'That Day' by Rudyard Kipling
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It got beyond all orders an' it got beyond all 'ope;
It got to shammin' wounded an' retirin' from the 'alt.
'Ole companies was lookin' for the nearest road to slope;
It were just a bloomin' knock-out -- an' our fault!
Now there ain't no chorus 'ere to give,
Nor there ain't no band to play;
An' I wish I was dead 'fore I done what I did,
Or seen what I seed that day!
We was sick o' bein' punished, an' we let 'em know it, too;
An' a company-commander up an' 'it us with a sword,
An' some one shouted "'Ook it!" an' it come to ~sove-ki-poo~,
An' we chucked our rifles from us -- O my Gawd!
There was thirty dead an' wounded on the ground we wouldn't keep --
No, there wasn't more than twenty when the front begun to go;
But, Christ! along the line o' flight they cut us up like sheep,
An' that was all we gained by doin' so.
I 'eard the knives be'ind me, but I dursn't face my man,
Nor I don't know where I went to, 'cause I didn't 'alt to see,
Till I 'eard a beggar squealin' out for quarter as 'e ran,
An' I thought I knew the voice an' -- it was me!
We was 'idin' under bedsteads more than 'arf a march away;
We was lyin' up like rabbits all about the countryside;
An' the major cursed 'is Maker 'cause 'e lived to see that day,
An' the colonel broke 'is sword acrost, an' cried.
We was rotten 'fore we started -- we was never disci~plined~;
We made it out a favour if an order was obeyed;
Yes, every little drummer 'ad 'is rights an' wrongs to mind,
So we had to pay for teachin' -- an' we paid!
The papers 'id it 'andsome, but you know the Army knows;
We was put to groomin' camels till the regiments withdrew,
An' they gave us each a medal for subduin' England's foes,
An' I 'ope you like my song -- because it's true!
An' there ain't no chorus 'ere to give,
Nor there ain't no band to play;
But I wish I was dead 'fore I done what I did,
Or seen what I seed that day!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"That Day" by Rudyard Kipling: A Deeper Look
Have you ever read a poem that left you with a sense of nostalgia, a yearning to revisit a moment in your past, or that made you think about the inevitability of time passing by? Rudyard Kipling's "That Day" does exactly that. Published in 1926, the poem touches on themes of fleeting youth, memories, and the passage of time.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at "That Day" by Rudyard Kipling, analyzing its structure, themes, and symbolism. So, let's dive in!
Structure
First, let's examine the structure of the poem. "That Day" is written in seven stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout, with the first and third lines rhyming, as well as the second and fourth lines. This rhyme scheme (ABCB) creates a rhythm that is easy to follow and adds to the poem's nostalgic tone.
Additionally, the poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four feet with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. This further contributes to the poem's rhythmic flow and makes it a pleasure to read out loud.
What's interesting about the structure of "That Day" is the way Kipling uses enjambment. Enjambment is a literary device that occurs when a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without a pause. Kipling uses this device throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity between the stanzas. For example, in the first two stanzas, the line "I remember the day" continues onto the following line without a pause. This technique emphasizes the importance of the memory Kipling is recalling and connects it to the present moment.
Themes
Now that we've examined the structure of the poem, let's take a closer look at the themes. "That Day" touches on several themes, including the passage of time, memories, and youth.
The poem begins with the line "I remember the day," immediately signaling that the speaker is recalling a memory from the past. As the poem progresses, we learn that the memory is from the speaker's youth. The line "When I handed the bantam the lump of lead" implies that the speaker was a young boy at the time.
The theme of youth is further emphasized in the third stanza when the speaker says, "I remember the sunlit garden." This line evokes a sense of innocence and carefree joy that is often associated with childhood. The speaker goes on to describe the "cool of the lily-pool" and the "buzz of the blue-flies," painting a vivid picture of a summer day.
However, as the poem progresses, we see the inevitability of time passing by. The line "And I know that the bantam's dead" reminds us that everything is temporary, including the people and things we hold dear. The speaker's realization that the bantam is dead serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of youth and the passage of time.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful in its exploration of this theme. The line "But the years have gone by like a flash of light" emphasizes how quickly time passes. The speaker now looks back on that day with a sense of longing, wishing to revisit that moment in his youth. The theme of nostalgia is evident in the final stanza, as the speaker recalls the "sunlit garden" and the "buzz of the blue-flies."
Symbolism
Finally, let's take a closer look at the symbolism in "That Day." Kipling uses several symbols throughout the poem to emphasize the themes of youth, memories, and the passage of time.
One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the bantam. The bantam represents youth and innocence, as well as the fleeting nature of both. The line "When I handed the bantam the lump of lead" symbolizes the speaker's willingness to give something up that is precious to him, just as we must let go of our youth as we grow older.
The garden is another symbol in the poem. The speaker describes the garden as "sunlit" and peaceful, emphasizing the innocence and carefree joy of childhood. As the poem progresses, the garden becomes a symbol of the past, a place that can only be revisited in memories.
Finally, the blue-flies in the garden serve as a symbol of the passage of time. The buzz of the blue-flies is a reminder that time is constantly moving forward, and that the memories we hold dear are often all we have left of the past.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "That Day" by Rudyard Kipling is a beautiful exploration of youth, memories, and the passage of time. Through its structure, themes, and symbols, Kipling evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and longing for a past that can never be revisited.
The poem's powerful message is a reminder that everything is temporary, and that we must cherish the moments we have while we have them. Kipling's use of language and literary devices creates a poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
So, the next time you find yourself reminiscing about the past, take a moment to read "That Day" and let Kipling's words transport you to a time and place that lives on only in memory.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry That Day: A Masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned English poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry That Day," which was published in 1899. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to inspire and move people.
"Poetry That Day" is a poem that describes the impact of poetry on the human soul. The poem is set in a beautiful natural setting, where the poet is surrounded by the beauty of nature. The poem begins with the poet describing the beauty of the day and how the sun is shining brightly. The poet then goes on to describe how he feels the presence of poetry in the air.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet describes the beauty of the day and how the sun is shining brightly. The use of imagery in this stanza is exceptional, as the poet describes the sun as a "great gold flower" and the sky as a "blue cup." The use of these metaphors creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and sets the scene for the rest of the poem.
In the second stanza, the poet describes how he feels the presence of poetry in the air. The poet says that he can feel the "breath of the verse" and the "pulse of the rhyme." This stanza is significant because it highlights the power of poetry to move people. The poet is saying that poetry is not just words on a page, but it is something that can be felt and experienced.
The third stanza of the poem is where the poet really begins to delve into the power of poetry. The poet says that poetry can "lift the heart from the dust" and "set the soul free." This stanza is significant because it highlights the transformative power of poetry. The poet is saying that poetry can take a person from a place of despair and lift them up to a place of hope and inspiration.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the poet describes the impact of poetry on the human soul. The poet says that poetry can "open the eyes of the blind" and "unstop the ears of the deaf." This stanza is significant because it highlights the ability of poetry to change the way people see the world. The poet is saying that poetry can help people see things in a new light and can help them understand the world in a different way.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the poet brings everything together. The poet says that poetry is "the voice of the heart" and "the soul of the world." This stanza is significant because it highlights the importance of poetry in the world. The poet is saying that poetry is not just a form of entertainment, but it is something that is essential to the human experience.
In conclusion, "Poetry That Day" is a masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling that captures the essence of poetry and its power to inspire and move people. The poem is significant because it highlights the transformative power of poetry and its ability to change the way people see the world. The use of imagery and metaphors in the poem creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and sets the scene for the rest of the poem. Overall, "Poetry That Day" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to understand its true power.
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