Poem Analysis - Blue Roses

Introduction: A Quest for the Impossible

Rudyard Kipling's "Blue Roses" is a poignant ballad that explores themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of unattainable ideals. The poem begins with a seemingly simple romantic gesture that quickly descends into a tragic and reflective journey. The tone shifts from hopeful anticipation to disillusionment and regret, ultimately suggesting that the pursuit of perfection can lead to profound disappointment.

The Allure and Danger of Idealized Love

One of the central themes of the poem is the destructive nature of idealized love. The speaker, initially eager to please his love, embarks on a futile quest for the impossible: blue roses. Her rejection of "roses red and roses white" symbolizes a dissatisfaction with conventional love and a craving for something extraordinary, perhaps even unattainable. This craving, the poem suggests, is dangerous. Her insistent demand for blue roses indirectly causes the speaker's long absence, and ultimately contributes to her death. The poem presents a cautionary tale about setting unrealistic expectations in love and life.

Mortality and the Ephemeral Nature of Beauty

The theme of mortality is powerfully interwoven with the quest for the elusive blue roses. The speaker's return "at wintertide" is significant; winter, often associated with death and decay, foreshadows the tragic news he is about to receive. The line "my silly love had died" highlights the transient nature of human life and the futility of chasing ephemeral beauty. The image of her "seeking with her latest breath/Roses from the arms of Death" is particularly evocative, suggesting that her desire for the extraordinary ultimately led her to her demise. This presents an interpretation where death itself, ironically, is the only one offering such rare "roses."

Symbolism and the Color of Desire

The most potent symbol in the poem is, of course, the blue rose itself. Roses, in general, are traditionally associated with love and beauty, but the specific color of blue adds a layer of complexity. Blue is often linked with the unattainable, the mystical, or even sadness. In this context, the blue rose represents an idealized, perhaps even unrealistic, vision of love and beauty. The speaker's arduous journey "half the world…through" to find these roses emphasizes the immense effort and sacrifice one might make in pursuit of such an ideal. The laughter and jest he receives underscore the inherent absurdity of his quest, highlighting the fact that some desires are simply impossible to fulfill. The final line, "Roses white and red are best!" suggests a return to a more grounded, realistic appreciation for the beauty that already exists.

Conclusion: A Bitter Lesson Learned

"Blue Roses" is a melancholic exploration of love, loss, and the dangers of seeking the impossible. The poem uses vivid imagery and symbolism, particularly the elusive blue roses, to illustrate the futility of chasing unrealistic ideals. Ultimately, the speaker learns a painful lesson about the value of appreciating the beauty that exists in the ordinary and the importance of tempering one's desires with a dose of reality. The poem serves as a reminder that the pursuit of perfection can lead to disillusionment and that true love and happiness may lie in embracing the imperfect realities of life. The final pronouncement is less a philosophical statement and more a coping mechanism for a man who experienced devastating loss.