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Hi everyone,
I’m studying Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Tommy” for my English Literature class, and I’m struggling to understand how Kipling uses the character of Tommy to comment on societal hypocrisy. In the poem, Tommy is treated poorly by civilians, but when there’s a need, they praise him for his service. Could someone help me analyze how Kipling contrasts the way Tommy is viewed by society during peacetime and wartime? How does this reflection tie into the theme of respect and recognition? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!Hey! I totally get where you’re coming from. So, Kipling uses Tommy to highlight the double standards society holds, especially when it comes to how they view soldiers. When Tommy’s not needed, he’s pretty much ignored and treated as inferior, as the civilians in the poem don’t give him the respect he deserves. But as soon as war breaks out, they suddenly praise him for his service. This shift shows the hypocrisy in how society views people based on their usefulness, especially in terms of war. Kipling seems to be pointing out that respect is often given based on convenience, rather than genuine admiration. The contrast between peacetime and wartime shows how respect and recognition are often more about the situation than the individual’s true worth.
I’ve studied this poem a lot, and it’s a classic example of Kipling critiquing the hypocrisy of society. Tommy is ignored when he’s not needed, which represents the harsh reality that soldiers are often undervalued by civilians during peacetime. But when Tommy’s services are in demand during wartime, society turns around and praises him. Kipling uses this contrast to show how people often fail to recognize the true worth of others until they’re ‘needed.’ The poem is a pretty blunt commentary on how respect is conditional and tied to the public’s perception of someone’s usefulness, rather than their intrinsic value as a person. It’s kind of a critique of how fleeting and shallow recognition can be.
I think what Kipling’s doing with Tommy is really powerful. The poem shows how society can be hypocritical when it comes to respecting people based on their circumstances. In peacetime, Tommy’s just another soldier doing his job, and he’s treated like any other lowly worker. But when war comes, all of a sudden, he’s a hero, and the same people who ignored him are now praising him. Kipling contrasts these two attitudes to comment on how society often gives respect and recognition only when it’s convenient or necessary, not when it’s truly deserved. This makes the theme of respect in the poem seem a bit empty, like it’s more about appearances than real appreciation.
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