Poem Analysis - Troopin

Rudyard Kipling's "Troopin'" is a boisterous and bittersweet farewell song of British soldiers completing their six-year term in India. The poem pulses with a sense of relief and excitement at the prospect of returning home, tinged with a melancholic acknowledgment of the hardships endured and the comrades left behind. The overall tone is celebratory and energetic, yet undercurrents of weariness and resignation emerge, especially regarding the soldiers' likely treatment upon their return to England. The poem shifts from a focus on immediate joy to reflections on past experiences and anxieties about the future.

Kipling's Poetic Voice and Imperial Context

Kipling's perspective, as a writer deeply embedded in the British imperial project, shapes the poem. He often wrote about the lives of British soldiers stationed in India, and this poem exemplifies his ability to capture their vernacular and emotions. The poem reflects the realities of colonial service, including the disease, hardship, and separation from loved ones, while simultaneously celebrating the camaraderie and sense of duty that bound these men together. Kipling's role as a chronicler of British imperialism informs the poem's inherent contradictions: acknowledging the suffering while glorifying the return home after service to the Empire.

The Allure of Home: A Central Theme

The most prominent theme in "Troopin'" is the overwhelming desire for home. This yearning is palpable throughout the poem, expressed through the repeated refrain of "We're goin' 'ome to-day!" This line acts as a constant reminder of the soldiers' impending liberation and dominates their thoughts. The anticipation of returning to England overshadows the hardships they face and potentially diminishes concerns about their post-service lives. The image of "English women an' a quart of English beer" encapsulates the simple pleasures they crave, representing a return to familiarity and comfort after a long period of exile.

Mortality and Sacrifice: Shadows of the Past

Beneath the celebratory surface lies a theme of mortality and sacrifice. The line "'O leave the dead be'ind us, for they cannot come away" hints at the losses the soldiers have endured during their service. This acknowledgment of death is quickly juxtaposed with the eagerness to return home, suggesting a need to compartmentalize grief and focus on the future. The poem further addresses the poor conditions the soldiers will face when they arrive back in England. They anticipate catching "pneumonia" from the cold weather. This acknowledgment that they "kill us of pneumonia -- for that's their little way" underscores the sense of sacrifice and the lack of appreciation the soldiers may face back home.

A Fleeting Romance: The Fragility of Love

The theme of love, or rather, a soldier's simple desire for companionship, is introduced through the mention of "My lovely Mary-Ann." The line "For I'll marry you yit on a fourp'ny bit / As a time-expired man" conveys a sense of both affection and economic hardship. The offer to marry on a "fourp'ny bit" suggests a humble and uncertain future. This image symbolizes the fragility of love and the practical challenges of starting a life after military service. This suggests that these returning soldiers' love lives may be constrained by their financial situation and the limited opportunities available to them.

Symbols of Passage: Ships, Ports, and Kits

The poem utilizes several recurring symbols to reinforce its themes. The "ship" represents the literal and metaphorical vehicle of their journey home, a symbol of hope and transition. "Portsmouth wharf," the destination, symbolizes the uncertain reception awaiting them upon their arrival. The contrast between their "Injian cotton kit" and the "cold an' wet an' rain" of England highlights their vulnerability and displacement. These symbols collectively represent the soldiers' passage from one life to another, from the harsh realities of colonial service to the unknown challenges of returning home.

A Song of Complex Emotions

"Troopin'" is more than just a simple celebration of returning home. It’s a complex portrayal of soldiers grappling with the realities of their service, the loss of comrades, and the uncertain future that awaits them. While the poem brims with the joy of impending freedom, it also reveals the anxieties and vulnerabilities of men who have sacrificed much for their country. The poem invites reflection on the true cost of imperial service and the bittersweet homecoming experienced by those who served the Empire.