'Two Months' by Rudyard Kipling


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June

No hope, no change! The clouds have shut us in,
And through the cloud the sullen Sun strikes down
Full on the bosom of the tortured Town,
Till Night falls heavy as remembered sin
That will not suffer sleep or thought of ease,
And, hour on hour, the dry-eyed Moon in spite
Glares through the haze and mocks with watery light
The torment of the uncomplaining trees.
Far off, the Thunder bellows her despair
To echoing Earth, thrice parched. The lightnings fly
In vain. No help the heaped-up clouds afford,
But wearier weight of burdened, burning air.
What truce with Dawn? Look, from the aching sky,
Day stalks, a tyrant with a flaming sword!


September

At dawn there was a murmur in the trees,
A ripple on the tank, and in the air
Presage of coming coolness -- everywhere
A voice of prophecy upon the breeze.
Up leapt the Sun and smote the dust to gold,
And strove to parch anew the heedless land,
All impotently, as a King grown old
Wars for the Empire crumbling 'neath his hand.
One after one the lotos-petals fell,
Beneath the onslaught of the rebel year,
In mutiny against a furious sky;
And far-off Winter whispered: -- "It is well!
"Hot Summer dies. Behold your help is near,
"For when men's need is sorest, then come I."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Two Months by Rudyard Kipling: A Deeper Look

Have you ever read a poem that takes you on a journey? That transports you to another place and time, and immerses you in the emotions of the characters? Rudyard Kipling's "Two Months" is one of those poems. With only ten stanzas, Kipling manages to create a rich and complex narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and perseverance. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem's structure, language, and symbolism to uncover the hidden meanings and messages that Kipling intended.

Form and Structure

Before we delve into the poem's content, let's take a moment to examine its form and structure. "Two Months" is composed of ten quatrains, or four-line stanzas, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This traditional structure gives the poem a sense of stability and balance, which contrasts with the chaotic events that unfold within it. Each stanza consists of four lines, with an alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter meter. This creates a steady rhythm that mirrors the narrator's journey across the sea. Overall, the poem's form and structure reflect the themes of balance and stability amidst chaos and change.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking features of "Two Months" is Kipling's use of language and imagery. From the very first stanza, he paints a vivid picture of the ship and its passengers:

Our ship lay tumbling in the bay,

Rack'd with the long sea-roll;

And every plate was clatter'd and crash'd,

And every bolt was a-hole.

Here, Kipling uses words like "tumbling," "rack'd," and "clatter'd" to convey the sense of chaos and tumult that the ship is experiencing. He also employs a technique called onomatopoeia, where the sound of the words imitates the sound they describe, as in "clatter'd and crash'd." This technique helps to immerse the reader in the scene and create a visceral sense of the ship's movements.

As the poem progresses, Kipling continues to use language and imagery to convey the narrator's emotions and experiences. When the narrator reflects on his lost love, he compares her to a "rose of the world" and a "star that is lost." These metaphors create a sense of longing and nostalgia for something that can never be regained. Later, when the narrator witnesses a shipwreck, he describes the scene in terms of "white surf flying," "black rocks looming," and "ripping sails." These images convey a sense of danger and destruction, as well as the power of nature to overcome human efforts.

Themes and Symbolism

At its core, "Two Months" is a poem about loss and perseverance. The narrator has lost his love and is searching for a way to move on, but he is constantly reminded of her by the sights and sounds of the sea. This theme is reflected in the poem's use of symbolism, particularly the symbol of the sea itself. Throughout the poem, the sea represents both the narrator's longing for his lost love and the obstacles he must overcome to reach a new destination. At times, the sea is calm and peaceful, while at other times it is wild and dangerous. This duality reflects the narrator's own emotional journey, as he oscillates between hope and despair.

Another important symbol in the poem is the ship. The ship represents both safety and danger, as well as the possibility of new beginnings. When the narrator first boards the ship, he is filled with a sense of hope and excitement for the journey ahead. However, as the ship encounters storms and shipwrecks, his optimism is tested. Ultimately, it is the ship that carries him to his new destination, but at a great cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling's "Two Months" is a masterful poem that explores themes of love, loss, and perseverance. Through its use of form, language, and symbolism, the poem creates a rich and complex narrative that immerses the reader in the emotions of the characters. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, "Two Months" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the power of language to convey complex emotions and experiences. So why not take a journey with the narrator and see where the sea takes you?

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a medium that allows us to communicate our deepest feelings and connect with others on a profound level. One of the most celebrated poets of all time is Rudyard Kipling, who wrote the classic poem "Two Months."

"Two Months" is a poem that captures the essence of love and loss. It is a poignant and emotional piece that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the pain of separation. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme.

The first stanza of "Two Months" describes the joy and happiness that the speaker experiences in the presence of their loved one. The speaker describes the beauty of the world around them, and how everything seems to be in harmony when they are with their beloved. The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is full of wonder and magic.

The second stanza of "Two Months" is where the tone of the poem shifts dramatically. The speaker describes the pain and sadness that they feel when they are separated from their loved one. The world that was once full of wonder and magic is now dark and bleak, and the speaker is left feeling lost and alone. The imagery used in this stanza is stark and powerful, conveying the depth of the speaker's emotions.

What makes "Two Months" such a powerful poem is the way that it captures the complexity of love and loss. The poem is not just about the joy of being with someone you love, but also about the pain of losing them. It is a reminder that love is not always easy, and that it can be a source of great joy and great pain.

Another aspect of "Two Months" that makes it such a powerful poem is the way that it uses language. Kipling's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful, and he is able to convey complex emotions and ideas with just a few words. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the world as being "a garden fair," which immediately conjures up images of beauty and harmony. In the second stanza, he describes the world as being "a desert bare," which conveys a sense of emptiness and desolation.

The structure of "Two Months" is also worth noting. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme. This structure allows Kipling to explore the complexity of love and loss in a way that is both concise and powerful. The first stanza sets up the joy and happiness that the speaker experiences in the presence of their loved one, while the second stanza explores the pain and sadness that they feel when they are separated.

In conclusion, "Two Months" is a classic poem that captures the essence of love and loss. It is a powerful and emotional piece that speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever experienced the pain of separation. Kipling's use of language, imagery, and structure make this poem a masterpiece of the genre, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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