Poem Analysis - By The Hoof Of The Wild Goat

A Tragedy of Fate and Isolation

Rudyard Kipling's "By the Hoof of the Wild Goat" is a short, potent poem that explores themes of fate, isolation, and perceived injustice. The poem centers around a stone dislodged from a cliff by a goat and its subsequent fall into a dark tarn. The tone is initially descriptive and almost detached, but it shifts to one of lament and ultimately, a plea for divine judgment. The poem leaves the reader contemplating the stone's undeserved suffering, fostering a sense of unease and questioning of cosmic fairness.

The Stone's Descent into Despair

The poem's central theme is the stone's profound sense of isolation. Dislodged by the goat, it plummets "from the light of the Sun / And alone!" This phrase is repeated, emphasizing the stone's solitary plight. The fall isn't merely physical; it's a descent into a state of existential abandonment. The light, a symbol of life, warmth, and connection, is lost as the stone sinks into the darkness of the tarn. The repetition of "alone" underscores the stone's feeling of being forsaken by the natural order and perhaps even by a higher power.

Predestination Versus Perceived Injustice

Fate plays a crucial role in the poem. The second stanza declares, "Now the fall was ordained from the first / With the Goat and the Cliff and the Tarn." This suggests a predetermined chain of events, where the stone's fall was inevitable. However, the stone itself is oblivious to this grand design. From its perspective, "her life is accursed." This juxtaposition highlights the tension between a deterministic worldview and the individual experience of suffering. The stone is a victim of fate, yet it perceives its situation as unjust and punitive. This tension creates a sense of pathos, making the reader empathize with the inanimate object.

Light and Darkness: Symbols of Existence

The imagery of light and darkness is central to the poem's meaning. The "light of the Sun" represents life, knowledge, and possibly divine grace. Conversely, the "Tarn where the daylight is lost" symbolizes death, ignorance, and isolation from the divine. The stone's journey is a movement from light into darkness, a metaphor for the loss of innocence, purpose, and ultimately, life itself. The tarn, further described as "the mire," evokes a sense of entrapment and inescapable decay. The recurring imagery reinforces the poem's somber and fatalistic tone.

A Plea for Divine Understanding

The final stanza shifts into a direct address to God, a "Thou Who hast builded the World." This marks a turning point where the poem moves from description and lament to a plea for judgment. The speaker asks God to "Judge Thou / The sin of the Stone that was hurled." This is ironic, as the stone is arguably innocent, a mere object acted upon by external forces. The repetition of "even now--even now--even now!" at the poem's close amplifies the urgency and desperation of the plea. It raises the question: Is there a divine justice that can account for the suffering of even the smallest, most insignificant part of creation?

Final Thoughts on an Inanimate Tragedy

"By the Hoof of the Wild Goat" is a deceptively simple poem that grapples with complex theological and philosophical questions. Through the story of a stone's unfortunate fall, Kipling explores themes of fate, isolation, and perceived injustice. The poem leaves the reader contemplating the nature of suffering, the possibility of divine judgment, and the inherent tragedy of a life lived, however briefly, in darkness and despair. It is a powerful meditation on the human condition, projected onto an inanimate object, making its message all the more poignant and universal.