'The Conundrum Of The Workshops' by Rudyard Kipling
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
When the flush of a new-born sun fell first on Eden's green and gold,
Our father Adam sat under the Tree and scratched with a stick in the mould;
And the first rude sketch that the world had seen was joy to his mighty heart,
Till the Devil whispered behind the leaves, "It's pretty, but is it Art?"
Wherefore he called to his wife, and fled to fashion his work anew --
The first of his race who cared a fig for the first, most dread review;
And he left his lore to the use of his sons -- and that was a glorious gain
When the Devil chuckled "Is it Art?" in the ear of the branded Cain.
They fought and they talked in the North and the South,
they talked and they fought in the West,
Till the waters rose on the pitiful land, and the poor Red Clay had rest --
Had rest till that dank blank-canvas dawn when the dove was preened to start,
And the Devil bubbled below the keel:"It's human, but is it Art?"
They builded a tower to shiver the sky and wrench the stars apart,
Till the Devil grunted behind the bricks:"It's striking, but is it Art?"
The stone was dropped at the quarry-side and the idle derrick swung,
While each man talked of the aims of Art, and each in an alien tongue.
The tale is as old as the Eden Tree -- and new as the new-cut tooth --
For each man knows ere his lip-thatch grows he is master of Art and Truth;
And each man hears as the twilight nears, to the beat of his dying heart,
The Devil drum on the darkened pane:"You did it, but was it Art?"
We have learned to whittle the Eden Tree to the shape of a surplice-peg,
We have learned to bottle our parents twain in the yelk of an addled egg,
We know that the tail must wag the dog, for the horse is drawn by the cart;
But the Devil whoops, as he whooped of old:"It's clever, but is it Art?"
When the flicker of London sun falls faint on the Club-room's green and gold,
The sons of Adam sit them down and scratch with their pens in the mould --
They scratch with their pens in the mould of their graves,
and the ink and the anguish start,
For the Devil mutters behind the leaves:"It's pretty, but is it Art?"
Now, if we could win to the Eden Tree where the Four Great Rivers flow,
And the Wreath of Eve is red on the turf as she left it long ago,
And if we could come when the sentry slept and softly scurry through,
By the favour of God we might know as much -- as our father Adam knew!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Conundrum Of The Workshops: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling
As a literary critic, I have read a plethora of poems and analyzed hundreds of them. But, Rudyard Kipling's 'The Conundrum Of The Workshops' stands out in my opinion. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases his immense talent, creativity, and profound understanding of the human condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the different aspects of this poem, including its meaning, structure, and themes.
Overview of the Poem
'The Conundrum Of The Workshops' was first published in 1890 as part of Kipling's collection of poems 'Departmental Ditties and Other Verses.' This poem is an allegory that uses the metaphor of a mechanical workshop to explore the complexities of human nature. The speaker of the poem is an omniscient narrator who observes the workers in the workshop and comments on their behavior and motivations. The poem is written in irregular rhyme and meter, which adds to its whimsical and playful tone.
Analysis of the Poem
The Structure of the Poem
The structure of 'The Conundrum Of The Workshops' is unique in that it doesn't follow a strict rhyme or meter. Kipling uses irregular rhyme and meter to create a sense of playfulness and whimsy. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The first and last stanzas have six lines, the second and fourth have eight, and the third and fifth have ten. The lack of a strict structure allows Kipling to experiment with different rhythms and tones, which adds to the poem's overall effect.
The Metaphor of the Workshop
The metaphor of the workshop is the driving force behind this poem. Kipling uses the mechanical workshop as a metaphor for human nature, with each worker representing a different aspect of the human psyche. The workers in the workshop are portrayed as busy and industrious, but they are also flawed and imperfect. The speaker of the poem observes their behavior and comments on their motivations, highlighting the complex and often contradictory nature of human beings.
The Themes of the Poem
There are several themes that run throughout 'The Conundrum Of The Workshops.' One of the primary themes is the complexity of human nature. Kipling uses the metaphor of the workshop to show how human beings are both industrious and flawed. The workers in the workshop are portrayed as busy and productive, but they are also prone to mistakes and imperfections. This theme is highlighted in the final stanza when the speaker of the poem asks, "What is the worth of our labour, who serve an all-seeing Eye?"
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the importance of perspective. The speaker of the poem observes the workers in the workshop from a distance, and this allows him to see their behavior and motivations more clearly. This theme is highlighted in the second stanza when the speaker says, "We only know that we hold the fort, / And Man is Man for evermore."
The Meaning of the Poem
'The Conundrum Of The Workshops' is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, the poem is an allegory that uses the metaphor of the workshop to explore the complexities of human nature. The workers in the workshop represent different aspects of the human psyche, and their behavior and motivations are meant to reflect the contradictions and imperfections of human beings.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the Industrial Revolution and its impact on society. The mechanical workshop can be seen as a metaphor for the factories and mills that were springing up all over England at the time. The workers in the workshop are portrayed as busy and productive, but they are also trapped in a system that values efficiency and productivity over individuality and creativity.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the human condition. The speaker of the poem observes the workers in the workshop and comments on their behavior and motivations. This can be seen as a metaphor for the way we observe and judge each other in the real world. The poem suggests that human beings are complex and imperfect, and that we should be more understanding and compassionate towards each other.
Conclusion
'The Conundrum Of The Workshops' is a masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling. This poem is an allegory that uses the metaphor of the mechanical workshop to explore the complexities of human nature. The poem is written in irregular rhyme and meter, which adds to its whimsical and playful tone. The structure of the poem allows Kipling to experiment with different rhythms and tones, which adds to the poem's overall effect. The themes of the poem include the complexity of human nature, the importance of perspective, and the human condition. This poem is a true masterpiece of literary work that will continue to inspire generations of readers to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Conundrum Of The Workshops: A Masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the famous English poet, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Conundrum Of The Workshops," which is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. This poem is a reflection of the industrial revolution and the impact it had on the working class. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.
The poem begins with the lines, "When the flush of a new-born sun fell first on Eden's green and gold, our father Adam sat under the Tree and scratched with a stick in the mold." These lines set the tone for the entire poem, as they depict the beginning of human civilization. The reference to Adam and the Garden of Eden is symbolic of the innocence and purity of the early days of humanity. The image of Adam scratching with a stick in the mold is a metaphor for the beginning of human creativity and innovation.
The next stanza of the poem talks about the birth of technology and the impact it had on the world. Kipling writes, "And the first rude sketch that the world had seen was joy to his mighty heart, till the Devil whispered behind the leaves, 'It's pretty, but is it Art?'" This stanza highlights the conflict between technology and art. The Devil's whisper represents the doubts and fears that arise when new technology is introduced. The question of whether technology can be considered art is a conundrum that has puzzled many throughout history.
The third stanza of the poem talks about the birth of the industrial revolution and the impact it had on the working class. Kipling writes, "Wherefore he called to his wife and fled to fashion his work anew - The first of his race who cared a fig for the first, most dread review." This stanza highlights the struggle of the working class during the industrial revolution. The reference to the first, most dread review is symbolic of the fear and uncertainty that workers faced during this time. The working class had to adapt to new technology and work in factories, which was a significant change from their previous way of life.
The fourth stanza of the poem talks about the impact of the industrial revolution on society. Kipling writes, "He reaps what he sows with the sword of his brow, and he paints with the sweat of his face, till he drinks with the thirst of his spirit, and they that have toiled and wrought with me, drink of the wine of the work." This stanza highlights the hard work and dedication of the working class. The reference to drinking the wine of the work is symbolic of the satisfaction that comes from a job well done. The working class may have faced many challenges during the industrial revolution, but they were able to take pride in their work and find joy in their accomplishments.
The fifth stanza of the poem talks about the importance of creativity and innovation. Kipling writes, "And he said, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' and he took up the iron pen, to write for the world of men things that were worth the writing again." This stanza highlights the importance of creativity and innovation in society. The reference to the iron pen is symbolic of the power of the written word. The working class may have been focused on manual labor during the industrial revolution, but they were still able to contribute to society through their creativity and innovation.
The final stanza of the poem talks about the legacy of the industrial revolution. Kipling writes, "And these are the things that he wrought, worthy of note and mark, perceiving the way that he went with a sweet and a bitter heart." This stanza highlights the impact that the industrial revolution had on society. The reference to the sweet and bitter heart is symbolic of the mixed emotions that come with progress. The industrial revolution brought many benefits to society, but it also had its drawbacks.
In conclusion, "The Conundrum Of The Workshops" is a masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling that captures the essence of the industrial revolution and its impact on society. This poem highlights the struggles and triumphs of the working class during this time and emphasizes the importance of creativity and innovation in society. Kipling's use of symbolism and metaphor adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Defi Market: Learn about defi tooling for decentralized storefrontsLittle Known Dev Tools: New dev tools fresh off the github for cli management, replacing default tools, better CLI UI interfaces
Flutter Tips: The best tips across all widgets and app deployment for flutter development
Learn AWS: AWS learning courses, tutorials, best practice
JavaFX App: JavaFX for mobile Development
Recommended Similar Analysis
Come Sleep, O Sleep! The Certain Knot Of Peace by Sir Philip Sidney analysisFriends Beyond by Thomas Hardy analysis
Ego Dominus Tuus by William Butler Yeats analysis
Yesterday is History by Emily Dickinson analysis
Old Black Joe by Stephen C. Foster analysis
Pioneers ! O Pioneers! by Walt Whitman analysis
Sonnet 12: When I do count the clock that tells the time by William Shakespeare analysis
Says by Walt Whitman analysis
Epitaphium Erotii by Robert Louis Stevenson analysis
John Anderson by Robert Burns analysis