Good Timber
by Douglas Malloch
The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees,
The further sky, the greater length,
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.Where thickest lies the forest growth
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life
Summary of Good Timber
- Popularity of “Good Timber”: Douglas Malloch’s poem “Good Timber,” published in 1922, swiftly gained recognition for its powerfully simple message. Its enduring appeal lies in its motivational core, eloquently exploring the essential role of struggle in shaping character and achieving greatness.
- Good Timber as a Representative of Competition in Life: The poem masterfully employs the analogy of a tree’s growth to illustrate a universal truth: strength and development flourish from adversity. A tree that enjoys effortless abundance will remain insignificant, while one battling for essential resources will mature into a majestic “forest king.” This parallelism extends to humanity, positing that a person sheltered from toil and challenge will remain undeveloped, while those who strive and overcome obstacles attain true “manliness.” The poem’s central idea emphasizes that valuable character, like “good timber,” is forged through experience.
- Major Themes in “Good Timber”: Competition, effort, and hard work are the driving forces behind the poem’s message. Through the extended metaphor of the tree, Malloch argues that progress and distinction are earned not given. The poem champions the idea that embracing challenges and persevering through adversity are essential for realizing one’s full potential. Ultimately, “Good Timber” presents a profound observation about the “common law of life”: growth fundamentally requires struggle.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Good Timber
Malloch skillfully employs a range of literary devices to enhance the poem’s beauty and reinforce its central message. These devices work in harmony to create a vivid and memorable reading experience.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds adds a subtle musicality and emphasis. Notice the repeated short ‘e’ sound in the opening line, “The tree that never had to fight,” creating a pleasing rhythm and drawing attention to the theme of struggle.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds draws attention to specific phrases and creates a sense of emphasis. For example, “manly man” in the second stanza emphasizes the qualities of strength and fortitude.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds, but not necessarily at the beginning of words. The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “Whose broken branches show the scars” in the final stanza evokes a sense of age, weathering, and the lasting marks of experience.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a thought from one line to the next without punctuation creates a sense of flow and momentum. Consider the lines “And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars,” where the thought is not completed until the second line, mirroring the continuity of life and the accumulation of wisdom. - Imagery: The poem is rich with imagery that appeals to the senses, allowing readers to visualize the natural world and connect with the poem’s themes. Phrases like “Good timber does not grow with ease” and “By sun and cold, by rain and snow” evoke a strong sense of the elements and the challenges they present, making the abstract concept of struggle concrete and relatable.
- Metaphor: The entire poem operates as an extended metaphor, comparing the growth of trees to the development of human character. This allows Malloch to explore complex ideas in a relatable and accessible way, demonstrating how the principles governing nature also apply to human life.
- Symbolism: The poem utilizes several symbols to represent abstract concepts. The trees symbolize individuals, the wind and storm represent challenges and adversity, and “good timber” symbolizes strength, resilience, and well‑developed character. The “forest” itself can be interpreted as a symbol of community or the totality of life.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Good Timber
These poetic devices work together to shape the poem’s structure, rhythm, and overall effect.
- End Rhyme: The consistent use of end rhyme, where the last words of lines rhyme, creates a sense of musicality and cohesion. Lines such as “fight/light, plain/rain, and king/thing” demonstrate this simple yet effective technique, contributing to the poem’s memorable quality.
- Repetition: The repetition of certain phrases and ideas emphasizes key themes and reinforces the poem’s message. The recurring reference to “sun and sky and air and light” highlights the essential elements needed for growth and development, underscoring the idea that struggle and resourcefulness are vital for flourishing.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem consistently follows an AABBCC rhyme scheme, which contributes to its overall rhythm and flow. This predictable pattern creates a sense of order and stability, mirroring the natural laws described in the poem.
- Stanza: The poem is divided into four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. This structure helps to organize the poem’s ideas and create a visual balance, allowing each stanza to explore a different facet of the central theme.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines offer powerful insights into the themes of resilience and wisdom gained through experience:
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars.
These lines suggest that true strength and wisdom are earned through facing adversity and enduring hardship, ultimately connecting individuals to something larger than themselves. The “patriarchs” – the oldest, strongest trees and the most seasoned individuals – have earned their status through trials, and their “counsel” – their wisdom – is informed by their experiences. The image of them “holding counsel with the stars” elevates their wisdom to a cosmic level, suggesting that enduring hardship connects one to the fundamental truths of the universe.