The mouse in Stanza 3 of “Introduction to Poetry” performs many symbolic functions. Collins draws upon the common associations that mice are quick learners and efficient explorers, using the mouse to exemplify how students ought to move through a poem themselves. The speaker of the poem asks students to “drop” a mouse “into” the poem, implying that this is the first time the mouse has ever encountered this new environment (Line 5). Collins’s use of the preposition “into” as opposed to “onto” is important here as it makes the poem a physical space, a maze of language to explore (Line 5).

Many scientific, behavioral tests have been run on mice by placing them inside complex labyrinths. Despite the mouse’s new surroundings, students watch as the rodent “probe[s] his way out” of the poem, symbolizing the hard work and determination it takes to fully understand and experience poetry (Line 6). The mouse not only symbolizes the resolve students need to accomplish meaningful literary analysis, but also draws attention to the physical structure of the poem itself.

Poetry comes in many different forms, carefully constructed by the author of each piece. So, by choosing to drop a mouse into the poem as opposed to any other animal, Collins exposes that the only way out of a poem is to explore every dead end, crack, and corner with the patience and precision of a mouse.