# Furrow-Maker explained — Fifty-One Tales

> Chapter companion for Fifty-One Tales by Lord Dunsany.

## What happens

Two birds, one in black and one in brown, discuss the fate of Man, whom they call 'furrow-maker.' They debate whether Man's turn to cities and industry will lead to his death, with the black bird insisting that Man will survive his folly and the brown bird doubting it. The chapter ends with Man's internal resolve to make one more invention before returning to the woods.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Futility of Human Ambition

Man's relentless pursuit of invention and urban progress is portrayed as a folly that sickens him, yet he cannot stop, revealing the futility of his ambition.

### Nature vs. Civilization

The birds represent the natural world, which sees Man's cities as noisome and his engines as wearisome, contrasting with Man's desire to return to the woods.

## Character check-ins

### Furrow-Maker

Referred to as 'furrow-maker' throughout, representing Man and his agricultural and industrial endeavors.

### The Hare

Mentioned as having gone to the edge of the cities and reporting that Man was too sick to chase him.

## Key lines

> He is always changing, of late almost every century. He is uneasy. Always changing.

Man constantly alters his ways, especially recently, and is restless.

_The black bird observes Man's perpetual restlessness and rapid change._

> Furrow-maker will not die. We must not lose furrow-maker. He has been foolish of late, he has played with smoke and is sick. His engines have wearied him and his cities are evil. Yes, he is very sick. But in a few centuries he will forget his folly and we shall not lose furrow-maker.

Man will survive his current sickness from industry and cities, eventually recovering and returning to his old ways.

_The black bird expresses hope that Man's self-destructive phase is temporary._

> Just one invention more. There is something I want to do with petrol yet, and then I will give it all up and go back to the woods.

Man tells himself he needs only one more petroleum-based invention before abandoning industry for nature.

_Man's internal monologue reveals his addiction to progress and his self-deception about quitting._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fifty_one_tales_se/chapters/furrow-maker
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fifty_one_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fifty_one_tales_se/chapters