honest Toil in The Cotter’s Saturday Night

Burns often celebrated honest labor, valuing it above inherited privilege. In The Cotter’s Saturday Night, he paints a touching portrait of a working-class family at the end of a hard week. The poem begins with a rural idyll:

“November chill blaws loud wi’ angry sugh; / The shortening winter-day is near a close.”

The cotter (a small farmer) returns home to his humble family, where religious devotion and familial love create a sanctuary from the hardships of life. The lines:

“From scenes like these, old Scotia's grandeur springs,”

emphasize that the moral strength of Scotland lies in the lives of its rural laborers, not its aristocracy. Burns’s admiration for the dignity of honest toil reflects Enlightenment ideals of equality and individual worth.

Burns elevates the simplicity of the cotter's life by portraying their piety, perseverance, and unity. The poem concludes with a prayer for the cotter’s children, embodying Burns’s belief that the future of the nation rests in the hands of its hardworking, honest citizens:

“O Thou! who pour’d the patriotic tide, / That stream’d thro’ Wallace’s undaunted heart.”

Here, Burns connects the cotter's sacrifices to Scotland's proud history of resistance, suggesting that even the humblest lives are heroic.

Critique of Social Inequality :

A Man’s a Man for A’ That: A Declaration of Equality

Burns’s poem A Man’s a Man for A’ That is one of the most powerful declarations of human equality in literature. Written during the turbulent period of the French Revolution, the poem asserts that true worth lies in character, not rank or wealth. In the opening stanza, Burns sets the tone:

“Is there for honest Poverty / That hings his head, an’ a’ that? / The coward slave, we pass him by, / We dare be poor for a’ that!”

Burns dismisses the superficial markers of status, such as fine clothes or noble titles, in favor of the inherent value of integrity and self-respect. The lines:

“The rank is but the guinea's stamp, / The man’s the gowd for a’ that,”

emphasize that social rank is merely an external label, while true worth is intrinsic. This egalitarian vision aligns with the revolutionary ideals of liberty and fraternity, making the poem a timeless anthem for social justice.

Through the repeated refrain, “For a’ that, and a’ that,” Burns reinforces the resilience of the common man, who, despite being downtrodden, retains his inherent dignity and hope for a better future. The final stanza envisions a world where equality triumphs:

“Then let us pray that come it may, / As come it will for a’ that.”

Burns’s optimism in the face of systemic inequality resonates across centuries, making the poem a rallying cry for movements advocating human rights and social reform.

Satirizing the Elite in Holy Willie’s Prayer

In Holy Willie’s Prayer, Burns employs satire to expose the hypocrisy and moral corruption of religious leaders who claimed to represent the common man. The titular character, Holy Willie, is a sanctimonious church elder who uses religion to justify his self-serving behavior. Burns ridicules Willie’s contradictory and self-righteous nature:

“O Lord, Thou kens what zeal I bear, / When drinkers drink, an' swearers swear.”

Burns highlights Willie’s double standards, portraying him as a man who condemns others while indulging in his own vices. This critique extends to the broader elite, who often used religion and morality to control and exploit the working class.

By using humor and irony, Burns empowers ordinary readers to question authority and recognize the flaws in those who wield power over them. The poem’s accessibility ensures that its message resonates with all, particularly the common man.

The Use of Scots Dialect: Amplifying the Voice of the Common Man:

Burns’s decision to write in Scots dialect was both a cultural and political statement. At a time when English dominated literary and social discourse, Burns revitalized the language of Scotland’s rural communities, giving them a sense of identity and pride.

To a Louse: An Equalizing Perspective:

In To a Louse, Burns humorously addresses a louse crawling on a lady’s bonnet in church. The poem mocks social pretensions, as the poet points out that even the wealthy and well-dressed are not immune to the indignities of life. The famous lines:

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us / To see oursels as ithers see us!”

offer a profound commentary on human vanity. By addressing such themes in Scots, Burns highlights the shared human condition while celebrating the vernacular language of the common people.

Dialect as Empowerment:

Burns’s use of Scots gave legitimacy to the experiences and voices of ordinary Scots, many of whom were excluded from mainstream literary traditions. His ability to weave humor, pathos, and social critique into dialect poetry ensured that his works resonated deeply with the people he wrote for.

Love and Universal Humanity in Burns’s Songs:

Burns’s songs, such as A Red, Red Rose and Ae Fond Kiss, transcend social boundaries, celebrating love as a universal experience. The opening lines of A Red, Red Rose remain among the most celebrated expressions of romantic devotion:

“O my Luve's like a red, red rose, / That’s newly sprung in June.”

The simplicity and sincerity of these lines capture the essence of love in a way that is relatable to all, regardless of social status. Similarly, Ae Fond Kiss expresses the bittersweet pain of parting:

“Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; / Ae fareweel, and then forever!”

These songs, often performed at gatherings, strengthened communal bonds and celebrated the shared human emotions of love and longing.

Conclusion:

Robert Burns’s poetry is a testament to the transformative power of literature. By writing about the common man in a language that resonated with ordinary people, Burns democratized poetry and gave a voice to the voiceless. His themes of labor, equality, and universal humanity continue to inspire readers, affirming his place as a champion of the common man. In a world still grappling with issues of inequality and injustice, Burns’s works serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring value of empathy, dignity, and hope.

References : 

Burns, Robert. “For a' That and a' That | The Poetry Foundation.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43805/for-a-that-and-a-that . Accessed 18 November 2024.

Burns, Robert. “To a Mouse | The Poetry Foundation.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43816/to-a-mouse-56d222ab36e33 . Accessed 18 November 2024.

Burns, Robert, and Sudip Das. “To A Louse by Robert Burns.” Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/robert-burns/to-a-louse /. Accessed 18 November 2024.

Daiches, David. “Robert Burns | Biography, Poems, Songs, Auld Lang Syne, & Facts.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Burns . Accessed 18 November 2024.

“Robert Burns - The Cotter's Saturday Night.” BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/robertburns/works/the_cotters_saturday_night/ . Accessed 18 November 2024.