Burns Society Scholarship Programs

"For A' That": Singing the Anthem of Equality

Matteus Jasik’s essay on A Man’s a Man for A’ That presents it as a timeless anthem of equality. He emphasizes Burns’ use of repetition and Scots vernacular to make poetry communal, while critiquing aristocracy and elevating honesty and worth over rank. Linking the poem to performances from Sheela Wellington in 1999 to Paolo Nutini’s adaptation, Jasik shows its message endures as a call for justice still in progress.

Assessing Mankind’s Propensity to Dominate: How Robert Burns Uses Literary Elements to Compare Humanity and Waterfowl

William Bracchitta’s essay on On Scaring Some Waterfowl in Loch Turit reads the poem as a critique of humanity’s dominance over nature. Through juxtapositions like “tenant” versus “tyrant” and “brave” versus “slave,” Burns contrasts the harmony of waterfowl with human cruelty. Bracchitta highlights Burns’ use of rhetorical questions to personify the birds as “fellow creatures,” questioning why they yield to mankind, and links this critique of arrogance to wider systems of oppression, including colonial subjugation of Indigenous peoples.

On Scaring some Waterfowl in Loch Turit: Burns' Critique of Human Dominion

TBD's essay interprets On Scaring Some Waterfowl in Loch Turit as a defense of nature against human tyranny. Burns personifies the birds as social beings with family bonds, then contrasts their harmony with man as a “tyrant stern.” Unlike the eagle, which kills from necessity, humans destroy for pleasure. The essay highlights Burns’ call for waterfowl to resist submission—summed up in the paradox of “brave” versus “slave”—as both a plea for nature’s dignity and a critique of unjust human power.

The Critique of Historical Storytelling in Robert Burns’ “The Battle of Sheriffmuir”
Julian Castro’s essay examines Burns’ The Battle of Sheriffmuir as a satire on the ambiguity of historical narratives. Through the dialogue of two shepherds debating who truly won the 1715 Jacobite battle, Burns highlights how imagery, exaggeration, and conflicting testimony distort the truth. Castro points out how one shepherd’s vivid but secondhand descriptions clash with the other’s firsthand account, exposing the unreliability of even “authentic” sources. By contrasting exaggeration with lived experience, Burns critiques the way history is shaped by bias, memory, and storytelling rather than fact.

“Last May A Braw Wooer” by Robert Burns

Ana Hoxha’s essay analyzes Burns’ Last May A Braw Wooer, focusing on the tension between love and social stability in marriage. She explores Jean, the poem’s central figure, who initially resists her suitor but reconsiders when he offers wealth and social protection. Hoxha argues that Burns exposes the illusion of female choice, showing how societal and gender norms dictate outcomes. Jean’s shift from indifference to pursuit when her cousin Bess enters the picture illustrates women’s limited agency in 18th-century society. The essay concludes that the poem critiques outdated expectations of women while acknowledging their persistence today

The Hypocrisy of Faith in "Holy Willie's Prayer

Andrew’s essay examined Burns’ satire of religious hypocrisy in Holy Willie’s Prayer, critiquing the way faith can be manipulated to justify moral double standards. He explored how Burns exposed the contradictions of the Church and its influence on personal guilt and self-righteousness.

The Pride of a Nation: "Address to a Haggis"

John’s essay celebrated Burns’ Address to a Haggis as a declaration of Scottish identity. He analyzed how Burns used the haggis as a metaphor for national pride, comparing it to other European dishes and illustrating its cultural significance to Scotland.

Nature as an Escape in "The Banks o’ Doon"

Kaitlin explored how Burns used nature as a source of solace during personal struggles. She connected his poetic imagery of birds, rivers, and flowers in The Banks o’ Doon to his experiences of heartbreak and financial hardship, illustrating the way he found peace in the natural world.

The Idealized Love in "A Red, Red Rose"

Britney’s essay delved into Burns’ use of metaphor and rhyme to portray love as an eternal, almost mythical force. She critically analyzed how Burns' depiction of love contrasts with the complexities of real-life relationships, showing how readers find comfort in his romanticized vision.

Love is Like a Red Red Rose

Miya’s essay examined the symbolism in A Red, Red Rose, exploring how Burns’ imagery of nature and music conveys the depth of romantic emotion.

Fate in "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns

Nate analyzed the philosophical implications of To a Mouse, reflecting on how Burns contemplates fate, human plans, and the unpredictability of life.

My Heart's in the Highlands: Robert Burns' Ode to Scotland

Thomas Graham's essay delved into Burns' profound connection to Scotland, particularly the Scottish Highlands, as depicted in his song "My Heart's in the Highlands." Graham explored how Burns' personal experiences and deep-seated love for his homeland influenced his portrayal of Scotland's natural beauty and cultural heritage. He highlighted Burns' use of vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion to express an enduring bond with the Highlands, reflecting a universal theme of longing for one's roots.