Poem Analysis - Mandalay

Rudyard Kipling’s “Mandalay” is a nostalgic and romanticized recollection of a British soldier's time in Burma (now Myanmar). The poem is steeped in longing and a sense of exotic adventure, painting a vivid picture of a faraway land and a passionate, albeit temporary, love affair. The tone is initially one of wistful reminiscence, gradually shifting to a more overt expression of dissatisfaction with the speaker's present life in England. Ultimately, the poem becomes a powerful statement about the allure of the East and its enduring impact on the speaker's soul.

The Siren Song of the East

One of the central themes in "Mandalay" is the irresistible pull of the East. This is conveyed through the repeated imagery of sensory experiences: the "spicy garlic smells," the "sunshine an' the palm-trees," and the "tinkly temple-bells." These details create an idyllic portrait of Burma, contrasting sharply with the speaker's dreary existence in London. The phrase "the East a-callin'" becomes a metaphor for an almost mystical attraction, suggesting that the East has a profound, perhaps even spiritual, hold on the speaker. He is unable to find contentment in his current life because he is forever drawn back to this idealized version of the East.

Love and Idealization

The poem also explores the theme of love, specifically through the speaker's memories of a Burmese girl, Supi-yaw-lat. However, it's crucial to note that this love is heavily romanticized and idealized. The speaker describes her with affectionate but somewhat patronizing language, referring to her as "'er little cap was green" and noting she wastes “Christian kisses on an 'eathen idol’s foot." This highlights the colonial perspective present in the poem, where the "other" is seen through a lens of exoticism and mild condescension. Nevertheless, the memory of this relationship is a key component of the speaker's longing for Mandalay. It represents a freedom and passion that he finds lacking in his current relationships with the "fifty 'ousemaids outer Chelsea to the Strand."

Disillusionment and Escape

A third prominent theme is the speaker's disillusionment with his current life and his desire for escape. He is "sick o' wastin' leather on these gritty pavin'-stones," highlighting his dissatisfaction with the mundane reality of London. The "blasted Henglish drizzle" symbolizes the dreariness and emotional coldness of his surroundings. The poem culminates in a fervent plea to be "shipped somewheres east of Suez," a place where the rules and expectations of Western society no longer apply. The longing to escape is not just geographical but also a desire to break free from the constraints of societal norms and embrace a more unrestrained and adventurous existence.

Symbolic Landscapes and Sounds

The poem utilizes powerful imagery and symbolism to reinforce its themes. The "road to Mandalay" itself becomes a symbol of the journey towards fulfillment and happiness, even if that happiness is rooted in a romanticized past. The "temple-bells" serve as a recurring auditory symbol, representing the call of the East and the speaker's spiritual connection to the land. The "dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!" is a vivid image that captures the raw, untamed beauty of the East, contrasting sharply with the speaker's experience of the English landscape. Could the emphasis on sounds, like the temple bells and the paddles of the flotilla, suggest that the memory of Mandalay is more a sensory experience than a tangible reality?

The Enduring Power of Memory

"Mandalay" is a poignant exploration of memory, longing, and the allure of the exotic. While the poem undeniably reflects the colonial attitudes of its time, it also speaks to a universal human desire for escape and the enduring power of past experiences to shape our present. The speaker's romanticized vision of Burma and his passionate yearning to return highlight the enduring impact of a place and a time that forever changed his perspective on life, ultimately rendering him incapable of finding contentment elsewhere. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the captivating force of the "East a-callin'."