Tartary By Walter De La Mare

THE MOST FANCIFUL IMAGE         

      In Literature, a word or expression that refers to an object or quality which appeals to one or more of the senses and the feelings is called image. In his poem, "Tartary", Walter De La Mare has employed at least twenty concrete images. In fact, the whole poem is a succession of visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile and kinetic images. So it is difficult to say which of the images is more fanciful than the others.

       However, if we are forced to select the most fanciful i.e., unreal and wonderful image, then it is the kinetic image made in the last four lines of the third stanza of the poem. Here the poet says:

"And ere should wane the morning-star,

I'd don my robe and scimitar, 

And zebras seven should draw my car 

Through Tartary's dark glades."

       This is the most fanciful image because it is totally different from reality and is very wonderful. The other images -- the bed of ivory, the throne of gold, peacocks in the court, tigers in the forests, fish in the pools, colourful lamps, musical instruments and objects of Nature -- are delightful images but they represent real scenes. However,the image of gorgeously attired potentate of Tartary, riding a chariot driven by seven zebras is pure fancy.