The Jaguar Study Guide
-The poem's description of the Jagaur as having "His stride is the wilderness of freedom" is
noteworthy. Ted Hughes wrote The Jaguar while he was a student at Cambridge University in
1956.Hughes aimed to depict the lifelessness of creatures in their natural habitat, not simply living
ones. Reading his poetry is like entering a realm where nature, particularly nature, especially
animals, rules, just as it does in the natural world. The poem's structure, moving subjects, and
arresting language increase its effect.
Through his vivid and evocative words, Ted Hughes provides strong impressions of the Jaguar in the
poem. In order to provide a strong impression of the jaguar, Hughes employs sensory language. As
an illustration, he calls the jaguar's eyes "yellow" and "slit," which evokes danger and intensity. He
also employs words like "muscle-bound," "terrible," and "fierce" to convey the jaguar's strength and
might. Hughes employs onomatopoeia to convey the noises and movements of the jaguar. He
mentions the jaguar’s "thundering paws" and "spitting" as two examples. The reader feels a sense of
urgency and excitement as a result. Hughes compares the jaguar to other animals and objects using
metaphor and simile. He likens the jaguar, for instance, to a "tiger" and a "fire-eyed deity." This
elevates the jaguar to a stature of epic proportions, inspiring awe and devotion for it.
In "The Jaguar," Ted Hughes creates a striking impression of the jaguar through his use of themes,
such as power, freedom, and instinct. Firstly, Hughes presents the jaguar as a symbol of power. The
jaguar is described as being "spotted with eyes" and having "power in the grip of his vast paws." This
image creates a sense of the jaguar being a majestic and formidable creature, and this sense of
power is further reinforced by the way the jaguar moves, as he is "flickering through the bars,/
Strengthening his stare." Secondly, the poem explores the theme of freedom. The jaguar is described
as pacing "in circles, for a time / Until his pure rage got the better of him / And he leaped for
freedom." This suggests that the jaguar is trapped and confined, and he longs to be free. The jaguar’s
desire for freedom is contrasted with the other animals in the zoo, who are "caged" and "haunted"
by their captivity. Finally, Hughes creates an impression of the jaguar through his use of the theme of
instinct. The jaguar is described as being "the incarnation of rage," and his movements are described
as being "supple, sinuous, and wild." This creates the sense that the jaguar is not just a physical
creature, but also a creature of pure instinct, acting on his primal impulses rather than his rational
mind. Overall, Hughes creates a striking impression of the jaguar in "The Jaguar" through his use of
powerful and poignant themes. The jaguar is presented as a symbol of power, freedom, and instinct,
and this helps to create a vivid and unforgettable image of the creature in the reader's mind.
In "The Jaguar," Ted Hughes also creates a striking impression of the jaguar through his use of
structure. The poem is structured in a way that reflects the jaguar's movement and behavior, which
in turn helps to create a vivid image of the creature in the reader's mind. One way that Hughes uses
structure to create a striking impression of the jaguar is through the poem's rhythm and pacing. The
poem is written in free verse, which allows Hughes to vary the length of his lines and stanzas to
create a sense of movement and energy. For example, the short and choppy lines in the first stanza
reflect the jaguar’s restless pacing, while the longer lines in the final stanza reflect the jaguar's leap
into the air. Hughes also uses repetition to create a sense of momentum and build up to the jaguar's
final leap. The phrase "There's a..." is repeated throughout the poem, with each repetition
introducing a new animal in the zoo. This repetition creates a sense of anticipation and tension as the
reader wonders when the jaguar will be introduced. When the jaguar is finally introduced in the
fourth stanza, Hughes uses enjambment to create a sense of fluidity and power. The lines "And stares
with her mild eyes / Like the leopard at the zoo" flow smoothly into the next line, "That is dead and
stuffed, but still / The sleek furred body, / Electric and lithe, the head / Held high to scent the air."
This sense of fluidity and power is further reinforced by the jaguar's movement in the final stanza, as
he "leaps" and "clings" and “climbs." Overall, Hughes uses the poem's structure to create a sense of
movement, energy, and power that reflects the jaguar's behavior and helps to create a vivid and
unforgettable image of the creature in the reader's mind.
