Poem Analysis - The Mares Nest

A Satirical Glimpse into Victorian Marriage

Rudyard Kipling's "The Mare's Nest" is a lighthearted and satirical poem exploring the dynamics of a Victorian marriage. The poem opens with a stark contrast between a virtuous wife and her wicked husband, quickly establishing a tone of ironic amusement. The narrative progresses through a crisis and resolution, ultimately painting a picture of unexpected transformation and societal commentary. The poem's mood remains playful throughout, using humor to address serious themes of deception, societal expectations, and the subversion of traditional roles.

Victorian Virtues and Vices Collide

While biographical information on Kipling's specific inspiration for this poem is not readily available, understanding the Victorian era is crucial. The poem plays on the idealized image of the Victorian wife – pious, innocent, and domestic – contrasting it with the reality of infidelity and hidden vices, often associated with men of the time. The very name "Jane Austen Beecher Stowe de Rouse" is a weighty symbol of expected female virtue, referencing prominent female authors known for their moralistic themes. The husband's moniker, "Belial Machiavelli," immediately signals his duplicity and association with evil and political cunning, further highlighting this societal dichotomy. He is presented as the antithesis of what Victorian society expected of a husband. This contrast is central to the poem's satirical edge.

The Corrupting Influence of Innocence and The Power of Discovery

One of the central themes explored is the unintentional corruption of the innocent. Jane's excessive goodness, as the poem states, "made him worse." This suggests that her unwavering virtue, perhaps perceived as naiveté, inadvertently fueled her husband's rebellious behavior. Another related theme is the power of knowledge and the disruption it brings. Jane's accidental discovery of her husband's secret (Lilly the racehorse) acts as a catalyst for change. It empowers her to question her previously unquestioning acceptance of societal norms and her husband's behavior. Finally, the poem touches upon the theme of unexpected transformation, showing how a seemingly static character like Jane can evolve when confronted with the truth. The poem demonstrates how a crisis can lead to personal growth and a re-evaluation of one's life choices.

Symbols of Deception and Liberation

Several symbols contribute to the poem's overall message. "Belial Machiavelli" is a symbolic representation of deceit and hidden agendas. "Lilly," the racehorse, becomes a symbol of the husband's secret life and, eventually, a vehicle for Jane's liberation. The misdirected telegram is a crucial symbol, representing the accidental unveiling of the truth. It is not a deliberate act of seeking knowledge but a chance occurrence that shakes the foundations of their marriage. The fact that Jane "never opened wires again" after her initial mistake could be interpreted in multiple ways: as a humorous indication that she learned from her 'error' or more darkly, that she traded ignorance for a new type of deception and participation in what she once despised, it asks the question if the ends justify the means?

A Twist of Fate and a Subverted Ending

"The Mare's Nest" ultimately presents a satirical commentary on Victorian marriage and societal expectations. The poem suggests that excessive virtue can be as detrimental as excessive vice, and that true understanding comes from confronting uncomfortable truths. The ending, where Jane embraces her husband's passion for racing, is both amusing and unsettling. It subverts the traditional narrative of a wife reforming her wayward husband, instead suggesting a more complex dynamic where she adapts to his world, perhaps even losing some of her initial innocence. The final line, "This / Is very sad, but so it is," leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity, questioning whether Jane's transformation is a triumph or a tragic loss of her original identity. The poem's significance lies in its ability to use humor to explore the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of navigating societal expectations.