Poem Analysis - Snarleyow

A Grim Narrative of War

Rudyard Kipling's "Snarleyow" is a stark and unsentimental portrayal of war, told from the perspective of a soldier within the British Army. The poem recounts a gruesome incident involving a horse named Snarleyow and its devastating consequences for the human soldiers around it. The tone is initially matter-of-fact and darkly humorous, but it gradually shifts to a more brutal and unforgiving depiction of battlefield realities. The poem is marked by a grim acceptance of loss and a chilling pragmatism necessary for survival.

The Machine of War and the Individual

One of the central themes is the dehumanizing effect of war. The poem suggests that in the service of the Queen, individual lives, even familial bonds, become insignificant. The Driver's Brother's plea for mercy is ignored, and he is ultimately run over by his own comrades. This illustrates the cold, mechanical nature of warfare where the mission takes precedence over human compassion. The repeated line, "You 'avn't got no families when servin' of the Queen," reinforces the idea that personal connections are a liability in the face of military objectives. Further, the poem highlights the contrast between the perceived importance of different military branches. "Down in the Infantry, nobody cares;/ Down in the Cavalry, Colonel 'e swears;" demonstrates a hierarchy of perceived value, impacting the emotional responses of those involved in the action.

The Price of Duty

The poem also explores the theme of duty and sacrifice. The soldiers are expected to prioritize their duty to the army above all else, even at the cost of their own lives or the lives of others. The Driver's decision to continue moving the battery, despite the horrific death of Snarleyow and later his own brother, exemplifies this unwavering commitment. This sacrifice isn't romanticized; it's presented as a brutal necessity. The final lines, "If you want to win your battles take an' work your bloomin' guns!" emphasize that victory demands such sacrifices.

Chance and Chaos

A pervasive theme is the role of chance and chaos in battle. Snarleyow's death, the subsequent death of the Driver's Brother, and the shell that lands "a little right the batt'ry" all highlight the unpredictable nature of war. These events occur seemingly at random, underscoring the vulnerability of the soldiers and the lack of control they have over their own fates. The poem rejects any sense of order or justice in warfare; death is arbitrary and impartial.

Images of Violence and Impersonal Death

The poem is filled with vivid and disturbing imagery. The repeated image of "his 'ead between 'is 'eels" is particularly striking, representing the grotesque and dehumanizing effects of war. This image is applied both to Snarleyow and the Driver's Brother, suggesting that both humans and animals are reduced to mangled bodies in the face of battle. The phrase "one wheel was juicy" is another example, graphically depicting the violence inflicted upon the "niggers" and further highlighting the brutal indifference to human life on the battlefield. The phrase "juicy" applied to killing humans diminishes their value and emphasizes the impersonal nature of their deaths.

A Cynical Conclusion

"Snarleyow" offers a bleak and cynical vision of warfare. It strips away any romantic notions of heroism or glory, revealing a world where individuals are expendable, and duty demands the ultimate sacrifice. The poem's power lies in its unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities of battle and its challenge to conventional narratives of military valor. The casual, almost flippant tone in which the events are described underscores the normalization of violence and loss within the military culture. Ultimately, "Snarleyow" serves as a potent reminder of the human cost of war and the dehumanizing forces at play on the battlefield.