
Smoke Upon Your Altar Dies
'Smoke Upon Your Altar Dies' Summary
The poem 'Smoke Upon Your Altar Dies' is a lament for the fallen soldiers of the British Empire in India. It begins with the image of a burning altar, symbolizing the sacrifices made in the name of empire. The speaker, presumably a British soldier, reflects on the lost lives and the fading memories of those who perished. He mourns the loss of comrades and the sense of duty that drove them to war. The poem uses evocative imagery to depict the brutality of warfare, emphasizing the physical and emotional scars left behind. The smoke rising from the altar symbolizes the fleeting nature of human life and the impermanence of power. The poem ultimately poses questions about the cost of empire and the lasting legacy of war, leaving the reader to contemplate the complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
Published In
Genre/Category
Tags/Keywords
Authors

Rudyard Kipling
Britain
Kipling's writing has strongly influenced that of others. His stories for adults remain in print and have garnered high praise from writers as different as Poul Anderson, Jorge Luis Borges, and Randal...
Books by Rudyard KiplingDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

Leaves from Australian Forests by Henry Kendall
Published in 1869, "Leaves from Australian Forests" is a collection of poems by Henry Kendall, widely considered one of the founding fathers of Austra...

The Lives of the Queens of England, Volume 10 by Agnes Strickland
This mesmerizing volume sheds light on the hidden struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices of these influential women. From the very beginning, it is clear...

Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand by Henry Cadwallader Aams
A young man travels to South Africa to find his Mother and sister. He wants to be a clergyman and a farmer when he arrives there. This story includes...

Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton
Rezanov is a historical novel based on the life of Nikolai Rezanov, a Russian diplomat and explorer who played a key role in the colonization of Alask...

Sohrab and Rustum: An Episode by Matthew Arnold
Sohrab and Rustum is a tragic poem that explores the themes of fate, identity, and the consequences of war. It tells the story of Sohrab, a young Tart...

Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Volume I by Horatio Nelson
This volume contains the letters that Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB, wrote to Lady Hamilton, with whom he was having a n...

What the ''Boys'' Did Over There by Henry Fox
This book is a collection of personal accounts and recollections of soldiers who fought in the trenches during World War I. The soldiers describe the...

The Forty-Five Guardsmen by Alexandre Dumas
It tells the story of Diane de Méridor's quest for revenge upon the Duke of Anjou – for his betrayal of Bussy d’Amboise. The novel features Forty-five...

Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 by Alfred Thayer Mahan
Alfred Thayer Mahan's "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History" examines the crucial role of naval power in shaping global events during the 17th and...

Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 different recordings of Dover Beach, by Matthew Arnold. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of April 8th,...
Reviews for Smoke Upon Your Altar Dies
No reviews posted or approved, yet...