3. Toads

Throughout this poem there are toads juxtaposed. The first toad represents the man's work, while the second represents his pride. Toad one is his working life, but pride basically questions 'why should I have to work? I see all these other people surviving' Yet, the man's pride tells him that is why he works, because he is not lazy and he wants a good life for himself.


It is interesting to note how the pun and the allusion work together. First, the speaker says "ah, were I courageous enough to shout stuff your pension". In this sentence, stuff is used as a verb, like to get rid of. Then the allusion to Prospero ridding of his magic in 'The Tempest' says "but I know, all too well, that's the stuff that dreams are made on". Here stuff is used as a noun. There are two ways these can be associated together. First, the speaker could be saying that pensions are what dreams are made from, as in retirement. However, I think it is intended as more of a joke or dream that the speaker would dare give up his pension. Which, leads back to the prideful toad.