The Secret of the Machines
(MODERN MACHINERY)
We were taken from the ore-bed and the mine,
We were melted in the furnace and the pit.
We were cast and wrought and hammered to design,
We were cut and filed and tooled and gauged to fit.
Some water, coal, and oil is all we ask,
And a thousandth of an inch to give us play:
And now, if you will set us to our task,
We will serve you four and twenty hours a day!We can pull and haul and push and lift and drive,
We can print and plough and weave and heat and light,
We can run and race and swim and fly and dive,
We can see and hear and count and read and write!Would you call a friend from half across the world?
If you let us have his name, town, and state,
You shall see and hear your crackling question hurled
Across the arch of heaven while you wait.
Has he answered? Does he need you at his side?
You can start this very evening if you choose,
And take the Western Ocean in the stride
Of seventy thousand horses and some screws!The boat express is waiting your command!
You will find the Mauretania at the quay,
Till her captain turns the lever beneath his hand,
And the monstrous nine-decked city goes to sea.Do you wish to make the mountains bare their head
And lay their new-cut forests at your feet?
Do you want to turn a river in its bed,
Or plant a barren wilderness with wheat?
Shall we pipe aloft and bring you water down
From the never-failing cisterns of the snows,
To work the mills and tramways in your town,
And irrigate your orchards as it flows?It is easy! Give us dynamite and drills!
Watch the iron shouldered rocks lie down and quake
As the thirsty desert level floods and fills,
And the valley we have dammed becomes a lake.But remember, please, the Law by which we live,
We are not built to comprehend a lie,
We can neither love nor pity nor forgive.
If you make a mistake in handling us, you die!
We are greater than the people or the kings.
Be humble, as you crawl beneath our rods! Our touch can alter all created things,
We are everything on earth, except the gods!Though our smoke may hide the Heavens from your eyes,
It will vanish and the stars will shine again,
Because, for all our power and weight and size,
We are nothing more than children of your brain!
Welcome, curious minds, to an exciting journey into the heart of Rudyard Kipling’s remarkable poem, “The Secret of the Machines.” This piece of literature, penned in 1911, offers a profound reflection on the dawn of the industrial age, inviting us to ponder the intricate relationship between humanity and the powerful creations of its own ingenuity. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning, the clever use of language, and the timeless warnings embedded within this captivating work.
The Secret of the Machines: Summary and Central Idea
Rudyard Kipling’s “The Secret of the Machines” presents a unique and compelling perspective on modern technology. The poem is narrated entirely by the machines themselves, who speak directly to humankind, detailing their origins, immense capabilities, and inherent limitations. From their humble beginnings as raw ore, melted and forged, they describe their transformation into tireless servants. The machines boast of their ability to perform countless tasks, from communication across vast distances to reshaping landscapes and powering entire cities. They highlight their efficiency, their unwavering dedication to their tasks, and their capacity to serve humanity “four and twenty hours a day!”
The central idea of “The Secret of the Machines” revolves around the duality of technological progress. While celebrating the incredible power and potential of machines to transform the world and improve human life, the poem simultaneously delivers a stark warning about their amoral nature. The machines are presented as powerful tools, capable of immense good, yet utterly devoid of human emotions such as love, pity, or forgiveness. They operate purely on logic and instruction, emphasizing that any error in their handling can lead to dire consequences. This duality underscores the profound responsibility that comes with wielding such power, reminding us that while machines are creations of the human brain, they demand respect and careful management.
A noteworthy aspect of this poem is its innovative use of personification, giving voice to the machines. This narrative choice compels readers to consider technology not merely as inanimate objects, but as a force with its own “laws” and implications. It challenges us to look beyond the immediate benefits of innovation and contemplate the deeper ethical and societal responsibilities that arise from our creations. The poem serves as a powerful, enduring commentary on the balance between human ambition and the forces it unleashes.
Major Themes in “The Secret of the Machines” Analysis
Kipling masterfully weaves several profound themes throughout “The Secret of the Machines,” offering insights that remain relevant in our technologically advanced world.
The Immense Power and Potential of Modern Technology
The poem vividly showcases the transformative capabilities of machines, celebrating their ability to overcome geographical barriers, harness natural resources, and dramatically improve human life. The machines proudly declare their wide range of functions:
We can pull and haul and push and lift and drive,
We can print and plough and weave and heat and light,
We can run and race and swim and fly and dive,
We can see and hear and count and read and write!
These lines illustrate the sheer breadth of tasks machines can perform. Later, the poem highlights their ability to connect people across the globe, asking, “Would you call a friend from half across the world?” and promising, “You shall see and hear your crackling question hurled / Across the arch of heaven while you wait.” This demonstrates the revolutionary speed and reach technology provides, shrinking distances and expanding human capabilities.
Humanity’s Growing Dependence on Technology
While celebrating the advantages machines offer, the poem subtly suggests a growing reliance on these creations. The machines are presented as indispensable servants, working tirelessly “four and twenty hours a day!” This constant service implies that human society has become deeply intertwined with and dependent upon their functions. The poem does not explicitly condemn this dependence, but it highlights the machines’ unwavering presence and the human expectation of their continuous operation, subtly emphasizing the need for caution and responsibility in their use.
The Amoral Nature and Ethical Implications of Progress
Perhaps the most striking theme is the inherent lack of morality in technology. The machines bluntly state their fundamental difference from humans:
But remember, please, the Law by which we live,
We are not built to comprehend a lie,
We can neither love nor pity nor forgive.
If you make a mistake in handling us, you die!
This chilling declaration serves as a powerful warning about the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement. Machines operate without empathy or ethical considerations; their actions are purely logical and based on programmed instructions. This theme underscores the critical need for human judgment and moral guidance in the development and application of technology, as machines themselves cannot provide it.
The Creator-Creation Dynamic and Human Responsibility
Throughout the poem, the machines constantly remind the reader that they are extensions of human will and ingenuity. Despite their immense power, they are ultimately products of the human mind. The final lines powerfully reinforce this idea:
Because, for all our power and weight and size,
We are nothing more than children of your brain!
This statement brings the narrative full circle, emphasizing that technology is a tool, and its ultimate purpose and impact are determined by its creators. It places the burden of responsibility squarely on humanity, reminding us that while we have created powerful servants, we must also control and guide them wisely. The machines’ declaration, “We are greater than the people or the kings. / Be humble, as you crawl beneath our rods!” serves as a potent reminder of the respect and careful consideration required when interacting with such potent forces.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in “The Secret of the Machines”
Kipling’s masterful use of poetic devices significantly enhances the impact and meaning of “The Secret of the Machines.”
Personification
The most prominent and impactful device is the personification of the machines. By giving them a collective voice and the ability to narrate their story directly to humanity, Kipling creates a unique and compelling perspective. This allows for a direct exploration of themes such as power, responsibility, and the creator-creation relationship from an unexpected angle. The machines speak with authority and even a touch of pride, as seen in lines like, “We will serve you four and twenty hours a day!” and “We are everything on earth, except the gods!” This personification makes the abstract concept of technology tangible and allows the poem to deliver its warnings with a striking immediacy.
Rhyme Scheme and Meter
Contrary to a free verse structure, “The Secret of the Machines” employs a consistent and deliberate rhyme scheme and meter, contributing to its rhythmic power and memorable quality. Each stanza follows an ABAB CDCD rhyme scheme, creating a sense of order and predictability that mirrors the machines’ own precise operations. For example, in the first stanza, “mine” rhymes with “design,” and “pit” rhymes with “fit.” The poem largely adheres to an iambic tetrameter, meaning each line typically contains four metrical feet, with each foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This regular rhythm gives the poem a driving, almost mechanical pulse, reinforcing the subject matter.
Repetition and Anaphora
Kipling effectively uses repetition to emphasize the machines’ capabilities and their collective identity. The repeated use of “We were” in the first stanza, such as “We were taken from the ore-bed and the mine, / We were melted in the furnace and the pit,” highlights their shared origin and manufacturing process. Similarly, the anaphora of “We can” in the second stanza, as in “We can pull and haul and push and lift and drive, / We can print and plough and weave and heat and light,” creates a powerful, cumulative effect, underscoring the machines’ seemingly limitless abilities and tireless nature.
Imagery
Vivid imagery is employed throughout the poem to paint a clear picture of the machines’ power and influence. Readers can visualize the transformation of raw materials in lines like, “We were melted in the furnace and the pit.” The poem also creates dramatic images of the machines reshaping the natural world:
Watch the iron shouldered rocks lie down and quake
As the thirsty desert level floods and fills,
And the valley we have dammed becomes a lake.
This imagery powerfully conveys the machines’ ability to alter landscapes on a grand scale, making their impact tangible and awe-inspiring.
Rhetorical Questions
Kipling uses rhetorical questions to engage the reader directly and to highlight the extensive reach of the machines’ abilities. Questions such as “Would you call a friend from half across the world?” and “Do you wish to make the mountains bare their head?” are not meant to be answered, but rather to provoke thought and demonstrate the machines’ capacity to fulfill grand human desires. These questions draw the reader into the poem’s world and underscore the transformative power being discussed.
Metaphor and Extended Metaphor
The entire poem functions as an extended metaphor, with the machines representing the broader concept of technological advancement and its profound implications for humanity. Beyond this overarching metaphor, specific lines also employ metaphorical language. For instance, referring to a ship as “the monstrous nine-decked city” is a metaphor that conveys its immense size and complexity, likening it to a floating metropolis.
Analysis of Literary Devices in “The Secret of the Machines”
Beyond the poetic structures, Kipling incorporates various literary techniques to deepen the poem’s meaning and enhance its impact.
Direct Address
The poem is structured as a direct address from the machines to humanity, creating a powerful sense of immediacy and urgency. This narrative choice compels the reader to confront the implications of technological advancement personally. The machines’ pronouncements, such as “But remember, please, the Law by which we live,” feel like a direct warning, making the poem’s message particularly impactful and memorable.
Dramatic Irony
A subtle layer of dramatic irony exists within the poem. While the machines proudly enumerate their vast powers and state their amoral nature, humanity, as the creator, possesses the moral capacity that the machines lack. The irony lies in the potential for humans to become so reliant on these powerful, amoral tools that they might overlook or even neglect their own ethical responsibilities in guiding technological progress. The machines declare, “If you make a mistake in handling us, you die!” highlighting their lack of forgiveness, a quality only humans can truly comprehend and exercise.
Cautionary Tale
“The Secret of the Machines” functions as a profound cautionary tale. It warns against the uncritical acceptance of technology and the potential consequences of losing control or failing to understand the inherent limitations of our creations. The machines’ blunt declaration, “We can neither love nor pity nor forgive,” serves as the core of this warning, reminding humanity that power without morality can be dangerous. The poem urges a thoughtful and responsible approach to innovation.
Juxtaposition
Kipling masterfully juxtaposes the machines’ incredible capabilities with their inherent lack of human qualities. This contrast highlights the need for human judgment and ethical considerations in an increasingly mechanized world. For example, the descriptions of their world-altering power are immediately followed by their stark limitations:
We are greater than the people or the kings.
Be humble, as you crawl beneath our rods! Our touch can alter all created things,
We are everything on earth, except the gods!
This juxtaposition creates a powerful tension, emphasizing that while machines can achieve god-like feats, they are fundamentally different from humanity and lack the divine spark of consciousness and morality.
“The Secret of the Machines” remains a remarkably relevant and thought-provoking poem today. Its exploration of the intricate relationship between humanity and technology continues to resonate deeply in an era of unprecedented technological advancement. Kipling’s insightful warnings about the potential dangers of unchecked progress and the amoral nature of our creations serve as a timely reminder to embrace innovation responsibly, always with a keen awareness of its ethical implications and the enduring power of human wisdom. This poem is a timeless guide for understanding the machines that shape our world and the minds that create them.