FITTE THE FIRST by Eugene Field: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This poem features an endearing Saint Bernard puppy, full of personality and a comical appetite.
The poem
The pup was of as noble mien As e'er you gazed upon; They called his mother Lady And his father was a Don. And both his mother and his sire Were of the race Bernard-- The family famed in histories And hymned of every bard. His form was of exuberant mold, Long, slim, and loose of joints; There never yet was pointer-dog So full as he of points. His hair was like to yellow fleece, His eyes were black and kind, And like a nodding, gilded plume His tail stuck up behind. His bark was very, very fierce, And fierce his appetite, Yet was it only things to eat That he was prone to bite. But in that one particular He was so passing true That never did he quit a meal Until he had got through. Potatoes, biscuits, mush or hash, Joint, chop, or chicken limb-- So long as it was edible, 'T was all the same to him! And frequently when Hunger's pangs Assailed that callow pup, He masticated boots and gloves Or chewed a door-mat up. So was he much beholden of The folk that him did keep; They loved him when he was awake And better still asleep.
This poem features an endearing Saint Bernard puppy, full of personality and a comical appetite. Field captures the pup's noble appearance and silly charm, highlighting his most notable trait: he’ll munch on just about anything, from boots to doormats. The family that cares for him adores him — though, with a playful nudge, the poem suggests they prefer him when he’s dozing off rather than gnawing on their belongings.
Line-by-line
The pup was of as noble mien / As e'er you gazed upon;
And both his mother and his sire / Were of the race Bernard--
His form was of exuberant mold, / Long, slim, and loose of joints;
His hair was like to yellow fleece, / His eyes were black and kind,
His bark was very, very fierce, / And fierce his appetite,
But in that one particular / He was so passing true
Potatoes, biscuits, mush or hash, / Joint, chop, or chicken limb--
And frequently when Hunger's pangs / Assailed that callow pup,
So was he much beholden of / The folk that him did keep;
Tone & mood
Warm, playful, and subtly satirical. Field adopts a mock-heroic style — using the lofty language of epic poetry and chivalric tales to describe a gluttonous puppy. The humor remains kind-hearted; the affection for the dog shines through, ensuring the comedy stays light and welcoming instead of cynical.
Symbols & metaphors
- The pup's noble pedigree — The Saint Bernard lineage — "Lady," "Don," "race Bernard" — creates a mock-heroic joke. By referring to the dog in aristocratic terms, Field pokes fun at the tendency of humans to ascribe dignity and status to animals.
- The appetite — The dog's insatiable hunger drives the poem's humor, but it also represents a straightforward, pure desire. The pup seeks what he wants with complete honesty—without any pretense or restraint. There's something quite admirable about that.
- Boots, gloves, and the door-mat — These chewed-up household items deliver the humorous punchline to the appetite theme. They also anchor the poem in the realm of everyday life—this isn’t some abstract concept of a dog, but a tangible, destructive creature that any pet owner would easily identify.
- The wagging tail — Described as "a nodding, gilded plume," the tail stands out as a symbol of pure affection. It reflects the dog's cheerful and innocent nature — he isn't malicious; he's simply hungry and happy.
Historical context
Eugene Field was a journalist and poet from Chicago who became one of the most popular American humorists in the late 1800s. He is best known for his sentimental children's poem "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod," but he also created comic verses in a mock-heroic style that played with the traditions of medieval romance and epic poetry. "Fitte the First" is an example of this style — the term "fitte" refers to a section or canto of a long poem, often seen in works like *Beowulf* and *Sir Gawain and the Green Knight*, which makes its use in a poem about a puppy's eating habits intentionally ridiculous. Field wrote for a popular newspaper audience and had a knack for making literary parody entertaining and relatable, even if readers didn't catch every single reference. The poem was published in the 1880s–1890s, a time when Saint Bernards were hugely popular as family pets after their reputation as heroic Alpine rescue dogs.
FAQ
A "fitte" (or "fit") is an old English term that refers to a segment of a long narrative poem, much like those seen in medieval epics such as *Beowulf*. Field employs this term to introduce a lighthearted poem about a puppy, presenting it as if it were the opening canto of a grand heroic tale. The contrast between the serious title and the playful subject sets up the first joke.
A Saint Bernard. The poem mentions that his parents belonged to "the race Bernard" — Saint Bernards, those big Alpine dogs known for saving travelers caught in snowstorms. This breed was quite popular in Victorian homes, making the joke about their messy eating habits easy for Field's original audience to connect with.
Mock-heroic writing takes the lofty language of epic poetry — typically reserved for grand battles, gods, and kings — and uses it to describe something trivial or humorous. Field refers to the dog's hunger as "Hunger's pangs" with a capital H, calls his tail a "gilded plume," and celebrates his dedication to finishing meals as a noble trait. The humor arises from the contrast between the elaborate language and the everyday reality of the dog.
"Passing" in this context is an old-fashioned way to say "exceedingly" or "surpassingly," similar to how we might use "extremely" today. Therefore, "passing true" suggests that he was exceptionally faithful or consistent. Field uses this term to highlight the dog's unwavering commitment to finishing every meal, presenting gluttony as a knightly virtue akin to loyalty or honor.
A pointer is a type of hunting dog recognized for its slim, athletic frame. Field describes the Saint Bernard puppy as "so full of points" — suggesting he has more admirable traits than any pointer dog. However, "points" also refers to good qualities or merits in general. This line cleverly plays on both meanings simultaneously, showcasing Field's signature style.
Because when he's asleep, he isn't munching on their boots or gnawing the doormat. This is the poem's last laugh and its most truthful moment — the family truly loves the dog, but they're also acutely aware of the chaos he creates. Any pet owner can relate to this instantly.
The title "Fitte the First" suggests there might be a "Fitte the Second" and beyond, extending the humorous saga of the pup. Field did create accompanying pieces that followed the dog’s escapades. The use of a numbered canto structure adds to the parody of traditional lengthy heroic poems.
Field wrote for a wide audience in Chicago who enjoyed reading newspapers. His humor aimed to entertain everyone — you don’t need to be familiar with *Beowulf* to find it funny when a dog eats a doormat. The literary references provide an extra layer for those who notice them, but the poem stands strong as a straightforward comedy about a greedy puppy.