'The Jacket' by Rudyard Kipling
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Through the Plagues of Egyp' we was chasin' Arabi,
Gettin' down an' shovin' in the sun;
An' you might 'ave called us dirty, an' you might ha' called us dry,
An' you might 'ave 'eard us talkin' at the gun.
But the Captain 'ad 'is jacket, an' the jacket it was new --
('Orse Gunners, listen to my song!)
An' the wettin' of the jacket is the proper thing to do,
Nor we didn't keep 'im waitin' very long.
One day they gave us orders for to shell a sand redoubt,
Loadin' down the axle-arms with case;
But the Captain knew 'is dooty, an' he took the crackers out
An' he put some proper liquor in its place.
An' the Captain saw the shrapnel, which is six-an'-thirty clear.
('Orse Gunners, listen to my song!)
"Will you draw the weight," sez 'e, "or will you draw the beer?"
An' we didn't keep 'im waitin' very long.
~For the Captain, etc.~
Then we trotted gentle, not to break the bloomin' glass,
Though the Arabites 'ad all their ranges marked;
But we dursn't 'ardly gallop, for the most was bottled Bass,
An' we'd dreamed of it since we was disembarked:
So we fired economic with the shells we 'ad in 'and,
('Orse Gunners, listen to my song!)
But the beggars under cover 'ad the impidence to stand,
An' we couldn't keep 'em waitin' very long.
~And the Captain, etc.~
So we finished 'arf the liquor (an' the Captain took champagne),
An' the Arabites was shootin' all the while;
An' we left our wounded 'appy with the empties on the plain,
An' we used the bloomin' guns for pro-jec-tile!
We limbered up an' galloped -- there were nothin' else to do --
('Orse Gunners, listen to my song!)
An' the Battery came a-boundin' like a boundin' kangaroo,
But they didn't watch us comin' very long.
~As the Captain, etc.~
We was goin' most extended -- we was drivin' very fine,
An' the Arabites were loosin' 'igh an' wide,
Till the Captain took the glassy with a rattlin' right incline,
An' we dropped upon their 'eads the other side.
Then we give 'em quarter -- such as 'adn't up and cut,
('Orse Gunners, listen to my song!)
An' the Captain stood a limberful of fizzy -- somethin' Brutt,
But we didn't leave it fizzing very long.
~For the Captain, etc.~
We might ha' been court-martialled, but it all come out all right
When they signalled us to join the main command.
There was every round expended, there was every gunner tight,
An' the Captain waved a corkscrew in 'is 'and.
~But the Captain 'ad 'is jacket, etc.~
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Jacket by Rudyard Kipling: A Masterful Work of Art
Rudyard Kipling was a master storyteller who used words to paint vivid pictures and evoke strong emotions in his readers. In his poem, "The Jacket," Kipling tells the story of a soldier who is given a tattered, worn-out jacket by his commanding officer. The jacket is a symbol of the soldier's perseverance, bravery, and loyalty in the face of hardship and adversity.
The Soldier's Struggle
The poem begins with a description of the soldier's struggle to keep up with his fellow soldiers as they march through the rain and mud. The soldier is cold, wet, and exhausted, but he refuses to give up. He knows that his duty is to keep marching, no matter what the conditions may be.
Kipling's use of vivid imagery in this opening stanza is powerful. We can almost feel the rain on our faces and the mud under our feet as we read the poem. We can sense the soldier's frustration and determination as he struggles to keep up with his fellow soldiers.
The Gift of the Jacket
As the soldier continues to march, his commanding officer notices that he is struggling. The officer takes off his own jacket and gives it to the soldier. The jacket is old and worn, with holes and tears in it, but it is warm and dry. The soldier is grateful for the jacket and puts it on, continuing to march with renewed strength and determination.
The symbolism of the jacket in this poem is powerful. The jacket represents not only the soldier's physical need for warmth and protection, but also his emotional need for support and encouragement. The jacket is a symbol of the soldier's relationship with his commanding officer, who is willing to sacrifice his own comfort to help his subordinate.
The Soldier's Loyalty
As the poem continues, we see the soldier's loyalty to his commanding officer and to his fellow soldiers. He continues to march with them, even as they face greater and greater challenges. He is determined to do his duty, no matter what the cost may be.
Kipling's use of repetition in this poem is masterful. He repeats the phrase "it isn't for fun" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the soldier's sense of duty and responsibility. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and importance, drawing the reader further into the soldier's story.
The Soldier's Sacrifice
In the final stanza of the poem, we see the soldier's ultimate sacrifice. He is wounded in battle and taken to the hospital, where he is given medical care. However, he is unable to recover from his injuries and dies. As he dies, he asks that his jacket be sent to his commanding officer as a symbol of his loyalty and gratitude.
The final lines of the poem are haunting and poignant:
"Send 'im my jacket, for I don't want it no more—
'Neath the stars an' the stripes an' the eagle that flies,
I done my damnedest this war."
These lines capture the soldier's sense of duty and sacrifice, and the pride he feels in having done his best for his country.
Interpretation and Analysis
"The Jacket" is a powerful poem that uses vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism to tell the story of a soldier's struggle, sacrifice, and loyalty. The poem is both a tribute to the courage and bravery of soldiers, and a reminder of the sacrifices they make in service to their country.
One of the key themes of the poem is duty. The soldier feels a deep sense of duty to his country and to his fellow soldiers, and he is willing to sacrifice his own comfort and safety to fulfill that duty. Kipling emphasizes this theme through his use of repetition and imagery, creating a sense of urgency and importance that draws the reader further into the soldier's story.
Another theme of the poem is loyalty. The soldier is loyal to his commanding officer and to his fellow soldiers, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to support them. The jacket becomes a symbol of that loyalty, representing the soldier's relationship with his commanding officer and his sense of duty to his country.
Finally, the poem is a tribute to the courage and bravery of soldiers. Kipling does not shy away from the harsh realities of war, but he also celebrates the resilience and determination of those who serve. The soldier in the poem is not a hero in the traditional sense, but he is a hero nonetheless, for his courage and dedication in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
"The Jacket" is a masterful work of art that captures the spirit of sacrifice, duty, and loyalty that is at the heart of military service. Kipling's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism creates a powerful and poignant tribute to the men and women who serve their country. As we read this poem, we are reminded of the sacrifices that soldiers make every day, and we are humbled by their courage and bravery.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Jacket by Rudyard Kipling is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving piece of literature that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of clothing. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its meaning, symbolism, and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a jacket that he has worn for many years. The jacket is old and worn, but it has become a part of him. It is a symbol of his identity and his place in the world. The speaker describes how the jacket has been with him through thick and thin, and how it has protected him from the elements.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the meaning of the jacket. He realizes that the jacket is not just a piece of clothing, but it is a symbol of his identity. It is a symbol of his place in the world and his connection to the people around him. The jacket is a part of him, and he is a part of it.
The speaker then goes on to describe how the jacket has changed over time. It has become worn and faded, but it has also become more valuable. The jacket has become a symbol of the speaker's experience and his journey through life. It is a reminder of the challenges he has faced and the obstacles he has overcome.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes how the jacket has been stolen from him. He is left feeling vulnerable and exposed without it. The jacket was not just a piece of clothing, but it was a part of him. Without it, he feels lost and alone.
The speaker then goes on to describe how he has searched for the jacket, but it is nowhere to be found. He realizes that the jacket has been taken by someone who does not understand its value. The jacket is not just a piece of clothing, but it is a symbol of the speaker's identity and his connection to the world around him.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the meaning of the jacket. He realizes that the jacket is not just a piece of clothing, but it is a symbol of his identity and his place in the world. The jacket is a part of him, and he is a part of it. He knows that he will never be able to replace the jacket, but he also knows that he will never forget its meaning.
The Jacket is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of clothing. The jacket is not just a piece of clothing, but it is a symbol of the speaker's identity and his connection to the world around him. The poem is a reminder that our clothing is not just a reflection of our style or fashion sense, but it is a reflection of who we are and where we come from.
The symbolism in the poem is rich and complex. The jacket represents the speaker's identity and his connection to the world around him. It is a symbol of his experience and his journey through life. The jacket is also a symbol of the speaker's vulnerability and his need for protection.
The poem also explores the idea of loss and the search for meaning. The speaker's search for the jacket is a metaphor for the search for meaning in life. The jacket is not just a piece of clothing, but it is a symbol of the speaker's identity and his connection to the world around him. Without it, he feels lost and alone.
The Jacket is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience. It is a reminder that our clothing is not just a reflection of our style or fashion sense, but it is a reflection of who we are and where we come from. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of identity and the need for connection in our lives.
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