'"Snarleyow "' by Rudyard Kipling


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This 'appened in a battle to a batt'ry of the corps
Which is first among the women an' amazin' first in war;
An' what the bloomin' battle was I don't remember now,
But Two's off-lead 'e answered to the name o' ~Snarleyow~.
Down in the Infantry, nobody cares;
Down in the Cavalry, Colonel 'e swears;
But down in the lead with the wheel at the flog
Turns the bold Bombardier to a little whipped dog!

They was movin' into action, they was needed very sore,
To learn a little schoolin' to a native army corps,
They 'ad nipped against an uphill, they was tuckin' down the brow,
When a tricky, trundlin' roundshot give the knock to ~Snarleyow~.

They cut 'im loose an' left 'im -- 'e was almost tore in two --
But he tried to follow after as a well-trained 'orse should do;
'E went an' fouled the limber, an' the Driver's Brother squeals:
"Pull up, pull up for ~Snarleyow~ -- 'is head's between 'is 'eels!"

The Driver 'umped 'is shoulder, for the wheels was goin' round,
An' there ain't no "Stop, conductor!" when a batt'ry's changin' ground;
Sez 'e:"I broke the beggar in, an' very sad I feels,
But I couldn't pull up, not for ~you~ -- your 'ead between your 'eels!"

'E 'adn't 'ardly spoke the word, before a droppin' shell
A little right the batt'ry an' between the sections fell;
An' when the smoke 'ad cleared away, before the limber wheels,
There lay the Driver's Brother with 'is 'ead between 'is 'eels.

Then sez the Driver's Brother, an' 'is words was very plain,
"For Gawd's own sake get over me, an' put me out o' pain."
They saw 'is wounds was mortial, an' they judged that it was best,
So they took an' drove the limber straight across 'is back an' chest.

The Driver 'e give nothin' 'cept a little coughin' grunt,
But 'e swung 'is 'orses 'andsome when it came to "Action Front!"
An' if one wheel was juicy, you may lay your Monday head
'Twas juicier for the niggers when the case begun to spread.

The moril of this story, it is plainly to be seen:
You 'avn't got no families when servin' of the Queen --
You 'avn't got no brothers, fathers, sisters, wives, or sons --
If you want to win your battles take an' work your bloomin' guns!
Down in the Infantry, nobody cares;
Down in the Cavalry, Colonel 'e swears;
But down in the lead with the wheel at the flog
Turns the bold Bombardier to a little whipped dog!


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Snarleyow" by Rudyard Kipling: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today. We're going to dive deep into the world of Rudyard Kipling's "Snarleyow", a poem that's been around for over a century now. And let me tell you, it's still as relevant as ever.

The Poem's Background

Before we get into the analysis, let me give you a brief history of this poem. "Snarleyow" was first published in 1890 in Kipling's collection of poems titled "Barrack-Room Ballads". These ballads were written during Kipling's time as a journalist in India and were meant to capture the everyday lives of the soldiers stationed there.

"Snarleyow" tells the story of a bulldog that belongs to a British soldier stationed in India. The dog is mistreated by its owner, and eventually turns on him, biting him and causing his death. The poem ends with the bulldog being praised and honored by the other soldiers.

The Poem's Structure

Let's start with the structure of this poem. It's a ballad, which means it follows a specific rhyme scheme and rhythm. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the rhythm is iambic tetrameter. This means each line has four beats, with the stress falling on the second beat. Here's an example from the first stanza:

There were three sailors of Bristol city
Who took a boat and went to sea.
But first with beef and captain's biscuits
And pickled pork they loaded she.

You can feel the rhythm of the poem as you read it out loud. It has a sing-song quality to it, which is typical of ballads.

The Poem's Themes

Now, let's get into the meat of this poem: its themes. "Snarleyow" touches on several themes that were prevalent during Kipling's time, but are still relevant today. The first theme is the mistreatment of animals. The bulldog in the poem is clearly being abused by its owner, who beats it with a stick and taunts it. This mistreatment eventually leads to the dog turning on its owner and causing his death.

Kipling uses this theme to highlight the cruelty and inhumanity of those who mistreat animals. He shows us that this mistreatment can have serious consequences, not just for the animal, but for the person doing the mistreating as well.

The second theme is the loyalty of animals. Despite being mistreated, Snarleyow remains loyal to his owner until the very end. This loyalty is in stark contrast to the disloyalty of the soldiers who desert their posts when the going gets tough. Kipling seems to be saying that animals are often more loyal and trustworthy than humans.

The third theme is the idea of justice. When Snarleyow kills his owner, the other soldiers praise him and honor him for his actions. They see it as a form of justice, even though it was carried out by an animal. This highlights the idea that justice can come from unexpected sources, and that sometimes those who are mistreated will eventually have their revenge.

The Poem's Importance

So why is "Snarleyow" important? Well, for one, it's a great example of Kipling's writing style. He was known for his ability to capture the everyday lives of ordinary people, and this poem is a perfect example of that.

But more than that, "Snarleyow" is a commentary on the human condition. It shows us that we're not always as good as we think we are, and that sometimes the things we do can have serious consequences. It also shows us that animals are often treated worse than humans, despite their loyalty and trustworthiness.

In a world where animal abuse is still rampant and justice is often hard to come by, "Snarleyow" remains as relevant today as it did over a century ago. It's a reminder that we need to treat animals with the respect and care they deserve, and that justice can come from unexpected places.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, "Snarleyow" is a powerful poem that touches on several important themes. Its structure and rhythm make it a pleasure to read, and its commentary on the mistreatment of animals and the loyalty of animals is as relevant today as it was over a century ago.

If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it. And if you have read it before, I encourage you to revisit it and see what new insights you can gain from it. Rudyard Kipling was a master of his craft, and "Snarleyow" is a shining example of his talent.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Snarleyow: A Classic Poem by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling is a name that needs no introduction. He is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and his works have been read and enjoyed by generations of readers. Among his many poems, one that stands out is "Snarleyow." This poem is a classic example of Kipling's mastery of language and his ability to create vivid images with his words. In this article, we will take a closer look at "Snarleyow" and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

"Snarleyow" is a poem that tells the story of a dog named Snarleyow. The dog is described as being fierce and aggressive, and he is feared by all who come into contact with him. The poem begins with the lines:

"Snarleyow, the dog-fiend, howling in the night, Made all the folks in the village shake with fright."

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, and we immediately get a sense of the fear and terror that Snarleyow inspires in the people around him. The poem goes on to describe how Snarleyow terrorizes the village, attacking people and animals alike. The villagers try to capture him, but he always manages to escape.

As the poem progresses, we learn more about Snarleyow's backstory. We discover that he was once a beloved pet, but he was mistreated by his owner and eventually turned into a vicious beast. The poem describes how Snarleyow's owner would beat him and starve him, and how this abuse turned him into the monster that he is today.

The imagery in "Snarleyow" is incredibly vivid and powerful. Kipling uses words like "fiend," "howling," and "terror" to create a sense of fear and dread. He also uses animalistic imagery to describe Snarleyow, comparing him to a wolf and a tiger. This imagery helps to reinforce the idea that Snarleyow is a dangerous and unpredictable creature.

One of the most interesting aspects of "Snarleyow" is its use of symbolism. The poem can be read as a commentary on the nature of violence and aggression. Snarleyow is a symbol of the destructive power of anger and hatred. He is a creature that has been driven to madness by the abuse he has suffered, and he lashes out at the world around him as a result.

At the same time, Snarleyow can also be seen as a symbol of the oppressed. He is a victim of abuse, and his violent behavior is a result of the trauma he has experienced. In this sense, the poem can be read as a critique of the way that society treats those who are vulnerable and marginalized.

Another interesting aspect of "Snarleyow" is its use of language. Kipling's use of dialect and slang gives the poem a sense of authenticity and realism. The poem is written in a style that is reminiscent of the way that people actually speak, and this helps to create a sense of immediacy and urgency.

Overall, "Snarleyow" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of violence, trauma, and oppression. Kipling's use of vivid imagery and symbolism helps to create a sense of fear and dread, while his use of dialect and slang gives the poem a sense of authenticity and realism. If you haven't read "Snarleyow" before, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a classic poem that is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written.

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