Poem Analysis - The Last Of The Light Brigade

Introduction: A Cry of Disillusionment

Rudyard Kipling's "The Last of the Light Brigade" is a powerful indictment of societal apathy and the hypocrisy inherent in glorifying war without supporting its veterans. The poem begins with a stark contrast between national pride and the destitution of the surviving soldiers. It moves from a tone of quiet desperation to one of righteous anger, culminating in a scathing critique of English society's neglect. The poem's mood shifts from pity to outrage as it exposes the chasm between public rhetoric and private indifference.

Historical Echoes and Kipling's Perspective

Kipling's poem directly references the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War (1854), a disastrous military action immortalized by Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade." Kipling, writing decades later, uses his poem as a corrective, exposing the grim reality behind the heroic facade. He highlights the disconnect between the celebrated image of the soldiers and their subsequent abandonment. As a writer deeply invested in the British Empire, Kipling's critique is particularly potent, suggesting a disillusionment with the very values he often championed.

Theme: Abandonment and Societal Neglect

One of the central themes is the abandonment of the veterans. The opening lines establish this immediately, contrasting the "thirty million English" with the "twenty broken troopers" who lack basic necessities. This neglect is not just financial; it is a moral failing, a betrayal of those who risked their lives for their country. The paltry sum of "twenty pounds and four" offered to them underscores the inadequacy of the nation's response, highlighting the vast gulf between the soldiers' sacrifice and the societal value placed upon it. The image of them going to the writer, cap-in-hand, begging for another story to be written, encapsulates their humiliation and dependence.

Theme: The Power and Limitations of Art

The poem explores the power and limitations of art in shaping public perception and effecting real change. The soldiers, aware of their immortality through the "Master-singer's" (Kipling's own) verse, seek his help to rectify their present circumstances. They believe that if their plight is portrayed as vividly as their heroism, society will be moved to act. However, the poem also acknowledges the limitations of art. While Kipling's verses do stir "the scorn of scorn," the poem ends with the veterans still facing destitution, suggesting that even the most powerful art cannot guarantee tangible change. Art may expose the problem, but it does not automatically solve it.

Theme: The Scourge of Sham

The poem exposes the theme of "Sham", a term Kipling uses to describe the superficiality and hypocrisy of English society. This "Sham" is embodied in the "fatted souls of the English" who "babble of England's might" but fail to care for its veterans. It is the hollow rhetoric of patriotism that glorifies war while ignoring its human cost. The poem's ending serves as a stark reminder of this "Sham," juxtaposing the idealized image of the Light Brigade with the grim reality of their poverty. The line "Our children's children are lisping to 'honour the charge they made --'" drives home the point that the heroic narrative has become a meaningless ritual, devoid of genuine empathy or responsibility.

Symbol: The Workhouse as a Symbol of Societal Failure

The repeated mention of the workhouse functions as a potent symbol of societal failure. It represents the ultimate humiliation and degradation for these former heroes, highlighting the stark contrast between their past glory and their present destitution. The workhouse is not just a place of poverty; it is a place of social death, a symbol of abandonment and societal indifference. The fact that the soldiers are "nigh to the workhouse" underscores the urgency of their situation and the moral bankruptcy of a society that allows its heroes to fall into such despair.

Conclusion: A Timeless Indictment

"The Last of the Light Brigade" is a timeless indictment of societal hypocrisy and the often-forgotten human cost of war. Kipling's poem serves as a powerful reminder that honoring soldiers requires more than just empty rhetoric and nostalgic remembrance. It demands tangible support and a genuine commitment to caring for those who have served. The poem's enduring significance lies in its ability to expose the "Sham" that often masks societal neglect and to challenge readers to confront the uncomfortable truth about how we treat our veterans.