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Who was Gunga Din?
What is Gunga Din by Rudyard Kipling about?
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Why is Gunga Din named after the Indian?
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Gunga Din" (/ ˌ ɡ ʌ ŋ ɡ ə ˈ d iː n /) is an 1890 poem by Rudyard Kipling set in British India. The poem was published alongside "Mandalay" and "Danny Deever" in the collection "Barrack-Room Ballads". The poem is much remembered for its final line "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din".
Gunga Din is a soldier's perspective in India, where he praises his loyal and brave water carrier, who saves his life but is killed by him. The poem explores the themes of loyalty, friendship, and death in a humorous and ironic tone.
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- October 9, 1995
- Poetry Analyst And Editor
May 16, 2017 · HOWEVER, you are asking about the statement 'you are a better man than me, Gunga Din!' -- that line is by itself proof that it is not a racist poem, but earnestly politically-correct non-readers who have mentally 'tagged' Gunga Din (possibly without reading it) as a racist work may be vocally offended, especially those of the left-leaning ...
- It's a cardinal error to confuse a depiction of bigotry with bigotry itself. Yes, the narrator of the poem is racist, not only by modern standards...
- Given that a few, presumably well-read, people here have different recollections of the poem, and different interpretations, you would be unwise to...
- My dad (native to Oklahoma) uses it, and I picked up the usage from him. I believe I've heard my mother-in-law (native to Ohio) use it as well. The...
- There are several good reasons to avoid it as a cultural reference, at least among acquaintances or strangers: It's likely obsolete. The poem and t...
- I, along with much of my family, use this phrase regularly as a compliment for someone who possesses the fortitude to do something that I doubt I c...
- This poem is an explicit reference to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus : Givin' drink to poor damned souls , An' I'll get a swig in hell fr...
- Well....I think I am a latecomer on this one....but I think context may be the true test of the meaning. I have a personal example....my brother, I...
- Sometimes we analyze too much, resulting in confusion from clarity. I first heard, then read, and later viewed the quotation as a youngster (I am n...
Jul 12, 2023 · Rudyard Kipling’s “Gunga Din” narrates the story of a heroic Indian water bearer with the same name who serves in the British Indian Army during the colonial era in India. The poem, published in 1892, is narrated by a British soldier who reflects on his experiences with Gunga Din.
Gunga Din is a poem that praises the loyalty and bravery of a bhisti, a low-caste Indian who served as a water-carrier for the British army in India. The poem depicts the hardships and dangers of the soldiers' life and the bhisti's role in helping them survive.
Gunga Din is a short story in rhyme that tells the tale of a brave and loyal bhisti (water-carrier) who saves his abusive master's life and dies in the process. The poem is based on a popular song and a real-life hero, and has inspired many parodies and adaptations.
The poem's speaker describes Gunga Din in a very racist way: the native comes from a "blackfaced crew" and is a "squidgy-nosed old idol". He is a "'eathen" who is simple and stupid – a "good, grinnin', gruntin' Gunga Din".
