# Poetry — Themes

> Major themes in Poetry by James McIntyre.

## Local Patriotism and Regional Pride

The book repeatedly celebrates local Canadian landscapes, towns, and industries, urging readers to value home over distant places, as seen in the prologue's call to 'prize them 'cause they are local' and poems praising specific towns like Tilsonburg and Ingersoll.

### Where it surfaces

- [Prologue to South Ontario Sketches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/prologue-to-south-ontario-sketches): The poet explicitly celebrates Canadian themes, local charms, and the beauty of home, urging readers to prize their own surroundings over distant lands.
- [Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/reminiscences): The chapter celebrates General Brock as a Canadian hero and emphasizes the collective mourning and honor paid by the local community, including veterans and Indigenous groups.
- [Birth of Canada as a Nation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/birth-of-canada-as-a-nation): The poem exalts Canada as a great northern queen and celebrates the union of provinces, reflecting strong national pride and regional identity.
- [Welcome to the Prince of Wales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/welcome-to-the-prince-of-wales): The poem expresses strong Canadian patriotism, celebrating the maple tree and the warm welcome for the royal visitor.
- [Lament of the Maple Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lament-of-the-maple-tree): The maple tree is described as the 'Emblem of the New Dominion,' reflecting Canadian national pride and the tree's symbolic importance.
- [Patriotic Ode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/patriotic-ode): The poem emphasizes national unity and loyalty to the Dominion and Queen, a clear expression of patriotic fervor.

## Pioneer and Settler Struggles

Themes of early settlers overcoming wilderness, hewing forests, and building communities are central, with poems like 'Life in the Woods' and 'Great Fire in Michigan' highlighting the hardships and resilience of frontier life.

### Where it surfaces

- [Fight with a Bear in the Northwest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-with-a-bear-in-the-northwest): The youths confront and overcome a dangerous bear in the wilderness, illustrating the perils of frontier life.
- [Lines on Canadian Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-canadian-hunter): The poem highlights the challenges and dangers faced by hunters like Hebner in the Canadian wilderness.
- [Life in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/life-in-the-woods): The poem highlights the settlers' battle against the forest, framing it as a heroic conquest that enables future prosperity.
- [The Joys of Prairie Farmers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-joys-of-prairie-farmers): The poem contrasts the heavy labor of Ontario settlers clearing woods with the easier initial farming on the prairies, yet both involve the pioneer experience of transforming wilderness into farmland.
- [Donald Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/donald-ross): Donald Ross endures the trauma of forced eviction and the hardship of emigration, but ultimately finds success and prosperity as a settler in Canada.
- [Lines on Embro and Zorra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-embro-and-zorra): The poem recounts the displacement of Scottish families due to 'cruel order' and their subsequent journey across the Atlantic to find fertile farmland in Canada.

## Nature and the Environment

Nature is depicted as both a source of beauty and a force to be contended with, from the lament of the maple tree and the majesty of Niagara Falls to the dangers of blizzards, fires, and wild animals.

### Where it surfaces

- [Prologue to South Ontario Sketches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/prologue-to-south-ontario-sketches): The poem highlights the natural features of South Ontario—lakes, rivers, streams, and maple boughs—as worthy of admiration and poetic treatment.
- [Welcome to the Prince of Wales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/welcome-to-the-prince-of-wales): References to the maple tree, woods, hills, dales, and lakes highlight the natural landscape of Canada.
- [Lament of the Maple Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lament-of-the-maple-tree): The entire poem is a personified lament of a maple tree, exploring its beauty, seasonal cycles, and its role in the Canadian landscape.
- [Lines on Violets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-violets): The poem highlights the surprising vitality of violets in winter, emphasizing nature's resilience and beauty.
- [Fight of a Buffalo with Wolves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-of-a-buffalo-with-wolves): The poem vividly depicts a brutal natural struggle between a buffalo and a wolf pack, emphasizing the raw and unforgiving aspects of wildlife.
- [Fight with a Bear in the Northwest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-with-a-bear-in-the-northwest): The harsh winter landscape and wildlife (trout, buffalo, bear) are central to the narrative.

## Community and Social Gatherings

The book frequently describes local events such as Ladies' Aids, lawn parties, Caledonian games, and dairymaids' socials, emphasizing the importance of communal bonds, charity, and shared celebration.

### Where it surfaces

- [Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/reminiscences): The funeral procession and gathering of veterans, militiamen, and Indigenous braves illustrate a communal act of remembrance.
- [Birth of Canada as a Nation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/birth-of-canada-as-a-nation): The chapter describes high festival and stately dance, indicating communal celebrations and social gatherings to mark the confederation.
- [Canadian Sports and Games and Plays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/canadian-sports-and-games-and-plays): Highlights communal bees, sleigh rides, and skating as social bonding and courtship rituals.
- [Lines on Methodist Union](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-methodist-union): The poem describes four churches uniting in friendship and harmony, highlighting the social and communal aspect of religious consolidation.
- [Hope for Ingersoll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/hope-for-ingersoll): The poem celebrates collective relief and civic pride, urging the people to thank their Council and Mayor, reflecting a community united in overcoming adversity.
- [Port Stanley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/port-stanley): The poem highlights quadrille parties, games, and sports as central to the summer resort experience at Port Stanley.

## Agriculture and Rural Economy

Farming, dairy production, cheese making, and the introduction of agricultural machinery are recurring subjects, reflecting the economic backbone of the region and the pride in local produce and innovation.

### Where it surfaces

- [Welcome to the Prince of Wales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/welcome-to-the-prince-of-wales): The farmer splitting fence rails and the yeoman singing in the woods reflect rural life and agricultural labor.
- [Lines on Ingersoll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-ingersoll): The chapter emphasizes the agricultural economy through references to mills grinding oats and wheat, and the town's dairy industry.
- [Lines on Salford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-salford): The poem highlights the success of dairy farming, cheese production, and the abundant harvests of barley, oats, and hay.
- [Farrington, 1866, Factory System](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/farrington-1866-factory-system): The poem highlights the shift to factory-based cheese production, which enriched farmers and spurred local economic growth.
- [Oxford Cheese Ode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/oxford-cheese-ode): The poem details the transformation of Oxford farms through dairy farming and cheese production, emphasizing economic prosperity and the importance of treating cows well.
- [Thomas Campbell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/thomas-campbell): The chapter highlights the foundation of prosperity in intelligent, well-directed farming, with bounteous crops and snug farm homes.

## Mortality and Loss

Death and tragedy are frequent motifs, whether through disasters like the steamer Victoria sinking, the death of Captain Webb, the loss of a faithful dog, or the mourning of fallen soldiers in the Northwest Rebellion.

### Where it surfaces

- [Reminiscences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/reminiscences): The poem dwells on the death of General Brock and the grief of the people, as well as the destruction of his original tomb.
- [Fight of a Buffalo with Wolves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fight-of-a-buffalo-with-wolves): 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.
- [Disaster to Steamer Victoria at London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/disaster-to-steamer-victoria-at-london): The poem vividly depicts the sudden transition from joy to tragedy, with the steamer sinking and leaving only 'lifeless clay,' emphasizing the theme of mortality and the sorrow of loss.
- [Niagara's Charms and Death of Capt. Webb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/niagara-s-charms-and-death-of-capt-webb): Captain Webb's death in the whirlpool serves as a stark reminder of human mortality and the perilous consequences of challenging nature's might.
- [Lines on T. D. McGee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-t-d-mcgee): The poem ends with a lament for McGee's untimely death, emphasizing the loss of a promising figure.
- [London Flood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/london-flood): The flood caused death and mourning, exemplified by a mother losing her infant and a family burying three members in two funerals.

## Cultural Heritage and Immigrant Identity

The book blends Scottish, Irish, and English traditions with Canadian settings, referencing poets like Burns, Highland games, and Scottish place names, while also celebrating the unity of diverse peoples under the maple leaf.

### Where it surfaces

- [Canadian Sports and Games and Plays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/canadian-sports-and-games-and-plays): Lacrosse is celebrated as an ancient Indigenous game, and the poem contrasts Scottish Halloween traditions with Canadian customs.
- [Donald Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/donald-ross): The poem emphasizes Scottish heritage through references to heathery hills, mountain rills, and the clan's long history, while celebrating the new life and identity forged in Canada.
- [Lines on T. D. McGee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-t-d-mcgee): McGee is described as a 'Plant of green Erin’s isle' taking root in Canadian soil, highlighting his Irish heritage and Canadian identity.
- [Lines on Embro and Zorra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-embro-and-zorra): The settlers maintain their Scottish identity by naming their village Embro after Edinburgh (Edina Town), linking their new home to their homeland.
- [Corner Stone Laying](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/corner-stone-laying): Masonic traditions and the Culloden road reference highlight Scottish cultural heritage.
- [A Civic Holiday Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/a-civic-holiday-trip): Reference to Caledonian games and a 'stalwart son of Scottish nation' emphasizes Scottish cultural heritage in Ontario.

## Progress and Technology

Technological advancements such as railways, electric lights, nickel mining, and agricultural machinery are praised as symbols of national growth and modernization, linking local development to broader progress.

### Where it surfaces

- [St. Catharines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/st-catharines): The poem highlights the canal as a driver of commerce, industry, and urban development.
- [Lines on Credit Valley Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-credit-valley-trip): The poem celebrates the new Credit Valley Railway as a means of exploration and enjoyment, highlighting the transformative impact of rail travel on rural life.
- [Hope for Ingersoll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/hope-for-ingersoll): The resolution of railroad bond concerns highlights the importance of railway infrastructure and economic progress for the town's future.
- [The Joys of Prairie Farmers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-joys-of-prairie-farmers): Celebrates the rapid transformation of the prairie landscape through agriculture and the invention of agricultural implements by Ontario, suggesting technological progress as a key to settlement.
- [London West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/london-west): The construction of strong dams and embankments is presented as a solution to flooding, turning the river from a threat into a source of ornament and wealth.
- [Lines on Stratford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-stratford): The railway and railroad shops bring work, wealth, and joy to the community.

## Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

Many poems offer didactic advice on honesty, courage, kindness, and proper conduct, such as 'Advice to a Little Girl' and tales of bravery and self-sacrifice, reinforcing Victorian-era values.

### Where it surfaces

- [Lines on Methodist Union](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-methodist-union): The union is framed as a moral victory against Satan, emphasizing the virtuous goal of spreading faith and fighting evil.
- [Robert Fleming Gourley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/robert-fleming-gourley): The chapter presents Gourley as a relic of the past, with a moral lesson about age, ambition, and the futility of seeking office in old age.
- [Odd Fellowship in Woodstock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/odd-fellowship-in-woodstock): The verses highlight virtues such as friendship, love, truth, and charity, and the lodge's mission to console the distressed and bless the needy.
- [Odd Fellowship Lines Read at Concert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/odd-fellowship-lines-read-at-concert): The lines emphasize moral duties like aiding widows and orphans, maintaining friendship, love, and truth, and promoting universal brotherhood.
- [London Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/london-children): The poem expresses a moral wish for children to be spared from earthly woes and to blossom, reflecting domestic virtue and care for the young.
- [Our Firemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/our-firemen): The poem emphasizes the virtues of bravery, readiness, and selfless service to the community.

HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_12_se/themes