Poem Analysis: Five Eyes

Overview of "Five Eyes"

• Poem features Hans, a mill owner, and his three black cats.
• Illustrates the setting of a mill, evoking a sense of nighttime mystery.

Characters

• Hans: The old miller who is oblivious to the activity around him as he sleeps soundly.
• Three Cats:
  • Described as black, with notable attributes like "five eyes" that are “smouldering green and bright.”
  • Engage in the hunt for rats in the mill, showcasing their predatory instincts.

Setting

• Old Mill: An essential part of the setting, related to the working life of the characters.
• Nighttime Atmosphere: Creates a sense of suspense and activity as the cats patrol.
• Break of Day: Marks the end of the nocturnal hunt, transitioning to the day where the mill becomes active again.

Themes

• Predation and Survival: The cats represent natural instincts, hunting down the "thieving rats."
• Contrast of Activity and Inactivity: The restless night of the cats versus Hans's deep sleep highlights the difference between awareness and ignorance.

Imagery

• Vivid descriptions of sounds ("squeaks from the flour sacks") and visuals (“whisking tail, and sniffing snout”) enhance the poem's playful yet eerie tone.
• The portrayal of the cats covered in flour emphasizes their role in the mill's environment.

Conclusion

• The poem encapsulates a small ecosystem within the mill where the cats are guardians against pests, reflecting a balance of life amidst human activity.