Eyes aloft, over dangerous places,
The children follow the butterflies,
And, in the sweat of their upturned faces,
Slash with a net at the empty skies.
So it goes they fall amid brambles,
And sting their toes on the nettle-tops,
Till, after a thousand scratches and scrambles,
They wipe their brows and the hunting stops.
Then to quiet them comes their father
And stills the riot of pain and grief,
Saying, “Little ones, go and gather
Out of my garden a cabbage-leaf.”
“You will find on it whorls and clots of
Dull grey eggs that, properly fed,
Turn, by way of the worm, to lots of
Glorious butterflies raised from the dead.”
“Heaven is beautiful, Earth is ugly,”
The three-dimensioned preacher saith;
So we must not look where the snail and the slug lie
For Psyche’s birth…. And that is our death!
Analysis of the Poem Butterflies
Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Butterflies” explores themes of the pursuit of beauty, transformation, and the contrast between physical and spiritual realms. The poem is structured in a consistent manner with five four-line stanzas, an AABB rhyme scheme, and iambic trimeter.
Vivid descriptions, metaphors, and symbolism in the language and imagery convey these themes and evoke emotional responses. The poem’s context is shaped by Kipling’s personal background, the historical period of the late 19th century, and the literary influences of Victorian and Romantic poetry.
Through this combination of structure, language, imagery, themes, and context, “Butterflies” invites readers to reflect on the human quest for beauty and spiritual growth, and the potential for transformation in even the most mundane aspects of life.
Structure
“Structure” refers to the organization and arrangement of a poem’s elements, including stanzas, rhyme scheme, and meter. In this analysis, I will focus on these structural aspects of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Butterflies.”
Stanzas
The poem consists of five stanzas, each containing four lines. This regular structure contributes to a sense of coherence and balance throughout the poem.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which means that the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. This pattern creates a sense of unity within each stanza and across the entire poem.
Meter
The poem employs a consistent iambic trimeter throughout, which means that each line has three stressed syllables followed by three unstressed syllables. This creates a rhythmic, sing-song quality that contributes to the poem’s overall tone and flow.
Language and Imagery
In terms of language and imagery, Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Butterflies” employs vivid descriptions, metaphors, and symbolism to convey its themes and evoke emotions in the reader.
Vivid Descriptions
Kipling uses detailed language to paint a picture of the children chasing butterflies. Phrases like “in the sweat of their upturned faces” and “slash with a net at the empty skies” create a sense of the children’s effort and determination. Additionally, the descriptions of the children’s injuries, such as “fall amid brambles” and “sting their toes on the nettle-tops,” evoke a sense of discomfort and pain, contrasting with the light and airy pursuit of butterflies.
Metaphors
The poem contains several metaphors, such as “Heaven is beautiful, Earth is ugly” and “Psyche’s birth.” These metaphors serve to convey deeper themes and meanings. The comparison of Heaven and Earth emphasizes the stark contrast between the spiritual and the physical realms, while the mention of Psyche’s birth (Psyche being a symbol of the soul) suggests a transformation or rebirth that takes place through the process of pain and struggle.
Symbolism
The poem is rich with symbolic imagery. Butterflies, for example, often represent transformation, beauty, and the soul in literature. In this poem, they symbolize both the fleeting, elusive beauty that the children chase and the ultimate transformation that can be achieved through struggle and growth. The snail and the slug, on the other hand, represent the less attractive aspects of earthly existence, highlighting the contrast between the beauty of the spiritual realm and the ugliness of the physical world.
Themes and Messages
In Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Butterflies,” several themes and messages emerge through the imagery, metaphors, and symbolism employed in the text. Some of the key themes and messages include the pursuit of beauty, the process of transformation, and the contrast between the physical and spiritual realms.
Pursuit of Beauty
The children’s chase of the butterflies serves as a metaphor for humanity’s quest for beauty and spiritual fulfillment. This theme is reinforced by the vivid descriptions of the children’s efforts and struggles in chasing the elusive butterflies. The poem suggests that the pursuit of beauty can often lead to pain and suffering, as the children endure scratches and stings during their hunt.
Transformation
The poem alludes to the process of transformation and growth through the metaphor of the butterfly’s life cycle. The father’s advice to the children about gathering cabbage leaves with eggs that will eventually turn into butterflies suggests that even from something seemingly dull and mundane, transformation and beauty can arise. The reference to “Psyche’s birth” further emphasizes this theme, as Psyche represents the soul and its transformative journey.
Physical vs. Spiritual Realms
The contrast between the beauty of Heaven and the ugliness of Earth serves as a central theme in the poem. The spiritual realm, represented by the butterflies, is portrayed as beautiful and elusive, while the physical realm, symbolized by the snail and the slug, is seen as ugly and harsh. The poem encourages readers to look beyond the superficial ugliness of the physical world and recognize the potential for transformation and spiritual growth that lies within.
Context
When analyzing the poem “Butterflies” by Rudyard Kipling in terms of context, it is important to consider the poet’s background, the historical period, and the prevalent literary influences of the time.
Rudyard Kipling’s background
Born in 1865, Rudyard Kipling was an English writer and poet who achieved significant acclaim during his lifetime. He is best known for his works of fiction, such as “The Jungle Book” and “Kim,” and his poetry, which often reflects themes of imperialism and British identity. Kipling’s upbringing in colonial India and his experiences living in various parts of the British Empire likely influenced his worldview and the themes he explored in his writing, including the contrast between the East and the West and the complexities of cultural identity.
Historical period
The poem “Butterflies” was published in Kipling’s 1896 poetry collection “The Seven Seas.” This time period was marked by the height of the British Empire, the Industrial Revolution, and significant social and cultural changes. The poem’s exploration of themes like the pursuit of beauty and the contrast between the physical and spiritual realms can be seen as a reflection of the tensions between the rapid industrialization and materialism of the time and the desire for spiritual meaning and beauty.
Literary influences
Kipling’s writing was influenced by the literary movements and styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Victorian poetry, characterized by its emphasis on morality, social issues, and the exploration of the human condition, likely informed Kipling’s thematic choices in “Butterflies.” Additionally, the poem’s exploration of spiritual themes and the contrast between the physical and spiritual realms reflects the influence of the Romantic movement, which often focused on the individual’s relationship with nature, the sublime, and the transcendent.
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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.