Poem Analysis - The Rupaiyat Of Omar Kalvin

A Beggar's Plea: Introduction

Rudyard Kipling's "The Rupaiyat of Omar Kal'vin" presents a darkly humorous and cynical self-portrait of a beggar, likely a colonial official in financial straits. The poem blends desperation with a sense of entitlement, crafting a persona that is both pitiable and repulsive. The tone vacillates between pleading and self-justification, revealing a character caught in a cycle of debt and rationalization. There is a notable shift from initial optimism to a final, almost menacing, condemnation of imprudence.

Colonial Context: Begging in the Empire

Given Kipling's background and the poem's content, it's reasonable to assume a colonial context. The references to "Imports" and "Tillers in Bengal" suggest a setting within the British Empire, possibly India. The beggar's position may reflect the financial difficulties some colonial officials faced, exacerbated by mismanagement and a perceived entitlement to local resources. This context adds a layer of irony to the poem, as the figure of the beggar becomes a symbol of the drain on resources that colonial rule often represented.

The Cycle of Debt and Justification: The Central Theme

One of the poem's central themes is the perpetual cycle of debt and self-justification. The speaker starts by "reviving last Year's Debt," setting the stage for a recurring pattern. He promises "Retrenchment" but admits to breaking this promise in the past, confessing "I sore – but did I mean it when I swore?" This reveals a lack of self-discipline and a tendency to rationalize his spending habits. The lines "And then, and then, We wandered to the Hills, / And so the Little Less became Much More" vividly illustrate how small indulgences snowball into significant financial burdens. The poem presents a character trapped in a self-made financial prison, continuously seeking external solutions rather than addressing the root causes of his predicament.

Empty Till, Empty Promises: The Theme of Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy emerges as another significant theme. The speaker readily promises "Anything" to secure funds, revealing a willingness to deceive. He pleads with "Fellow-Sinners" to "fill" his "empty Till," acknowledging his own failings but deflecting responsibility. The line "Seek not the Reason of the Dearth, but fill" highlights his desire to avoid scrutiny and accountability. Furthermore, his condemnation of the imprudent woman in the final stanzas underscores his hypocrisy. He criticizes her "thriftless Bread" while simultaneously begging for charity, failing to recognize his own parallel behavior. This hypocrisy reinforces the poem's cynical tone, suggesting that the speaker is not only financially irresponsible but also morally bankrupt.

Blame and Responsibility: The Theme of Scapegoating

The poem also explores the theme of shifting blame and evading responsibility. The speaker repeatedly avoids taking ownership of his financial woes. He declares, "I cannot help it," suggesting that his spending habits are beyond his control. He minimizes the significance of individual expenses, asking, "What have I to do / With One and Five, or Four, or Three, or Two?" This trivialization of small amounts allows him to disavow the cumulative effect of his spending. The final stanzas represent the ultimate act of scapegoating, where he condemns the "She" figure for her imprudence, projecting his own flaws onto another. The speaker thus tries to deflect attention from his own failings, seeking to present himself as a victim of circumstance rather than the architect of his own misfortune.

The Net and the Till: Recurring Symbols

Several recurring symbols enhance the poem's meaning. The "Net" in the second line symbolizes the speaker's aggressive pursuit of funds. It suggests a predatory approach, casting a wide net to capture any available resources. The "Till," representing the speaker's empty treasury, becomes a symbol of his financial destitution and dependence on others. This empty Till is also an emblem of his moral bankruptcy, as he is begging for money based on empty promises. The constant juxtaposition of these symbols reinforces the poem's depiction of a man relentlessly seeking financial relief while offering nothing of substance in return.

A Final Reflection: A Portrait of Self-Deception

In conclusion, "The Rupaiyat of Omar Kal'vin" is a cynical and darkly humorous exploration of debt, hypocrisy, and self-deception. Through vivid imagery, a shifting tone, and recurring symbols, Kipling crafts a compelling portrait of a beggar who refuses to accept responsibility for his own plight. The poem's effectiveness lies in its unflinching portrayal of human fallibility and the lengths to which individuals will go to avoid facing their own shortcomings. It leaves the reader questioning the speaker's sincerity and contemplating the broader implications of entitlement and moral compromise within a colonial context.