Poem Analysis - Cells

A Soldier's Sorry State: Introduction

Rudyard Kipling's "Cells" offers a raw and unflinching glimpse into the life of a soldier battling alcoholism and the consequences of his actions. The poem is laced with a dark humor, a blend of self-pity and defiant pride, as the speaker recounts his drunken escapades and subsequent punishment. There's a resigned acceptance in his voice, a weary acknowledgment of his own failings, yet also a hint of bravado in recalling his confrontation with the Corp'ral's Guard. The tone shifts between remorse and a kind of perverse satisfaction, creating a complex and compelling portrait of a man caught in a cycle of self-destruction.

Boots in the Road: Contextual Understanding

Kipling, writing from his experience in British India and with intimate knowledge of military life, often explored the lives of ordinary soldiers. This poem likely reflects the realities of soldiers stationed in less-than-ideal conditions, turning to alcohol to cope with the harshness of their environment and the monotony of their duties. The casual acceptance of drunkenness and the predictable nature of the punishment ("pack-drill for me and a fortnight's C.B.") suggests a systemic problem within the military culture of the time.

Drunk and Disorderly: Themes of Addiction and Authority

One of the central themes of "Cells" is the destructive nature of addiction. The speaker's dependence on alcohol is undeniable; he admits that "a dose o' gin that a mate slipped in, it was that that brought me here." The poem also explores the theme of defiance against authority, even in the face of inevitable repercussions. The soldier's act of "blacking the Corporal's eye" is a clear act of rebellion, fueled by alcohol and a general disregard for the established order. A third theme is the conflict between personal desires and duty. The soldier recognizes the pain his actions cause his wife and child ("My wife she cries on the barrack-gate, my kid in the barrack-yard"), yet he acknowledges his inability to resist the allure of alcohol and the temptation to misbehave.

A Beautiful View of the Yard: Imagery and Symbolism

The poem is rich in vivid imagery. The speaker's description of his physical state ("I've a head like a concertina: I've a tongue like a button-stick") paints a grotesque picture of the effects of heavy drinking. The "beautiful view of the yard" from his cell is ironic, highlighting the contrast between the soldier's degraded situation and the potential for freedom he has lost. The "Corp'ral's face" becomes a symbol of the soldier's rebellion and the lasting consequences of his actions. The fact that he left "my cap in a public-house, my boots in the public road" is symbolic of his total loss of control and the disintegration of his military identity.

The Corp'ral's Shirt: Ambiguity and Open Questions

The line "But I fell away with the Corp'ral's stock and the best of the Corp'ral's shirt" raises some ambiguity. Does "fell away with" mean he stole these items, or did he simply rip them in the fight? It highlights the chaos of the drunken brawl and the speaker's willingness to engage in petty acts of defiance. Does the damaged shirt represent the lasting damage he has inflicted upon his own reputation and future?

Pack Drill: Conclusion

"Cells" is a poignant portrayal of a soldier trapped in a cycle of alcoholism and rebellion. Through vivid imagery and a darkly humorous tone, Kipling explores the themes of addiction, defiance against authority, and the conflict between personal desires and duty. The poem is not a glorification of drunkenness, but rather a sobering glimpse into the destructive consequences of unchecked impulses and the human cost of a life lived on the margins. The speaker's resigned acceptance of his fate, coupled with his unwavering defiance, leaves the reader with a lingering sense of pity and a troubling recognition of the enduring power of human frailty.