'Oonts' by Rudyard Kipling
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(Northern India Transport Train)
Wot makes the soldier's 'eart to penk, wot makes 'im to perspire?
It isn't standin' up to charge nor lyin' down to fire;
But it's everlastin' waitin' on a everlastin' road
For the commissariat camel an' 'is commissariat load.
O the oont*, O the oont, O the commissariat oont!
With 'is silly neck a-bobbin' like a basket full o' snakes;
We packs 'im like an idol, an' you ought to 'ear 'im grunt,
An' when we gets 'im loaded up 'is blessed girth-rope breaks.
* Camel: -- ~oo~ is pronounced like ~u~ in "bull", but by Mr. Atkins
to rhyme with "front".
Wot makes the rear-guard swear so 'ard when night is drorin' in,
An' every native follower is shiverin' for 'is skin?
It ain't the chanst o' being rushed by Paythans from the 'ills,
It's the commissariat camel puttin' on 'is bloomin' frills!
O the oont, O the oont, O the hairy scary oont!
A-trippin' over tent-ropes when we've got the night alarm!
We socks 'im with a stretcher-pole an' 'eads 'im off in front,
An' when we've saved 'is bloomin' life 'e chaws our bloomin' arm.
The 'orse 'e knows above a bit, the bullock's but a fool,
The elephant's a gentleman, the battery-mule's a mule;
But the commissariat cam-u-el, when all is said an' done,
'E's a devil an' a ostrich an' a orphan-child in one.
O the oont, O the oont, O the Gawd-forsaken oont!
The lumpy-'umpy 'ummin'-bird a-singin' where 'e lies,
'E's blocked the whole division from the rear-guard to the front,
An' when we get him up again -- the beggar goes an' dies!
'E'll gall an' chafe an' lame an' fight -- 'e smells most awful vile;
'E'll lose 'isself for ever if you let 'im stray a mile;
'E's game to graze the 'ole day long an' 'owl the 'ole night through,
An' when 'e comes to greasy ground 'e splits 'isself in two.
O the oont, O the oont, O the floppin', droppin' oont!
When 'is long legs give from under an' 'is meltin' eye is dim,
The tribes is up be'ind us, and the tribes is out in front --
It ain't no jam for Tommy, but it's kites an' crows for 'im.
So when the cruel march is done, an' when the roads is blind,
An' when we sees the camp in front an' 'ears the shots be'ind,
Ho! then we strips 'is saddle off, and all 'is woes is past:
'E thinks on us that used 'im so, and gets revenge at last.
O the oont, O the oont, O the floatin', bloatin' oont!
The late lamented camel in the water-cut 'e lies;
We keeps a mile be'ind 'im an' we keeps a mile in front,
But 'e gets into the drinkin'-casks, and then o' course we dies.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Oonts by Rudyard Kipling
Oonts, the poem written by Rudyard Kipling, is a masterpiece of rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. The poem is a joy to read and recite, with its playful and musical language, and its vivid and evocative descriptions of Indian life.
First published in 1902, Oonts is part of Kipling's collection of Indian poems, which includes such famous works as Gunga Din, Mandalay, and The Ballad of East and West. Like these other poems, Oonts captures the exoticism, adventure, and romance of India, as seen through Kipling's eyes.
At the same time, however, Oonts is also a deeply ironic and satirical work, which exposes the hypocrisy and injustice of British colonial rule in India. Through its depiction of the relationship between the British and their Indian servants, Oonts reveals the power dynamics and cultural clashes of colonialism, and raises important questions about identity, authority, and resistance.
Overview of the Poem
Oonts is a narrative poem, which tells the story of an Englishman who hires an Indian driver and his oont (camel) to take him on a journey through the Indian countryside. As the journey progresses, the Englishman becomes increasingly frustrated with the slow pace and stubbornness of the oont, and begins to take out his anger on the driver.
Through its portrayal of this relationship, Oonts explores a variety of themes, including imperialism, racism, class, and power. The poem also showcases Kipling's skill as a poet, with its intricate rhyme scheme, its use of Indian words and phrases, and its vivid imagery.
Analysis of the Poem
From the opening lines of the poem, it is clear that Kipling is using Oonts to critique British colonialism in India. The Englishman's contemptuous attitude towards his Indian driver and his oont reflects the condescending and exploitative mindset of the British towards the people and animals of India.
The Englishman's frustration with the oont, in particular, highlights the cultural gap between the British and the Indians, and reveals the inherent limitations of colonial authority. Despite his position of power and privilege, the Englishman is unable to control the oont, or to understand its motivations and needs.
Kipling also uses Oonts to explore the complexities of identity and cultural hybridity in colonial contexts. The driver, who speaks both English and Hindi, embodies the hybridity and fluidity of Indian identity in the face of British imperialism. He is both a servant and a guide to the Englishman, and his role is defined by the power dynamics of colonialism.
At the same time, however, the driver also possesses a certain amount of agency and resistance, as seen in his playful and subversive interactions with the Englishman. By speaking in Hindi and using Indian proverbs and idioms, the driver asserts his own identity and cultural heritage, and challenges the Englishman's assumptions about Indian culture.
Kipling's use of language and imagery in Oonts is also notable for its evocative and sensory quality. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the Indian landscape, the oont, and the driver, which serve to transport the reader to another time and place.
The use of Indian words and phrases, such as "khubbar" (news), "puggaree" (turban), and "ghee" (clarified butter), adds to the exoticism and authenticity of the poem, while also highlighting the linguistic and cultural diversity of India.
Finally, the poem's intricate and complex rhyme scheme adds to its musicality and rhythm, and showcases Kipling's skill as a poet. The use of internal rhymes, alliteration, and repetition creates a sense of momentum and energy, and adds to the playful and humorous tone of the poem.
Conclusion
Oonts, by Rudyard Kipling, is a rich and multi-layered poem that explores a range of themes related to British colonialism in India. Through its portrayal of the relationship between the Englishman, the driver, and the oont, the poem exposes the power dynamics and cultural clashes of colonialism, and raises important questions about identity, authority, and resistance.
At the same time, however, Oonts is also a playful and musical work, filled with vivid descriptions and evocative language. The poem showcases Kipling's skill as a poet, and his ability to capture the exoticism and romance of India, while also critiquing the injustices of colonial rule.
Overall, Oonts is a masterful and enduring work of literature, which continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of cultural hybridity, power, and resistance remain relevant to contemporary discussions of imperialism, identity, and inequality, and its musicality and rhythm make it a joy to read and recite.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Oonts: A Masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned British author, poet, and journalist, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry Oonts," a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its impact on human emotions. This poem is a perfect example of Kipling's mastery of language and his ability to convey complex ideas in a simple yet profound manner.
"Poetry Oonts" is a poem that celebrates the power of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions in people. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward manner, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem's title, "Poetry Oonts," is a play on words, with "oonts" being a Hindi word for a camel. The use of the word "oonts" in the title is significant, as it symbolizes the journey that poetry takes us on.
The poem begins with the line, "In the desert, a fountain is springing," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The desert is a metaphor for life, and the fountain represents poetry, which brings life to the barren desert. The first stanza goes on to describe the impact of poetry on the human soul, stating that it "has started the hare in my brain." The use of the word "hare" is significant, as it symbolizes the speed and agility with which poetry can affect our thoughts and emotions.
The second stanza of the poem describes the different forms of poetry, from the "lyric" to the "epic." Kipling emphasizes that poetry can take many forms, but its essence remains the same. The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it describes the impact of poetry on the human heart. Kipling writes, "It has stricken the cymbals of my heart," which is a powerful metaphor for the way in which poetry can stir our emotions and make our hearts beat faster.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, urging the reader to embrace poetry and its power. Kipling writes, "Let us take to the world with a will," encouraging us to share the beauty of poetry with others and to use it as a tool for change. The poem ends with the line, "For the world is more full of weeping than you can understand," which is a poignant reminder of the power of poetry to heal and comfort those who are suffering.
Overall, "Poetry Oonts" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the art form and its impact on human emotions. Kipling's use of metaphors and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey complex ideas in a simple yet profound manner is a testament to his skill as a poet. The poem is a celebration of poetry and its ability to bring life to the barren desert of our lives, and it is a call to action for us to embrace poetry and its power to change the world.
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