What Students Can Learn from The Frog and the Nightingale Fable
The poem Frog and The Nightingale is one of the well-known poems from the collection of Vikram Seth. He is an Indian novelist and poet, who has published six poetry books and three novels. “A Suitable Boy” is one of his most acclaimed works of literature. The Frog and the Nightingale poem has been extracted from his anthology of poems ‘Beastly tales’. The main theme of this poem is the consequences of being driven by flattery. In The Frog and The Nightingale poem, the frog seems to be exploiting the nightingale, just to earn fame and money. The frog claims to have quality, but ultimately he was a cunning capitalist that fed out of low self-esteem and vulnerable artists, leading to a disaster.
The Frog and Nightingale Poem- Summary
The poem ‘The Frog and the Nightingale’ explores certain feelings of self-confidence and selfishness. An allegorical poem that talks about believing in oneself, as well as a cautionary story about chances and the dangers of being exploited.
‘The Frog and the Nightingale’ talks about a frog with an unpleasant voice. And in spite of this, the frog was full of self-confidence. He croaked all night, much to the annoyance of the other animals in the forest, who were all tired of his incessant croaking and tried insulting him whenever he started singing. The frog was adamant and didn’t heed much to their criticism. He believed his voice to be very special and was insensitive to the distress he was causing others. One day, his arrogance was shattered by the arrival of a nightingale whose melodious voice was seen as a welcome change. The other animals appreciated her melodious voice and started to reward her with thunderous applause. The frog felt threatened by the presence of the talented rival and was jealous of all the adulation she was getting. Thus, he thought of a plan to destroy her and get her out of his way. Next night as the nightingale was about to sing, the frog interrupted her by saying that he has a great knowledge in singing. Saying she lacked a certain force. Taken aback, the nightingale said ‘at least it's mine’ about her song. Not having enough confidence in her own ability, the nightingale accepted the offer of being tutored by the frog. The frog took away all the money he made through her concerts. The frog made her rehearse night and day, and even the rain didn't stop him. The frog took to abusing the nightingale in an attempt to shatter her morale, which gradually started to affect her singing. The nightingale, broken-hearted, refused to sing any longer, but the frog would not listen. Continuous coaxing caused the nightingale to fall dead.
The frog and said he tried to teach her but she was stupid and nervous to learn anything. The frog was insensitive when he said that she was very easily influenced, well aware of the fact that he was actually influencing her negatively. The frog returned and sang and annoyed the other creatures.He caused the downfall of the nightingale and finally satisfied that he no longer had to compete with someone more talented.
FAQs on The Frog and the Nightingale Summary: Main Points & Moral Explained
1. What is the basic plot or summary of Vikram Seth's poem, 'The Frog and the Nightingale'?
The poem is a fable about a talented but naive nightingale and a cunning, jealous frog. The frog, whose croaking is unpopular, becomes envious when a nightingale arrives in Bingle Bog and enchants all creatures with her beautiful song. He pretends to be a music critic and mentor, exploiting the nightingale's low self-esteem. He overworks her, criticises her natural talent, and forces her to sing for commercial gain until she bursts a vein and dies. The frog then reclaims his position as the sole, unchallenged singer in the bog.
2. What are the main character traits of the frog in the poem?
The frog is portrayed with several negative traits. Key characteristics include:
- Arrogant and Boastful: He is proud of his terrible singing and considers himself the king of the bog.
- Cunning and Manipulative: He cleverly identifies the nightingale's insecurities and exploits them for his own gain.
- Jealous and Envious: He cannot stand the nightingale's superior talent and immense popularity.
- Greedy and Materialistic: He commercialises the nightingale's art, charging admission fees for her concerts.
- Cruel and Ruthless: He shows no remorse for driving the nightingale to her tragic death.
3. How is the nightingale's character portrayed in the fable?
The nightingale is characterised by a mix of talent and vulnerability:
- Talented and Melodious: She possesses a divine and beautiful voice that captivates everyone.
- Timid and Naive: She is shy and easily influenced, lacking the confidence to believe in her own abilities.
- Gullible: She blindly trusts the frog's criticism and advice without ever questioning his motives.
- Eager to Please: She desperately seeks approval and validation, which makes her vulnerable to flattery and manipulation.
- Lacking in Self-Esteem: Despite her immense talent, she has a very low opinion of herself and her art.
4. What is the central theme of 'The Frog and the Nightingale'?
The central theme of the poem is the exploitation of an innocent artist by a cunning and commercially-minded opportunist. It highlights the dangers of vanity, the lack of self-confidence, and the vulnerability of true talent in a world driven by greed and jealousy. The poem critiques a society where genuine art can be destroyed by cynical criticism and commercialisation.
5. What is the primary moral or message conveyed by the poem?
The primary moral of 'The Frog and the Nightingale' is the importance of believing in oneself and one's own unique talents. It teaches that one should not be swayed by flattery or harsh criticism from those with ulterior motives. The poem warns against blindly following others and highlights the need for self-awareness and confidence to protect one's individuality from being exploited.
6. How does the frog use manipulation and flattery to exploit the nightingale?
The frog employs a clever strategy of manipulation. He first presents himself as an expert critic who can help her improve. He mixes criticism with false praise to keep her dependent on him. For example, he calls her song divine but then immediately finds faults, suggesting it lacks "a certain force". He imposes rigorous, harmful training schedules under the guise of professional coaching and isolates her from her admirers. This systematic breakdown of her confidence ensures she remains under his control, allowing him to profit from her performances.
7. Why is the nightingale unable to see the frog's true intentions? What does this reveal about her character?
The nightingale fails to see the frog's true intentions primarily due to her deep-seated insecurity and lack of self-worth. She is so desperate for validation that she readily accepts the frog's authority without question. Her naivety and innocence prevent her from suspecting his malicious motives. This reveals that while she is artistically gifted, she is emotionally immature and lacks critical thinking, representing the tragic vulnerability of pure talent without self-belief.
8. Compare and contrast the characters of the frog and the nightingale. What do they represent?
The frog and the nightingale are complete opposites.
- The Nightingale is talented, pure, innocent, and timid. She represents true, uncorrupted art and the vulnerable artist whose song comes from the heart.
- The Frog is untalented, arrogant, cunning, and ruthless. He represents the cynical, commercial world of critics and exploiters who lack creativity but thrive by controlling it.
9. How does Vikram Seth use the fable format to comment on society and the art world?
Vikram Seth uses the animal fable, a classic format for moral storytelling, to make a sharp commentary on modern society and the dynamics of the art world. By using animals, he simplifies complex human relationships. The frog represents the gatekeepers of culture—critics and producers—who may lack talent but hold immense power. The nightingale represents the vulnerable, genuine artist who is often destroyed by the pressures of fame, commercialisation, and the need for approval. This format makes his critique accessible and timeless.
10. What is the significance of the setting, Bingle Bog, in the poem?
The setting, Bingle Bog, is significant as it represents a stagnant and uncultured society. Before the nightingale arrives, its inhabitants are content with the frog's monotonous and unpleasant croaking, showing their lack of appreciation for true art. The name "Bingle Bog" itself sounds dull and muddy. The bog is the frog's territory where his mediocrity reigns supreme. The nightingale's death and the bog's reversion to its old state signify that talent can be silenced if a society is not discerning.
