'The Prodigal Son' by Rudyard Kipling


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Here come I to my own again,Fed, forgiven and known again,Claimed by bone of my bone againAnd cheered by flesh of my flesh.The fatted calf is dressed for me,But the husks have greater zest for me,I think my pigs will be best for me,So I'm off to the Yards afresh.I never was very refined, you see,(And it weighs on my brother's mind, you see)
But there's no reproach among swine, d'you see,For being a bit of a swine.
So I'm off with wallet and staff to eatThe bread that is three parts chaff to wheat,But glory be! - there's a laugh to it,Which isn't the case when we dine.My father glooms and advises me,My brother sulks and despises me,And Mother catechises meTill I want to go out and swear.And, in spite of the butler's gravity,I know that the servants have it IAm a monster of moral depravity,And I'm damned if I think it's fair!I wasted my substance, I know I did,On riotous living, so I did,But there's nothing on record to show I didWorse than my betters have done.They talk of the money I spent out there -
They hint at the pace that I went out there -
But they all forget I was sent out thereAlone as a rich man's son.So I was a mark for plunder at once,And lost my cash (can you wonder?) at once,But I didn't give up and knock under at once,I worked in the Yards, for a spell,Where I spent my nights and my days with hogs.And shared their milk and maize with hogs,Till, I guess, I have learned what pays with hogsAnd - I have that knowledge to sell!So back I go to my job again,Not so easy to rob again,Or quite so ready to sob againOn any neck that's around.
I'm leaving, Pater.Good-bye to you!
God bless you, Mater! I'll write to you!I wouldn't be impolite to you,
But, Brother, you are a hound!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Prodigal Son by Rudyard Kipling

Have you ever read a poem that took you on an emotional roller coaster, where you felt everything the protagonist was feeling? Well, The Prodigal Son by Rudyard Kipling is one of such poems. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the themes of family, responsibility, and redemption.

Summary

The poem tells the story of a young man who left home to pursue his dreams, despite his father's warnings. He wanted to see the world and experience life, so he demanded his share of the inheritance from his father and left. The young man spent all his money on frivolous living, and when he became destitute, he found himself working in a pigsty. He realized the error of his ways and decided to return home to beg for his father's forgiveness. The father, filled with joy, welcomed him home with open arms, and the family celebrated the prodigal son's return.

Literary Devices

Kipling masterfully employs various literary devices to convey the theme of the poem. Some of the notable devices include:

Imagery

Kipling uses vivid imagery to paint a picture in the reader's mind. For instance, in the opening stanza, he describes the prodigal son's departure as follows:

He wrapped his worldly goods away In his 'broidered cloak so fine, And he went forth on a summer's day To see his estates and mine.

The reader can visualize the young man wrapping his belongings in his cloak and embarking on his journey.

Tone

The tone of the poem changes throughout, reflecting the emotions of the protagonist. In the first stanza, the tone is optimistic as the young man sets out on his adventure. However, as he squanders his inheritance, the tone becomes somber and regretful. The tone shifts again in the final stanza, where it becomes joyful as the prodigal son returns home.

Symbolism

Kipling uses symbolism to convey the central themes of the poem. For instance, the pigsty where the prodigal son works is symbolic of his degradation and how far he has fallen. Similarly, the father's embrace symbolizes his forgiveness and acceptance of his son.

Interpretation

The Prodigal Son is a poem that explores the complexities of family relationships. The young man's desire to leave home and pursue his dreams is a common theme in literature, and Kipling handles it masterfully. He shows the consequences of reckless living and how it can lead to a fall from grace. However, the poem is not just a cautionary tale; it is also a story of redemption.

The prodigal son's decision to return home and seek his father's forgiveness is a powerful message of hope. It shows that no matter how far one has strayed from the path, there is always a chance to make amends and start afresh. The father's forgiveness and acceptance of his son is a testament to the power of love and the importance of family.

Conclusion

The Prodigal Son is a timeless masterpiece that explores the themes of family, responsibility, and redemption. Kipling's use of literary devices such as imagery, tone, and symbolism, adds depth and richness to the poem. The reader is taken on a journey through the prodigal son's life, feeling his joy, pain, and eventually his redemption. This poem is a testament to Kipling's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the human experience in a few short stanzas.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Prodigal Son is a classic poem written by Rudyard Kipling, which tells the story of a young man who leaves his home and family to seek adventure and fortune. The poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of family, love, and redemption, and it is widely regarded as one of Kipling's most enduring works.

The poem begins with the young man, who is referred to as the Prodigal Son, leaving his home and family to seek his fortune in the world. He is full of excitement and ambition, and he is determined to make a name for himself. However, as he travels further and further from home, he begins to realize that the world is not as welcoming as he had imagined.

The Prodigal Son encounters many challenges and obstacles on his journey, and he is forced to confront the harsh realities of life. He experiences poverty, hunger, and loneliness, and he begins to long for the warmth and comfort of his family home. Despite his hardships, however, he remains determined to succeed, and he continues to push himself forward.

As the Prodigal Son continues on his journey, he begins to reflect on his past and the love and support that he had received from his family. He realizes that he had taken their love for granted, and he begins to feel a deep sense of regret for the way that he had treated them. He longs to return home and make amends for his mistakes, but he is afraid that his family will reject him.

Despite his fears, the Prodigal Son decides to return home, and he sets out on the long journey back. When he finally arrives, he is greeted with open arms by his family, who are overjoyed to see him. They forgive him for his mistakes and welcome him back into their home with love and warmth.

The Prodigal Son is a powerful exploration of the themes of family, love, and redemption. It is a story of a young man who leaves his home and family in search of adventure and fortune, only to realize that the love and support of his family is the most valuable thing in the world. The poem is a reminder that no matter how far we may wander, we can always find our way back home, and that the love of our family will always be there to welcome us back.

One of the most striking aspects of The Prodigal Son is the way that Kipling uses language to convey the emotions and experiences of the young man. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, which bring the story to life and make it feel real and immediate. For example, when the Prodigal Son is reflecting on his past, Kipling writes:

"And he thought of the days that were over, And the nights that were laden with fears, And he saw that his folly had cost him The friends he had counted as peers."

This passage is a powerful reminder of the consequences of our actions, and it conveys the sense of regret and sadness that the Prodigal Son feels as he reflects on his mistakes.

Another striking aspect of The Prodigal Son is the way that Kipling explores the themes of family and love. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of these values in our lives, and it shows how they can provide us with strength and support even in the darkest of times. When the Prodigal Son returns home, he is welcomed back with open arms by his family, who forgive him for his mistakes and show him unconditional love. This is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love, and it shows how it can heal even the deepest wounds.

In conclusion, The Prodigal Son is a classic poem that explores the themes of family, love, and redemption. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of these values in our lives, and it shows how they can provide us with strength and support even in the darkest of times. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of literature, and it is a reminder of the transformative power of language. If you have not yet read The Prodigal Son, I highly recommend that you do so, as it is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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