You may talk o’ gin and beer
When you’re quartered safe out ‘ere,
An’ you’re sent to penny-fights an’ Aldershot it;
But when it comes to slaughter
You will do your work on water,
An’ you’ll lick the bloomin’ boots of ‘im that’s got it.
Now in Injia’s sunny clime,
Where I used to spend my time
A-servin’ of ‘Er Majesty the Queen,
Of all them blackfaced crew
The finest man I knew
Was our regimental bhisti, Gunga Din.
He was “Din! Din! Din!
You limpin’ lump o’ brick-dust, Gunga Din!
Hi! Slippy hitherao!
Water, get it! Panee lao!
You squidgy-nosed old idol, Gunga Din.”
The uniform ‘e wore
Was nothin’ much before,
An’ rather less than ‘arf o’ that be’ind,
For a piece o’ twisty rag
An’ a goatskin water-bag
Was all the field-equipment ‘e could find.
When the sweatin’ troop-train lay
In a sidin’ through the day,
Where the ‘eat would make your bloomin’ eyebrows crawl,
We shouted “Harry By!”
Till our throats were bricky-dry,
Then we wopped ‘im ’cause ‘e couldn’t serve us all.
It was “Din! Din! Din!
You ‘eathen, where the mischief ‘ave you been?
You put some juldee in it
Or I’ll marrow you this minute
If you don’t fill up my helmet, Gunga Din!”
‘E would dot an’ carry one
Till the longest day was done;
An’ ‘e didn’t seem to know the use o’ fear.
If we charged or broke or cut,
You could bet your bloomin’ nut,
‘E’d be waitin’ fifty paces right flank rear.
With ‘is mussick on ‘is back,
‘E would skip with our attack,
An’ watch us till the bugles made “Retire”,
An’ for all ‘is dirty ‘ide
‘E was white, clear white, inside
When ‘e went to tend the wounded under fire!
It was “Din! Din! Din!”
With the bullets kickin’ dust-spots on the green.
When the cartridges ran out,
You could hear the front-ranks shout,
“Hi! ammunition-mules an’ Gunga Din!”
I shan’t forgit the night
When I dropped be’ind the fight
With a bullet where my belt-plate should ‘a’ been.
I was chokin’ mad with thirst,
An’ the man that spied me first
Was our good old grinnin’, gruntin’ Gunga Din.
‘E lifted up my ‘ead,
An’ he plugged me where I bled,
An’ ‘e guv me ‘arf-a-pint o’ water-green:
It was crawlin’ and it stunk,
But of all the drinks I’ve drunk,
I’m gratefullest to one from Gunga Din.
It was “Din! Din! Din!
‘Ere’s a beggar with a bullet through ‘is spleen;
‘E’s chawin’ up the ground,
An’ ‘e’s kickin’ all around:
For Gawd’s sake git the water, Gunga Din!”
‘E carried me away
To where a dooli lay,
An’ a bullet come an’ drilled the beggar clean.
‘E put me safe inside,
An’ just before ‘e died,
“I ‘ope you liked your drink”, sez Gunga Din.
So I’ll meet ‘im later on
At the place where ‘e is gone,
Where it’s always double drill and no canteen.
‘E’ll be squattin’ on the coals
Givin’ drink to poor damned souls,
An’ I’ll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din!
Yes, Din! Din! Din!
You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!
Though I’ve belted you and flayed you,
By the livin’ Gawd that made you,
You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
Analysis of the Poem Gunga Din
“Gunga Din” by Rudyard Kipling is a narrative poem set in colonial India that tells the story of an Indian water carrier serving British soldiers. In terms of structure, the poem employs a ballad form with a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, which contributes to its engaging storytelling.
The language and imagery are characterized by colloquial expressions, vivid imagery, metaphors, similes, sensory details, and dialogue, creating a rich, immersive narrative. The poem explores themes such as heroism, bravery, humility, redemption, colonialism, the universality of human experience, and the power of storytelling.
The historical and cultural context of British colonial rule in India, Kipling’s background, the British Army in India, and the literary movement of the time are crucial in understanding the poem’s themes, characters, and overall message. While “Gunga Din” has been praised for its compelling portrayal of its titular character, it has also faced criticism for its depiction of colonial power dynamics and racial stereotypes.
To appreciate the poem fully, it is essential to consider the context in which it was written, as well as its complex legacy.
Structure
In terms of structure, “Gunga Din” by Rudyard Kipling can be analyzed in the following aspects:
Form and Meter
The poem is composed of six stanzas, each with nine lines. It follows a ballad form, which is a narrative poem often used to tell a story. The poem employs a loose iambic trimeter with an AABBCCB rhyme scheme in each stanza. The consistent form and meter contribute to a rhythmic, sing-song quality that complements the storytelling aspect of the poem.
Use of Dialect
Kipling employs a colloquial dialect that reflects the language of the British soldiers stationed in India during the colonial era. This serves to create an authentic and immersive voice for the narrator, which is likely a British soldier. The use of dialect and informal language makes the poem more relatable and approachable to the reader.
Repetition
The poem features several refrains, most notably the “Din! Din! Din!” lines that appear in each stanza. This repetition emphasizes Gunga Din’s name and presence throughout the poem, reinforcing his importance in the narrative. Other phrases, such as “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!” are also repeated, highlighting the poem’s central message about Gunga Din’s bravery and humanity.
Enjambment
Kipling uses enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence or phrase across a line break, throughout the poem. This technique creates a sense of urgency and movement in the narrative, as well as contributing to the poem’s informal and conversational tone.
Punctuation and Capitalization
The poem features non-standard punctuation and capitalization, such as “An’ you’re sent to penny-fights an’ Aldershot it” and “We shouted ‘Harry By!'”. This unconventional usage contributes to the colloquial and informal tone of the poem, helping to establish the voice of the British soldier narrator.
Language and Imagery
In terms of language and imagery, “Gunga Din” by Rudyard Kipling showcases a variety of techniques that enrich the poem and contribute to its vivid storytelling:
Colloquial Language
As mentioned previously, Kipling employs colloquial language and dialect to create an authentic voice for the narrator, who is a British soldier. This choice not only adds to the poem’s approachability but also helps to immerse the reader in the setting and cultural context of colonial India. Examples of colloquial language include phrases like “bloomin’ boots” and “limpin’ lump o’ brick-dust.”
Vivid Imagery
The poem is filled with striking visual imagery that conveys the harsh realities of the soldier’s life in colonial India. For instance, Kipling describes the scorching heat with lines like “Where the ‘eat would make your bloomin’ eyebrows crawl” and the oppressive thirst the soldiers experience with “throats were bricky-dry.” This vivid imagery helps to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere, making the reader feel as though they are experiencing the story firsthand.
Metaphors and Similes
Kipling employs several metaphors and similes throughout the poem to create striking comparisons and deepen the reader’s understanding of the characters and their experiences. For example, the line “You squidgy-nosed old idol, Gunga Din” employs a simile to compare Gunga Din to a worn, ancient idol, highlighting his resilience and endurance despite the hardships he faces. Another metaphor is found in the phrase “Lazarushian-leather,” which compares Gunga Din’s tough, weathered skin to that of a biblical figure, Lazarus, who was raised from the dead.
Sensory Imagery
The poem includes various instances of sensory imagery, engaging the reader’s senses and making the narrative more immersive. Examples of sensory imagery include the taste of the “crawlin’ and it stunk” water Gunga Din provides, the sound of the soldiers shouting “Harry By!”, and the touch of the “piece o’ twisty rag” and “goatskin water-bag” that serve as Gunga Din’s uniform. This multisensory approach enhances the poem’s vividness and helps to create a more engaging reading experience.
Use of Dialogue
Kipling incorporates dialogue into the poem, adding to its conversational tone and providing insight into the interactions between the soldiers and Gunga Din. The dialogue also serves to reveal the soldier’s changing attitudes towards Gunga Din, as they go from mocking and belittling him to ultimately recognizing and praising his bravery and selflessness.
Themes and Messages
In terms of themes and messages, “Gunga Din” by Rudyard Kipling explores several key ideas that offer insight into the human experience and the complexities of colonial relationships:
Heroism and Bravery
One of the central themes of the poem is the heroism and bravery of Gunga Din, who endures hardships and risks his life to provide water and aid to the soldiers. Despite his lower social status and the mistreatment he receives, Gunga Din remains dedicated to his duties, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save the narrator. This theme highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing bravery in all its forms, regardless of one’s background or social standing.
Humility and Redemption
The poem also explores the theme of humility and redemption, as the narrator comes to realize that Gunga Din is, in fact, a “better man” than he is. The narrator’s journey from belittling and abusing Gunga Din to acknowledging his selflessness and courage demonstrates the potential for growth and redemption in even the most unlikely of individuals. This theme encourages readers to reflect on their own judgments and prejudices, and to recognize the potential for goodness in others.
The Reality of Colonialism
Through its portrayal of the British soldiers and their interactions with Gunga Din, the poem offers a critique of the colonial mindset and the harsh realities of life under colonial rule. The mistreatment of Gunga Din, a native of India, by the British soldiers serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics and racial prejudices inherent in colonial relationships. This theme invites readers to consider the broader implications of colonialism and the lasting impact of these power imbalances on the lives of individuals like Gunga Din.
The Universality of Human Experience
Despite the specific historical and cultural context of the poem, “Gunga Din” touches on universal themes of human experience, such as courage, sacrifice, and redemption. The poem’s exploration of these themes encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and experiences, fostering empathy and understanding across diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
The Power of Storytelling
Kipling’s use of a narrative ballad form underscores the importance of storytelling in preserving memories and conveying important messages. Through the telling of Gunga Din’s story, the narrator both honors his memory and imparts a valuable lesson about the true meaning of heroism and the potential for redemption.
Context
In terms of context, “Gunga Din” by Rudyard Kipling must be understood within the historical and cultural backdrop of the British Empire’s colonial rule over India. This context is crucial in shaping the poem’s themes, characters, and overall message:
British Colonial Rule in India
The British Empire ruled over India from the mid-18th century until India gained independence in 1947. During this period, British colonial policies, social structures, and power dynamics shaped the lives of millions of Indians. The poem’s portrayal of Gunga Din, an Indian water carrier serving British soldiers, reflects these historical realities, as his character embodies the challenges and hardships faced by many Indians under colonial rule.
The British Army in India
The poem is set against the backdrop of the British Army’s presence in India, with the narrator being a British soldier. The army played a significant role in maintaining British control over India and was often composed of both British and Indian soldiers. This military context is essential in understanding the relationships and power dynamics depicted in the poem, as Gunga Din is positioned as a subordinate figure serving the needs of the British soldiers.
Rudyard Kipling’s Background
Kipling was born in India during the height of British colonial rule and spent much of his early life there. His experiences living in India and his familiarity with the culture, landscape, and people inform the poem’s vivid descriptions and authentic characterizations. Kipling’s background and perspectives as a British colonial subject also shape the poem’s themes and messages, which both critique and illuminate the complexities of colonial relationships.
Literary Movement
“Gunga Din” was published in 1890 as part of Kipling’s collection, “Barrack-Room Ballads.” This collection of poems reflects Kipling’s engagement with the British Empire and its military, as well as his fascination with the lives and experiences of soldiers. The poem can also be situated within the broader context of Victorian literature, which often grappled with the implications of imperialism and the ethical complexities of colonialism.
Reception and Legacy
While “Gunga Din” has been praised for its vivid storytelling and compelling portrayal of its titular character, it has also faced criticism for its depiction of colonial power dynamics and racial stereotypes. The poem’s complex legacy highlights the need for readers to approach it with an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which it was written, as well as an awareness of the broader implications of its themes and messages.
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.