English Literature

The poem starts off with a simple declaration, "We are going to see the rabbit," this may confuse readers as to us, it is quite normal to see a rabbit and it is not something which we need to announce or be excited about. However, the poem opens up to be a futuristic one, dealing with man's destruction of nature and urbanization. "Which rabbit," is a repeated question, this is to emphasize it's reply, "The only rabbit in England," the poet makes the readers aware that this animal, one which is so common and has a massive population has almost become extinct, as there is only one rabbit in all of England. This is the reason why the people are excited to be seeing the rabbit, as if it is a trip, because there is only one rabbit. The following  3 verses are yet another indication of man made resources, "barbed wire fence," "neon lights," "sodium lights," The fact that the rabbit is behind a barbed wire fence shows how it is a prisoner and cannot escape humanity's evilness. "On the only patch of grass," continues to bring out the grave situation England (and the world) is in as there is only one patch of grass left.

The fact that they "must be there on time," creates a sense of urgency in the poem, the people cannot be late - maybe because the rabbit might die and they won't ever get to see a rabbit, maybe because they want to be in front to get a clear view - whatever the reason, they cannot afford to be late, further emphasizing the rush of the future generation. The poet goes on the mention all the means of transport that they use to get to the rabbit, creating the idea of a generation which is comfortable and have everything around them, yet they are harming the environment as almost every means of transport used creates pollution. "We shall have to go on foot," continues to create an idea of a lazy population, especially through the words "have to," as if they are making a huge effort to arrive, when it is actually their fault that they have to travel so far to see a rabbit (because they have killed all the other rabbits)

The second stanza creates the sense of an impatient society, everyone is longing to see the rabbit, which to them is such a rare sight, however they are more concerned about the fact that they "have come a long way," Although it is their fault that they have to go see the rabbit, they people are "angry," "jostling," "complaining," and "slanging,"

The next stanza shows us how the rabbit managed to escape by burrowing down into the Earth. This shows the rabbit's fear and discomfort. However, no one is concerned about how to rabbit feels, instead they are complaining because they have traveled for nothing and they are actually blaming the rabbit itself. "What can we do?" shows the irony of the situation, it is actually too late to do anything, action should have been taken a long time ago.

The final stanza gives us an insight to the rabbit's thoughts. The rabbit is described as sad and obviously afraid as he says that "It won't be long, they are bound to come, they are bound to come and find me, even here," this shows the rabbit's helplessness in the situation as he cannot keep escaping the humans, because they will always find him.