Gehazi by Rudyard Kipling (1890)
The narrative follows Gehazi, a servant of the prophet Elisha, who is consumed by greed and ambition. After witnessing the miraculous healing of Naaman, a Syrian general afflicted with leprosy, Gehazi's desire for wealth leads him to deceit. He fabricates a story to extract gifts from Naaman, claiming that Elisha has sent him to collect offerings for the needy. Gehazi's actions are driven by a desire for status and material gain, contrasting sharply with the values of honesty and integrity upheld by Elisha. His greed ultimately results in divine retribution; he is struck with leprosy, a punishment that marks him and his descendants. The poem serves as a moral lesson about the consequences of dishonesty and the corrupting influence of greed, illustrating the stark difference between true righteousness and the facade of virtue. The imagery of Gehazi's transformation from a revered servant to a leprous outcast underscores the theme of moral decay and the inevitable fallout of unethical choices.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Drama · 383 words
First lines
'Whence comest thou, Gehazi, / So reverend to behold, / In scarlet and in ermines / And chain of England's gold? ' / 'From following after Naaman / To tell him all is well, / Whereby my zeal hath made me / A Judge in Israel.'
Well done, well done, Gehazi, / Stretch forth thy ready hand, / Thou barely 'scaped from judgment, / Take oath to judge the land, / Unswayed by gift of money / Or privy bribe, more base, / Of knowledge which is profit / In any market-place.
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Gehazi is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1890 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Drama, Allegory, Historical
- Length: 383 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Gehazi by Rudyard Kipling
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- The Question by Rudyard Kipling
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- The Last Chantey by Rudyard Kipling
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Religious — The themes revolve around biblical figures and moral judgments, reflecting religious narratives.
- Drama — The dialogue and conflict suggest a dramatic presentation of moral and ethical dilemmas.
- Allegory — The poem serves as an allegory for moral integrity and the consequences of deceit.
Tags
Gehazi · Rudyard Kipling · poetry · judgment · Israel · Naaman · leprosy · virtue · corruption · truth · deceit · moral dilemma