Poem Analysis - Road Song Of The Bandar Log

Introduction: A Cacophony of Chaos

Kipling's "Road-song Of The Bandar-log" is a boisterous and satirical portrayal of the monkey tribe, the Bandar-log, from The Jungle Book. The poem bursts forth with energy, presenting the Bandar-log as boastful, impulsive, and ultimately, rather pathetic creatures. The tone is initially exuberant and mocking, but it subtly shifts in the final stanzas to reveal a stark contrast between the monkeys' grand self-image and the harsh realities of jungle life. This contrast underscores the poem's central theme: the futility of empty boasts and the tragic consequences of lacking substance.

The Bandar-log's Bragging: Delusions of Grandeur

One of the main themes of the poem is the delusion of grandeur. The Bandar-log constantly proclaims their own excellence and imminent greatness. They imagine themselves "doing splendid things," but these plans are always vague and never realized. This is evident in lines like "Dreaming of deeds that we mean to do, / All complete, in a minute or two." The phrase "never mind" that concludes several stanzas indicates an inability to actually commit to any specific course of action or see any project to its completion. They also fancy that they are superior to other creatures, specifically stating that they are "talking just like men," thus highlighting their desire to be something that they are not and their comical misunderstanding of what it means to be human.

The Fleeting Nature of Power: An Undercurrent of Mortality

The poem also explores the fleeting nature of power and the inevitability of mortality. This theme is primarily revealed in the poem's final stanzas. The direct questions, "What of the hunting, hunter bold?" and the subsequent answers paint a picture of weariness and failure. The "hunter bold" is going "to my lair -- to die." This starkly contrasts with the earlier boasts and frenetic activity of the Bandar-log. The line "Brother, it ebbs from my flank and side" acknowledges the loss of strength and vitality, a universal truth that applies to all living beings, including the bragging Bandar-log. The use of the term "brother" is a deliberate choice that illustrates our shared fate; a shared experience that we will all succumb to in the end. The final stanzas serve as a brutal wake-up call.

Pride and Its Downfall: The Significance of the Tail

A recurring symbol in the poem is the image of the tail. The Bandar-log repeatedly taunt the other creatures with the phrase "Brother, thy tail hangs down behind!" While on the surface this seems like a simple insult, it represents a perceived inferiority and a reminder of the other creatures' "animal" nature. The monkeys believe their imagined superiority rests on the ability to manipulate, as shown by the line "Would n't you like if your tails were -- so -- / Curved in the shape of a Cupid's bow?" This signifies a superficial understanding of beauty and a misplaced sense of pride. The phrase thus serves as a constant reminder of the difference between the monkeys and others, but it also ironically highlights the monkeys' own lack of genuine substance. The taunt is also an example of the monkeys inability to construct actual, substantial insults, since the insult is never related to any specific, concrete critique. It is only a simple statement of observation, one that, because it is repeated, is meant to hurt the recipient and raise the perceived status of the Bandar-log.

Conclusion: A Bitter Reflection

"Road-song Of The Bandar-log" is more than just a lighthearted poem about monkeys. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of empty pride and the inevitable confrontation with reality. The poem uses the Bandar-log's chaotic antics and boastful claims to expose the futility of ambition without action and the fragility of perceived superiority. While the poem begins with a sense of playful mockery, it concludes with a somber reflection on mortality and the consequences of living a life based on illusion. The "Road-song" ultimately suggests that true worth lies not in grand pronouncements but in meaningful action and an acceptance of one's own limitations.