6. CBCS 401 Neruda's Cat's Dream (15)

1. What is the central idea of the poem Cats Dream?

A:- In Cat's Dream Pablo Neruda exhibits his resolve as a poet to infuse the commonplace with a soul, or rather to discover the latent soul of ordinary things and affirm its essence back to a community which has lost much of its own essence.

2. How does the cat sleep in the poem 'cat's dream'?

A:- The cat sleeps with its paws and postures with its wicked claws and unfeeling blood. It sleeps with all its rings on the fur.

3. How does the poet describe the sleeping cat?

A:- The sleeping cat is free from all societal burdens and remains absolutely free. It describes the 'simple consciousness' and desire to become like the cat.

4. What Colour is the tail of the cat in the poem Cats Dream?

A:- The tail is sand-coloured.

5. What is the concept of cats?

A:- By beautifully describing features of one cat, the poet is able to portray the essence of all slumbering cats, wind-up power made temporarily dormant by the act of sleeping.

6. How does the poet describe the cat?

A:-  The cat sleeps with its paws and postures with its wicked claws and unfeeling blood. It has rings which are like series of burnt circles. It's tail is sand-coloured. 

7. 'I should like to sleep like a cat.' Explain.

A:- This is the first line of the poem, is a statement that reflects the way a cat sleeps. It introduces the word neatly which shows the cat is sleeping in best possible way unaware of what's going around it.

8. What is the poem all about?

A:- In Neruda's poem 'Cat's Dream' itis not a tragic account of unrequited or lost love or a joyous verse regarding the beauty of nature. It is the poetic version of a cat and it's way of life.

9. To whom and how is the cat related?

A:- The cat is related to the tiger's great-grandfather in the poem.

10. To which country did Pablo Neruda belong?

A:- Pablo Neruda belonged to Chile.

11. When did Neruda's birth take place?

A: Neruda was born in 1904 and died in 1973.

12. Critically appreciate the poem 'Cat's Dream'.

A:- Pablo Neruda is a Spanish World-poet poet from Chile who wrote the Modern poem 'Cat's Dream.' Gabriel Garcia Marquez calls him 20th century's greatest poet. The poem is translated from Spanish. Neruda has written numerous important poems. His cat-poems have been quite famous. His other important cat-poem was 'Ode to the Cat.'

     Pablo Neruda brings in the cat image to draw comparison and show the dichotomous human nature. The first line of the poem, "How neatly a cat sleeps" briefs up the entire poem. The comfortable way of sleeping and dreaming is described, yet the line triggers a plethora of questions, if sleep could be really so comfortable and only full of dreams. The poet sighs for such comfortable sleep of the cat. His desire is expressed in 'like to sleep like a cat', 'stretch myself over the world'. The dreams of the cat or the poet can be the simple organization of daily basis acts of life in our brain or memories or they may be some violent preparation and organization too. The cat could be dreaming about how to 'hunt the rats'. 

     The dream and sleep pattern is the main theme of the poem closely subordinated by the theme of the dichotomous nature of animals and humans. The animal imageries of the poem heavily recreate the cat.

     The physical description of the cat is very intricate, surprising, thoughtful and superb. 'Wicked claws', 'unfeeling blood', 'rings-a series of burnt circles', 'sand-colored tail', tongue rough as flint', 'stone-carved moustache', 'great ruff of your tail', describes the cat in the most amazing way. These physical descriptions also describe the complex dual human psychology. They are aggressive descriptions and could make the cat dangerous. And the lexicals 'neatly', 'sleeps', 'fur of time', 'a passionate desire', 'cat asleep', forms the other side of the dualness of the cat and human beings. The cat becomes the animal-person in the poem. There is a surreal use in these words and phrases which creates visual puns, unrelated images, magic and strange beauty which form the impossible look possible. The phrases 'fur of time', 'tiger's great-grandfather', 'stone-carved moustache', 'ruff of your tail' etc complement the surrealism & modern aspect of the poem.

     The word 'sleep' is repeatedly structured to form show creativity, power and infuse new idea whenever it is used. This word connects the entire poem. The poem is structured thirty five lines. The rhyming is irregular. There is no fixed punctuation.

     'Cat's Dream' is considered to be one of the most important work by Pablo Neruda. It has transcended time and boundaries and places itself as one of the most valuable modern piece of literature.

13. Describe the cat in short.

A:- The cat controls the obscurity of its slumbering prowess with it's relentless heart and the great ruff of it's tail. Its an ecstatic poem where words become wordless as the cat measure`s its sport of entry by its majestic moustache. There is a superb portrayal of the cat making wide and open effect by claws.

14. How did the sleep pattern affect the poet?

A:- The sleep pattern and the life style traits of cat had fascinated the poet so much that he dreams of getting into slumber in the same way. A great poem deserving modern poem of the Day.

15. Analysis

Pablo Neruda's "Cat's Dream" is a vivid and contemplative poem that delves into the world of a cat's imagination. The poem explores the feline perspective, offering a unique lens through which to view the world. With an economy of words, Neruda crafts a rich tapestry of imagery, emotions, and existential reflections.

The poem begins with a surreal scene, as the cat dreams of fish swimming in the sky. This whimsical image serves as a metaphor for the cat's boundless imagination and its ability to transcend the mundane. Neruda masterfully captures the essence of feline curiosity and playfulness, inviting readers to explore a reality where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary.

As the poem unfolds, the cat's dream takes on a deeper resonance, shifting from playful escapades to existential musings. The cat dreams of a world where it can roam freely, unburdened by the constraints of reality. This yearning for freedom becomes a metaphor for the human desire to break free from societal norms and constraints.

Neruda's use of language is evocative and sensory, immersing the reader in the cat's dream world. The poet employs vivid imagery, to create a palpable sense of the dream's enchantment. The rhythmic flow of the verses enhances the dreamlike quality of the poem, drawing the reader into the cat's imaginative realm.

Beyond the dreamlike imagery, "Cat's Dream" touches upon themes of transience and impermanence. The fleeting nature of the cat's dream reflects the ephemeral quality of life itself. Neruda subtly weaves existential undertones into the poem, prompting readers to contemplate the brevity of existence and the importance of cherishing fleeting moments.

In its brevity, "Cat's Dream" encapsulates the essence of Neruda's poetic style, characterized by concise yet powerful language. The poem invites readers to reflect on the interplay between reality and imagination, urging them to embrace the richness of dreams and the transient beauty of life.

In conclusion, Pablo Neruda's "Cat's Dream" is a masterful exploration of imagination, freedom, and the ephemeral nature of existence. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Neruda invites readers to peer into the whimsical dreamscape of a cat, prompting contemplation on the boundaries between reality and fantasy. The poem's brevity enhances its impact, leaving a lasting impression on those who venture into the enchanting world Neruda so skillfully crafts.