Chapter 1
The voice of the common soldier
Chapter 2
Stoicism and the ultimate life advice
Chapter 3
The double edged sword of empire
YOUR GOAL
Master of The poetry of Rudyard Kipling
Ch 1 · The voice of the common soldier
diego The poem Gunga Din honors a non-combatant Indian water bearer who bravely saves a British soldier's life.
diego Kipling wrote his military poems with heavy, rhythmic beats designed to mimic the physical sensation of marching boots.
Fun Fact
Military marching tunes: Kipling's highly rhythmic poem Boots was so popular with soldiers that it was actually adopted as an official marching chant by several British infantry regiments.
Glossary
tommy (noun)
A colloquial term for a private soldier in the British Army. Rudyard Kipling popularized the term in his 1890 poem defending the dignity of ordinary infantrymen.
A colloquial term for a private soldier in the British Army. Rudyard Kipling popularized the term in his 1890 poem defending the dignity of ordinary infantrymen.
Quiz
Which conflict inspired the grueling march described in Rudyard Kipling's poem Boots?
Quiz
In what year did Rudyard Kipling publish his famous collection titled Barrack-Room Ballads?
Quiz
Which common British soldier name did Rudyard Kipling popularize in his 1890 poem about military life?
Quiz
Where were Rudyard Kipling's rhythmic soldier poems frequently performed to reach working-class audiences?
Quiz
What is the final line of praise spoken about the Indian water bearer in Rudyard Kipling's poem Gunga Din?
Quiz
Which dialect did Rudyard Kipling use in his Barrack-Room Ballads to capture the authentic voice of London soldiers?