Poem Analysis - The Song Of The Old Guard

Triumph of the Elite: An Overview

Rudyard Kipling's "The Song of the Old Guard" is a triumphant and self-assured declaration of the resurgence of power by a privileged class. The poem exudes a smug satisfaction at overcoming a challenge from the "common people" and a determination to restore the established order. While celebratory in tone, there is an underlying current of fear and a hint of paranoia about future threats to their authority. The mood remains consistent throughout, a blend of arrogance and cautious resolve, hardening into a defiant call to maintain their position until the end.

Echoes of Social Hierarchy: Contextual Considerations

Given Kipling's background as a staunch supporter of British imperialism and his association with conservative political views, it's highly probable that the poem reflects anxieties about social unrest and challenges to the traditional class structure of England during his time. The poem could be interpreted as a response to rising socialist sentiments and calls for greater equality, advocating for the preservation of the established hierarchy against what he perceived as threats from below. It celebrates the resilience of the old order and its ability to reassert its dominance after facing a period of perceived danger.

Preservation of Privilege: A Core Theme

One of the central themes is the preservation of privilege and the re-establishment of a hierarchical social order. The poem clearly divides society into "we" (the Old Guard) and "they" (the common people and those who sought to reform them). The "spoil" mentioned in the second stanza illustrates their intention to reclaim and redistribute resources according to their own biased system: "According to our several needs/As Beauty shall decree,/As Age ordains or Birth concedes." This starkly contrasts with any notion of equitable distribution, underlining the theme of maintaining inherited advantages and social stratification. The very title, "The Song of the Old Guard," immediately signals this dedication to upholding tradition and existing power dynamics.

Maintaining Order Through Ominous Authority

The poem also explores the theme of maintaining order through veiled threats and the suppression of dissent. The lines "Shall own the odds and come to heel/Ere worse befall their end" suggest a readiness to punish those who challenge their authority. Even more unsettling is the subtle promise of discrimination and exclusion in the fourth stanza: "Our doorways that, in time of fear,/We opened overwide/Shall softly close from year to year/Till all be purified." This evokes an image of slowly restricting access and influence to only those deemed "pure" or acceptable by the Old Guard, a chilling representation of how power can be consolidated through subtle yet effective means of marginalization.

The Ritualistic Restoration of Power

The theme of ritualistic restoration of power is evident in the later stanzas, especially the fifth. The restoration of "altars which the heathen brake" suggests a return to traditional values and practices as a way to solidify their control. The specific mention of "anise, mint and cummin" implies a return to intricate rituals that legitimize their authority and reinforce their separation from the common populace. Similarly, the call to prepare "The candlesticks and bells,/The scarlet, brass, and badger's hair" signals a re-establishment of symbolic displays of power and status, essential components in reaffirming their dominance.

Symbols of Status: A Visual Language of Power

Several recurring symbols throughout the poem serve to reinforce the theme of status and authority. The imagery of "gilt and braid," "candlesticks and bells," and "scarlet, brass, and badger's hair" all represent the visual language of power and privilege. These objects are not merely decorative; they are markers of social distinction that separate the Old Guard from the masses. The "Ark's integrity," in the final stanza, symbolizes the sacredness of their traditions and the importance of preserving them against any perceived corruption or threat. It could be interpreted that the reference to "Armageddon" hints at an underlying insecurity, a fear that their regained power might be temporary and that an ultimate conflict awaits them.

A Legacy of Inequality: Concluding Thoughts

In conclusion, "The Song of the Old Guard" is a complex and unsettling poem that celebrates the triumph of a privileged class over those who sought to challenge their authority. It lays bare the mechanisms by which power is maintained through exclusion, veiled threats, and the ritualistic reinforcement of social hierarchies. While seemingly triumphant, the poem carries an undercurrent of paranoia and a readiness for future conflict. Kipling’s work, therefore, serves as a chilling reminder of the enduring power of entrenched privilege and the potential for such ideologies to persist even in the face of societal progress.