Welcome, dear readers, to an exploration of a truly remarkable poem that echoes with the spirit of a pivotal era. Today, we delve into Madeline Ida Bedford’s “Munition Wages,” a vibrant and defiant piece of literature that offers a unique window into the lives of women during the First World War. Prepare to be captivated by a voice that is both powerful and unapologetic, celebrating newfound independence in the face of danger.
Munition Wages
By Madeline Ida Bedford
Earning high wages?
Yus, Five quid a week.
A woman, too, mind you,
I call it dim sweet.Ye’are asking some questions,
But bless yer, here goes:
I spends the whole racket
On good times and clothes.Me saving? Elijah!
Yer do think I’m mad.
I’m acting the lady,
But I ain’t living bad.I’m having life’s good times.
See ‘ere, it’s like this:
The ‘oof come o’ danger,
A touch-and-go bizz.We’re all here today, mate,
Tomorrow, perhaps dead,
If Fate tumbles on us
And blows up our shed.Afraid! Are yer kidding?
With money to spend!
Years back I wore tatters,
Now, silk stockings, mi friend!I’ve bracelets and jewellery,
Rings envied by friends;
A sergeant to swank with,
And something to lend.I drive out in taxis,
Do theatres in style.
And this is mi verdict,
It is jolly worth while.Worth while, for tomorrow
If I’m blown to the sky,
I’ll have repaid mi wages in death, and pass by.
Munition Wages Summary and Central Idea
Madeline Ida Bedford’s “Munition Wages” is a compelling dramatic monologue that introduces readers to a woman working in a munitions factory during the First World War. This poem, first published in 1917, immediately resonated with contemporary audiences by capturing the spirit of a new kind of working woman.
The poem opens with the speaker directly addressing an implied questioner about her earnings. She proudly declares her substantial wage of “Five quid a week,” emphasizing her status as “A woman, too, mind you.” This immediate assertion establishes her confidence and the noteworthy shift in women’s economic power during wartime.
The central idea of “Munition Wages” revolves around the speaker’s defiant embrace of life, her newfound financial independence, and her refusal to be constrained by societal expectations or the ever-present danger of her work. She spends her “whole racket” on “good times and clothes,” dismissing the idea of saving with a spirited “Me saving? Elijah! Yer do think I’m mad.” Her focus is on living fully in the present, acknowledging the perilous nature of her job, a “touch-and-go bizz,” and the constant threat of an explosion that could “blow up our shed.”
Despite this looming danger, the speaker is unafraid. She contrasts her past of “tatters” with her present luxury of “silk stockings,” “bracelets and jewellery,” and the ability to “drive out in taxis” and “Do theatres in style.” Her final lines offer a stark yet powerful justification for her choices: if she is “blown to the sky” tomorrow, she will have “repaid mi wages in death, and pass by.” This statement encapsulates the poem’s core message: a profound celebration of life lived to the fullest, even when shadowed by imminent mortality, and a powerful assertion of a woman’s right to enjoy the fruits of her labor.
In-Depth Munition Wages Analysis: Themes and Context
“Munition Wages” is more than just a snapshot of wartime life; it is a profound exploration of several key themes that remain relevant today. Understanding these themes, alongside the poem’s historical context, unlocks its full power.
The Empowerment of Women and Financial Independence
At its heart, the poem is a powerful testament to women’s empowerment. The First World War saw millions of women enter the workforce, taking on roles traditionally held by men, particularly in munitions factories. This work offered unprecedented wages and a taste of economic freedom. The speaker’s pride in her “Five quid a week” and her ability to spend it as she pleases highlights this revolutionary shift.
A woman, too, mind you,
I call it dim sweet.
These lines immediately establish a sense of gender pride and satisfaction. Her ability to acquire “silk stockings,” “bracelets and jewellery,” and even “A sergeant to swank with, And something to lend” signifies not just material gain, but a profound transformation in her social standing and self-perception. She is no longer defined by poverty but by her agency and choices.
Carpe Diem: Embracing the Present Moment
A dominant theme is the philosophy of carpe diem, or “seize the day.” Living with the constant threat of death, the munition worker chooses to live for today, rejecting the idea of saving for a future that may never come. Her declaration, “I’m having life’s good times,” is a direct response to her precarious existence.
We’re all here today, mate,
Tomorrow, perhaps dead,
If Fate tumbles on us
And blows up our shed.
This stark acknowledgment of mortality fuels her desire for immediate gratification and enjoyment. The “touch-and-go bizz” of her work makes every moment of pleasure precious and justified.
Defiance and Resilience in the Face of Danger
The speaker’s attitude is one of profound defiance. She is not naive about the dangers; she explicitly states, “The ‘oof come o’ danger.” Yet, she refuses to be paralyzed by fear. When asked if she is “Afraid!”, her response is a dismissive “Are yer kidding? With money to spend!” This shows incredible resilience and a determination to extract joy and meaning from her life, despite the grim realities surrounding her. Her final lines, where she contemplates being “blown to the sky,” are not despairing but rather a pragmatic acceptance, framed by the satisfaction of having lived fully.
Social Commentary and Class Mobility
The poem also offers subtle social commentary. The speaker’s journey from “tatters” to luxury items like “silk stockings” and “jewellery” speaks to a temporary but significant upward mobility for working-class women during the war. Her ability to “drive out in taxis” and “Do theatres in style” highlights a blurring of class lines, at least in terms of consumption and leisure, made possible by her “munition wages.” This challenges pre-war social hierarchies and offers a glimpse into a changing society.
Analysis of Literary Devices in Munition Wages
Madeline Ida Bedford masterfully employs various literary devices to bring her speaker’s voice to life and convey the poem’s powerful messages.
Assonance
Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds within words, adds a musicality and rhythm to the speaker’s colloquial voice. For example, the short ‘i’ sound creates a brisk pace in:
I call it dim sweet.
Another instance is the long ‘a’ sound, which can be heard in:
Ye’are asking some questions,
And the repeated ‘o’ sound in:
The ‘oof come o’ danger,
These subtle repetitions enhance the poem’s auditory appeal and make the speaker’s words more memorable.
Alliteration
Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, is used for emphasis and to create a sense of flow. Consider the ‘s’ sound in:
Now, silk stockings, mi friend!
This draws attention to the luxurious items that symbolize her transformation. Another example is the ‘t’ sound in:
If Fate tumbles on us
And blows up our shed.
This creates a sense of impending doom and the suddenness of fate.
Consonance
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words or at the end of words, contributes to the texture and rhythm of the poem. The ‘s’ sound is prominent in:
Ye’are asking some questions,
And the ‘d’ sound in:
Tomorrow, perhaps dead,
These repetitions subtly reinforce the poem’s themes and the speaker’s direct manner of speaking.
Enjambment
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, creates a sense of momentum and urgency, mirroring the speaker’s rapid-fire delivery and the precariousness of her life. Observe these lines:
We’re all here today, mate,
Tomorrow, perhaps dead,
If Fate tumbles on us
And blows up our shed.
The lack of punctuation at the end of the first three lines compels the reader to move quickly, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the munitions worker’s existence and the swiftness with which fate can intervene.
Imagery
Bedford uses vivid imagery to paint a clear picture of the speaker’s past and present, as well as the ever-present danger. The contrast between “Years back I wore tatters” and “Now, silk stockings, mi friend!” creates a powerful visual of her transformation from poverty to prosperity. The image of “Fate tumbles on us And blows up our shed” is stark and immediate, conveying the constant threat of explosion and death that hangs over the factory workers.
Personification
Personification is used to give human qualities to abstract concepts, making them more tangible and impactful. The most notable example is:
If Fate tumbles on us
Here, “Fate” is personified as an active entity that can “tumble” or fall upon individuals, emphasizing the uncontrollable and arbitrary nature of destiny and danger in the munitions factory.
Rhetorical Question
The poem opens with a rhetorical question, “Earning high wages?”, which immediately draws the reader into a direct conversation with the speaker. This technique establishes an intimate and engaging connection, making the reader an active participant in the speaker’s narrative. Later, the question “Me saving? Elijah! Yer do think I’m mad” further emphasizes her defiant stance and challenges conventional wisdom.
Symbolism
The poem is rich in symbolism, where objects represent deeper ideas. “Tatters” symbolize the speaker’s former life of poverty, hardship, and lack of agency. In stark contrast, “silk stockings,” “bracelets and jewellery,” and “Rings envied by friends” symbolize her newfound wealth, empowerment, and elevated social status. These items are not just material possessions; they are emblems of her triumph over adversity and her ability to enjoy life on her own terms. The “shed” can symbolize the dangerous workplace, a place of both opportunity and peril.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in Munition Wages
Beyond literary devices, the poem’s structure and language choices contribute significantly to its overall effect and meaning.
Diction and Tone
The poem’s diction is notably colloquial and informal, reflecting the working-class background of the speaker. Words and phrases like “Yus,” “Five quid a week,” “the whole racket,” “Elijah!”, “mate,” “mi friend,” and “bizz” create a sense of authenticity and immediacy. This choice of language makes the speaker relatable and her voice distinct. The tone is confident, unapologetic, and even defiant. There is an underlying pragmatism mixed with a joyous embrace of life. Her direct answers and dismissive exclamations (“Are yer kidding?”) underscore her strong, independent character.
Dramatic Monologue
“Munition Wages” is structured as a dramatic monologue, a poetic form where a single speaker addresses an implied listener, revealing their character and situation. This device allows the reader to directly access the speaker’s thoughts, feelings, and justifications without authorial intervention. The implied questions from the listener (“Earning high wages?”, “Me saving?”) serve to prompt the speaker’s candid and revealing responses, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem largely employs a consistent AABB rhyme scheme in most stanzas, contributing to its musicality and direct, almost song-like quality. For example:
Earning high wages?
Yus, Five quid a week. (A)
A woman, too, mind you,
I call it dim sweet. (A)
And:
I spends the whole racket
On good times and clothes. (B)
This simple, regular rhyme scheme makes the poem accessible and memorable, reinforcing the straightforward nature of the speaker’s message. While there are slight variations, such as in the fifth stanza, the overall pattern provides a subtle yet effective structure that enhances the poem’s readability and flow.
Stanza Structure
The poem is consistently structured into nine quatrains, or four-line stanzas. This regular structure provides a clear framework for the speaker’s narrative, allowing for a focused exploration of her thoughts and feelings in manageable segments. Each stanza often presents a distinct idea or response, building upon the previous one to create a cohesive and progressive argument for her lifestyle choices.
Madeline Ida Bedford’s “Munition Wages” stands as a powerful and enduring piece of literature. It captures a moment of profound social change, giving voice to women who found empowerment and independence in the most unexpected of circumstances. Through its vibrant language, compelling themes, and skillful use of literary and poetic devices, the poem continues to resonate, reminding us of the human spirit’s capacity for defiance, joy, and resilience in the face of life’s greatest uncertainties. It is a true gem, offering rich layers for exploration and appreciation.