After the burial-parties leave
And the baffled kites have fled;
The wise hyaenas come out at eve
To take account of our dead.
How he died and why he died
Troubles them not a whit.
They snout the bushes and stones aside
And dig till they come to it.
They are only resolute they shall eat
That they and their mates may thrive,
And they know that the dead are safer meat
Than the weakest thing alive.
(For a goat may butt, and a worm may sting,
And a child will sometimes stand;
But a poor dead soldier of the King
Can never lift a hand.)
They whoop and halloo and scatter the dirt
Until their tushes white
Take good hold of the army shirt,
And tug the corpse to light,
And the pitiful face is shewn again
For an instant ere they close;
But it is not discovered to living men,
Only to God and to those
Who, being soulless, are free from shame,
Whatever meat they may find.
Nor do they defile the dead man’s name,
That is reserved for his kind.
Analysis of the Poem The Hyaenas
In this analysis of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Hyaenas,” the poem’s structure, language, and imagery are examined, revealing a consistent form composed of quatrains with an AABB rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter. Vivid descriptions, animal symbolism, and stark contrasts create a powerful narrative, while figurative language enriches the imagery.
Key themes include the indifference of nature, the vulnerability of the dead, the cruelty of humanity, and the futility of war. The poem’s context is rooted in Kipling’s experiences of British imperialism and highlights the harsh consequences of war and colonialism. Despite being written in the context of the British Empire, the poem’s themes maintain contemporary relevance.
Structure
In analyzing the structure of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The Hyaenas,” it is important to consider the stanza organization, rhyme scheme, and meter.
Stanza Organization
The poem consists of 7 stanzas, each with 4 lines. This regular structure, composed of quatrains, maintains a sense of consistency throughout the poem.
Rhyme Scheme
The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, meaning that the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth lines. This pattern is consistent throughout the entire poem, creating a sense of unity and cohesion.
Meter
“The Hyaenas” employs a fairly regular iambic pentameter, meaning that each line consists of five metrical feet, with each foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. For example, the line “And the pitiful face is shewn again” can be scanned as follows:
- And the | PIT-i-| ful FACE | is SHOWN | a-GAIN
While there are occasional variations in the meter, the overall structure is predominantly iambic pentameter, which contributes to the poem’s sense of order and formality.
Language and Imagery
In terms of language and imagery, Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The Hyaenas” employs vivid descriptions, animal symbolism, and stark contrasts to convey its themes and narrative.
Vivid Descriptions
Kipling’s language paints a detailed picture of the scene, enabling readers to visualize the hyenas’ actions and the setting. For instance, phrases such as “baffled kites have fled,” “snout the bushes and stones aside,” and “whoop and halloo and scatter the dirt” provide a vivid, sensory experience for the reader.
Animal Symbolism
The hyenas in the poem symbolize scavengers, creatures that feed on the dead without concern for the individual’s life or circumstances. They are depicted as cunning (“wise hyaenas”) and practical, focused solely on survival. By contrasting the hyenas with other creatures (goats, worms, and children), Kipling emphasizes their unique indifference to the dead. This indifference is further highlighted by the line “Who, being soulless, are free from shame,” which suggests a lack of moral responsibility in the hyenas’ actions.
Stark Contrasts
The poem is filled with contrasting imagery, such as life and death, action and inaction, and honor and dishonor. For example, the living creatures (goat, worm, and child) are described as having the potential for resistance, while the dead soldier is portrayed as utterly defenseless. This contrast serves to underscore the vulnerability and indignity of the deceased. Additionally, the poem juxtaposes the hyenas’ lack of shame with the living humans who defile the dead man’s name, implying that human behavior can be even more reprehensible than that of the animals.
Figurative Language
Kipling uses metaphors and similes throughout the poem to enrich its imagery. For instance, the line “They snout the bushes and stones aside” employs a metaphor to describe the hyenas’ actions, while the phrase “till their tushes white” uses a simile to illustrate the hyenas’ teeth gripping the soldier’s shirt. Such figurative language adds depth and nuance to the poem’s imagery.
Themes and Messages
In analyzing the themes and messages of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The Hyaenas,” several key ideas emerge:
The Indifference of Nature
The poem presents the hyenas as indifferent scavengers, caring not for the identity, story, or cause of death of the soldier. This indifference to the individual is representative of nature’s larger disregard for human life and suffering. The hyenas’ singular focus on survival, illustrated by the lines “They are only resolute they shall eat / That they and their mates may thrive,” highlights the harsh reality that nature operates on the principle of survival rather than morality.
The Vulnerability of the Dead
The poem contrasts the defenselessness of the dead soldier with the potential resistance of living creatures (a goat, a worm, and a child). This vulnerability is emphasized by lines such as “But a poor dead soldier of the King / Can never lift a hand.” The poem underscores the soldier’s helplessness in the face of the hyenas’ scavenging, highlighting the fragility of human life and the indignity of death.
The Cruelty of Humanity
In “The Hyaenas,” Kipling draws a distinction between the soulless hyenas and the living humans who defile the dead man’s name. This contrast serves to critique human behavior, suggesting that people can be even more morally reprehensible than animals. The poem implies that while the hyenas may scavenge the soldier’s body, it is the living who desecrate his memory and honor. This theme explores the idea that humanity is capable of greater cruelty than the supposedly indifferent natural world.
The Futility of War
The soldier’s death and subsequent desecration can also be interpreted as a commentary on the futility and waste of war. The soldier, who once served his king, is now reduced to mere sustenance for scavengers. The poem’s bleak portrayal of the soldier’s fate underscores the senselessness of warfare and the ultimate insignificance of individual lives within the larger machinery of conflict.
Context
When analyzing Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The Hyaenas” in terms of context, it is crucial to consider the poet’s background, historical events during his lifetime, and the poem’s relevance to Kipling’s other works.
The Poet’s Background
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was a British writer and poet known for his works set in colonial India and his celebration of British imperialism. Born in India during the British Raj, Kipling had firsthand experience with the cultural complexities and consequences of colonialism. His works often explore themes of duty, honor, and the human condition in the context of the British Empire.
Historical Context
Kipling wrote during a period when the British Empire was at its height, and many young men were sent abroad to serve in various capacities, including as soldiers. War and conflict were common during this era, as the empire sought to maintain and expand its territories. “The Hyaenas” can be read as a reflection of the bleak realities faced by soldiers, who often died far from home, in unfamiliar and hostile environments. The poem’s portrayal of the soldier’s indignity in death underscores the harsh consequences of imperialism and warfare.
Relevance to Kipling’s Other Works
“The Hyaenas” shares thematic similarities with other poems by Kipling that explore the experiences of soldiers and the impact of colonialism, such as “Gunga Din” and “Danny Deever.” These poems often highlight the challenges faced by soldiers and the moral complexities of serving in the military during the era of British imperialism. In “The Hyaenas,” Kipling continues this exploration by focusing on the indignity and vulnerability of a soldier in death, as well as the moral implications of human behavior in the context of war.
Contemporary Relevance
While “The Hyaenas” was written in the context of the British Empire, its themes and messages continue to resonate in the modern world. The poem’s exploration of the indifference of nature, the cruelty of humanity, and the futility of war can be applied to contemporary conflicts and the ongoing debate about the ethics of war and its impact on soldiers and civilians alike.
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.