Commentary on Case-moth by Judith Wright

In Judith Wrights narrative poem Case-moth the concept of living within ones self and the
consequences of living a sheltered lifestyle are explored through the extended metaphor of a case-
moth. Wrights poem juxtaposes the two conflicting concepts of predator versus prey to draw
contrast between risk-takers and those who have a more cautious nature. The title Case-moth
states the central subject of the poem allowing the reader to begin reading with their own
preconceived ideas and images as to the focus of poem.
The form of this poem is free verse consisting of four stanzas of varying lengths. Each stanza focuses
on a different aspect of narrative development and uses rhyme and punctuation to convey the pace
and movement of the story. The poem begins by juxtaposing the title Case-moth with a vivid
description of a predator with beak and claw. This unsettles the reader as the expectation and
preconceived notions that the title evokes are arrested, mirroring the strength the predator has in
contrast to the moth. Commas are used in the description of the predator with beak, claw,
knifebright eye creating an aggressive, biting tone to reflect the darting movement of the
antagonist. Caesura is then used to divide the stanza and holt the quick pace of the opening
description at the end of the third line, winds that slash the naked flesh as the remainder of the
stanza adopts an instructive tone where the speaker confides in the reader, warning that traps are
set wherever you go. The second stanza focusses solely on describing the twig-camouflaged,
sad-coloured case-moth allowing the reader the opportunity to empathise with the creature
before the action unfolds. The following stanza provides the climax of the poem as the main action
develops with the moth being hunted by the predator. An irregular but obvious rhyming scheme is
adopted by Wright throughout this stanza to drive the pace of the action with quick now, play
dead./Pull the blanket over your head and the imperatives used to describe the predator, watcher,
waiter, eater, create a pounding rhythm mirroring the swift pace of the predator. Enjambment is
employed to create suspense over the final lines of the stanza as the predator edges sidewise and
by placing wait on a new line Wright prolongs the drama and forces the reader to reflect on the
meaning of the word. The beginning of the fourth stanza shifts to a matter of fact tone with short
fragmented sentences as Deaths baffled. Wits won. providing a resolution to the climax and relief
to the suspense. Wright then brings the poem to a conclusion in a philosophical tone which relates
the moths situation to the broader issue of safety versus adventure.
The concepts of being trapped and breaking free are further underlined by Wright through
alliteration, imagery and symbolism. The alliteration in stanza two helps to create a vivid image of
the movement of the moth as the consonance of soft sl sounds when describing the moth, Sloth-
grey, slug-slow,/slung safe slow the pace of the poem and dislocate the rhythm. The moths
awkward, trapped predicament is brought to life in this way and by using this technique Wright
makes the poem difficult to read aloud further mirroring the moths movement. A soft s sounds,
safe in a sad-coloured sack, and snug and smug also reinforces this concept. The moth is
described through the use of comfortable, sleep-associated imagery with the case-moths pod being
likened to a twig-camouflaged bedsock. This imagery causes the moth to be seen as a mundane,
insignificant object and the bedsocks connotations of sleep suggests that the moth lives a sheltered
and dark existence. This claustrophobic imagery is further enhanced by pull the blanket over your
head and by the comfortable adjectives of homespun, homewoven. In contrast to these
descriptions, Wright reinforces the theme of breaking out of these protective environments through
her use of symbolism. In the third stanza this concept is explored in the phrase spring will warm/the
snowstorm which creates the image of ice melting to be free and can be related to the moths
situation hoping that the predator will tire of waiting [and] soon go so that it can escape. Wright
also makes reference to Houdini-hung which has connotations of being trapped and breaking free
as Houdini was an escape artist. By juxtaposing these two concepts, of being trapped and breaking
free, Wright is attempting to relate this to the potential and opportunities people have to take-risks
but the deep desire humans possess to stay within their bounds of comfort.
Other literary devices such as listing, syntax and personification are used to develop the contrast
between the predator and the moth. The quick paced listing in the description of predator with
beak, claw, knifebright eye, predator, antagonist evokes a darting bird-like image and the
description of the eye as knifebright has murderous connotations which suggests that the creature
is associated with death and has motivations to kill. The structure of this descriptive phrase begins
with specific parts of a body with beak and claw but then becomes more general to include
predator and antagonist. As the description broadens aspects of the character of the antagonist
become general and the dangers of taking risks in the broader context of life. Wright seems to
convey the simplistic nature of the predator within the poem by using short listing adjectives,
clawed legs, hooked-feet, which mirror the creatures simple motives. In contrast the moth is
described in longer detailed phrasing, case-moth wears a clever web, to reflect the complexity of
its predicament. Syntax is also used to mirror the movement of the moth as it shifts from leaf to
next leaf. The addition of to next within the sentence jolts the rhythm and suggests a slow and
labour intensive movement. Wright uses personification, Deaths baffled. Wits won emphasising
the moths ability to outwit the predator, though the triumph is somehow trivialised by this and
made to feel temporary.
The concluding three lines of the poem powerfully elucidates the dilemma facing the case-moth and
other beings fighting for freedom against difficult circumstances. There will always be antagonists,
traps set wherever you go but Wright challenges the reader to see the negative effects of playing
it safe by warning that tough cloth/jails your shape./Inside, your wings wither.
By Rachel Jeffreson