# Fight of a Buffalo with Wolves explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A poetic retelling of a buffalo's courageous but ultimately fatal battle against a pack of wolves. The buffalo, separated from his herd, initially scorns the wolves but is gradually overwhelmed by their numbers, fighting valiantly until he is brought down and devoured.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Environment

The poem vividly depicts a brutal natural struggle between a buffalo and a wolf pack, emphasizing the raw and unforgiving aspects of wildlife.

### Mortality and Loss

The buffalo's death and the image of his bones whitening on the plain underscore themes of mortality and the tragic loss of a noble creature.

## Key lines

> We were so deeply impressed with the courage displayed by a buffalo in a prose tale that we transposed the description into verse.

The author was inspired by a prose story about a buffalo's bravery and decided to rewrite it as a poem.

_Explains the origin of the poem as a versification of a prose account._

> He rushes on them in despair And tosses them full high in air, But others rush on him and pull Down to the earth that glorious bull;

In desperation, the buffalo attacks and flings wolves into the air, but more wolves overwhelm him and bring him down.

_Describes the climax of the fight where the buffalo is finally subdued._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-of-a-buffalo-with-wolves
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters