'The Three-Decker' by Rudyard Kipling
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"~The three-volume novel is extinct.~"
Full thirty foot she towered from waterline to rail.
It cost a watch to steer her, and a week to shorten sail;
But, spite all modern notions, I found her first and best --
The only certain packet for the Islands of the Blest.
Fair held the breeze behind us -- 'twas warm with lovers' prayers.
We'd stolen wills for ballast and a crew of missing heirs.
They shipped as Able Bastards till the Wicked Nurse confessed,
And they worked the old three-decker to the Islands of the Blest.
By ways no gaze could follow, a course unspoiled of Cook,
Per Fancy, fleetest in man, our titled berths we took
With maids of matchless beauty and parentage unguessed,
And a Church of England parson for the Islands of the Blest.
We asked no social questions -- we pumped no hidden shame --
We never talked obstetrics when the Little Stranger came:
We left the Lord in Heaven, we left the fiends in Hell.
We weren't exactly Yussufs, but -- Zuleika didn't tell.
No moral doubt assailed us, so when the port we neared,
The villain had his flogging at the gangway, and we cheered.
'Twas fiddle in the forc's'le -- 'twas garlands on the mast,
For every one got married, and I went ashore at last.
I left 'em all in couples a-kissing on the decks.
I left the lovers loving and the parents signing cheques.
In endless English comfort by county-folk caressed,
I left the old three-decker at the Islands of the Blest!
That route is barred to steamers:you'll never lift again
Our purple-painted headlands or the lordly keeps of Spain.
They're just beyond your skyline, howe'er so far you cruise
In a ram-you-damn-you liner with a brace of bucking screws.
Swing round your aching search-light -- 'twill show no haven's peace.
Ay, blow your shrieking sirens to the deaf, gray-bearded seas!
Boom out the dripping oil-bags to skin the deep's unrest --
And you aren't one knot the nearer to the Islands of the Blest!
But when you're threshing, crippled, with broken bridge and rail,
At a drogue of dead convictions to hold you head to gale,
Calm as the Flying Dutchman, from truck to taffrail dressed,
You'll see the old three-decker for the Islands of the Blest.
You'll see her tiering canvas in sheeted silver spread;
You'll hear the long-drawn thunder 'neath her leaping figure-head;
While far, so far above you, her tall poop-lanterns shine
Unvexed by wind or weather like the candles round a shrine!
Hull down -- hull down and under -- she dwindles to a speck,
With noise of pleasant music and dancing on her deck.
All's well -- all's well aboard her -- she's left you far behind,
With a scent of old-world roses through the fog that ties you blind.
Her crew are babes or madmen?Her port is all to make?
You're manned by Truth and Science, and you steam for steaming's sake?
Well, tinker up your engines -- you know your business best --
~She~'s taking tired people to the Islands of the Blest!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Three-Decker: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling’s Poetry
Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning author, is renowned for his exceptional literary works that depict the colonial era in India. He has a unique style of writing that portrays the cultural, social, and political aspects of colonial India in a captivating manner. One of his most celebrated poems is The Three-Decker, which reflects on the significance of books and their impact on people's lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into Kipling's The Three-Decker, examining its key themes, literary devices, and historical context.
Overview of The Three-Decker
The Three-Decker is a poem that extols the virtues of books, especially those that are well-written and well-bound. It was published in 1890, during the Victorian era, and was written in the form of a ballade. The poem consists of seven stanzas, each with four lines and a rhyming pattern of abab. The language used in the poem is simple, direct, and easy to understand, making it accessible to readers of different ages and backgrounds.
Themes of The Three-Decker
The Three-Decker has several themes, including the importance of books, the power of literature, and the value of cultural heritage. One of the most prominent themes is the significance of books, which Kipling portrays as being essential to individual and societal development. He emphasizes that books are a source of knowledge and that reading them enriches one's mind and broadens one's perspective. Kipling also highlights the power of literature to inspire people and shape their thinking. The poem suggests that books can change people's lives and that they have the potential to make a lasting impact on society.
Another theme in The Three-Decker is the value of cultural heritage. Kipling acknowledges the importance of preserving cultural traditions and passing them down to future generations. He believes that books are a way of preserving cultural heritage since they contain the collective wisdom and experiences of the past. The Three-Decker also reflects on the changing nature of society and the need to hold onto traditional values in the face of modernization.
Literary Devices in The Three-Decker
Kipling employs several literary devices in The Three-Decker to create a vivid and engaging poem. One of the most notable devices is the use of repetition, which emphasizes the poem's central message. Kipling repeats the phrase "a three-decker novel of volume immense" in each stanza, emphasizing the importance of books and their ability to shape people's lives.
The poem also makes use of alliteration, which creates a pleasing sound and adds to the poem's rhythm. For example, in the first stanza, Kipling writes, "the tomes of the dead and the lives of the saints," using the repetition of the "t" sound. This repetition adds to the poem's musicality and makes it more engaging to read.
Kipling also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the books he is describing. He describes them as "well-bound" and "well-printed," implying that they are of high quality and meant to be treasured. The imagery of the three-decker novel further emphasizes this point, as it suggests that books are not just a source of knowledge but also a symbol of status and importance.
Historical Context of The Three-Decker
The Three-Decker was written during the Victorian era, a time when books were highly valued and reading was seen as a way of improving oneself. The Victorian era was also a time of great social and political change, with the rise of industrialization and the growth of the British Empire. Kipling's poem reflects some of these societal changes, such as the decline of traditional values and the increasing importance of material wealth.
Kipling himself was a product of the British Empire, having been born in India and spent much of his life there. As such, his writing reflects his experiences and observations of colonial India. The Three-Decker can be seen as a reflection of Kipling's belief in the importance of preserving traditional values and cultural heritage in the face of modernization and globalization.
Interpretation of The Three-Decker
The Three-Decker is a poem that celebrates the power of books and their ability to enrich people's lives. Kipling's use of repetition and imagery creates a vivid picture of the books he is describing, emphasizing their importance and value. The poem also reflects on the changing nature of society and the need to preserve traditional values and cultural heritage.
The Three-Decker can be interpreted as a call to action for readers to appreciate and value books. It is a reminder that books are not just a source of knowledge but also a symbol of cultural heritage and identity. The poem suggests that by reading books, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
In conclusion, The Three-Decker is a masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling's poetry, showcasing his unique style and his ability to capture the cultural, social, and political aspects of colonial India. The poem's themes of the importance of books, the power of literature, and the value of cultural heritage make it a timeless classic that continues to inspire readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Three-Decker by Rudyard Kipling is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both humorous and insightful, and it has been enjoyed by readers for over a century. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in The Three-Decker, and we will examine why this poem has become such a beloved classic.
The Three-Decker is a poem that tells the story of a ship that is being built. The ship is described as being a three-decker, which means that it has three decks. The poem is written in a humorous tone, and it is clear that Kipling is poking fun at the people who are building the ship. He describes the ship as being "a thing of beauty," but he also notes that it is "a joy forever" because it will take so long to build.
One of the themes of The Three-Decker is the idea of progress. Kipling is commenting on the fact that people are always striving to build bigger and better things. He notes that the ship is being built with "the latest improvements," and he describes the ship as being "the pride of the yard." However, Kipling also notes that progress comes at a cost. He writes, "And the cost thereof was heavy, and is heavy unto this day." This line suggests that progress is not always worth the cost, and that sometimes the things we build can be more trouble than they are worth.
Another theme of The Three-Decker is the idea of human ambition. Kipling is commenting on the fact that people are always striving to achieve more, and that this ambition can sometimes lead to disaster. He writes, "And they wanted brass fittings, and they got 'em—brass fittings and all." This line suggests that the people building the ship were so focused on achieving their goals that they did not consider the consequences of their actions. They wanted brass fittings, and they got them, but at what cost?
Kipling also uses a number of literary devices in The Three-Decker. One of the most notable is his use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Kipling repeats the phrase "Ode on the Three-Decker." This repetition serves to emphasize the importance of the ship, and it also creates a sense of rhythm and structure in the poem.
Kipling also uses imagery to great effect in The Three-Decker. He describes the ship as being "a thing of beauty," and he uses vivid descriptions to bring the ship to life. For example, he writes, "Her rigging was all of the best, and she ran up the Union Jack." This line creates a clear image in the reader's mind of a ship that is both impressive and patriotic.
Finally, Kipling uses humor to great effect in The Three-Decker. He pokes fun at the people who are building the ship, and he uses irony to highlight the absurdity of their actions. For example, he writes, "And they made a thing of beauty, and they called her the Three-Decker." This line is ironic because the ship is clearly not a thing of beauty, and yet the people building it seem to think that it is.
In conclusion, The Three-Decker by Rudyard Kipling is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a humorous and insightful commentary on the themes of progress and human ambition, and it uses a variety of literary devices to great effect. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, The Three-Decker is a poem that is well worth reading.
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