Analysis of the Poem | The Leader And The Led

Topic Content:

The Leader and the Led is a poem of twenty-four lines arranged into twelve stanzas each with two lines; an overall of twelve couplets.

Note that a stanza of two lines is called a couplet.

The poem naturally divides itself into two parts. The first part runs from the first to the eighth couplet while the second part runs from the ninth to the twelfth couplet.

Couplets one to eight discuss the faults, weaknesses or negative characteristics/qualities of each of the animals who attempt to ascend the throne or lead the pack in the animal kingdom. This proves that there is no leader without faults.

In stanzas one and two, the poet’s personaA persona is a character in a story, especially the narrator. More recounts the Lion’s claim to the leadership of the pack. The Lion as a strong and courageous animal sees itself as the most suitable to lead the animals, but the Antelopes object to it because of “The ferocious pounce of his paws”. This portrays the fact that the led hold something against the prospective leader. The Antelopes perceive the leadership of the Lion as a very bad idea for the simple reason that their lives and freedom