The Ballad of East and West |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Creator |
|
||||
| Contributor(s) |
|
||||
| Properties |
|
||||
| Name of Work | The Ballad of East and West | ||||
| Production Date | 1889 | ||||
| Production Location |
|
||||
| Current Location |
|
||||
| Media Types | |||||
| General Notes | First published in the Pioneer of 2 December 1889, The Week’s News of December 28, and Macmillan’s Magazine for December the same year. Reprinted in Barrack-Room Ballads and Other Verses. Read on-line: https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_eastwest.htm This site also has good commentary on the poem. You tube has many very bad readings of the poem. One of the best is Edward Woodward's here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p6Ej0ojzGY | ||||
Description
Written in couplets: a four line opening, then 84 lines for the body of the poem, then the first four lines repeated. Iambic heptameter, but with anapests and dactyls sprinkled throughout. Overall, the meter suggests horses’ gaits: canters, trots, gallops, often using these meters with great effect to suggest character and action.
The first couplet of the four line opening alleges the insuperable difference of cultures. The second couplet contradicts this, on the premise of individualism. The body of the poem illustrates the second couplet’s message of individualism transcending culture.
Theme
Though different cultures may be fundamentally opposed, two individuals from such opposites may fully transcend those differences and respect each other for their virtues.
Emotional Sum or Sense-of-life
When two sworn opponents recognize each other’s heroic qualities, their enmity dissolves. We feel inspired to see that intelligent and courageous men can recognize what is truly fundamental in the character of each individual.
Context Information
Tags
