Poem Analysis - The Female Of The Species

Introduction: A Controversial Assertion

Rudyard Kipling's "The Female of the Species" is a bold and provocative declaration of female power, framed within the context of early 20th-century gender roles. The poem uses vivid animalistic and historical imagery to argue that women are fundamentally more ruthless and single-minded than men. The tone is assertive and confident, almost didactic, shifting between observations of the natural world, historical anecdotes, and direct addresses to the reader. While the poem can be interpreted as an ode to female strength, it simultaneously raises questions about the nature of that strength and its implications.

Kipling's Context: Imperialism and Gender Roles

Kipling wrote during the height of British imperialism, a period marked by strong hierarchical structures and distinct gender roles. Men were seen as the rational, diplomatic leaders of the empire, while women were often idealized as the moral compass of the home, responsible for maintaining social order and raising future generations. It's essential to consider this backdrop when analyzing the poem. Kipling's poem can be seen as reinforcing these traditional gender roles, but with a twist: he ascribes to women a hidden, almost terrifying power that exceeds that of men, albeit a power rooted in their biological imperatives.

Deadly Devotion: Motherhood as a Driving Force

One of the primary themes of the poem is the unyielding devotion of women, particularly in their roles as mothers. The poem repeatedly emphasizes how this dedication makes them "more deadly than the male." Lines such as "She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast" highlight the extreme sacrifices a mother will make, implying that this instinctual protectiveness fuels a fierce and uncompromising nature. This theme suggests that women are driven by a fundamental biological imperative to protect their offspring, leading them to act with a ferocity that men, bound by reason and societal constraints, cannot match.

Beyond Nurture: The "Other Law"

The poem also explores the idea of an inherent, almost primal, nature in women. This is introduced through the concept of "the Other Law we live by." Kipling suggests that women operate on a different plane than men, governed not by abstract principles like justice, but by a more immediate and practical set of concerns tied to survival and propagation. This idea is reinforced by the animalistic imagery of she-bears and cobras, portraying women as creatures driven by instinct rather than reason. While this imagery can be seen as empowering, it also risks reducing women to their biological functions.

The Burden of Power: Entrapment or Empowerment?

The poem presents an ambiguous view of female power. On one hand, it acknowledges women's strength and capacity for decisive action. On the other hand, it suggests that this power is born from a narrow focus on motherhood and family, limiting their scope of influence. The line "She can bring no more to living than the powers that make her great / As the Mother of the Infant and the Mistress of the Mate" is particularly telling. Is Kipling celebrating women's essential role, or confining them within the boundaries of traditional expectations? The poem's conclusion, emphasizing that women "must command but may not govern," further complicates this question, hinting at a delicate balance of power within the gender dynamic.

Concluding Thoughts: A Provocative Legacy

"The Female of the Species" is a poem that continues to provoke discussion and debate. While seemingly celebrating female strength and determination, it also reflects the gender biases and societal expectations of its time. The poem's enduring impact lies in its stark portrayal of the perceived differences between men and women, and its unflinching exploration of the darker, more ruthless aspects of human nature, particularly as it relates to the female's role in ensuring the survival of her species. It's a testament to the poem's complexity that it can be interpreted as both a celebration and a critique of traditional gender roles and the power dynamics within them.