The Man who Could Write
A young civil servant, Boanerges Blitzen, aspires to rise through the ranks by leveraging his writing skills. He believes that the power of the pen can elevate his status, inspired by the success of others who have achieved prominence through their written words. However, his initial enthusiasm leads him to pen articles that expose office scandals and criticize his superiors, believing this boldness will earn him recognition and advancement. Instead, his writings provoke backlash from those he targets, resulting in reprimands and a stagnant career. Despite his attempts to maintain a façade of confidence and determination, he finds himself increasingly isolated and frustrated as his ambitions remain unfulfilled. Over the years, he grapples with the consequences of his actions, realizing that his approach has not only failed to bring him success but has also trapped him in a desolate position within the bureaucracy. As time passes, Blitzen's disillusionment grows. He reflects on his misguided belief that writing could be a pathway to success, recognizing that the realities of government service are far more complex and unforgiving than he anticipated. Ultimately, he remains stuck in a cycle of disappointment, unable to escape the consequences of his earlier choices, and his dreams of advancement fade into obscurity.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1935 · Genre: Satire, Poetry, Humor · 485 words
First lines
Shun -- shun the Bowl! That fatal, facile drink Has ruined many geese who dipped their quills in 't; Bribe, murder, marry, but steer clear of Ink Save when you write receipts for paid-up bills in 't.
There may be silver in the "blue-black" -- all I know of is the iron and the gall.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man who Could Write is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1935 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1935 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Poetry, Humor, Social Commentary, Fiction
- Length: 485 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Man who Could Write by Rudyard Kipling
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Satire — The poem critiques the pitfalls of ambition and the consequences of writing without skill or understanding.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter characteristic of poetry.
- Humor — The narrative employs irony and humor to highlight the absurdity of the protagonist's situation.
- Social Commentary — The poem reflects on societal norms and the bureaucratic challenges faced by individuals in government roles.
Tags
Rudyard Kipling · satire · writing · government · journalism · failure · ambition · irony · colonialism · India · civil service · fame