'The Thousandth Man' by Rudyard Kipling


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One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine nundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.

'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for 'ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him.
The rest of the world don't matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man h's worth 'em all,
Because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men's sight --
With that for your only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide
The shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallows-foot -- and after!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"The Thousandth Man" by Rudyard Kipling: A Literary Analysis

Have you ever thought about what makes a true friend? Is it someone who always agrees with you, or someone who tells you the truth even when it's difficult? Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Thousandth Man" explores the idea of true friendship, and what it truly means to be a friend.

Overview of the Poem

"The Thousandth Man" is a poem about a man who claims that he is a true friend because he would be willing to die for his friend. However, the speaker of the poem argues that true friendship is not about dying for someone, but about living for them. The title of the poem refers to the idea that a true friend is so rare that you would have to go through a thousand men before you find one who is truly worthy of the title.

Analysis of the Poem

The poem is written in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that belies its deeper meaning.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker dismissing the idea that a true friend is someone who would die for you. He says that anyone can make that claim, but it takes a rare person to be a true friend.

One man in a thousand, Solomon says, Will stick more close than a brother. And it's worth while seeking him half your days If you find him before the other.

The second stanza emphasizes the rarity of true friendship, with the speaker saying that you would have to go through a thousand men in order to find one who is truly worthy of the title.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend On what the world sees in you, But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend With the whole round world agin you.

The third stanza gives an example of what it means to be a true friend. The speaker says that a true friend is someone who will tell you the truth, even if it hurts.

'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show Will settle the finding for 'ee. Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.

The fourth stanza further emphasizes the idea that a true friend is someone who will tell you the truth, even if it means hurting your feelings.

But if he finds you and you find him, The rest of the world don't matter; For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim With you in any water.

The fifth stanza gives an example of what it means to be a false friend. The speaker says that a false friend is someone who will flatter you and tell you what you want to hear, even if it's not true.

You can use his purse with no more talk Than he uses yours for his spendings, And laugh and meet in your daily walk As though there had been no lendings.

The sixth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker repeating the idea that a true friend is someone who will stick by you no matter what.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call For silver and gold in their dealings; But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all, Because you can show him your feelings.

Interpretation of the Poem

"The Thousandth Man" is a poem about the true meaning of friendship. The speaker argues that a true friend is someone who will stick by you no matter what, even if it means telling you the truth when it's difficult to hear.

The poem is also a commentary on the rarity of true friendship. The speaker says that you would have to go through a thousand men in order to find one who is truly worthy of the title of friend. This emphasizes the idea that true friendship is something that is rare and special, and not something that can be taken for granted.

At its core, "The Thousandth Man" is a poem about the importance of honesty and loyalty in a true friendship. The speaker argues that a true friend is someone who will tell you the truth, even if it means hurting your feelings. This is because true friendship is not about making you feel good all the time, but about helping you grow and become a better person.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Thousandth Man" is a powerful poem about the true meaning of friendship. The poem emphasizes the importance of honesty, loyalty, and true companionship in a true friendship. It also serves as a reminder that true friendship is rare and special, and not something that can be taken for granted.

Kipling's work has always been known for its deep messages and this poem is no exception. The poem may be short, but it packs a punch with its meaningful words and deep interpretation.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Thousandth Man: A Poetic Masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, the renowned English poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his exceptional works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Thousandth Man," which is a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of readers for over a century. This poem is a tribute to the power of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice, and it is a timeless reminder of the importance of having a true friend in life.

The Poem

The Thousandth Man is a poem that consists of nine stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with a clear and concise message that is easy to understand. The poem begins with the following lines:

One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a tribute to the power of true friendship. The poem goes on to describe the qualities of the ideal friend, who is someone who is loyal, trustworthy, and willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the friendship.

The Message

The message of The Thousandth Man is clear: true friendship is a rare and precious thing, and it is worth seeking out and cherishing. The poem emphasizes the importance of having a friend who is willing to stand by you through thick and thin, and who is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the friendship. The poem also highlights the fact that true friendship is not something that can be bought or earned, but rather it is something that is given freely and without expectation of reward.

The Themes

The Thousandth Man explores several themes that are relevant to human life. The most prominent theme is the power of friendship, which is a universal theme that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem also touches on the theme of sacrifice, which is another universal theme that is relevant to human life. The poem emphasizes the fact that true friendship requires sacrifice, and that the willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of the friendship is what sets true friends apart from others.

The Structure

The structure of The Thousandth Man is simple and straightforward, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with each iamb consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, which means that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, as do the second and fourth lines.

The Language

The language of The Thousandth Man is simple and direct, with no unnecessary words or complicated phrases. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which makes it easy to understand and relate to. The language of the poem is also very visual, with vivid descriptions that help to bring the poem to life in the reader's mind.

The Imagery

The imagery of The Thousandth Man is simple but powerful, with vivid descriptions that help to convey the message of the poem. The poem uses a number of metaphors and similes to describe the ideal friend, such as "He'll stand by your side when it's trouble and strife, / And he'll fight for you down to the finish." These images help to create a clear picture of what a true friend looks like, and they make the poem more memorable and impactful.

The Tone

The tone of The Thousandth Man is one of admiration and respect for the power of true friendship. The poem is written in a celebratory tone, with a sense of joy and excitement that comes from the realization that true friendship is a rare and precious thing. The tone of the poem is also one of encouragement, with the poet urging the reader to seek out and cherish true friendship in their own lives.

The Impact

The Thousandth Man has had a profound impact on readers since it was first published in 1892. The poem has been widely anthologized and is considered one of Kipling's most popular works. The poem has also been set to music and has been performed by a number of artists over the years. The impact of the poem lies in its timeless message of the power of true friendship, which is something that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Conclusion

The Thousandth Man is a poetic masterpiece that celebrates the power of true friendship. The poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of having a true friend in life, and it is a tribute to the qualities that make a true friend. The poem's simple language, vivid imagery, and celebratory tone make it a joy to read, and its message of the power of true friendship is one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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