'L 'envoi To "Life's Handicap"' by Rudyard Kipling


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My new-cut ashlar takes the light
Where crimson-blank the windows flare;
By my own work, before the night,
Great Overseer I make my prayer.

If there be good in that I wrought,
Thy hand compelled it, Master, Thine;
Where I have failed to meet Thy thought
I know, through Thee, the blame is mine.

One instant's toil to Thee denied
Stands all Eternity's offence,
Of that I did with Thee to guide
To Thee, through Thee, be excellence.

Who, lest all thought of Eden fade,
Bring'st Eden to the craftsman's brain,
Godlike to muse o'er his own trade
And Manlike stand with God again.

The depth and dream of my desire,
The bitter paths wherein I stray,
Thou knowest Who hast made the Fire,
Thou knowest Who hast made the Clay!

One stone the more swings to her place
In that dread Temple of Thy Worth --
It is enough that through Thy grace
I saw naught common on Thy earth.

Take not that vision from my ken;
Oh whatsoe'er may spoil or speed,
Help me to need no aid from men
That I may help such men as need!


Editor 1 Interpretation

Life's Handicap and the Poetic Epilogue: A Critical Interpretation of L'envoi

Life's Handicap, a collection of short stories written by Rudyard Kipling, is a literary work that confronts themes of social injustice, imperialism, and human struggle. The book is a poignant reflection on the human condition, and its final poem, L'envoi, serves as a poetic epilogue to the collection. This 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation aims to explore the meaning, themes, and literary devices used in L'envoi and its relation to the themes and motifs present in Life's Handicap.

Poetic Structure and Literary Devices

L'envoi, the last poem in Life's Handicap, is a four-stanza poem written in rhyming couplets. The poem uses a consistent meter and a simple rhyme scheme, which gives it a musical quality. The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, as the speaker reflects on the themes of the book and what they mean for the human condition.

One of the most striking literary devices used in L'envoi is the use of personification to bring abstract concepts to life. The poem personifies "Love," "Death," and "Time" to make them more tangible and relatable. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes Love as a "maiden fair," who "leads the march of Time." This personification of Love creates a vivid image of the power and importance of love in the human experience.

Another literary device used in L'envoi is the use of repetition to emphasize the poem's central themes. In each stanza, the speaker repeats the phrase "and the strife," which serves as a reminder of the struggles and challenges that humans face in life. This repetition creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem, tying together the themes and motifs presented in each stanza.

Themes and Motifs

L'envoi explores many of the same themes and motifs present in Life's Handicap. These themes include the struggle for human dignity, the impermanence of life, and the importance of human connection. The poem also explores the theme of time and its impact on human experience.

The first stanza of L'envoi explores the theme of love and its role in the human experience. The speaker personifies Love as a powerful force that leads the march of Time. The stanza suggests that love is an essential component of the human experience and that it provides a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives. The repetition of "and the strife" in this stanza serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with love and the struggle for human connection.

The second stanza of L'envoi explores the theme of death and its impact on human life. The speaker personifies Death as a "grim-faced king" who "waits for each and everything." This stanza suggests that death is an inevitable part of life and that we must confront it with courage and dignity. The repetition of "and the strife" in this stanza emphasizes the struggle for acceptance and understanding in the face of death.

The third stanza of L'envoi explores the theme of time and its impact on human experience. The speaker suggests that time is a "fickle friend" who "proffers peace or pain." This stanza suggests that time is a powerful force that shapes our lives and that we must use our time wisely to make the most of our experiences. The repetition of "and the strife" in this stanza emphasizes the struggle for meaning and purpose in the face of time's impermanence.

The fourth and final stanza of L'envoi reinforces the importance of human connection and the struggle for human dignity. The speaker suggests that our struggles and challenges are necessary for growth and that we must endure them with courage and determination. The repetition of "and the strife" in this stanza emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.

Interpretation

L'envoi serves as a fitting conclusion to Life's Handicap, tying together the themes and motifs explored throughout the book. The poem suggests that the human experience is one of struggle and challenge, but also of love, connection, and growth. By personifying Love, Death, and Time, Kipling creates a vivid and relatable image of the forces that shape our lives.

The repetition of "and the strife" throughout the poem reinforces the idea that struggle and challenge are essential components of the human experience. The poem suggests that our struggles and challenges are necessary for growth and that we must endure them with courage and determination.

L'envoi also emphasizes the importance of human connection and the struggle for human dignity. The poem suggests that our relationships with others provide a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives. The final stanza reinforces the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity, suggesting that our struggles and challenges are necessary for personal growth and development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, L'envoi serves as a powerful and poignant epilogue to Life's Handicap. Through its use of personification, repetition, and simple rhyme scheme, the poem explores the themes and motifs present in the book, emphasizing the struggle for human dignity, the impermanence of life, and the importance of human connection. The poem suggests that the human experience is one of struggle and challenge, but also of love, growth, and resilience. As such, L'envoi serves as a fitting conclusion to an excellent literary work and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Rudyard Kipling's "L'envoi to Life's Handicap" is a classic poem that captures the essence of life's struggles and the human condition. This poem is a part of Kipling's collection of short stories and poems titled "Life's Handicap," which explores the theme of human limitations and the challenges that people face in their daily lives. The poem is a powerful and moving piece of literature that speaks to the heart of the human experience.

The poem begins with the lines, "When Earth's last picture is painted, and the tubes are twisted and dried, When the oldest colors have faded, and the youngest critic has died." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Kipling uses vivid imagery to describe the end of life, painting a picture of a world that has lost its vibrancy and color.

The poem then takes a turn, as Kipling begins to reflect on the meaning of life and the purpose of human existence. He writes, "We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it--lie down for an aeon or two, Till the Master of All Good Workmen shall set us to work anew." These lines suggest that life is not just about the struggle and the pain, but also about the rest and the renewal that comes after it. Kipling suggests that there is a purpose to our struggles, and that we will be rewarded for our efforts in the end.

The poem then moves into a reflection on the nature of success and failure. Kipling writes, "And those that were good shall be happy; they shall sit in a golden chair; They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comets' hair." These lines suggest that success is not just about material wealth or fame, but about the satisfaction that comes from a life well-lived. Kipling suggests that those who have lived their lives with integrity and purpose will be rewarded in the end.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Kipling reflects on the nature of failure. He writes, "And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame; And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame." These lines suggest that failure is not just about the loss of material possessions or status, but about the loss of one's sense of purpose and meaning. Kipling suggests that those who have failed to live up to their potential will be judged harshly in the end.

The poem then concludes with the lines, "But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star, Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They Are!" These lines suggest that the true purpose of life is not about success or failure, but about the joy that comes from the act of creation. Kipling suggests that each person has a unique perspective on the world, and that it is through the act of creation that we can express that perspective and connect with the divine.

Overall, Kipling's "L'envoi to Life's Handicap" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It is a reflection on the transience of life, the inevitability of death, and the meaning of success and failure. Kipling suggests that the true purpose of life is not about material wealth or fame, but about the joy that comes from the act of creation. This poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Kipling's skill as a poet and storyteller.

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