Poem Analysis - Screw Guns

A Celebration of British Military Might

Rudyard Kipling's "Screw-guns" is a boisterous and assertive poem that celebrates the power and effectiveness of British artillery in colonial settings. The poem's tone is initially jaunty and confident, bordering on boastful, as it highlights the gunners' ability to overcome any obstacle. However, a darker, more menacing undercurrent lurks beneath the surface, revealing the ruthlessness employed to maintain British dominance. This undercurrent subtly shifts the mood, adding a layer of grim pragmatism to the initial bravado.

The Implied Justification of Imperialism

The poem, written by a prominent voice of British Imperialism, can't be separated from its historical context. Kipling's work often reflects a belief in the "white man's burden," the idea that Britain had a duty to civilize and rule over other nations. The poem subtly, but significantly, promotes this viewpoint by presenting military conquest as an inevitable, even positive, force. The poem emphasizes the effectiveness of the screw-guns in subjugating various groups ("Naga," "Looshai," "Afreedeeman"), tacitly suggesting that resistance to British rule is futile and undesirable. This implicit justification of imperial expansion is a key theme running through the poem, masking violence beneath a veneer of duty.

Power and Inevitability: The Unstoppable Force

A central theme is the undeniable power of the screw-guns and, by extension, the British military. The poem creates a sense of inevitability around their advance; there is no escape from the "dear little pets." This theme is developed through vivid imagery of difficult terrain being conquered ("We'd climb up the side of a sign-board"), highlighting the gunners' relentless determination and the guns' capacity to overcome any obstacle. The poem uses strong verbs like "chivied," "kills," and "rattles" to demonstrate their dominance, reinforcing the idea that resistance is both futile and met with severe consequences. The frequent repetition of "You can't get away from the guns!" underscores the inescapable nature of British military power. This relentless power promotes a clear message of fear into all enemies of the empire.

The Two-Faced Nature of Imperial Expansion

One recurring image is the rugged, challenging landscape through which the gunners travel. Mountains, rocks, snow, and thin air all symbolize the hardships faced by the soldiers, but also the extent of British reach. The "eagles is screamin' around us, the river's a-moanin' below" creates a sense of wildness and untamed territory being brought under control. The contrasting images of "tea with a few guns" versus "only your graves" showcase the two-faced nature of imperial expansion - a facade of civility built upon a foundation of threat and death. This juxtaposition exposes the inherent brutality concealed beneath the seemingly civilized surface.

A Grimly Humorous Conclusion

In conclusion, "Screw-guns" is a complex poem that glorifies British military prowess while simultaneously hinting at the darker realities of imperialism. The poem's tone shifts from boastful to subtly menacing, reflecting the duality of power and control. Through vivid imagery and the theme of inevitability, Kipling constructs a narrative that both celebrates and, perhaps inadvertently, questions the cost of empire. The poem's lasting impact lies in its ability to capture the swagger and ruthlessness of British expansion, leaving the reader to consider the ethical implications of such dominance.