To a Mouse

Robert Burns’ “To a Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough, November 1785” is a timeless masterpiece that transcends its humble origins. This poignant poem, born from a simple encounter in a Scottish field, invites readers into a profound reflection on nature, humanity, and the unpredictable currents of life. Join us as we explore the enduring power and intricate beauty of this celebrated work, uncovering its layers of meaning and the masterful techniques that make it a cornerstone of English literature.

To a Mouse

by Robert Burns

Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
Thou needna start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bickerin brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee,
Wi’ murd’rin pattle!

I’m truly sorry man’s dominion
Has broken nature’s social union,
An’ justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor earth-born companion,
An’ fellow-mortal!

I doubt na, whyles, but thou may’st steal a strae
Awa frae ony bigger, new-made rig,
To build thy dwelling in the snaw,
Wi’ thy wee bit housie,
But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:

Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin!
Its silly wa’s the win’s are strewin!
An’ naething, now, to big a new ane,
O’ foggage green!
An’ bleak December’s winds ensuin,
Baith snell an’ keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an’ waste,
An’ weary winter comin fast,
An’ cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro’ thy cell.

That wee bit heap o’ leaves an’ stibble,
Has cost thee mony a weary nibble!
Now thou’s turn’d out, for a’ thy trouble,
But house or hald,
To thole the winter’s sleety dribble,
An’ cranreuch cauld!

But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!

Still thou art blest, compar’d wi’ me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e’e,
On prospects drear!
An’ forward, tho’ I canna see,
I guess an’ fear!

Unpacking the Heart of “To a Mouse”

Robert Burns’ “To a Mouse,” penned in 1785, captures a moment of accidental destruction and transforms it into a profound meditation on life’s uncertainties. The poem begins with a farmer, the speaker, inadvertently plowing through a field mouse’s nest, leaving its winter home in ruins. Instead of dismissing the creature, the speaker expresses deep empathy and regret, apologizing for humanity’s destructive impact on nature.

The poem then broadens its scope, drawing a powerful parallel between the mouse’s plight and the human condition. The speaker reflects on the futility of planning and foresight, famously stating that “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men / Gang aft agley” (often go awry). This central idea highlights the shared vulnerability of all living beings to unforeseen circumstances and the inevitable disappointments that life brings. Burns suggests that while the mouse lives only in the present, humans are burdened by memories of past sorrows and anxieties about an uncertain future, making the mouse, in a way, more “blest.”

At its core, “To a Mouse” is a poignant exploration of empathy, the fragility of existence, and the disruptive power of human actions on the natural world. It encourages readers to consider the interconnectedness of all life and to reflect on the universal experience of loss, uncertainty, and the often-unfulfilled promise of joy.

Context and Enduring Legacy

“To a Mouse” is one of Robert Burns’ most beloved works, showcasing his deep connection to the Scottish landscape and his profound humanism. Written in a blend of Scots dialect and English, the poem offers a glimpse into rural 18th-century Scotland while delivering a message that resonates universally. Its enduring popularity stems not only from its accessible narrative but also from its timeless themes, particularly the famous line about “the best laid schemes,” which has become a widely quoted proverb in the English language, cementing the poem’s place in cultural consciousness.

A Deep Dive into the Literary and Poetic Craft of “To a Mouse”

Robert Burns masterfully employs a rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices in “To a Mouse,” elevating a simple observation into a profound and emotionally resonant work. These techniques are crucial for understanding the poem’s depth, its musicality, and its lasting impact.

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: Burns uses vivid sensory details to paint a clear picture of the scene and evoke strong emotions. The reader can almost feel the cold and see the destruction.

    “Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie,”

    This opening line immediately creates a visual of the small, frightened creature. Later, the description of the mouse’s ruined home and the impending winter evokes a sense of vulnerability:

    “Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin!
    Its silly wa’s the win’s are strewin!”

    The “cruel coulter” is another powerful image, representing the destructive force of the plough.

  • Symbolism: The mouse and its ruined home are potent symbols throughout the poem.
    • The Mouse symbolizes vulnerability, innocence, and all living creatures subject to forces beyond their control. It also represents the common person, whose humble plans are easily disrupted.
    • The Ruined Home symbolizes the fragility of plans, dreams, and security. It stands for the temporary nature of human endeavors and the impermanence of possessions.

      “That wee bit heap o’ leaves an’ stibble,
      Has cost thee mony a weary nibble!”

      This emphasizes the effort put into something now destroyed.

  • Personification: Burns attributes human emotions and qualities to the mouse, fostering deep empathy in the reader.

    “O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!”

    The speaker directly addresses the mouse, acknowledging its fear and distress as if it were a fellow human. This device blurs the line between human and animal experience, reinforcing the poem’s theme of shared mortality.

  • Metaphor/Extended Comparison: While not a single, explicit metaphor, the entire poem functions as an extended comparison between the mouse’s disrupted life and the human condition. The speaker explicitly draws this parallel:

    “But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
    In proving foresight may be vain:
    The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
    Gang aft agley,”

    Here, the mouse’s experience becomes a direct metaphor for the universal human experience of disappointment and the failure of plans.

  • Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds adds musicality and emphasis, making certain phrases more memorable.

    “Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie,”

    The soft ‘s’ and ‘c’ sounds in the opening line create a gentle, almost sympathetic tone, while the later

    “cruel coulter”

    uses the harsh ‘c’ sound to emphasize the destructive power of the plough.

  • Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates a lyrical quality and connects ideas.

    “Wee, sleekit, cow‘rin, tim’rous beastie,”

    The repeated ‘ee’ sound in “wee, sleekit” contributes to the poem’s musicality and highlights the mouse’s smallness.

  • Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, often with different vowel sounds, adds texture and rhythm.

    “I’m truly sorry man’s dominion
    Has broken nature’s social union,”

    The repeated ‘n’ sound here subtly links “dominion” and “union,” underscoring the broken connection between humanity and nature. Another example is the ‘l’ sound in:

    “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
    Gang aft agley,”

    which creates a flowing, almost mournful sound.

Poetic Devices and Structure