How do the trees and ploughman build up image of mortality in poem by ted hughes?

You're likely thinking of Ted Hughes' poem "The Horses." It's a complex and powerful poem that uses the imagery of trees, the ploughman, and horses to explore themes of death, life, and the cycle of nature. Here's how the poem builds an image of mortality:

The Trees:

* The "dark, stolid, silent trees" are depicted as unyielding and ancient, representing the inexorable passage of time and the inevitability of death. They stand as witnesses to the cycle of life and death, their unchanging presence highlighting the transient nature of human existence.

* The trees "had not moved" and "had not spoken," further emphasizing their stoic presence in the face of change. Their silence suggests a profound understanding of the inevitability of death, which the ploughman and the horses are unable to comprehend.

The Ploughman:

* The ploughman is a symbol of human labor and effort, but he is ultimately powerless against the forces of nature. He struggles against the "dark, stolid, silent trees," representing his futile attempt to control the natural world and his inability to escape mortality.

* The ploughman's fear and confusion are evident in his actions: he tries to flee, but he is "caught and held," highlighting the inescapable nature of death.

The Horses:

* The "un-ridden horses" are symbols of untamed nature and primal instinct. They are oblivious to the ploughman's fear, embodying a wild, instinctive energy that is beyond the grasp of human understanding.

* The horses' "wild, black, beautiful eyes" and "un-ridden manes" suggest a sense of untamed freedom, contrasting with the ploughman's confinement and fear. They represent the natural world's indifference to human concerns, further emphasizing the insignificance of human life in the face of the vastness of nature.

The Poem's Overall Impact:

The poem ultimately presents a bleak and fatalistic view of human existence. The "dark, stolid, silent trees" serve as a constant reminder of the inevitability of death, while the ploughman's struggle and the horses' indifference highlight the insignificance of human life in the grand scheme of things.

Key Ideas:

* Mortality is inescapable: The poem emphasizes that death is a natural part of life, a force that cannot be avoided.

* Nature's indifference: The poem suggests that nature is indifferent to human concerns and desires, and that human life is ultimately insignificant in the face of the vastness of the natural world.

* The cyclical nature of life: The poem hints at the cyclical nature of life and death, suggesting that even in the face of death, there is a sense of renewal and continuity.

Ultimately, "The Horses" is a powerful and evocative poem that forces us to confront our own mortality and the fragility of human existence in the face of nature's enduring power.