'The Songs of the Lathes' by Rudyard Kipling
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The fans and the beltings they roar round me.
The power is shaking the floor round me
Tillthelathespickuptheirdutyandthemidnight-shift takes over.
It is good for me to be here!
Guns in Flanders--Flanders guns!
(I had a man that worked 'em once!)
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders! Feeds the guns!
The cranes and the carriers they boom over me,
The bays and the galleries they loom over me,
With their quarter-mile of pillars growing little in the distance--
It is good for me to be here!
The Zeppelins and Gothas they raid over us.
Our lights give warning, and fade over us.
(Seven thousand women keeping quiet in the darkness!)
Oh, it's good for me to be here.
The roofs and the buildings they grow round me,
Eating up the fields I used to know round me;
And the shed that I began in is a sub-inspector's office--
So long have I been here!
I've seen six hundred mornings make our lamps grow dim,
Through the bit that isn't painted round our sky-light rim,
And thesunshinethroughthewindowslopeaccordingto theseasons,
Twice since I've been here.
The trains on the sidings they call to us
With the hundred thousand blanks that they haul to us;
And we send'em what we'vefinished,and they take it where it's wanted,
For that is why we are here!
Man's hate passes as his love will pass.
God made Woman what she always was.
Them that bear the burden they will never grant forgiveness
So long as they are here!
Once I was a woman, but that's by with me.
All I loved and looked for, it must die with me;
But the Lord has left me over for a servant of the Judgment,
And I serve His Judgments here!
Guns in Flanders--Flanders guns!
(I had a son that worked 'em once!)
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders, Flanders!
Shells for guns in Flanders! Feeds the guns!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Songs of the Lathes by Rudyard Kipling: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Are you a fan of Rudyard Kipling's works? Have you ever read "The Songs of the Lathes"? If not, let me tell you that you are missing out on a masterpiece of poetry. This collection of poems, published in 1895, is a tribute to the craftsmen who worked on the lathes of the Indian railways. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, the style, and the significance of Kipling's poetry.
The Themes of "The Songs of the Lathes"
What are the main themes of "The Songs of the Lathes"? At first glance, one might think that the poems are simply descriptions of the work and the tools of the lathemen. However, Kipling goes beyond the surface and delves into deeper themes. One of these themes is the importance of skilled labor and craftsmanship. The lathemen are not just anonymous workers, but artists who take pride in their skills and their products. They are the ones who make the wheels and the axles of the trains that run across the Indian subcontinent. Without them, the railways would not exist.
Another theme that emerges from the poems is the sense of community and camaraderie among the lathemen. They work together, share their knowledge and their stories, and form a bond that goes beyond the workplace. They are a self-sufficient and self-regulating society, with their own rules, their own language, and their own traditions. They are a microcosm of the larger Indian society, with its diversity, its conflicts, and its resilience.
A third theme that runs through the poems is the contrast between the modern and the traditional, the mechanical and the human. The lathes are machines that require precision and repetition, but they are operated by human hands, with all their imperfections and idiosyncrasies. The lathemen have to adapt to the demands of the machines, but they also infuse them with their own personalities and their own creativity. They are the interface between the old and the new, the organic and the inorganic.
The Style of Kipling's Poetry
What is the style of Kipling's poetry in "The Songs of the Lathes"? Kipling is known for his use of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, and these elements are present in these poems as well. However, Kipling's style is not just about form, but also about content. He uses vivid imagery, sensory details, and colloquial language to create a sense of realism and authenticity. He captures the sounds, the smells, and the textures of the lathes and the workshops, and he also portrays the personalities and the emotions of the lathemen.
Kipling's style is also characterized by his use of dialect and idiom. He incorporates words and phrases from the different languages and dialects spoken in India, such as Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Bengali. This gives the poems a local flavor and a sense of place. At the same time, Kipling's use of dialect can be challenging for readers who are not familiar with these languages, and it can also be seen as a form of cultural appropriation. Kipling himself was accused of being a colonialist and a racist, and these accusations are still debated today.
The Significance of Kipling's Poetry
What is the significance of Kipling's poetry in "The Songs of the Lathes"? On one level, the poems are a celebration of the lathemen and their craft. They are a tribute to the unsung heroes of the Indian railways, who worked tirelessly and without recognition. They are a reminder of the human labor and the human ingenuity that went into the making of the modern world.
On another level, the poems are a reflection of Kipling's own worldview and his place in the colonial society. Kipling was born in India, but he was educated in England and spent most of his adult life in the British Empire. He was a product of his time and his culture, and his views on race, gender, and class were shaped by his experiences and his upbringing. Kipling saw himself as a spokesperson for the imperial project, and his works were often used to justify and glorify British rule.
However, Kipling's poetry also reveals a more complex and nuanced attitude towards India and its people. He was not blind to the injustices and the contradictions of colonialism, and he was capable of empathy and understanding towards the native population. He was also aware of the diversity and the richness of Indian culture, and he incorporated elements of it into his works. Kipling's relationship with India and its people is a complex and controversial one, and it continues to be debated by scholars and readers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Songs of the Lathes" is a remarkable collection of poems that deserves to be read and appreciated. Kipling's poetry is not only a tribute to the lathemen and their craft, but also a reflection of his own worldview and his relationship with India. The themes, the style, and the significance of the poems make them a valuable contribution to the literature of the British Empire and the world. Whether you are a fan of Kipling or a curious reader, "The Songs of the Lathes" is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, history, and culture.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Songs of the Lathes: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning author, is known for his exceptional literary works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated works is "The Songs of the Lathes," a collection of poems that explores the lives of the working-class people in the industrial era. The poems are a reflection of Kipling's own experiences as a young man working in a newspaper office and his observations of the working-class people around him. In this article, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of "The Songs of the Lathes" to understand why it is considered a masterpiece of poetry.
Themes
"The Songs of the Lathes" is a collection of poems that explores the lives of the working-class people in the industrial era. The poems are a reflection of Kipling's own experiences as a young man working in a newspaper office and his observations of the working-class people around him. The themes that run through the poems are varied, but they all revolve around the struggles and triumphs of the working-class people.
One of the most prominent themes in the collection is the idea of work and its importance in people's lives. Kipling portrays the working-class people as hardworking and dedicated individuals who take pride in their work. In the poem "The Sons of Martha," Kipling praises the work of the craftsmen and laborers who build and maintain the world. He writes, "They do not preach that their God will rouse them a little before the nuts work loose. They do not teach that His Pity allows them to drop their job when they damn-well choose."
Another theme that runs through the collection is the idea of community and solidarity. Kipling portrays the working-class people as a tight-knit community that supports each other through thick and thin. In the poem "The Coastwise Lights," Kipling writes about the lighthouse keepers who risk their lives to guide ships to safety. He writes, "They know that the lights are watching, and that those who follow the sea must keep faith with each other."
Structure
"The Songs of the Lathes" is a collection of 31 poems, each of which is written in a different form and style. Kipling uses a variety of poetic forms, including ballads, sonnets, and free verse, to convey his message. The collection is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the working-class life.
The first section, "The Sons of Martha," is a tribute to the craftsmen and laborers who build and maintain the world. The poems in this section are written in a ballad form, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter. The ballad form gives the poems a musical quality, which is fitting for a collection of songs.
The second section, "The Coastwise Lights," is a tribute to the lighthouse keepers who risk their lives to guide ships to safety. The poems in this section are written in a variety of forms, including sonnets and free verse. The use of different forms reflects the diversity of the lighthouse keepers and their experiences.
The third section, "McAndrew's Hymn," is a tribute to the engineers and mechanics who keep the machines of the world running. The poems in this section are written in a free verse form, which gives them a more modern and experimental feel.
Language
Kipling's language in "The Songs of the Lathes" is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. He uses vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors to convey the struggles and triumphs of the working-class people.
One of the most striking examples of Kipling's use of metaphor is in the poem "The Sons of Martha." In this poem, Kipling compares the craftsmen and laborers to the biblical figure of Martha, who was known for her hard work and dedication. He writes, "They do not preach that their God will rouse them a little before the nuts work loose. They do not teach that His Pity allows them to drop their job when they damn-well choose." This metaphorical comparison elevates the status of the working-class people and emphasizes the importance of their work.
Another example of Kipling's use of metaphor is in the poem "The Coastwise Lights." In this poem, Kipling compares the lighthouse keepers to the stars in the sky. He writes, "They know that the lights are watching, and that those who follow the sea must keep faith with each other." This metaphorical comparison emphasizes the importance of the lighthouse keepers' work and their role in guiding ships to safety.
Conclusion
"The Songs of the Lathes" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the lives of the working-class people in the industrial era. The collection is a reflection of Kipling's own experiences as a young man working in a newspaper office and his observations of the working-class people around him. The themes, structure, and language of the collection all work together to create a powerful and moving tribute to the hardworking and dedicated people who build and maintain the world.
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