'Shillin ' A Day' by Rudyard Kipling
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
My name is O'Kelly, I've heard the Revelly
From Birr to Bareilly, from Leeds to Lahore,
Hong-Kong and Peshawur,
Lucknow and Etawah,
And fifty-five more all endin' in "pore".
Black Death and his quickness, the depth and the thickness,
Of sorrow and sickness I've known on my way,
But I'm old and I'm nervis,
I'm cast from the Service,
And all I deserve is a shillin' a day.
(~Chorus~)Shillin' a day,
Bloomin' good pay --
Lucky to touch it, a shillin' a day!
Oh, it drives me half crazy to think of the days I
Went slap for the Ghazi, my sword at my side,
When we rode Hell-for-leather
Both squadrons together,
That didn't care whether we lived or we died.
But it's no use despairin', my wife must go charin'
An' me commissairin' the pay-bills to better,
So if me you be'old
In the wet and the cold,
By the Grand Metropold, won't you give me a letter?
(~Full chorus~)Give 'im a letter --
'Can't do no better,
Late Troop-Sergeant-Major an' -- runs with a letter!
Think what 'e's been,
Think what 'e's seen,
Think of his pension an' ----
GAWD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Shillin' a Day: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Rudyard Kipling is a literary genius, and his poem Shillin' a Day is a masterpiece of satirical poetry. The poem is a scathing critique of Victorian society's obsession with class and status, and it highlights the plight of the working-class people who were struggling to make ends meet in a world that was dominated by the wealthy elite.
At its core, Shillin' a Day is a commentary on the social and economic inequalities that existed in Victorian society. Kipling uses satire to draw attention to the absurdity of a system that rewards the wealthy while punishing the poor. He shows how the working-class people are forced to work long hours for meager wages while the upper class enjoys a life of luxury and leisure.
The poem is structured as a dialogue between a well-to-do lady and a working-class man, and Kipling uses this format to highlight the vast differences between the two classes. The lady is condescending and dismissive of the man, and she treats him as if he is beneath her. The man, on the other hand, is respectful and deferential to the lady, but he is also keenly aware of his own status as a lowly laborer.
Kipling's use of language is masterful, and he employs a range of literary devices to convey his message. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, such as the "frosty dawn" that the man must wake up to every morning or the "golden cloud" that the lady lives in. These images create a stark contrast between the two worlds, and they emphasize the harsh realities of life for the working-class people.
One of the most striking features of the poem is Kipling's use of dialect. The man speaks in a thick, working-class accent that is full of slang and colloquialisms, while the lady speaks in a refined, upper-class accent. This contrast in dialect serves to highlight the social divide between the two characters, and it underscores the differences in their experiences and perspectives.
Despite its biting critique of Victorian society, Shillin' a Day is also a deeply empathetic poem. Kipling shows a great deal of compassion for the working-class people who are struggling to make ends meet, and he highlights the injustice of a system that perpetuates poverty and inequality. The poem is a call to action for social change, and it urges readers to recognize the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of their social status.
In conclusion, Shillin' a Day is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that remains relevant today. Kipling's scathing critique of Victorian society's obsession with class and status is as powerful now as it was when the poem was first published over a century ago. The poem is a powerful reminder of the need for social justice and equality, and it urges readers to recognize the value and worth of all people, regardless of their social status.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Exploring the Classic Poetry of Rudyard Kipling: "Shillin' a Day"
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned English author and poet, is known for his exceptional literary works that have left a lasting impact on the world of literature. Among his many works, "Shillin' a Day" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers to this day.
In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the world of "Shillin' a Day" and explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context that make this poem a timeless masterpiece.
The Historical Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand the historical context in which it was written. "Shillin' a Day" was published in 1890, a time when the British Empire was at its peak and the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. The poem reflects the social and economic conditions of the time, particularly the plight of the working-class people who were struggling to make ends meet.
The title of the poem, "Shillin' a Day," refers to the daily wage earned by the working-class people of the time. This was barely enough to sustain a family, and many people had to work long hours in dangerous and difficult conditions just to make ends meet. Kipling's poem sheds light on the struggles of these people and the harsh realities of life in the industrial age.
The Themes
One of the central themes of "Shillin' a Day" is the struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving world. The poem portrays the working-class people as hardworking and resilient, but also vulnerable and at the mercy of their employers. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for this theme:
"If you're wakeful and you're restless, If you're sweating in your bed, If you're cursing all the chances That are keeping you from bread,"
These lines paint a vivid picture of the struggles faced by the working-class people, who often had to work long hours in difficult conditions just to put food on the table. The poem goes on to describe the various jobs that these people did, from the coal miners to the factory workers, and the toll that these jobs took on their bodies and minds.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of community and solidarity. Despite the hardships they faced, the working-class people in the poem are shown to be united and supportive of each other. The lines:
"If you're down and out and desperate, If you're feeling pretty low, If you're thinking 'bout the river, And the way it's sure to go,"
highlight the sense of camaraderie and mutual support that existed among the working-class people. They knew that they were all in the same boat and that they had to stick together to survive.
The Literary Devices
Kipling's use of literary devices in "Shillin' a Day" is masterful and adds depth and richness to the poem. One of the most striking devices used in the poem is repetition. The refrain "Shillin' a day, shillin' a day" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the central theme of the struggle for survival. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem more memorable and impactful.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Kipling uses vivid and evocative language to paint a picture of the working-class world. The lines:
"If you're sweating in the summer And you're shivering in the cold, If you're waiting for the winter And the fear that it'll hold,"
create a powerful image of the harsh and unforgiving conditions that the working-class people had to endure. The use of sensory details like sweating and shivering makes the imagery more vivid and memorable.
Kipling also uses metaphor in the poem to convey deeper meanings. The lines:
"If you're looking for a job, my boy, And you're willing for to work, You can climb upon the ladder, For it's there you'll find the perk,"
use the metaphor of a ladder to represent the social and economic hierarchy of the time. The "perk" at the top of the ladder represents the rewards that awaited those who were able to climb to the top, while those at the bottom were left struggling to survive.
The Impact
"Shillin' a Day" has had a lasting impact on the world of literature and continues to be studied and analyzed to this day. The poem is a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by the working-class people of the industrial age and the importance of community and solidarity in times of hardship.
The poem has also inspired countless other works of literature and art. The title of the poem, "Shillin' a Day," has become a shorthand for the struggles of the working-class people, and has been referenced in numerous other works of literature and popular culture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Shillin' a Day" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers to this day. Through its vivid imagery, powerful themes, and masterful use of literary devices, the poem captures the struggles and hardships of the working-class people of the industrial age. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and solidarity in times of hardship, and a testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire and move us.
Editor Recommended Sites
Jupyter Consulting: Jupyter consulting in DFW, Southlake, WestlakeCloud Actions - Learn Cloud actions & Cloud action Examples: Learn and get examples for Cloud Actions
Six Sigma: Six Sigma best practice and tutorials
Learn NLP: Learn natural language processing for the cloud. GPT tutorials, nltk spacy gensim
Crypto Staking - Highest yielding coins & Staking comparison and options: Find the highest yielding coin staking available for alts, from only the best coins
Recommended Similar Analysis
Birds Of Passage by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysisI took my Power in my Hand by Emily Dickinson analysis
Spring Pools by Robert Frost analysis
Sestina by Elizabeth Bishop analysis
Monet Refuses The Operation by Lisel Mueller analysis
i thank you God for most this amazing... (65) by e.e. cummings analysis
Waltzing Matilda by Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson analysis
From An Atlas Of The Difficult World by Adrienne Rich analysis
To Be In Love by Gwendolyn Brooks analysis
Sonnet X by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis