'Poacher, A Serious Ballad' Summary

'The Poacher' tells the story of a man named Tom, forced into poaching to provide for his family. His poverty and desperation lead him to steal rabbits from a wealthy landowner, a crime punishable by death. The poem details Tom's struggle to survive, the constant fear of capture, and the love he has for his wife and children. Ultimately, Tom is caught and sentenced to death, his final words expressing both regret and defiance. Hood's ballad uses vivid imagery to depict the bleak landscape of poverty and the harsh realities faced by the working class. Through Tom's plight, the poem critiques the injustices of a system that allows the wealthy to exploit the poor and leaves them with few options for survival.