'The Female of the Species' by Rudyard Kipling
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When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride,
He shouts to scare the monster who will often turn aside.
But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail,
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
When Nag, the wayside cobra, hears the careless foot of man,
He will sometimes wriggle sideways and avoid it if he can,
But his mate makes no such motion where she camps beside the trail -
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
When the early Jesuit fathers preached to Hurons and Choctaws,
They prayed to be delivered from the vengeance of the squaws -
'Twas the women, not the warriors, turned those stark enthusiasts pale -
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Man's timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say,
For the Woman that God gave him isn't his to give away;
But when hunter meets with husband, each confirms the others tale -
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Man, a bear in most relations, worm and savage otherwise,
Man propounds negotiations, Man accepts the compromise;
Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact
To its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act.
Fear, or foolishness, impels him, ere he lay the wicked low,
To concede some form of trial even to his fiercest foe.
Mirth obscene diverts his anger; Doubt and Pity oft perplex
Him in dealing with an issue - to the scandal of the Sex!
But the Woman that God gave him, every fibre of her frame
Proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same,
And to serve that single issue, lest the generations fail,
The female of the species must be deadlier than the male.
She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast
May not deal in doubt or pity - must not swerve for fact or jest.
These be purely male diversions - not in these her honor dwells -
She, the Other Law we live by, is that Law and nothing else!
She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great
As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate;
And when Babe and Man are lacking and she strides unclaimed to claim
Her right as femme (and baron), her equipment is the same.
She is wedded to convictions - in default of grosser ties;
Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him, who denies!
He will meet no cool discussion, but the instant, white-hot wild
Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child.
Unprovoked and awful charges - even so the she-bear fights;
Speech that drips, corrodes and poisons - even so the cobra bites;
Scientific vivisection of one nerve till it is raw,
And the victim writhes with anguish - like the Jesuit with the squaw!
So it comes that Man, the coward, when he gathers to confer
With his fellow-braves in council, dare not leave a place for her
Where, at war with Life and Conscience, he uplifts his erring hands
To some God of abstract justice - which no woman understands.
And Man knows it! Knows, moreover, that the Woman that God gave him
Must command but may not govern; shall enthrall but not enslave him.
And She knows, because She warns him and Her instincts never fail,
That the female of Her species is more deadly than the male!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Female of the Species by Rudyard Kipling: A Literary Criticism
Excitement Alert! We are about to delve into a remarkable piece of poetry that explores the nature of femininity and its primal instincts. Yes, we are talking about Rudyard Kipling's 'The Female of the Species.' In this literary criticism, we will interpret the poem's meaning, analyze its themes, and assess its literary value. Are you ready to join us on this journey of enlightenment? Let's go!
Understanding the Poem
First, let's take a closer look at the poem's structure and form. 'The Female of the Species' consists of eight stanzas, each comprising four lines. It follows an AABB rhyme scheme, making it a quatrain. The poem's tone is serious and reflective, with a subtle hint of admiration for the female's strength.
The title of the poem suggests that Kipling is exploring the female's primal instincts, comparing it to the animal world. The poem's first line, "When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Here, Kipling is metaphorically using the he-bear to represent masculinity and the Himalayan peasant to represent femininity.
The poem's central idea is that the female of the species is more deadly than the male. Kipling argues that women possess a primal instinct that men lack, making them more dangerous. The poem's opening lines indicate that the male may be physically stronger, but the female has an inner strength that can be more potent.
Themes in the Poem
The poem touches on several themes, including femininity, gender roles, and power dynamics. One of the central themes is femininity and the idea that women possess a primal instinct that men do not. Kipling suggests that women are more dangerous than men because they are more in tune with their primal nature, which gives them a kind of power that men cannot understand.
Another theme is gender roles and the idea that society has traditionally assigned different roles to men and women. Kipling's poem challenges this notion, suggesting that women are capable of much more than society has given them credit for. The poem's opening lines also suggest that the roles assigned to men and women are not always clear, as the Himalayan peasant encounters the he-bear unexpectedly.
Finally, the poem touches on power dynamics and the idea that women, despite being considered weaker, can hold an immense amount of power. Kipling suggests that women's primal instincts give them a kind of power that is different from men's physical strength. This power can be just as potent and, in some cases, even more dangerous.
Literary Interpretation
Kipling's poem is a powerful literary work that raises some interesting questions about femininity, gender roles, and power dynamics. The poem's central idea is that women possess a primal instinct that men lack, making them more dangerous. This idea is particularly interesting, given that it challenges traditional notions of femininity and gender roles.
The poem's opening lines, which describe the encounter between the Himalayan peasant and the he-bear, set the tone for the rest of the poem. Kipling uses this metaphor to suggest that women possess a kind of power that is not immediately apparent. The poem's structure, with its AABB rhyme scheme and quatrain format, gives it a sense of order and structure that contrasts with the chaos and unpredictability that the poem describes.
The poem's central idea is that the female of the species is more deadly than the male. Kipling uses this idea to challenge traditional notions of femininity and gender roles. He suggests that women possess a kind of primal instinct that makes them more dangerous than men. This idea is particularly interesting given that it contrasts with traditional notions of femininity, which are often associated with gentleness and nurturing.
Kipling's poem also has an interesting take on power dynamics. He suggests that women, despite being considered weaker, can hold an immense amount of power. Women's primal instincts give them a kind of power that is different from men's physical strength. This idea challenges traditional notions of power, which are often associated with physical strength and dominance.
Conclusion
'The Female of the Species' is a remarkable poem that challenges traditional notions of femininity, gender roles, and power dynamics. Kipling argues that women possess a primal instinct that men lack, making them more dangerous. The poem's opening lines, which describe the encounter between the Himalayan peasant and the he-bear, set the tone for the rest of the poem. Kipling uses this metaphor to suggest that women possess a kind of power that is not immediately apparent.
The poem's themes of femininity, gender roles, and power dynamics are all distinct and thought-provoking. Kipling's poem offers a unique perspective on these ideas, challenging traditional notions and offering a new perspective. 'The Female of the Species' is a powerful and insightful literary work that deserves to be studied and appreciated for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Female of the Species: An Analysis of Rudyard Kipling's Classic Poem
Rudyard Kipling's "The Female of the Species" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of femininity and the role of women in society. Written in 1911, the poem is a response to a controversial statement made by a British politician, who claimed that "the female of the species is more deadly than the male." Kipling's poem challenges this notion, arguing that women are not inherently more dangerous than men, but rather possess a unique strength and resilience that is often overlooked.
The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of femininity. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Kipling declaring that "the female of the species is more deadly than the male." However, he quickly qualifies this statement, noting that this is not because women are inherently more violent or aggressive, but rather because they possess a fierce protective instinct that can be unleashed when their loved ones are threatened. Kipling writes:
When the Himalayan peasant meets the he-bear in his pride,
He shouts to scare the monster, who will often turn aside.
But the she-bear thus accosted rends the peasant tooth and nail.
For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Here, Kipling is drawing a parallel between the protective instincts of a mother bear and those of a human woman. He suggests that women are capable of great violence when their children or loved ones are threatened, and that this is a natural and necessary aspect of femininity.
The second stanza of the poem explores the idea that women are often underestimated and undervalued in society. Kipling writes:
Man's timid heart is bursting with the things he must not say,
For the Woman that God gave him isn't his to give away;
But when hunter meets with husbands, each confirms the other's tale—
The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Here, Kipling is suggesting that men are often afraid to speak their minds or assert themselves in the presence of women, because they fear being overpowered or outmaneuvered. He also notes that women are often seen as possessions or objects to be traded or given away, rather than as autonomous individuals with their own agency and power.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea that women are often subjected to violence and abuse, both physical and emotional. Kipling writes:
Man, a bear in most relations—worm and savage otherwise,—
Man propounds negotiations, Man accepts the compromise.
Very rarely will he squarely push the logic of a fact
To its ultimate conclusion in unmitigated act.
Fear, or foolishness, impels him, ere he lay the wicked low,
To concede some form of trial even to his fiercest foe.
Mirth obscene diverts his anger—Doubt and Pity oft perplex
Him in dealing with an issue—to the scandal of The Sex!
But the Woman that God gave him, every fibre of her frame
Proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same;
And to serve that single issue, lest the generations fail,
The female of the species must be deadlier than the male.
Here, Kipling is suggesting that men are often hesitant to take decisive action against their enemies, preferring instead to negotiate or compromise. He notes that men are often swayed by fear, foolishness, or other emotions that cloud their judgment. In contrast, women are portrayed as being single-minded and focused on their goals, willing to do whatever it takes to protect their children and ensure the survival of their species.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Kipling declares that women are the "keepers of the hearth" and the "nurturers of the race." He writes:
She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast
May not deal in doubt or pity—must not swerve for fact or jest.
These be purely male diversions—not in these her honour dwells—
She the Other Law we live by, is that Law and nothing else.
She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great
As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate.
And when Babe and Man are lacking and she strides unclaimed to claim
Her right as femme (and baron), her equipment is the same.
She is wedded to convictions—in default of grosser ties;
Her contentions are her children, Heaven help him who denies!—
He will meet no suave discussion, but the instant, white-hot, wild,
Wakened female of the species warring as for spouse and child.
Unprovoked and awful charges—undeterred by fears or foes—
By day and night she's watching—when you least expect it—there you goes!
She who bred you, she who nursed you, she who loved you to your cost,
She who screwed you up to glory, 'neath the heel of all the host—
May one voice acclaim you "Conqueror," may one Son repay your toils,
And the Woman that made you, may she bless you in her tears and smiles.
Here, Kipling is celebrating the role of women as the keepers of life and the nurturers of the next generation. He notes that women are willing to face death and torture to protect their children, and that they are unwavering in their convictions and their commitment to their families. He also suggests that women are capable of great acts of heroism and bravery, and that they should be celebrated and honored for their contributions to society.
In conclusion, "The Female of the Species" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges traditional notions of femininity and the role of women in society. Kipling's poem celebrates the strength and resilience of women, while also acknowledging the challenges and obstacles they face in a male-dominated world. Through his vivid imagery and powerful language, Kipling reminds us that women are not to be underestimated or undervalued, but rather are essential to the survival and flourishing of the human race.
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