Poem Analysis - The Only Son

A Descent into Primal Instinct

Rudyard Kipling's "The Only Son" is a haunting exploration of identity, instinct, and the pull of nature. The poem unfolds with a hushed, almost dreamlike quality, gradually building a sense of unease and anticipation. Initially, the atmosphere is one of domestic comfort, but this quickly gives way to a growing sense of otherness and a primal yearning within the son. The poem ultimately challenges the boundaries of what defines family and belonging, leaving the reader to ponder the true nature of the son's identity.

The Clash Between Domesticity and the Wild

One of the central themes of the poem is the conflict between domesticity and the wild. The opening stanzas depict a scene of maternal care and warmth: the mother tending the fire, securing the home, and offering comfort. The phrases "fresh flame comforted the hut" and "shone on the roof-beam" evoke a sense of safety and security. However, this tranquility is disrupted by the son's unsettling dreams. These dreams introduce vivid images of a primal existence, contrasting sharply with the comfort of his human home. The "shaggy hide," "clashing teeth," and "red-mouthed shadows" symbolize the untamed instincts lurking within him, pulling him away from the familiar and towards the unknown.

Dreams as Portals to True Identity

Dreams serve as a crucial vehicle for exploring the theme of identity in the poem. The son's repeated questioning – "Now was I born of womankind...?" – reveals a deep uncertainty about his own nature. His dreams are not mere fantasies but rather glimpses into a past or a deeper, more primal self. The imagery within these dreams – being guarded by "clashing teeth," playing with comrades who "bit me to the bone," and participating in a "midnight call to blood" – paints a picture of a life lived in accordance with natural instinct, a life far removed from the human world of barley-cake and the byre. These vivid dreamscapes suggest that his true identity may lie not in his human upbringing but in his connection to the wild.

The Allure of the Untamed

The poem is filled with vivid sensory imagery that evokes the power and allure of the natural world. The references to the "Lena Falls," the "trooping blackbuck," the "little fawn," and the "wet dawn-wind" create a tangible sense of the wild landscape that calls to the son. The repeated use of "a league and a league" emphasizes the distance to be travelled and the strength of the son's longing. The descriptions of smell, sight, and sound – the "smell the wet dawn-wind," "see the black roof-tree," "hear the little fawn" – immerse the reader in the sensory experience of the natural world, highlighting its undeniable pull on the son. Even the seemingly mundane image of "the sprouting wheat" takes on a deeper meaning, representing the cycle of life and the natural rhythms to which the son feels compelled to return.

A Question of Kinship

The poem culminates in a powerful and ambiguous moment when the son opens the door. The final line, "And a grey bitch-wolf came out of the dark and fawned on the Only Son!" is laden with meaning. It suggests that the wolves are not a threat but rather his true kin. The act of fawning implies recognition and acceptance, reinforcing the idea that the son's true belonging lies with the wild. However, the ambiguity remains: is he a human with wolf instincts, or is he a wolf raised as a human? This unanswered question leaves the reader to contemplate the complex relationship between nature and nurture, and the enduring power of primal instincts.

Echoes of a Primal Connection

In conclusion, "The Only Son" is a compelling exploration of identity, instinct, and the call of the wild. Through vivid imagery, unsettling dreams, and a gradual shift in tone, Kipling creates a haunting portrait of a character torn between two worlds. The poem suggests that our true selves may be rooted in something far deeper and more primal than our conscious understanding, and that sometimes, the most profound connections are found in the most unexpected places. The final image of the wolf fawning on the son serves as a potent reminder of the enduring power of instinct and the complexities of belonging.