Poem Analysis - The Peace Of Dives

A Cynical Peace

Rudyard Kipling's "The Peace of Dives" is a darkly satirical commentary on the nature of peace and the forces that drive conflict. The poem presents a world where divine intervention yields unexpected results, as God first tasks Dives, a figure from Christian parable representing wealth and worldliness, with bringing peace, and then tasks Satan with disrupting it. However, the poem's ultimate message is a cynical one: peace, in the sense of the absence of overt war, is achieved not through righteousness or divine intervention, but through the manipulative power of wealth and the exploitation of human greed. The tone is initially hopeful, but quickly descends into a bitter and ironic portrayal of earthly realities.

The Ironic Savior: Dives as Peacemaker

One of the central themes of the poem is the ironic subversion of expectations. Dives, traditionally depicted as a wealthy sinner in eternal torment, is chosen by God to bring peace. This unexpected selection immediately introduces a sense of unease. The poem suggests that conventional morality and religious teachings are insufficient to solve the world's problems. Dives's success is not based on any inherent goodness but rather on his mastery of worldly affairs, specifically, the art of manipulating financial incentives. This theme questions the effectiveness of traditional moral approaches to conflict resolution, implying that a more pragmatic, even cynical, understanding of human nature is required.

The Impotence of Evil: Satan's Frustrated Efforts

Another key theme is the powerlessness of traditional evil in the face of systemic corruption. Satan, tasked with disrupting Dives's peace, finds his usual methods ineffective. Breathed upon kings, insulted populations, and flung brands are without effect, because the true engines of conflict are no longer simple hatred or aggression, but deeply entrenched economic interests. This highlights a shift in the nature of warfare and conflict, from open aggression to more subtle forms of economic coercion. Satan's failure underscores the limitations of brute force and suggests that the true battleground has moved to the realm of finance and trade.

Gold and Fear: The Symbols of Control

The poem utilizes several recurring symbols to reinforce its message. Gold is the most prominent symbol, representing not just wealth but also the means of control. Dives uses gold to manipulate nations, arm enemies, and ultimately, create a fragile peace based on economic dependency. Fear is another crucial element, constantly interwoven with the pursuit of gold. Nations seek weapons out of fear, and they mortgage their resources to acquire those weapons. This illustrates how fear is the primary driver of the arms race, and how Dives, by exploiting this fear, maintains his control. The combination of gold and fear suggests that Dives has essentially turned the world into a captive market for conflict, ensuring a state of constant tension and dependence on his financial power.

The Bitter Peace: A Final Insight

In conclusion, "The Peace of Dives" is a scathing critique of the modern world, where peace is not a state of harmony but a carefully constructed system of economic dependencies and mutual fear. Dives's peace is not a true peace, but a form of control achieved through the manipulation of human greed and insecurity. Kipling's poem leaves us with a disturbing question: is a peace built on such foundations truly desirable? Is a world where economic self-interest trumps morality a world worth having? The poem invites us to critically examine the forces that shape our world and to question the true meaning of peace in an age of economic warfare.