Rain on the face of the sea,
Rain on the sodden land,
And the window-pane is blurred with rain
As I watch it, pen in hand.
Mist on the face of the sea,
Mist on the sodden land,
Filling the vales daylight fails,
And blotting the desolate sand.
Voices from out of the mist,
Calling to one another:
‘Hath love an end, thou more than friend,
Thou dearer than ever brother?’
Voices from out of the mist,
Calling and passing away;
But I cannot speak, for my voice is weak,
And . . . this is the end of my lay.
Analysis of the Poem Commonplaces
“Commonplaces” by Rudyard Kipling is a rich and evocative poem that explores themes of transience, love, human connection, isolation, longing, and the power of nature. The poem’s structure, composed of four quatrains with an AABB rhyme scheme and consistent meter, creates a rhythmic and cohesive reading experience.
Kipling employs vivid language and imagery, including sensory details and figurative language, to immerse the reader in the poem’s atmosphere. The themes and messages convey the impermanence of life and relationships, as well as the human desire for connection and understanding.
The poem’s context can be understood through Kipling’s background, the Victorian literary context, the influence of Romanticism, and the poet’s personal experiences. Overall, “Commonplaces” is a poignant and introspective poem that resonates with readers through its exploration of universal emotions and experiences.
Structure
In analyzing the structure of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Commonplaces,” we can examine various aspects, including stanzas, rhyme scheme, meter, and repetition.
Stanzas
The poem is divided into four quatrains (four-line stanzas). Each stanza focuses on a different aspect of the scene, progressing from the physical environment to an emotional conversation between voices.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme. In each stanza, the first and second lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme. This pattern creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.
Meter
The poem is written in a consistent meter, with each line containing roughly eight syllables. The poem’s meter creates a rhythmic flow, which enhances the reading experience and contributes to the poem’s overall atmosphere.
Repetition
Kipling employs repetition throughout the poem to create emphasis and reinforce key themes. In the first two stanzas, the phrases “Rain on the face of the sea,” “Rain on the sodden land,” “Mist on the face of the sea,” and “Mist on the sodden land” are repeated. This repetition establishes the setting and creates a sense of continuity between the stanzas.
In the third and fourth stanzas, the phrase “Voices from out of the mist” is repeated, emphasizing the mysterious and otherworldly nature of the voices. Additionally, the phrase “Calling to one another” is repeated in the third stanza and slightly modified in the fourth stanza to “Calling and passing away,” further emphasizing the fleeting and ethereal quality of the voices.
Language and Imagery
In terms of language and imagery, Rudyard Kipling’s “Commonplaces” demonstrates a rich and evocative use of words and phrases that create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. The poem’s language and imagery can be analyzed in the following ways:
Sensory imagery
The poem effectively uses sensory imagery to create a vivid and immersive setting. In the first stanza, Kipling describes the rain on the sea and the land, and the window-pane blurred with rain. The reader can easily visualize and feel the wetness and dampness of the scene. Similarly, in the second stanza, the mist is described as filling the vales and blotting the desolate sand. The sensory details make the scene tangible and help the reader to engage with the poem’s atmosphere.
Figurative language
Kipling uses metaphor and personification to enhance the poem’s imagery. In the third stanza, the voices are described as coming “from out of the mist.” This metaphor suggests that the voices are mysterious and otherworldly, adding an element of the supernatural to the poem. Additionally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker says, “my voice is weak.” This personification of the speaker’s voice underscores their inability to engage with the mysterious voices and the emotional intensity of the moment.
Diction
Kipling’s choice of words adds to the poem’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Words like “sodden,” “blurred,” “desolate,” and “weak” contribute to a sense of melancholy and longing that permeates the poem. The language also evokes a feeling of distance and separation, reinforcing the speaker’s inability to connect with the voices they hear.
Emotional imagery
The emotional aspect of the poem is heightened through the imagery of the voices calling to one another. They ask, “Hath love an end, thou more than friend, / Thou dearer than ever brother?” This question introduces the theme of love, friendship, and the potential fragility of human connections. The imagery of the voices calling and passing away reinforces the sense of fleeting, transient emotions and relationships, which adds depth and poignancy to the poem.
Themes and Messages
In analyzing the themes and messages of Rudyard Kipling’s “Commonplaces,” we can identify several key ideas that the poem conveys through its language, imagery, and structure:
Transience and impermanence
The poem highlights the transitory nature of life and emotions through its descriptions of rain, mist, and the fleeting voices in the mist. The rain and mist blur and obscure the landscape, symbolizing how time and change can blur and alter our perceptions and memories. The voices are also transient, calling and passing away, emphasizing the idea that life and relationships can be ephemeral and fleeting.
Love and human connection
The theme of love and human connection is introduced through the voices in the mist, who inquire about the end of love and the depth of their friendship. The question “Hath love an end, thou more than friend, / Thou dearer than ever brother?” suggests the vulnerability and uncertainty inherent in human relationships. The poem implies that love and connection can be as transient and elusive as the rain, mist, and voices, creating a sense of longing and melancholy.
Isolation and longing
The speaker’s inability to communicate with the voices in the mist conveys a sense of isolation and longing. Their voice is described as weak, indicating their inability to engage with the voices and the emotional intensity of the moment. This theme underscores the human desire for connection and understanding, as well as the barriers that can prevent us from fully connecting with others.
The power of nature
The poem also highlights the power and influence of nature on human emotions and experiences. The rain, sea, and mist serve as both literal and metaphorical representations of the external forces that shape our lives and the internal emotional landscapes we navigate. The poem suggests that nature can evoke strong emotions, such as love, longing, and melancholy, and that it can also serve as a mirror for our own emotional states.
Context
To analyze the context of Rudyard Kipling’s “Commonplaces,” it is essential to consider the poet’s background, influences, and the historical and literary context in which the poem was written.
Rudyard Kipling’s background
Born in 1865 in British India, Kipling spent much of his life in various parts of the British Empire, including India, England, and South Africa. His experiences living in different cultures and navigating the complexities of colonialism informed much of his writing. While “Commonplaces” doesn’t directly reference these experiences, Kipling’s broader perspective on life and human relationships might be reflected in the poem’s themes of transience, longing, and isolation.
Victorian literary context
Kipling’s work is often associated with the Victorian era (1837-1901), a time characterized by significant social, political, and cultural changes. The Victorian era saw a surge of interest in science, industry, and exploration, as well as a strong emphasis on morality and social responsibility. While “Commonplaces” doesn’t explicitly address these issues, the poem’s introspective and emotional nature may be seen as a reflection of the broader Victorian preoccupation with self-examination and moral questioning.
Influence of Romanticism
Kipling’s poetry often contains elements of Romanticism, a literary and artistic movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the power of nature. In “Commonplaces,” the focus on nature as a potent force that shapes human emotions and experiences can be seen as a nod to Romantic ideas. The poem’s evocation of longing, isolation, and the search for connection also aligns with Romantic themes.
Kipling’s personal experiences
While it is difficult to ascertain the exact inspiration behind “Commonplaces,” it is possible that Kipling’s own experiences of love, friendship, and isolation informed the poem’s themes and messages. As a writer who traveled extensively and lived in various parts of the world, Kipling might have experienced feelings of longing and disconnection that are reflected in the poem’s exploration of transient emotions and relationships.
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.