With the Night Mail, it seems to me, is straightforwardly permeated with
RK's fascination with the possibilities of technology, in particular powered
flight, and with the professional expertise and shop-talk of the aviators.
But As Easy as ABC (set incidentally, 60 years later than Night Mail) seems
quite different. It uses the idea of airpower, but is in essence a tract
against democracy. What was that all about ? Did he really mean it ? And who
was he aiming the message at ? I actually don't find the story very
interesting, except as an expression of a deeply pessimistic political
philosophy, but I'm prepared to be convinced !
John Radcliffe
----- Original Message -----
From: m healy <[log in to unmask]>
To: Kipling Mailbase <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 1999 6:47 PM
Subject: As easy as ABC
> One of Kipling's most interesting stories. A typical second member of a
> pair, following With the Night Mail ( compare On the Gate and Uncovenanted
> Mercies), the first light-hearted (who but RK would have given us the
> magazine including book reviews and advertisements?), the second a
> different matter altogether. A pity that the remark 'Slag the nigger'
> makes it hard to present to a present-day audience.
> Michael Healy
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