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Rudyard Kipling and Poetry

Rudyard Kipling and Poetry

"Kipling strikes me as personally the most complete man of genius that I have ever known" (Ricketts 270). Such was Henry James' opinion regarding Rudyard Kipling. Surely a man held in such esteem would be capable of becoming an accomplished poet. However, Kipling became a very disputed author. He produced works that caught the eye of many critics, receiving both positive and negative attention particularly in the genre of poetry. Because of the content, style, and time period in which Kipling wrote, he was often misunderstood and unappreciated. The critics based their opinions on common misconceptions and myths. Therefore, the criticisms of Kipling have no basis of truth.

Despite negative criticism, Kipling had his own admirers. George Orwell drew attention to the remarkable fact that Kipling's verse, like it or not, never leaves the reader's mind completely- his score in a book of quotations is very high (Stapleton 490). T.S. Elliot, a major poet, published A Choice of Kipling's Verse (1941) and called him a writer of verse who sometimes ascended to poetry (Magill, Critical Survey of Poetry, 1602). His writing from 1890 onward brought him wealth and lasting popularity.

His work added new phrases to the English language. Few today realize that they paraphrase Kipling when they assert that "the female is deadlier than the male," or that "East is East and West is West." The Ballad of East and West not only incorporated itself into a common phrase, but also shows that all men can understand one another in the fundamental test of courage:

[i:e45c78e741]Oh East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,

Till Earth and Sky stand presently at God's great Judgment Seat;

But there is neither East nor West, Border, nor Bread, nor Birth,

When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth (Selendy)![/i:e45c78e741]

These two men, beginning as enemies, part as friends. Kipling has gathered admirers and fans because of works like this which not only incorporate themselves into daily sayings, but also deliver a message of insight into humanity.

Kipling's best work contained sheer, unforgettable rhythmic musicality (Magill, Dictionary of World Biography, 1292). His verse is highly crafted poetry. It uses metaphors and prosody- the science or study of poetic meters in verse- in unusual ways, but...

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