Essay Questions

What is a fable and why can the "Grasshopper’’ be characterized as one?

A fable is defined as being a short allegorical story, sometimes written in verse and which has as its main characters plants or animals. The fable is used to transmit a moral lesson, criticizing negative characteristics while praising positive ones. ‘’The Grasshopper’’, while it is a poem and has no dialogue, something which is characteristic for a fable, can be described as being a fable as well. First of all, the main characters in the poem are insects: a grasshopper and various ants. While they do not talk, it is clear form their behavior that they manifest human-like characteristics. Second, the poem is used to transmit a moral lesson for the readers, urging them to live a happy and care free life.

What historical event is mentioned in the second part of the poem?

After telling the story of the grasshopper, the narrator returns the attention of the poem onto himself and one of his friends while they try to get through the harsh winter. The harsh season described here is used as a symbol and it makes reference to an important historical moment in the British History, namely the Puritan Revolution which also known in history as the Civil War which was fought in the middle of the 17th century. After the end of the Civil War, the Puritans broke away from the Catholic Church and little by little, gained a lot of power in England, influencing the way the country was ruled. These new beliefs changed the way in which many lived their lives until then and some felt prosecuted for their beliefs choosing the keep their faith and the manifestation of their faith a secret.

Why was Christmas rejected by Puritans?

In the second part of the poem, the narrator claims that the new religious regime stopped them from celebrating Christmas in the way they wanted to do. The Puritans rejected what they called artifice exhibited by the Catholic Church. Christmas celebrations became illegal in the 17th century and the argument behind it was that Christmas was not rooted in the Bible but rather had pagan origins. The Puritans also detested Christmas because during those times, heavy drinking and sexual promiscuity was something which was hard to avoid. The laws outlawing Christmas remained in place until the end of the 17th century but there were still many who continued to celebrate the holiday in secret.