Poem Analysis - Philadelphia

A City Lost to Time: An Introduction

Rudyard Kipling's "Philadelphia" is a wistful and reflective poem that explores the inevitable passage of time and the ephemeral nature of human creations. The poem begins with a lighthearted warning against using the speaker's stories as a guide to modern Philadelphia. However, beneath the playful tone lies a deeper meditation on loss, memory, and the enduring power of nature. The mood gradually shifts from a humorous disclaimer to a more profound appreciation for what remains constant amidst change. Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the enduring aspects of Pennsylvania, contrasting them sharply with the vanished landmarks of a bygone era.

Vanished Landmarks: The Fleeting Nature of Human Endeavor

A central theme of the poem is the transience of human-made things. Each stanza emphasizes the disappearance of specific places and people from Kipling's Philadelphia, all linked to a bygone era. The repeated line, "It is gone, gone, gone with lost Atlantis," and variations thereof, underscores this sense of irrevocable loss. References to Talleyrand, Count Zinzendorf, Bob Bicknell's Southern Stages, Toby Hirte's shop, and Epply's tavern all contribute to the feeling that the Philadelphia of Kipling's stories exists only in memory. The poem highlights how even significant institutions and well-known figures eventually fade into obscurity, replaced by new realities.

The Enduring Land: Nature as a Timeless Constant

In stark contrast to the fleeting nature of human creations, the poem emphasizes the enduring presence of the natural world. The final stanza shifts the focus entirely, celebrating the unchanging beauty of the Pennsylvania landscape. "Unaltered since Red Jacket rode that way," the land retains its essential character. The vivid imagery of "pine-woods scent," "catbird sings," "maple-forest blazing," "grape-vine...musk," and "fire-flies in the corn" creates a sense of timelessness and permanence. These natural elements serve as a powerful symbol of continuity, offering solace and reassurance in the face of inevitable change. The poem suggests that true significance lies not in human constructions, but in the enduring beauty of the earth.

The Power of "Gone": Anaphora and the Sound of Loss

The poem’s repetition of "gone, gone, gone" acts as a powerful symbol of loss and the passage of time. This anaphora creates a mournful and elegiac tone, emphasizing the irretrievable nature of the past. The triple repetition amplifies the sense of finality, suggesting that the vanished places and people are not merely forgotten, but utterly erased from the present. This echoing refrain resonates with the broader theme of the ephemeral nature of human existence and the relentless march of progress, creating a poignant reminder of what is lost over time. Even the slight variation in the last stanza, "They are there, there, there," reinforces the theme of enduring nature by directly inverting the previous pattern, thereby highlighting what persists.

A Friendly Warning, A Lasting Image: Conclusion

"Philadelphia" is more than just a lament for a lost city; it is a meditation on time, memory, and the enduring power of nature. Kipling uses the disappearing landmarks of Philadelphia to illustrate the fleeting nature of human endeavors, contrasting them with the timeless beauty of the Pennsylvania landscape. The poem's shift in tone, from lighthearted warning to profound appreciation, underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing what truly lasts. Ultimately, Kipling’s poem leaves us with a powerful image of nature as a constant source of beauty and stability in a world of constant change. The friendly warning becomes a testament to what will always remain.