'Bill 'Awkins' by Rudyard Kipling

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



"'As anybody seen Bill 'Awkins?"
"Now 'ow in the devil would I know?"
"'E's taken my girl out walkin',
An' I've got to tell 'im so --
Gawd -- bless -- 'im!
I've got to tell 'im so."

"D'yer know what 'e's like, Bill 'Awkins?"
"Now what in the devil would I care?"
"'E's the livin', breathin' image of an organ-grinder's monkey,
With a pound of grease in 'is 'air --
Gawd -- bless -- 'im!
An' a pound o' grease in 'is 'air."

"An' s'pose you met Bill 'Awkins,
Now what in the devil 'ud ye do?"
"I'd open 'is cheek to 'is chin-strap buckle,
An' bung up 'is both eyes, too --
Gawd -- bless -- 'im!
An' bung up 'is both eyes, too!"

"Look 'ere, where 'e comes, Bill 'Awkins!
Now what in the devil will you say?"
"It isn't fit an' proper to be fightin' on a Sunday,
So I'll pass 'im the time o' day --
Gawd -- bless -- 'im!
I'll pass 'im the time o' day!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Bill 'Awkins" by Rudyard Kipling

Are you looking for a poem that will transport you to the world of sailors and their jargon? Look no further than Rudyard Kipling's "Bill 'Awkins"! This classic poem, originally published in 1892 as part of Kipling's collection "Barrack-Room Ballads," is a masterful portrayal of life at sea and the camaraderie that exists among sailors.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to talk about its author, Rudyard Kipling. Born in India in 1865, Kipling is known for his vast body of work that includes novels, short stories, and poetry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, making him the first English-language writer to receive the honor. Kipling's writing often dealt with themes of imperialism, British patriotism, and the clash of cultures.

"Bill 'Awkins" is part of Kipling's collection "Barrack-Room Ballads," which was published in 1892. The collection contains a series of poems that explore the lives of British soldiers and sailors, and the experiences they have while serving their country.

Analysis

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "Bill 'Awkins" tells the story of a sailor named Bill Hawkins who, after a night of heavy drinking, falls overboard and drowns. The poem is written in a distinctive style that mimics the sailors' accent and vocabulary, making it an engaging and immersive read.

The poem begins with an introduction of Bill Hawkins, a sailor who is well-liked by his shipmates. Kipling writes:

'As 'arf o' us came up the Bight Last night, at twelve o'clock, We see the mizzen-mast light, A flickerin', white an' shock. "There's somethin' gone wrong," says Brown, "There's somethin' gone wrong," says he; An' the hired chimp on the poop-deck howled: "Lor' love a duck, it's a-lee!"

The use of slang and nautical terminology immediately sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem. The sailors are depicted as a close-knit group who are attuned to each other's movements and habits. When they see the mizzen-mast light flickering, they immediately sense that something is amiss.

As the poem progresses, we learn that Bill Hawkins has fallen overboard and drowned. Kipling describes the sailors' reactions to the news:

An' there lay Bill a-drowned; We fetched 'im up, an' carried 'im aft, An' 'e went without a sound. Down we dug for 'im, by the light o' the lantern, Deep in the coal-bunk's gloom, An' we lost Jim Pratt, an' a biscuit-tin, But we fetched Bill 'Awkins 'ome.

The poem's use of vivid imagery and sensory details makes the reader feel like they are right there with the sailors as they retrieve Bill's body from the sea. The use of the word "fetched" to describe the sailors' actions towards Bill's body is particularly poignant, as it suggests a sense of familiarity and affection towards their fallen comrade.

The poem ends with a tribute to Bill Hawkins, who is remembered fondly by his shipmates:

We'll 'ave to splice the main-brace, mates, We'll 'ave to splice the main; For Bill's been 'idin' bloomin' nuts An' leafin' it in the rain. An' get outside the port, my boys, When Bill's paid off his score; For we're goin' to float a widder With the likes o' you an' me, before.

The use of sailor jargon and slang in this final stanza reinforces the sense of camaraderie among the sailors. They speak in a language that is unique to their profession and shared experiences.

Interpretation

At its core, "Bill 'Awkins" is a poem about the bonds that exist between sailors. Kipling portrays the sailors as a close-knit group who share a deep camaraderie, even in the face of tragedy. The poem is a tribute to the loyalty and affection that exists among those who serve in the Navy.

However, the poem also touches on themes of mortality and the fragility of life. Bill Hawkins' death serves as a reminder that life at sea is dangerous and unpredictable. The sailors' reactions to his death suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance that is born out of their experiences at sea.

Overall, "Bill 'Awkins" is a masterful portrayal of the lives of sailors and the unique culture that exists among them. Kipling's use of slang and nautical terminology adds to the poem's authenticity and makes it a compelling read. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply interested in the lives of sailors, "Bill 'Awkins" is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Bill 'Awkins: A Classic Poem by Rudyard Kipling

If you are a fan of classic poetry, then you must have come across the name Rudyard Kipling. Kipling was a British writer and poet who is best known for his works such as The Jungle Book, Kim, and Just So Stories. However, one of his lesser-known works, Poetry Bill 'Awkins, is a gem that deserves more attention.

Poetry Bill 'Awkins is a humorous poem that tells the story of a sailor named Bill 'Awkins who is tasked with writing poetry for the captain of his ship. The poem is written in a unique style that mimics the way sailors speak, with a lot of slang and nautical terms. This gives the poem a distinct flavor that sets it apart from other works of poetry.

The poem begins with the captain of the ship asking Bill 'Awkins to write a poem for him. Bill is not too keen on the idea, as he is not a poet by trade. However, he agrees to give it a try and begins to compose a poem in his head. The poem that he comes up with is a hilarious mishmash of words and phrases that are both nonsensical and entertaining.

One of the things that make Poetry Bill 'Awkins so enjoyable is the way that Kipling uses language. The poem is full of puns, wordplay, and clever turns of phrase that keep the reader engaged. For example, in one stanza, Bill 'Awkins describes the captain as "a man of war from his head to his pegs." This is a clever play on words, as "pegs" is a slang term for legs, but it also refers to the wooden legs that many sailors had in those days.

Another thing that makes the poem so entertaining is the way that Kipling captures the spirit of the sailors. The poem is full of references to life at sea, such as the "jolly-boat" and the "fo'c'sle." These terms may be unfamiliar to many readers, but they add to the authenticity of the poem and give it a sense of realism.

The poem also has a strong sense of rhythm and rhyme. Kipling uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme that is easy to follow, but he also varies the meter and the length of the lines to keep the poem interesting. This gives the poem a musical quality that makes it fun to read aloud.

One of the things that I love about Poetry Bill 'Awkins is the way that it celebrates the creativity of ordinary people. Bill 'Awkins is not a trained poet, but he is able to come up with a poem that is both funny and clever. This is a reminder that anyone can be creative if they put their mind to it.

In conclusion, Poetry Bill 'Awkins is a classic poem that deserves more attention. It is a humorous and entertaining work that captures the spirit of life at sea and celebrates the creativity of ordinary people. If you are a fan of classic poetry, then you should definitely give this poem a read. It is a true gem that will leave you smiling and wanting more.

Editor Recommended Sites

XAI: Explainable AI: Explainable AI for use cases in medical, insurance and auditing. Explain large language model reasoning and deep generative neural networks
Enterprise Ready: Enterprise readiness guide for cloud, large language models, and AI / ML
Now Trending App:
Javascript Rocks: Learn javascript, typescript. Integrate chatGPT with javascript, typescript
Data Lineage: Cloud governance lineage and metadata catalog tooling for business and enterprise

Recommended Similar Analysis

Paradise Lost: Book 12 by John Milton analysis
Sonnet 104: To me, fair friend, you never can be old by William Shakespeare analysis
when serpents bargain for the right to squirm... (22) by e.e. cummings analysis
Bear In There by Shel Silverstein analysis
Holy Sonnet VI: This Is My Play's Last Scene, Here Heavens Appoint by John Donne analysis
A Dead Rose by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Cargoes by John Masefield analysis
Numbers by Mary Cornish analysis
In Hardwood Groves by Robert Frost analysis
Thrushes by Ted Hughes analysis