"The Female of the Species" by Rudyard Kipling (read by Tom O'Bedlam)

It's about the Women's Suffrage Movement and the extreme lengths to which some women would go to gain the right to vote. (Which didn't help their cause). www.kiplingsoci... It was published in 1911, when the Women's Social and Political Union was making the headlines with militant action. The last two verses say that women should not govern because they are inherently unjust.
en.wikipedia.or...
Kipling is, perhaps, the most misunderstood of poets and, perhaps, the most undeservedly unpopular. He was nothing like his popular image. Of course, you don't have to agree with everything he said, but his views were not unpopular in his own time and they reflected public opinion. In fact he was more liberal than most men of his day.
To loosely quote from wiki:
"Suffragettes carried out direct action such as chaining themselves to railings, setting fire to mailbox contents, smashing windows and on occasions setting off bombs. Many suffragettes were imprisoned and went on hunger strikes, during which they were restrained and forcibly fed and had reached the height of their campaign by 1912."
en.wikipedia.or...
The right to vote was gained by some English women in 1918 and by some American women in 1920.

[@miamicozzi1822]

SpokenVerse it seems to me that this poem is not necessarily about the "extremism" of the women's suffrage movement, but rather in the resilience/strength/force women have as a result of motherhood (or being able to carry a child, etc). There is no concrete evidence in the text linking "the female of the species" Kipling writes about to suffragettes. The idea is rather that, as a woman can die from complications in pregnancy or childbirth ("She who faces Death by torture for each life beneath her breast") has no time for "doubt or pity", proving her stronger, more commanding, perhaps even more reckless than a man, who will be "perplexed by doubt and pity", "concede to his fiercest foe and accept compromise. The female is drawn up to be a warrior -violent, active-, whereas the man seems to be somewhat aloof and compromising, passive even. There seems to be a reversal between what is traditionally considered female and male. Lastly, especially in the last few lines, there seems to be an almost mocking tone to women - as if Kipling were acknowledging the stereotype that it's impossible to argue with women as they always know everything better. At the same time, the forcefulness of those lines could suggest the vivid impression women have made on Kipling, or even a sense of respect for the force he described that is also mirrored in those lines. This is obviously a very very short analysis, but I think you will find it works rather well.

[@adoracle1]

I am female, rebellious, strong and independent my entire life....but I know my own gender and this poem is my favorite, because it is he truest thing ever written . This is not an insult, its the truth, it can be a compliment, a tribute, but ultimately is a warning to us all. Our experiences with exposure to women with great power should leave no doubt of this fact. I am far more cautious with regard to my own gender than I am with my male counterparts.

[@jamesconnolly5164]

As a glimpse of history, this is fascinating. I don't think women were nearly as submissive back then as modern academics make them out to be.

[@typacsk]

If the "Plain Tales from the Hills" had any grain of truth in them, I think you might be right ;)

[@davidharrison6615]

he could put his finger on issues that evaded everyone else . a great man .

[@vincentneale2620]

I am the master of my household and I have my Wife`s permission to say so

[@edwardlear4952]

Should be studied in the national curriculum.

[@carlo1831]

This poem actually led me to understand women. Especially that verse that said "every fiber of her frame proves her launched for one sole issue, armed and engined for the same." When I read that verse, it all fell into place. Of course they're gold diggers. The more resources they can gather and accumulate the better they can provide for their young. Even love for mate. She has to sleep sometime. Who better to guard her children while she sleeps than the one who helped her make them? Of course some females can't have young for whatever reason. But it doesn't matter. It's still imprinted on the genes. Mess with them, no problem. Mess with their children, and the body will never be found.

[@d-logan5280]

Well ladies ... he's got ya there.

[@whit2642]

I read either a poem or a short story of his almost daily. And most often more than once. Absolute favorite literary figure . I love his lyrical prowess and meter. His wonderful play on word which somehow holds just enough back that when he lets it go st the end, result you suddenly get it in its entirety.

[@SpokenVerse]

@Kemmetmau "If" I were going to argue that the guy who wrote the most popular and best loved poem in the language wasn't a bad guy, I wonder "If" there's a better choice that I have overlooked. Let me think....

[@nightwatchrenband]

Oh, you pronounce err properly. My high school Latin teacher would be SO PROUD of you, as am I. Uphold the proper!

[@micheleflynn6705]

While he might have written it in regards to the suffrage movement, as a female, and mom... see i as a mom will die to protect their young.... My favorite poems if his are this one, If, and Gods of the Copybook Headings...

[@AxisFlier]

Absolutely brilliant!!! He wasn't a "Psychology Major" But he could see in to the Human psyche better than all off them !! Because he always cared about the truth And had the ability to put it in to words without fear!

[@milliebianco7051]

I don't think that this necessarily applies to extremism, but a study of gender differences and innate traits.

[@subsuperficiem6781]

Let's just say in games on ps4, I like to hide,make people comfortable,take them out. But my boyfriend charges in,over and over,and dies.

[@jamailwalker5875]

Love this poem Mr Kipling I respect your work even more Rest In Paradise Mr Kipling

[@ninagoldiloks]

I ran up on this verse almost a decade ago..... found it to be a lil known truth. Gospel... Enjoy ☆☆☆☆☆

[@williamedwinmellors6463]

This poem is one of my favourites, like his cakes!

[@MichaelDinaswirled]

That was awesome, and the man's voice is also. thx, DINA the woman of the species while Michael is more in Heaven with the Male.

[@doctorpsycho1960]

@SpokenVerse Really? I thought the tune was very well-chosen, with its heavy beat that creates a vague impression of ancientness. She used much the same trick in writing music for "The Song of the Men's Side", which apparently has not founds its way onto KZbin yet.

[@gjsterp]

Excellent!

[@johnjazz6652]

i read george orwell's critique of rudyard kipling it was a jealous and jaundiced essay by a man whose real name was eric blair ex eton and a champagne socialist his further work was the same not a good word to say about anyone all this by a man who hadn't the balls to use his real name

[@doctorpsycho1960]

Look for Leslie Fish's song made from it. :{)

[@RemovdSande11]

wow, this putted a smile on my face.

[@SpokenVerse]

@doctorpsycho1960 Sounds too much like Tom Lehrer minus originality and wit. Compare "Plagiarise" Where's the humour in singing it to a Russian Dance Tune?

[@gluepot66]

@SpokenVerse when i think about it no probably not but thats because I have nothing but hate inside of me

[@anesta6432]

1918.

[@ОльгаСнегирь-у3ы]

Thank you

[@thallassocracy]

I agree with you that Kipling is regularly undervalued and often misunderstood. But he did ask for it. 'The female of the species is more deadly than the male' is worth thinking from time to time - but it isn't especially true. The suffragettes were terrifying - but their menfolk had just invented the modern concentration camp in the Boer War. This would have made an excellent epigram or a good squib- the material isn't there for fifty two lines.

[@gluepot66]

@SpokenVerse the more i think about it the more you are right i seem to hate everything and i love very little and i don't think i even do that properly its just in my horrible nature to attack everything I didn't even listen to it properly and it would have made no difference who recited it and how. bad

[@gothdeer]

Its a half-truth, no matter your opinion on it.