'"Mary , Pity Women!"' by Rudyard Kipling


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You call yourself a man,
For all you used to swear,
An' leave me, as you can,
My certain shame to bear?
I 'ear!You do not care --
You done the worst you know.
I 'ate you, grinnin' there. . . .
Ah, Gawd, I love you so!

Nice while it lasted, an' now it is over --
Tear out your 'eart an' good-bye to your lover!
What's the use o' grievin', when the mother that bore you
(Mary, pity women!) knew it all before you?

It aren't no false alarm,
The finish to your fun;
You -- you 'ave brung the 'arm,
An' I'm the ruined one;
An' now you'll off an' run
With some new fool in tow.
Your 'eart?You 'aven't none. . . .
Ah, Gawd, I love you so!

When a man is tired there is naught will bind 'im;
All 'e solemn promised 'e will shove be'ind 'im.
What's the good o' prayin' for The Wrath to strike 'im
(Mary, pity women!), when the rest are like 'im?

What 'ope for me or -- it?
What's left for us to do?
I've walked with men a bit,
But this -- but this is you.
So 'elp me Christ, it's true!
Where can I 'ide or go?
You coward through and through! . . .
Ah, Gawd, I love you so!

All the more you give 'em the less are they for givin' --
Love lies dead, an' you cannot kiss 'im livin'.
Down the road 'e led you there is no returnin'
(Mary, pity women!), but you're late in learnin'!

You'd like to treat me fair?
You can't, because we're pore?
We'd starve?What do I care!
We might, but ~this~ is shore!
I want the name -- no more --
The name, an' lines to show,
An' not to be an 'ore. . . .
Ah, Gawd, I love you so!

What's the good o' pleadin', when the mother that bore you
(Mary, pity women!) knew it all before you?
Sleep on 'is promises an' wake to your sorrow
(Mary, pity women!), for we sail to-morrow!


Editor 1 Interpretation

Mary, Pity Women! by Rudyard Kipling: A Critical Analysis

Rudyard Kipling's poem, "Mary, Pity Women!" is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that portrays the life of women in a patriarchal society. Written in 1891, this poem is a tribute to the women who were oppressed and marginalized during that time. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and irony, Kipling reflects on the societal norms that constrained women and highlights the need for their liberation. This literary criticism and interpretation will analyze the themes, literary devices, and symbolism used in the poem.

The Themes

"Mary, Pity Women!" has several themes that are central to the poem. The first theme is the patriarchal society that prevailed during the late 19th century. Women were not considered equal to men and were expected to fulfill certain roles and responsibilities that were defined by men. The poem highlights how women were seen as objects of desire and were often exploited by men. The second theme is sexual exploitation. Women were often subjected to sexual exploitation by men who used them for their own pleasure. The poem portrays the pain and suffering that women had to endure at the hands of men. The third theme is the need for liberation. The poem highlights the need for women to be liberated from the shackles of patriarchal society and to be treated as equals.

Literary Devices

Kipling uses several literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. One of the key devices is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid imagery that paints a picture of the life of women during the late 19th century. For example, in the first stanza, Kipling writes:

"You call yourself a man,
For all you used to swear,
You tasted nothing first that ran
Through your throat like a prayer.
You lived whate'er you chose to do
And kissed whome'er you might,
You have the right to vanish too
—We women have the right to-night!"

Here, Kipling uses imagery to depict the double standards that existed in society. Men were allowed to do as they pleased while women were expected to adhere to a strict moral code. The use of the word "prayer" emphasizes the idea that women were expected to be pure and chaste, while men were free to indulge in whatever they wanted.

Another literary device that Kipling uses is irony. The poem is filled with ironic statements that highlight the hypocrisy of society. For example, in the second stanza, Kipling writes:

"You have learned to ride and shoot
With a lady on your horse,
And you've learned to swear and to flout
The women folks in force
You've chased a hundred women down
The green lane's of the grove,
And never yet turned once to frown
On her you left to grieve."

Here, Kipling uses irony to highlight the fact that men were allowed to engage in all sorts of debauchery, while women were expected to remain pure and chaste. The use of the word "flout" emphasizes the idea that men were allowed to treat women poorly without any consequences.

Symbolism

Kipling also uses symbolism to convey the themes of the poem. One of the key symbols in the poem is Mary. Mary represents the suffering and pain that women had to endure during the late 19th century. The use of the name Mary is significant because it is a common name that is associated with purity and chastity. Mary is also a biblical figure who is revered for her piety and devotion. By using the name Mary, Kipling is able to convey the idea that women were expected to be pure and chaste, even though they were often subjected to sexual exploitation.

Another symbol that Kipling uses is the night. The night represents the liberation that women are seeking. The use of the night as a symbol is significant because it is a time when people are free to do as they please without fear of judgment. By using the night as a symbol, Kipling is able to convey the idea that women should be free to do as they please without fear of judgment.

Conclusion

"Mary, Pity Women!" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that portrays the life of women during the late 19th century. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and irony, Kipling is able to convey the pain and suffering that women had to endure at the hands of men. The poem highlights the need for women to be liberated from the shackles of patriarchal society and to be treated as equals. Kipling's use of literary devices and symbolism is masterful, and his message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written over a century ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Mary, Pity Women! is a classic poem written by Rudyard Kipling, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. The poem is a powerful and emotional piece that explores the plight of women in society and the challenges they face in their daily lives. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker addressing Mary, the mother of Jesus, and asking her to pity women. The second stanza describes the struggles that women face in their daily lives, while the third stanza offers a glimmer of hope and redemption.

The poem's title, Mary, Pity Women!, is significant as it invokes the image of Mary, a symbol of compassion and empathy. The speaker is asking Mary to extend her compassion to all women who are suffering in the world. The use of the exclamation mark in the title also adds a sense of urgency and emotion to the poem.

The first stanza of the poem is a plea to Mary to have mercy on women. The speaker addresses Mary as the "Queen of Heaven" and "Mother of Grace," highlighting her importance and significance in the Christian faith. The speaker then goes on to describe the struggles that women face in their daily lives, such as "the weariness that has not yet found rest" and "the grief that has not yet found mourning." The use of repetition in these lines emphasizes the magnitude of the struggles that women face and the need for compassion and empathy.

The second stanza of the poem is a powerful description of the challenges that women face in their daily lives. The speaker describes women as "the servants of fire" and "the servants of water," highlighting the dual nature of their roles in society. Women are expected to be both nurturing and strong, a difficult balance to maintain. The line "the servants of the secret" is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the burden that women carry in keeping the secrets of their families and communities.

The third stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope and redemption. The speaker asks Mary to "pray for the great of heart" and "pray for the fools and the muddled." This line suggests that even those who are struggling and lost can find redemption and hope through prayer and faith. The final line of the poem, "God's pity on all gallant women who strive and suffer and are lost," is a powerful statement of empathy and compassion for all women who are struggling in the world.

The poem's structure is simple yet effective. The use of three stanzas with four lines each creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "the weariness that has not yet found rest," adds to the poem's emotional impact. The use of religious imagery and references to Mary and God also adds depth and significance to the poem.

The poem's use of literary devices is also noteworthy. The use of repetition, as mentioned earlier, emphasizes the magnitude of the struggles that women face. The use of metaphor, such as "the servants of fire" and "the servants of water," adds depth and complexity to the poem's description of women's roles in society. The use of alliteration, such as "pray for the fools and the muddled," adds a musical quality to the poem.

In conclusion, Mary, Pity Women! is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the struggles that women face in their daily lives. The poem's use of religious imagery and literary devices adds depth and significance to its message. The poem's structure and repetition also add to its emotional impact. Overall, Mary, Pity Women! is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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