Poem Analysis - Loot

Rudyard Kipling’s "Loot" is a cynical and darkly humorous poem that glorifies the practice of looting during wartime. Told from the perspective of a seasoned soldier, the poem celebrates the acquisition of ill-gotten gains while simultaneously acknowledging the hypocrisy of the military's official stance against it. The tone is both jovial and subversive, shifting between playful encouragement and blatant justification of theft. The poem uses slang and dialect to create a sense of camaraderie among soldiers, while its chorus serves as a rallying cry for indulging in the spoils of war.

The Hypocrisy of War

One of the poem's central themes is the hypocrisy inherent in warfare. The speaker contrasts the petty crimes punished in civilian life with the rampant looting that occurs during military campaigns. He points out that while soldiers are reprimanded for stealing small items like pheasant eggs or washing lines, they are actively encouraged to risk their lives in battle and yet are denied the "right" to compensate themselves with plunder. The lines "But the service rules are 'ard, an' from such we are debarred, / For the same with English morals does not suit" highlight the absurdity of applying civilian morality to the brutal realities of war. The poem suggests that looting is a natural, even necessary, consequence of armed conflict, a form of self-compensation for the hardships and dangers endured.

Dehumanization and Justification

Another troubling theme explored in "Loot" is the dehumanization of the enemy. The poem casually refers to Burmese people as "niggers" and suggests methods for extracting valuables from them through violence and intimidation. The speaker advises readers to "treat a nigger to a dose o' cleanin'-rod" to uncover hidden riches, portraying violence as a legitimate means of acquiring wealth. By dehumanizing the "other," the poem justifies the act of looting and mitigates any sense of moral guilt. This dehumanization serves to normalize the exploitation and subjugation of colonized peoples, reflecting the prevailing attitudes of imperialism during Kipling's time. The act of dehumanizing becomes a coping mechanism, a way to reconcile the brutality of war with a sense of self-preservation.

The Allure of Material Gain

The poem revolves around the seductive allure of material gain as a motivator for soldiers. The recurring chorus, "Loo! loo! Lulu! Loot! loot! loot! / Ow the loot! / Bloomin' loot! / That's the thing to make the boys git up an' shoot!" emphasizes the power of greed to drive men to action. Loot is presented not just as a reward but as a primal, almost instinctive, desire. The repetition of "loot" throughout the poem functions as a hypnotic mantra, reinforcing its central role in the soldiers' mindset. The poem suggests that the promise of riches is a far more effective motivator than patriotism or duty, a cynical commentary on the true incentives behind military service.

A Bag of Stolen Goods: A Symbol of Exploitation

The recurring image of "loot" itself functions as a potent symbol of exploitation and imperialistic greed. It represents the tangible rewards extracted from conquered lands and peoples, a physical manifestation of the power imbalance between colonizer and colonized. The specific examples of loot mentioned in the poem – gilded Burma gods, precious stones, hidden treasures – all point to the rich cultural heritage and natural resources that were plundered by European powers during the era of imperialism. The "Lulu! Loot!" refrain becomes not just a celebration of theft but also a stark reminder of the human cost of imperial expansion and the destructive impact of greed.

A Cynical Conclusion

"Loot" is a complex and morally ambiguous poem that offers a disturbing glimpse into the realities of war and the psychology of soldiers. While it revels in the thrill of plunder, it also implicitly critiques the hypocrisy and dehumanization inherent in imperialistic conquest. The poem’s enduring significance lies in its unflinching portrayal of the dark side of military glory and its unsettling exploration of the human capacity for greed and violence. Kipling's "Loot" invites us to question the true motives behind warfare and the ethical compromises that soldiers often make in the pursuit of personal gain. It's a celebration that leaves a bad taste, a testament to the corrosive power of unchecked ambition.