Harrison Ansell

10/02/2021

Ted Hughes – The Cuckoo

Summary

The poem is telling us a story about a Cuckoo tricking a Linnet into taking her egg and raising it so the Cuckoo doesn’t have to do it herself.

Stanza 1

It is setting up the story. Ted Hughes is introducing the Cuckoo and the Cuckoo is mean!

Stanza 2

The Cuckoo is tricking the Linnet into having her egg.

Stanza 3

The pill is a metaphor for egg. The Cuckoo tricks the Linnet into taking a fake cure for her sick egg.

Stanza 4

The Cuckoo is born! The Cuckoo chick kills the other eggs by pushing the eggs out the nest.

Stanza 5

The  chick is demanding the Linnet’s undivided attention so it can be fed.

Stanza 6

The Linnet has been tricked and now believes the chick is her own. The Linnet is getting tired.

Stanza 7

The chick is now full and does not need the Linnet any longer. The chick does not care for the Linnet.

Stanza 8

The chick has left the nest to join the other Cuckoos, leaving the Linnet heartbroken