'The Stranger' by Rudyard Kipling
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The Stranger within my gate,
He may be true or kind,
But he does not talk my talk--
I cannot feel his mind.
I see the face and the eyes and the mouth,
But not the soul behind.
The men of my own stock,
They may do ill or well,
But they tell the lies I am wanted to,
They are used to the lies I tell;
And we do not need interpreters
When we go to buy or sell.
The Stranger within my gates,
He may be evil or good,
But I cannot tell what powers control--
What reasons sway his mood;
Nor when the Gods of his far-off land
Shall repossess his blood.
The men of my own stock,
Bitter bad they may be,
But, at least, they hear the things I hear,
And see the things I see;
And whatever I think of them and their likes
They think of the likes of me.
This was my father's belief
And this is also mine:
Let the corn be all one sheaf--
And the grapes be all one vine,
Ere our children's teeth are set on edge
By bitter bread and wine.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Strange and Beautiful World of Rudyard Kipling's Poetry
As one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, Rudyard Kipling's works have been studied and admired by literature enthusiasts for decades. In this essay, we will take an in-depth look at one of his most famous poems, "The Stranger," and explore its themes, imagery, and unique structure.
The Poem
"The Stranger" is a short but powerful poem that tells the story of a man who arrives in a new town and is met with suspicion and hostility from the locals. The stranger tries to make peace with them, but they refuse to accept him, and he ultimately leaves the town feeling rejected and alone.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The structure is simple yet effective, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of tension and foreboding.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Stranger" is the fear of the unknown. The townspeople are afraid of the stranger because they do not know him or his intentions. They are quick to judge him based on his appearance, and their suspicion only grows as he tries to interact with them.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of isolation and rejection. The stranger is a lonely figure, and his attempts to connect with the locals are met with rejection and hostility. He is ultimately forced to leave the town, which only reinforces his sense of isolation.
Imagery
Kipling's use of imagery is particularly effective in "The Stranger." Throughout the poem, he uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of place and atmosphere.
For example, in the first stanza, Kipling describes the stranger's arrival in the town:
A stranger came to the door at eve,
And he spoke the bridegroom fair.
He bore a green-white stick in his hand,
And, for all burden, care.
The green-white stick is a powerful symbol that adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the stranger. It is not clear what the stick represents, but its presence adds an element of otherworldliness to the scene.
In the second stanza, Kipling continues to use vivid imagery to describe the hostility of the townspeople towards the stranger:
The bridegroom's doors are opened wide,
And I am next of kin;
The guests are met, the feast is set:
May'st hear the merry din.
The contrast between the "merry din" of the feast and the stranger's loneliness and isolation is striking. Kipling uses this contrast to emphasize the stranger's sense of alienation from the community.
Structure
The structure of "The Stranger" is deceptively simple. Each stanza consists of four lines, and the poem follows a clear narrative arc. However, there are several subtle structural elements that add depth and complexity to the poem.
For example, Kipling uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase "And he spoke the bridegroom fair" is repeated twice in the first stanza, creating a sense of anticipation and building tension.
Kipling also employs enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, to create a sense of flow and continuity. For example, in the second stanza, the sentence "The bridegroom's doors are opened wide" continues onto the next line, creating a sense of momentum and urgency.
Interpretation
At its core, "The Stranger" is a poem about the fear of the unknown and the dangers of prejudice and suspicion. The townspeople are quick to judge the stranger based on his appearance, and their fear and suspicion only serve to isolate him further.
However, there is also a sense of ambiguity in the poem. It is not clear who the stranger is or what his intentions are, and the reader is left to interpret his actions and motives for themselves.
One possible interpretation is that the stranger represents an outsider or minority group that is marginalized by a larger community. This interpretation is supported by the poem's use of repetition and enjambment, which create a sense of tension and otherness.
Another interpretation is that the stranger represents death or the unknown. This interpretation is supported by the imagery of the green-white stick, which could be seen as a symbol of the Grim Reaper or a similar figure.
Conclusion
Overall, "The Stranger" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores themes of fear, isolation, and the dangers of prejudice. Kipling's use of imagery and structure is masterful, creating a sense of tension and atmosphere that lingers long after the poem has ended.
Whether read as a commentary on social issues or a meditation on mortality, "The Stranger" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions and experiences. It has the power to evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact on the reader's mind. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Stranger" by Rudyard Kipling. This classic poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, and its themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition are still relevant today.
"The Stranger" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a stranger who arrives in a small town. The stranger is a mysterious figure, and the townspeople are curious about him. However, they are also wary of him, and they keep their distance. The stranger, on the other hand, is friendly and tries to make friends with the townspeople. He offers to help them with their work and even invites them to his home. However, the townspeople are still suspicious of him, and they refuse his offers of friendship.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the stranger's experience. The first part introduces the stranger and sets the scene. The second part explores the stranger's attempts to make friends with the townspeople, and the third part reveals the stranger's true identity and the reason for his visit.
The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. Kipling writes, "The Stranger within my gate, He may be true or kind, But he does not talk my talk-- I cannot feel his mind." These lines capture the essence of the poem, which is the feeling of isolation and loneliness that the stranger experiences. The townspeople are unable to connect with him because he is different from them, and they do not understand him.
In the second part of the poem, the stranger tries to make friends with the townspeople. He offers to help them with their work and invites them to his home. However, the townspeople are still suspicious of him, and they refuse his offers of friendship. Kipling writes, "He gives his goods to all, He feeds the hungry heart, But what to those who fall, No banquet in his hall." These lines highlight the stranger's generosity and kindness, but they also reveal the townspeople's reluctance to accept him.
The third part of the poem reveals the stranger's true identity and the reason for his visit. Kipling writes, "The Stranger at my door, Is he a friend or foe? The man I knew before-- I see him no more." These lines suggest that the stranger is not who he appears to be, and there is a sense of foreboding in the air. The final lines of the poem reveal that the stranger is actually Death, and he has come to take the soul of one of the townspeople.
"The Stranger" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition. Kipling's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he creates a vivid picture of the stranger's experience. The poem is also a commentary on human nature and the way we treat those who are different from us. The townspeople's suspicion and reluctance to accept the stranger are a reflection of our own prejudices and biases.
In conclusion, "The Stranger" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human condition are still relevant today, and its message is as powerful as ever. Kipling's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he creates a vivid picture of the stranger's experience. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke strong emotions and leave a lasting impact on the reader's mind.
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