'The Story of Uriah' by Rudyard Kipling
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Jack Barrett went to Quetta
Because they told him to.
He left his wife at Simla
On three-fourths his monthly screw.
Jack Barrett died at Quetta
Ere the next month's pay he drew.
Jack Barrett went to Quetta.
He didn't understand
The reason of his transfer
From the pleasant mountain-land.
The season was September,
And it killed him out of hand.
Jack Barrett went to Quetta
And there gave up the ghost,
Attempting two men's duty
In that very healthy post;
And Mrs. Barrett mourned for him
Five lively months at most.
Jack Barrett's bones at Quetta
Enjoy profound repose;
But I shouldn't be astonished
If now his spirit knows
The reason of his transfer
From the Himalayan snows.
And, when the Last Great Bugle Call
Adown the Hurnai throbs,
And the last grim joke is entered
In the big black Book of Jobs.
And Quetta graveyards give again
Their victims to the air,
I shouldn't like to be the man
Who sent Jack Barrett there.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Tragic Tale of Uriah: A Literary Criticism of Rudyard Kipling's Poem
As one of Rudyard Kipling's lesser-known works, "The Story of Uriah" embodies the essence of his literary style and thematic concerns. Through the use of vivid imagery and poignant language, Kipling tells the tragic story of a soldier who is betrayed by his own king and pays the ultimate price for his loyalty. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore how Kipling's use of language and symbolism conveys his message about the costs of war and the fragility of human life.
Historical Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. "The Story of Uriah" was published in 1895, during the height of the British Empire's global expansion. Kipling, who was born in India and spent much of his life there, was a staunch believer in British imperialism and the idea of a "white man's burden". He saw the British Empire as a force for good in the world, spreading civilization and progress to the "savage" peoples of the world. However, Kipling was also deeply troubled by the costs of this expansion, particularly the toll it took on soldiers and their families.
At the time of the poem's publication, Britain was engaged in several military conflicts around the world, including the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) and the First Boer War (1880-1881). These wars were costly in terms of both money and human life, and Kipling was keenly aware of the sacrifices being made by British soldiers and their families. "The Story of Uriah" can be seen as a reflection of Kipling's concerns about the costs of war and the way in which soldiers were treated by their commanders.
Analysis of the Poem
"The Story of Uriah" tells the tragic tale of a soldier who is sent to fight in a foreign land at the behest of his king. Uriah is described as a brave and loyal soldier, who fights with courage and skill on behalf of his country. However, when he returns home, he discovers that his wife has been unfaithful to him with the king himself. Uriah is filled with anger and despair, but he refuses to take revenge on his wife or the king. Instead, he returns to the battlefield, knowing that he is likely to be killed.
The poem is structured in three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Uriah's story. In the first part, Kipling describes Uriah's military service and his loyalty to his king:
Uriah the Hittite, servant of Joab, Fought in the foremost ranks of the King; Blithe in his black shawl, broider'd with silver, Uriah the Hittite, a soldier of the King.
The language here is rich and evocative, with the use of alliteration ("blithe in his black shawl") and the repetition of Uriah's name underscoring his importance. Kipling portrays Uriah as a proud and courageous soldier, who is willing to risk his life for his king and his country.
In the second part of the poem, Kipling describes Uriah's return home and the discovery of his wife's infidelity:
Uriah the Hittite, defiled in his honour, Said to his soul: "It is hard to refrain; But the sword smiteth sore, and the serpent stingeth, And I will not slay them for all Joab's gain."
Here, Kipling uses powerful imagery to convey the depth of Uriah's despair. The metaphor of the sword and the serpent highlights the physical and emotional pain that Uriah is experiencing, while his refusal to seek revenge underscores his loyalty and sense of duty.
In the final part of the poem, Kipling describes Uriah's return to the battlefield and his ultimate death:
Uriah the Hittite, went out to his slaying, As Uriah had gone full many a time; Joab his captain went forth with him also, And the children of Ammon made battle and died.
The language here is stark and brutal, with the repetition of Uriah's name and the use of short, choppy sentences underscoring the finality of his fate. Kipling portrays Uriah as a tragic figure, who is ultimately betrayed by the very people he was fighting to protect.
Themes and Symbols
"The Story of Uriah" is a powerful exploration of several key themes, including the costs of war, the fragility of human life, and the importance of loyalty and duty. Kipling uses a range of symbols and metaphors to convey these themes, including:
The Sword and the Serpent
The metaphor of the sword and the serpent is used throughout the poem to convey the physical and emotional pain that Uriah is experiencing. The sword represents the physical danger that Uriah faces on the battlefield, while the serpent represents the emotional pain of his wife's infidelity. By using this metaphor, Kipling underscores the idea that war is not just about physical violence, but also has significant emotional and psychological impacts on those who fight.
Uriah's Black Shawl
Uriah's black shawl, which is embroidered with silver, is a symbol of his military service and his loyalty to his king. The use of black and silver creates a powerful visual image, underscoring the idea of Uriah as a brave and proud soldier. However, the shawl also becomes a reminder of Uriah's ultimate betrayal by the king and his wife, and serves as a poignant symbol of the sacrifices made by soldiers in the service of their country.
Joab
Joab, Uriah's captain, is a complex character who embodies the idea of loyalty and duty to one's country. While Joab is ultimately complicit in Uriah's death, he is also portrayed as a sympathetic figure who is struggling to balance his sense of duty with his own personal relationships. By using Joab as a character, Kipling underscores the idea that the costs of war are not just borne by soldiers, but also by their commanders and the people around them.
The Children of Ammon
The children of Ammon, who are Uriah's enemies on the battlefield, are a symbolic representation of the dehumanizing effects of war. By portraying the Ammonites as faceless enemies who are simply there to be killed, Kipling underscores the idea that war can strip people of their humanity and turn them into mere objects of violence.
Conclusion
"The Story of Uriah" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the costs of war and the fragility of human life. Through the use of vivid imagery and poignant language, Kipling creates a tragic tale of betrayal and sacrifice that speaks to the challenges faced by soldiers and their families during times of war. While the poem is rooted in the historical context of the British Empire's global expansion, its message about the destructive effects of war is a timeless one that resonates today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Story of Uriah is a classic poem written by Rudyard Kipling, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. This poem is a powerful and moving account of the life of Uriah, a soldier who fought in the British army during the Boer War. Through his vivid descriptions and powerful imagery, Kipling paints a picture of a man who is brave, loyal, and ultimately tragic.
The poem begins with a description of Uriah's life before the war. He is a simple man, living a simple life, but he is also a man of great courage and determination. Kipling writes, "Uriah was a man of might, / A man of courage and of right, / A man who feared not death nor pain, / But fought for England's glory and gain."
As the poem progresses, Kipling describes Uriah's experiences on the battlefield. He writes of the horrors of war, the death and destruction that surround Uriah and his fellow soldiers. But despite the danger and the fear, Uriah remains steadfast and brave. Kipling writes, "He faced the foe with fearless eye, / And never once did flinch or fly, / But fought with all his might and main, / And won for England glory and gain."
However, as the war drags on, Uriah begins to feel the toll of his experiences. He becomes weary and disillusioned, and begins to question the purpose of the war. Kipling writes, "He saw the waste of human life, / The misery, the pain, the strife, / And wondered why men fought and died, / And what it was they fought to gain."
Despite his doubts, Uriah continues to fight, driven by his loyalty to his country and his comrades. But as the war draws to a close, tragedy strikes. Uriah is wounded in battle, and is left to die alone on the battlefield. Kipling writes, "He lay there in the cold and damp, / His life-blood ebbing like a lamp, / And no one there to hear his cry, / Or see the tears that filled his eye."
The poem ends with a powerful message about the cost of war, and the sacrifice of those who fight in it. Kipling writes, "And so we honor Uriah's name, / And all the brave who fought the same, / And pray that they may rest in peace, / And that their sacrifice may cease."
The Story of Uriah is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of war and its impact on those who fight in it. Through his vivid descriptions and powerful imagery, Kipling brings to life the experiences of a soldier who is both brave and tragic. This poem is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who fight for their country, and a reminder of the cost of war.
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