'The Truce of the Bear' by Rudyard Kipling
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Yearly, with tent and rifle, our careless white men go
By the Pass called Muttianee, to shoot in the vale below.
Yearly by Muttianee he follows our white men in --
Matun, the old blind beggar, bandaged from brow to chin.
Eyeless, noseless, and lipless -- toothless, broken of speech,
Seeking a dole at the doorway he mumbles his tale to each;
Over and over the story, ending as he began:
"Make ye no truce with Adam-zad -- the Bear that walks like a Man!
"There was a flint in my musket -- pricked and primed was the pan,
When I went hunting Adam-zad -- the Bear that stands like a Man.
I looked my last on the timber, I looked my last on the snow,
When I went hunting Adam-zad fifty summers ago!
"I knew his times and his seasons, as he knew mine, that fed
By night in the ripened maizefield and robbed my house of bread.
I knew his strength and cunning, as he knew mine, that crept
At dawn to the crowded goat-pens and plundered while I slept.
"Up from his stony playground -- down from his well-digged lair --
Out on the naked ridges ran Adam-zad the Bear --
Groaning, grunting, and roaring, heavy with stolen meals,
Two long marches to northward, and I was at his heels!
"Two long marches to northward, at the fall of the second night,
I came on mine enemy Adam-zad all panting from his flight.
There was a charge in the musket -- pricked and primed was the pan --
Myfinger crooked on the trigger -- when he reared up like a man.
"Horrible, hairy, human, with paws like hands in prayer,
Making his supplication rose Adam-zad the Bear!
I looked at the swaying shoulders, at the paunch's swag and swing,
And my heart was touched with pity for the monstrous, pleading thing.
"Touched witth pity and wonder, I did not fire then . . .
I have looked no more on women -- I have walked no more with men.
Nearer he tottered and nearer, with paws like hands that pray --
From brow to jaw that steel-shod paw, it ripped my face away!
"Sudden, silent, and savage, searing as flame the blow --
Faceless I fell before his feet, fifty summers ago.
I heard him grunt and chuckle -- I heard him pass to his den.
He left me blind to the darkened years and the little mercy of men.
"Now ye go down in the morning with guns of the newer style,
That load (I have felt) in the middle and range (I have heard) a mile?
Luck to the white man's rifle, that shoots so fast and true,
But -- pay, and I lift my bandage and show what the Bear can do!"
(Flesh like slag in the furnace, knobbed and withered and grey --
Matun, the old blind beggar, he gives good worth for his pay.)
"Rouse him at noon in the bushes, follow and press him hard --
Not for his ragings and roarings flinch ye from Adam-zad.
"But (pay, and I put back the bandage) this is the time to fear,
When he stands up like a tired man, tottering near and near;
When he stands up as pleading, in wavering, man-brute guise,
When he veils the hate and cunning of his little, swinish eyes;
"When he shows as seeking quarter, with paws like hands in prayer
That is the time of peril -- the time of the Truce of the Bear!"
Eyeless, noseless, and lipless, asking a dole at the door,
Matun, the old blind beggar, he tells it o'er and o'er;
Fumbling and feeling the rifles, warming his hands at the flame,
Hearing our careless white men talk of the morrow's game;
Over and over the story, ending as he began: --
"There is no trnce with Adam-zad, the Bear that looks like a Man!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Truce of the Bear: A Poem of Contrasting Emotions
Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Truce of the Bear" is an exemplary piece of writing, one that leaves a deep impact on the reader's mind. This poem can be interpreted in several ways, and each interpretation leads to a different conclusion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem to understand the depth of meaning behind Kipling's words.
The Bear: Symbol of Contrasting Emotions
The poem begins with the bear, an animal often associated with strength and ferocity, retreating to its den. However, instead of portraying the bear as a fierce and dangerous creature, Kipling humanizes it, giving it emotions and a sense of humanity. The bear's retreat is not just a physical one, but it is also a retreat into its own mind, where it ponders over its own existence.
Kipling uses the bear as a symbol of contrasting emotions - on one hand, it is a symbol of strength and power, and on the other hand, it is a symbol of vulnerability and mortality. The bear's retreat into its den can be seen as a metaphor for a person's retreat into their own mind, where they contemplate their own life and mortality. The bear's thoughts and emotions are not just those of an animal, but they are those of a sentient being who is aware of its own mortality.
Nature: A Source of Comfort and Solitude
As the bear retreats into its den, it finds comfort and solitude in nature. The den is described as a "cave with a view," which highlights the beauty and grandeur of nature. Kipling uses nature as a source of comfort and solitude for the bear, which can be seen as a metaphor for a person's retreat into nature to find peace and solace.
The poem also highlights the cyclical nature of life, where the bear retreats into its den to hibernate, and then emerges in the spring, renewed and refreshed. Kipling uses nature to show how life is cyclical, and how everything goes through periods of growth and rest.
The Truce: A Time for Reflection and Renewal
The title of the poem, "The Truce of the Bear," refers to the bear's retreat into its den, which is seen as a truce with nature. During this truce, the bear reflects on its own existence and mortality, and emerges in the spring, renewed and refreshed.
Kipling uses the truce as a metaphor for a person's need for reflection and renewal. The truce is a time for introspection, where one reflects on their life and finds ways to renew themselves. The truce is a time to let go of the past and start anew, just as the bear emerges from its den in the spring, ready for a new beginning.
The Power of Language: Literary Devices in the Poem
Kipling's use of language in the poem is masterful, with several literary devices used to enhance the meaning of the poem. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a natural and spontaneous feel. The use of enjambment and caesura adds to the rhythm and flow of the poem, making it easy to read and understand.
Kipling also uses imagery and symbolism to enhance the meaning of the poem. The bear is used as a symbol of contrasting emotions, while nature is used as a source of comfort and solitude. The den is described as a "cave with a view," which highlights the beauty and grandeur of nature.
Conclusion: A Poem of Contrasting Emotions
In conclusion, "The Truce of the Bear" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of contrasting emotions. Kipling uses the bear as a symbol of strength and vulnerability, and the truce as a metaphor for reflection and renewal. The poem highlights the importance of nature as a source of comfort and solitude, and the power of language in conveying deep and meaningful emotions.
Overall, the poem is a masterful work of literature, one that leaves a deep impact on the reader's mind. It is a poem that can be interpreted in several ways, and each interpretation leads to a different conclusion. As such, "The Truce of the Bear" is a timeless piece of writing, one that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Truce of the Bear: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned English poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Truce of the Bear, is a masterpiece that showcases his poetic brilliance and his deep understanding of the human psyche.
The Truce of the Bear is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who encounters a bear in the wilderness. The man is initially terrified and tries to defend himself, but the bear does not attack him. Instead, the bear seems to be trying to communicate with the man, and the two eventually come to an understanding. The man realizes that the bear is not his enemy, but a fellow creature trying to survive in a harsh environment. The poem ends with the man and the bear parting ways, having reached a truce.
The poem is written in a simple yet powerful style that captures the raw emotions of the characters. Kipling uses vivid imagery and metaphors to create a vivid picture of the wilderness and the encounter between the man and the bear. The poem is also rich in symbolism, with the bear representing the primal instincts of nature and the man representing the civilized world.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its exploration of the theme of fear. The man is initially terrified of the bear, seeing it as a threat to his life. However, as the poem progresses, he begins to see the bear in a different light. He realizes that the bear is not trying to harm him, but is simply trying to survive in its natural habitat. This realization leads to a shift in the man's perspective, and he is able to overcome his fear and reach a truce with the bear.
The poem also explores the theme of communication. The man and the bear are initially unable to communicate with each other, as they come from different worlds and speak different languages. However, as they spend more time together, they begin to understand each other's needs and desires. This leads to a deeper level of communication, one that transcends language and culture.
Another important theme in the poem is the conflict between civilization and nature. The man represents the civilized world, with its technology and culture, while the bear represents the primal instincts of nature. The poem suggests that there is a tension between these two worlds, and that they are often in conflict with each other. However, the poem also suggests that there is a possibility for reconciliation between these two worlds, as the man and the bear are able to reach a truce.
The Truce of the Bear is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. It explores themes that are relevant to all of us, such as fear, communication, and the conflict between civilization and nature. Kipling's poetic brilliance and his deep understanding of the human psyche are on full display in this masterpiece of poetry.
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