“To-tschin-shu is condemned to death.
How can he drink tea with the Executioner?”
Japanese Proverb.
The eldest son bestrides him,
And the pretty daughter rides him,
And I meet him oft o’ mornings on the Course;
And there kindles in my bosom
An emotion chill and gruesome
As I canter past the Undertaker’s Horse.
Neither shies he nor is restive,
But a hideously suggestive
Trot, professional and placid, he affects;
And the cadence of his hoof-beats
To my mind this grim reproof beats:—
“Mend your pace, my friend, I’m coming. Who’s the next?”
Ah! stud-bred of ill-omen,
I have watched the strongest go, men
Of pith and might and muscle, at your heels,
Down the plantain-bordered highway,
(Heaven send it ne’er be my way!)
In a lacquered box and jetty upon wheels.
Answer, sombre beast and dreary,
Where is Brown, the young, the cheery,
Smith, the pride of all his friends and half the Force?
You were at that last dread dak
We must cover at a walk,
Bring them back to me, O Undertaker’s Horse!
With your mane unhogged and flowing,
And your curious way of going,
And that businesslike black crimping of your tail,
E’en with Beauty on your back, Sir,
Pacing as a lady’s hack, Sir,
What wonder when I meet you I turn pale?
It may be you wait your time, Beast,
Till I write my last bad rhyme, Beast,
Quit the sunlight, cut the rhyming, drop the glass,
Follow after with the others,
Where some dusky heathen smothers
Us with marigolds in lieu of English grass.
Or, perchance, in years to follow,
I shall watch your plump sides hollow,
See Carnifex (gone lame) become a corse,
See old age at last o’erpower you,
And the Station Pack devour you,
I shall chuckle then, O Undertaker’s Horse!
But to insult, jibe, and quest, I’ve
Still the hideously suggestive
Trot that hammers out the unrelenting text,
And I hear it hard behind me
In what place soe’er I find me:—
“Sure to catch you sooner or later. Who’s the next?”
Analysis of the Poem
“The Undertaker’s Horse” by Rudyard Kipling is a poem set in colonial India that explores themes of death, mortality, and the human struggle to cope with the knowledge of one’s eventual demise. Its structure features eight stanzas with a consistent AABBCC rhyme scheme and predominantly anapestic trimeter.
Kipling employs vivid language, imagery, and symbolism, with the undertaker’s horse serving as a constant reminder of the inescapable nature of death. The poem highlights the equalizing power of death, affecting individuals of all backgrounds and social standings. Kipling’s own experiences, colonial setting, and military influence contribute to the poem’s context.
His unique literary style combines humor, satire, and irony to deliver a contemplative and engaging work that resonates with readers across different cultures and time periods.
Structure
The structure of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The Undertaker’s Horse” can be analyzed in terms of its stanzas, rhyme scheme, and meter.
Stanzas
The poem comprises eight stanzas, each containing six lines. This consistent stanza length provides a sense of uniformity and balance to the poem.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme of AABBCC in each stanza. This pattern contributes to the poem’s sense of structure and order, which contrasts with the morbid and unsettling subject matter.
For example, in the first stanza, the rhyming words are as follows:
- him (A)
- him (A)
- Course (B)
- Horse (B)
- bosom (C)
- gruesome (C)
This rhyme scheme is maintained throughout the poem, reinforcing the poem’s structural coherence.
Meter
The poem’s meter is predominantly anapestic trimeter, meaning that there are three metrical feet per line, each foot consisting of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic and flowing quality, which is juxtaposed against the dark and grim content.
For instance, the first line of the second stanza can be broken down as follows: Neither | shies he | nor is | restive
However, there are occasional deviations from this metrical pattern. Some lines contain iambs or a mix of anapests and iambs, which adds variation to the poem’s rhythm.
Language and Imagery
In “The Undertaker’s Horse,” Rudyard Kipling employs vivid language and imagery to convey the unsettling and morbid atmosphere surrounding the undertaker’s horse. Here are some key examples of language and imagery in the poem:
Diction
Kipling uses words with strong connotations to create a chilling and grim atmosphere. For example, words like “chill,” “gruesome,” “hideously suggestive,” “dread,” “somber,” and “dreary” contribute to the poem’s dark and unsettling tone. Additionally, the repetition of phrases like “Undertaker’s Horse” and “Who’s the next?” throughout the poem emphasizes the inescapable presence of death.
Personification
The poem personifies the horse, attributing human-like qualities and emotions to the animal. This technique allows the poet to create a deeper connection between the horse and the reader, making the horse a symbol of mortality. For instance, the horse is described as “professional and placid” and having a “curious way of going,” as if it is aware of its role in the grim business of funerals.
Symbolism
The undertaker’s horse symbolizes the inevitability of death and the passage of time. It serves as a constant reminder that everyone, regardless of their strength or social standing, will eventually meet their end. The horse is also associated with the loss of loved ones, as seen in the lines about Brown and Smith, who are now gone.
Visual Imagery
Kipling creates striking visual images throughout the poem, which help to paint a vivid picture of the undertaker’s horse and its grim surroundings. Examples include the description of the horse’s “mane unhogged and flowing” and its “businesslike black crimping of [the] tail.” Another example is the image of the “lacquered box and jetty upon wheels,” which represents a hearse carrying a coffin.
Sensory Imagery
The poem also employs sensory imagery to evoke the reader’s senses and further immerse them in the morbid atmosphere. For instance, the auditory imagery of the horse’s “cadence of his hoof-beats” and the “trot that hammers out the unrelenting text” creates a sense of foreboding and unease.
Themes and Messages
In “The Undertaker’s Horse,” Rudyard Kipling explores several themes and messages that revolve around the central idea of death and its inevitability. The key themes and messages include:
The Inevitability of Death
The primary theme in the poem is the inescapable nature of death. The undertaker’s horse serves as a constant reminder that everyone, regardless of their strength or social standing, will eventually succumb to death. The repeated question “Who’s the next?” underscores the idea that no one can escape their mortality.
The Equalizing Power of Death
Kipling emphasizes that death does not discriminate between people, affecting everyone, irrespective of their social status or personal attributes. The poem mentions the loss of Brown, a cheerful individual, and Smith, a well-regarded figure among his friends and the force, illustrating that death eventually claims everyone, regardless of their qualities or achievements in life.
The Inescapable Presence of Death
Throughout the poem, the undertaker’s horse represents the omnipresent and looming nature of death. The speaker encounters the horse frequently, and the constant reminder of death through the horse’s presence creates an atmosphere of unease and tension. This theme is further emphasized through the lines, “And I hear it hard behind me / In what place soe’er I find me,” suggesting that death is always nearby, waiting for its turn.
Coping with Mortality
The poem also touches upon the human struggle to cope with the knowledge of one’s mortality. The speaker ponders the possible ways in which they will eventually face death, such as writing their last bad rhyme or following after others who have already passed. Despite the somber nature of these thoughts, the speaker also imagines a moment of triumph over the horse, as they envision the animal’s eventual demise and feel a sense of satisfaction.
The Universality of Death
Kipling’s poem demonstrates the universality of death across different cultures. The reference to the Japanese proverb at the beginning and the mention of marigolds in lieu of English grass in the sixth stanza indicate that the experience of death and the rituals surrounding it are shared across various societies, even if the specific customs differ.
Context
To provide an analysis of “The Undertaker’s Horse” in terms of context, it is essential to consider the historical background and personal experiences of the poet, Rudyard Kipling.
Historical Context
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English writer and poet, born in colonial India. Kipling spent a significant portion of his life in India and was exposed to the British colonial experience, which is reflected in his works. “The Undertaker’s Horse” was published in 1885 as part of Kipling’s collection titled “Departmental Ditties and Other Verses.” This collection features satirical and humorous verses about life in British India, often highlighting the bureaucratic and social aspects of colonial society.
Colonial Setting
The poem is set in the context of colonial India, evident through the mention of the “plantain-bordered highway” and “dusky heathen” who smothers the deceased with marigolds instead of English grass. The undertaker’s horse becomes a symbol of death within this colonial setting, and Kipling uses this imagery to explore the themes of mortality and the universality of death across different cultures.
Military Influence
Kipling’s familiarity with the military life in colonial India is evident in the poem. The reference to “Smith, the pride of all his friends and half the Force” indicates the presence of military personnel in the poem’s setting. Kipling’s portrayal of death as an equalizing force is also underscored by the military context, as soldiers from various social backgrounds were exposed to the same risks and eventualities.
Personal Experience
Kipling’s own experiences and encounters with death during his time in India may have influenced the poem. Living in an era where death was more prevalent due to factors such as disease, accidents, and military conflicts, Kipling likely witnessed the passing of friends and acquaintances. This personal experience may have contributed to the poem’s contemplative tone and its focus on the inescapable nature of death.
Kipling’s Style and Literary Context
“The Undertaker’s Horse” is a reflection of Kipling’s unique style, which often combines humor, satire, and irony to convey deeper messages about society and human nature. In this poem, Kipling employs dark humor and irony to explore the themes of mortality and the human struggle to cope with the knowledge of one’s eventual demise.
We Welcome Your Comments
Please note that this poem analysis is primarily an artistic interpretation rather than a precise science, and as such, may contain inaccuracies. We encourage you to share any observations or comments regarding the poem in the comment section below.