The Cows (Symbol)
The cows, the poem’s central symbol, represent the simultaneous harmony and mysteriousness of nature. Throughout the poem, the cows are discussed in relationship to their natural environment: stepping from tuft to tuft of grass, awaiting rain, and feeding on the field. The cows’ harmonious relationship with the natural environment contrasts with the speaker’s life indoors, as he does not connect with the cows (and nature) unless he puts down his newspaper and looks out the window or opens the door. The first two stanzas depict the cows as “mysterious….patient and dumbfounded,” symbolizing the wonder and mysteriousness of the natural world as well as the cows' contentment with its circumstances. Their patient and mystical nature encourages the speaker, and the reader, to also pause and reflect on the ancient wonder of nature. The cows’ occasional sudden absence from the field (with the speaker imagining that the cows have flown off to another country) adds an element of mysteriousness and a fleeting quality to the poem’s description of the cows. Despite their patient, steadfast nature, they could disappear at any time, symbolizing the fickleness and ever-changing state of nature. Just as the field moves from dryness to rain (which the cows wait patiently for), animals are in a constant state of movement and flux that contrasts with the speaker’s stable dwelling.
The Window, the Door, and the Wall (Symbols)
The speaker of the poem is in the role of a direct observer of the cows. He looks at them through his window, through the door, and over a stone wall. It is interesting to note that all those objects are man-made—distinct from, and in direct contrast to, the description of the cows and their surroundings. The window, the door, and the stone wall are objects that evoke protection and security, but also direct tools through which the observance is possible. The speaker of the poem observes the cows, nature, and their freedom through man-made and artificial objects of safety.
The Cow's Noise (Symbol)
The cow's bellowing is a raw, unfiltered expression of its essence, reflecting the idea that genuine self-expression can be necessary and liberating. The noise is defined as a “full-bodied cry,” an “announc[ement],” and an “ancient apologia.” Each of these descriptions emphasizes the volume and pride of the animal’s noise, as it boldly expresses its inner state of being. The noise is instinctual and, as the speaker comes to realize, is not in response to an external stimulus such as physical pain; rather, it is a natural way of expressing the cow’s inner being or “cowness” to the outside world. The use of the word “ancient” further underscores that this noise is natural and an aspect of cows’ longstanding essence in nature. This noise also prompts the speaker to consider the cow’s own agency and inner state of being, rather than being simply an element of the background. The noise is thus essential to the poem’s artistic goal of compelling the reader to reflect upon their relationship to nature.
The Cow's Eye (Symbol)
The cow’s eye symbolizes the agency and power of animals. The symbol of the cow’s eye, which appears in the poem’s final line, subverts the reader’s expectations. The poem generally follows the speaker's point of view and conveys the speaker's observations of, and musings on, the cow. In the final lines, the reader sees the cow “regard[ing]” the speaker in turn, suggesting that the cow is also observing and considering the speaker, just as the speaker observes it. The use of the specific word “regarding” contributes to the symbolism of the cow’s eye, as it connotes deep thinking and consideration, beyond mere observation. This gives the cow more agency by recognizing that it is not only seeing, but mentally perceiving and considering, the speaker. The cow’s eye gazing at the speaker is then described as “shocking,” which reflects the speaker’s own transformation and realization throughout the poem. The speaker at first only briefly looked at the cows across the road, but has now taken the time to view them in a new light, in which he finds them “shocking.” This symmetrically contrasts with the speaker's description of the cows as “dumbfounded” in Line 13; it is now the speaker who is dumbfounded by the cow’s gaze. Finally, the cow’s eye also conveys the intriguing and mysterious quality of nature. The cow’s eye is “wild, shocking” which is a striking description of the cow’s powerful and captivating gaze. This also connects with the description in Line 13 of the cows as “mysterious.”
The Knife (Symbol)
The knife symbolizes and encapsulates the speaker's attitude prior to interacting with and understanding the cow. The knife appears in Line 18: the speaker is using it to cut an apple when he is interrupted by the loud, shocking noise of the cow. It is notable that the knife is a manmade object which can be used as a tool of violence. It thus emphasizes the differences between the human speaker and the cow, by highlighting the artificial objects that the speaker uses throughout his day, while the cows continue to simply graze on the grass and otherwise engage with nature. These differences are then addressed and reduced throughout the following stanzas, as the speaker interacts with and reflects upon the cow. It is also notable that the knife can be used to inflict pain. This foreshadows the remainder of Stanza 3, as the speaker believes that the cow itself is being “pierced through the side with a long spear” (Line 21). This aspect of the knife further contributes to the speaker's misunderstanding of the cow. The speaker assumes that the cow is in pain—and is specifically in pain due to being attacked by a manmade object like a knife. By contrast, the speaker discovers that the cow is not in pain, is not being affected by the manmade world, and is content with the natural environment. This realization leads to the speaker's greater appreciation not only for the cows, but for the broader harmony of nature.
