I now suspect that just as a deer herd lives in mortal fear of its wolves, so does a mountain live in mortal fear of its deer. And perhaps with better cause, for while a buck pulled down by wolves can be replaced in two or three years, a range pulled down by too many deer may fail for replacement in as many decadesAldo Leopond
About This Quote
The mountain lives in mortal fear of its deer. When you see a mountain, what do you think of? You probably think of the challenges that might lie ahead. How about a deer? What do you think of when you see one? Probably you think, “Oh, that’s a cute little deer. I’ll go and enjoy its company.” In his poem, Wallace Stevens illustrates how a mountain lives in mortal fear of its deer.
He uses the phrase “mortal fear” to describe the way any animal may view another animal as a threat. According to Stevens, a forest has no fear for itself and so no fear for its forest. But a forest has every reason to fear its deer: Because they can be replaced so easily, they are more than just annoying—they can cause real damage.
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