Poem Analysis - The Instructor

A Soldier's Grim Humor

Rudyard Kipling's "The Instructor" offers a darkly humorous glimpse into the life of a soldier under the thumb of a particularly unpleasant superior. The poem drips with sarcasm and reluctant respect as the speaker recounts the power and dread inspired by this "Nickel-Neck" and other colorful epithets. While the tone is initially lighthearted, tinged with gallows humor, it gradually reveals a deeper understanding of the instructor's impact, highlighting themes of authority, fear, and the dehumanizing effects of military life. The poem culminates in a recognition of the instructor's lasting influence, suggesting that even in the face of death, his lessons endure.

The Shadow of Authority

One of the central themes of the poem is the overwhelming power of authority, even when that authority resides in someone "not on the Staff." The poem is filled with examples of the instructor's reach: "Before 'im I 'ave seen my Colonel fall, / An 'watched 'im write my Captain's epitaph." The speaker emphasizes the instructor's ability to make men feel small, highlighting the demoralizing effect of his constant presence and critical eye. The use of nicknames like "Nickel-Neck" and "Whistle Tip" can be viewed as a way for the soldiers to cope with their fear and resentment, attempting to diminish the instructor's power through ridicule, while simultaneously acknowledging his undeniable control. This underscores a central tension within military hierarchies, where personal disdain coexists with enforced obedience.

Survival Through Subservience

The poem explores the theme of survival through the adoption of a subservient attitude. The speaker admits, "There is no sense in fleein'' (I 'ave fled)," acknowledging a past impulse to escape the instructor's scrutiny. However, the speaker quickly recognizes the futility of such action, realizing that "Better go on an' do the belly-crawl,". This image, coupled with the hope that the instructor will target "some other man instead," reveals a pragmatic, almost desperate, approach to navigating the dangers of military service. The poem subtly critiques the system that fosters this behavior, where self-preservation necessitates humility and the acceptance of arbitrary power structures. It prompts us to consider the psychological toll of warfare and the compromises individuals make to endure it.

Images of Fear and Mortality

The poem employs vivid imagery to convey the pervasive sense of fear and mortality that hangs over the soldiers. The image of the instructor's " 'oary mushroom 'ead" is particularly striking, suggesting decay and a sense of oppressive age. Furthermore, the instructor is associated with death itself; the speaker notes that he "give instruction to the quick an' the dead." This image connects the instructor not merely to the training of soldiers but to the very process of their demise. The reference to "mem'ry's cinematograph" further emphasizes the lasting impact of the instructor, implying that his image and influence are permanently etched into the soldiers' minds. The description "The Shudderin' Beggar" to describe the instructor could be seen as a complex and ambivalent depiction which could also be interpreted as referring to the fear and desperation the soldiers experience under his command.

Enduring Lessons of War

"The Instructor" ultimately serves as a reflection on the enduring lessons of war, particularly the ways in which individuals adapt to and are shaped by oppressive environments. While the poem is filled with dark humor and sarcasm, it also recognizes the lasting impact of the instructor, however resented. He embodies the harsh realities of military life and the psychological toll it takes on those who serve. The concluding lines, acknowledging him as greater than them all, highlights the instructor's indelible mark on the speaker's psyche, reminding us that even in the face of death, the lessons of authority, fear, and survival persist. The poem’s significance lies in its honest portrayal of the ambivalent feelings soldiers harbor towards those who shape their experience of war.