Robert Burns was a famous Scottish poet born in 1759 who came from a poor family but was inspired to succeed. He worked on his father's farm and had 14 children, though only 7 survived into adulthood. His first book of poems published in 1786 was surprisingly successful and allowed him to pursue poetry full time. Though his health deteriorated, he produced famous works like "To a Mouse" and influenced later authors. He brought freshness to poetry with works addressing Scottish cultural identity, sexuality, and poverty, and using satire and varying emotions in his writing.

1. ROBERT BURNS
The Great Scotsman

2. THE BEGINNING
 Born 25 January 1759
 Came from a poor family but was always inspired to
succeed
 Was the oldest of seven children
 Worked on his father's farm in Mt. Oliphant.
 Became a Freemason in 1781 and was an active member
during his life. He obtained the degree of Royal Arch in
1787

3. • He had fourteen children, nine out of wedlock, which led to
public persecution
• Robert Burns became intimate with Jean Armour.
• To raise funds for his emigration he published Kilmarnock, in
1786. These poems were surprisingly successful.
• His poems were such a success he remained in Scotland and
did not go to the West Indies.
• In rapidly deteriorating health, Burns dies on 21 July 1796 in
Dumfries, Scotland at the age of only 37

4. LITERARY STYLE
 Largely influenced by his mother Robert Burns
was that he was lyricist.
 Some people believe that due to Robert Burns’
mental illness. He created dimension to his
writings. His writings had moments of tender
intensity in some points and injected humor in
others. Yet in some major works like Holy Willie’s
Prayer, Burns showed mastery over satire.

5. • Directed his poetry to the cultural identity of Scotland,
sexuality, and poverty.
• Some belief that Burns emotions were very ranged some
suggest he suffered from Mental Illness.
• Had very satirical views which were evident in his writings.
• Brought a freshness to the original English romantic poetry
• Had an influence on the American author John Steinbeck Of
Mice and Men.

6. PERSONAL OPINIONS
While writing and creating this slide show it
brought me back to my childhood days in
Scotland. I was born and brought up in
Ayrshire, Scotland. Also know as “Rabbie
Country”. Burns’ poetry was always taught in
school but like most elementary students I
read it and forgot it. Not realizing the meaning
or History. I remember having to remember
and recite “To a Mouse”. 30 years later, I
finally understand the passion that Burns
displayed.

7. To A Mouse
Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie,
O, what panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!
I'm truly sorry Man's dominion
Has broken Nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle,
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion,
An' fellow-mortal!

8. I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen-icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request:
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't!
Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin!
It's silly wa's the win's are strewin!
An' naething, now, to big a new ane,
O' foggage green!
An' bleak December's winds ensuin,
Baith snell an' keen!

9. Thou saw the fields laid bare an' wast,
An' weary Winter comin fast,
An' cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell,
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.
That wee-bit heap o' leaves an' stibble,
Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!
Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble,
But house or hald.
To thole the Winter's sleety dribble,
An' cranreuch cauld!

10. But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
Still, thou art blest, compar'd wi' me!
The present only toucheth thee:
But Och! I backward cast my e'e,
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!
(Robert Burns- ElectricScotland.com)

11. ANALYSIS
 In "To a Mouse," Robert Burns develops a
theme of respect for nature's creatures,
especially the small, the defenseless, the
downtrodden. As a wee creature, the mouse
represents not only deprived animals but
also deprived human beings those
individuals who are often bullied by the
more fortunate people of Society. (cummings)

12. Famous Poetry
A Red, Red Rose
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16116
Tam O’Shanter
http://www.robertburns.org.uk/Assets/Poems_Songs/tamosh
The Cotter Saturday Night
http://www.bartleby.com/6/83.html
Holy Willie’s Prayer
http://www.robertburns.org.uk/Assets/Poems_Songs/hol
y_willie.htm

13. Work Cited
Lawrie,Alexander. “Robert Burns suffered from mental disorder.”
Deadlinenews. June 7, 2009. Web. September 6, 2012,
 “Tom O’Shanter.” Robert Burns Encyclopedia. 2012. Web.
September 6, 2012.
http://www.robertburns.org/encyclopedia/TamOShanter.23.shtml
 “To a mouse” Cumming’s study Guide.
http://cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides4/Mouse.html