'The First Chantey' by Rudyard Kipling
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Mine was the woman to me, darkling I found her;
Haling her dumb from the camp, took her and bound her.
Hot rose her tribe on our track ere I had proved her;
Hearing her laugh in the gloom, greatly I loved her.
Swift through the forest we ran; none stood to guard us,
Few were my people and far; then the flood barred us --
Him we call Son of the Sea, sullen and swollen.
Panting we waited the death, stealer and stolen.
Yet ere they came to my lance laid for the slaughter,
Lightly she leaped to a log lapped in the water;
Holding on high and apart skins that arrayed her,
Called she the God of the Wind that He should aid her.
Life had the tree at that word (Praise we the Giver!)
Otter-like left he the bank for the full river.
Far fell their axes behind, flashing and ringing,
Wonder was on me and fear -- yet she was singing!
Low lay the land we had left.Now the blue bound us,
Even the Floor of the Gods level around us.
Whisper there was not, nor word, shadow nor showing,
Till the light stirred on the deep, glowing and growing.
Then did He leap to His place flaring from under,
He the Compeller, the Sun, bared to our wonder.
Nay, not a league from our eyes blinded with gazing,
Cleared He the gate of the world, huge and amazing!
This we beheld (and we live) -- the Pit of the Burning!
Then the God spoke to the tree for our returning;
Back to the beach of our flight, fearless and slowly,
Back to our slayers went he:but we were holy.
Men that were hot in that hunt, women that followed,
Babes that were promised our bones, trembled and wallowed:
Over the necks of the Tribe crouching and fawning --
Prophet and priestess we came back from the dawning!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The First Chantey: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Rudyard Kipling's "The First Chantey" is a poem that captures the essence of a sailor's life. The poem portrays the struggles and triumphs of the sailors, and how their unity and determination help them overcome the dangers and challenges of the sea. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall meaning and significance of the work.
A Brief Summary
"The First Chantey" is a poem that tells the story of a group of sailors who are about to embark on a perilous journey across the sea. The poem begins with the sailors gathering on the deck of the ship, preparing for their voyage. They start singing a chantey, a traditional sailor's song, which serves as a rallying cry and a source of inspiration for the sailors. The song gives them the courage and strength to face the challenges ahead, and they set sail with determination and hope in their hearts.
As they sail across the sea, the sailors encounter various obstacles and dangers. They face stormy weather, treacherous waves, and the threat of pirates. However, they remain united and resolute, and they overcome these challenges with their sheer willpower and the solidarity of their group.
In the end, the sailors reach their destination, a distant port on a foreign shore. They celebrate their victory and their safe arrival, and they sing the final verse of their chantey, which serves as a tribute to their journey and their bond as sailors.
The Theme of Unity and Solidarity
One of the central themes of "The First Chantey" is the idea of unity and solidarity. Throughout the poem, Kipling emphasizes the importance of the sailors' bond and their collective strength in the face of adversity.
The sailors in the poem are not just individuals, but a community that works together to achieve a common goal. They sing their chantey in unison, and their voices blend together to create a powerful and moving sound. This unity is what gives them the courage and determination to face the challenges of the sea, and it is what helps them overcome these challenges.
The theme of unity is also present in the symbolism of the ship itself. The ship is not just a vessel that carries the sailors across the sea, but a symbol of their community and their shared experience. The ship is a place where the sailors live, work, and sleep together, and it is a reminder of their mutual dependence and support.
The Symbolism of the Chantey
The chantey in the poem is not just a song, but a symbol of the sailors' culture and tradition. The chantey is a form of communication among the sailors, and it serves as a means of expressing their emotions and their experiences. The chantey also has a practical purpose, as it helps the sailors coordinate their movements while working on the ship.
The chantey is also a symbol of the sailors' resilience and endurance. The chantey is sung in a repetitive and rhythmic manner, which reflects the monotony and tedium of life at sea. However, the chantey also serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for the sailors, helping them overcome the challenges of the sea and the hardships of their daily life.
The Use of Literary Devices
Kipling's use of literary devices in "The First Chantey" helps to convey the themes and symbols of the poem. One of the most notable devices is the repetition of the phrase "Heave oh!" throughout the chantey. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity among the sailors, and it emphasizes the physical exertion of their work on the ship.
Another literary device used in the poem is the metaphor of the sea as a "black bull." This metaphor creates a sense of danger and unpredictability, and it emphasizes the strength and power of the sea. The metaphor also highlights the bravery and determination of the sailors, who must face this formidable beast in order to complete their journey.
Conclusion
"The First Chantey" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the spirit of the sailor's life. Through its themes, symbols, and literary devices, the poem conveys the importance of unity, solidarity, and resilience in the face of adversity. Kipling's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the sea and the sailors who brave its dangers, and it reminds us of the power of community and tradition in the face of hardship.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to transport us to different times and places, to evoke emotions we never knew we had, and to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. One such poem that has stood the test of time is Rudyard Kipling's "The First Chantey." This classic piece of literature is a celebration of the sea and the sailors who brave its treacherous waters. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in "The First Chantey" and how they contribute to the poem's enduring appeal.
Firstly, let us examine the poem's structure. "The First Chantey" is a ballad, a form of poetry that tells a story in a simple, straightforward manner. It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. This gives the poem a rhythmic, musical quality that mimics the sound of the sea.
The poem's opening lines immediately set the tone and establish the setting: "Oh, Mary, go and call the cattle home, / And call the cattle home, / And call the cattle home, / Across the sands o' Dee." The repetition of the phrase "call the cattle home" creates a sense of urgency and suggests that something important is about to happen. The reference to "the sands o' Dee" places us in a coastal region, and the use of the word "sands" suggests a barren, desolate landscape.
The first stanza introduces us to the sailors and their ship: "The western wind was wild and dank with foam, / And all alone went she, / And her rigging tore like the split, / And the waves her timbers beat." The use of alliteration and onomatopoeia in "wild and dank with foam" and "rigging tore like the split" creates a vivid image of a ship battling against the elements. The personification of the waves as beating the ship's timbers adds to the sense of danger and violence.
The second stanza introduces the captain of the ship: "The shipmates heard the captain cry, / 'Oh, Mary, come and see! / Our good ship sails the sea no more / If she can't sail with me.'" The captain's cry is a call to action, and the use of the word "our" suggests a sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility among the sailors. The repetition of the word "sail" emphasizes the importance of the ship's ability to navigate the sea.
The third stanza introduces the theme of perseverance: "Our vows, our prayers, we now renew, / To walk the seas with you, / A thousand miles from home we've flown, / But never once we knew." The sailors' vows and prayers suggest a sense of faith and determination, and the use of the word "renew" implies that they have faced challenges before and overcome them. The reference to being "a thousand miles from home" emphasizes the sailors' isolation and the vastness of the sea.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of unity: "The wind was foul, the helm was hard, / So why not drink a toast / To the trim-built craft, the good ship Madonna, / And the girls we left behind us?" The sailors' decision to drink a toast in the face of adversity suggests a sense of camaraderie and solidarity. The reference to the ship as "trim-built" emphasizes its strength and durability, while the mention of the girls left behind suggests a longing for home and loved ones.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of mortality: "We'll drink to the foam that's underneath, / And the foam that's on the brine, / And the winds that whistle through the rigging, / As we brave death to dine." The sailors' willingness to "brave death to dine" suggests a sense of fatalism and acceptance of their mortality. The reference to the foam and the winds emphasizes the sailors' connection to the sea and the elements.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle and concludes with a sense of triumph: "And it's down, down, down with the Madonna, / And a long farewell to thee, / But we'll drink a cup of kindness yet, / For the days of Auld Lang Syne." The repetition of the word "down" creates a sense of finality and closure, while the reference to "Auld Lang Syne" suggests a celebration of the past and a hope for the future. The sailors' willingness to "drink a cup of kindness" despite their loss suggests a sense of resilience and optimism.
In conclusion, "The First Chantey" is a timeless poem that celebrates the sea and the sailors who brave its dangers. Through its use of vivid imagery, rhythmic language, and universal themes, the poem speaks to our shared human experience and inspires us to persevere in the face of adversity. As we read and reread this classic piece of literature, we are reminded of the power of poetry to transport us to different times and places, to evoke emotions we never knew we had, and to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves.
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