Winston Churchill's response to the influenza pandemic

Winston Churchill's "The Influenza"

In 19th century literature, symbolism was generally used in one of two ways: it could either be used in terms of its general connection in the collective social mind, or it could be used in a new sense that is revealed by the work itself (W.W. Norton & Company). In Winston Churchill's "The Influenza," several words and phrases are used in either the general symbolic sense or in a new way that is highlighted by the subject and meaning of the poem. "The Influenza was written during 1890, when Churchill was 15 years old. During this time he was a student at Harrow School, and received a House Prize or his work (The Churchill Centre). Below is a consideration of the poem itself and its use of symbolism.

Churchill opens his poem with a number of questions pertaining to the cruelty of the disease he is describing. The questions themselves could relate to the uncertainty of those who contract the disease, as well as to those who remain behind. In the line "It journeyed with the sun," the sun is used in a different symbolic association than is normally the case. In general language, the sun is usually symbolic of happiness and joy. In the poem however it acquires a more sinister association. Specifically, the sun appears to signify the inevitability and universality of the disease. The sun travels everywhere and eventually reaches everyone on earth. This traveling process also foreshadows Churchill's assertion later in the poem, that nobody, regardless of status or wealth, is safe from infection. The disease, like the sun, does not discriminate.

Other elements of nature that are used in an unusual symbolic way in the poem are "adverse winds" and "floods of rain." Generally these elements in their extreme capacity are seen as destructive on a very wide scale. However, in terms of the illness they are seen as a potential, although ineffective friend when Churchill says "Nor adverse winds, nor floods of rain" could stop either the effect or the spread of the disease.

During the rest of the poem, Churchill uses symbolism in its normal sense to emphasize the terrible inevitability and fatal nature of the disease. One of these is the image of "bleak Siberia." The adjective "bleak" places emphasis on Siberia as symbolic of all things terrible and inhuman. However, when the disease is described as moving past it, it is even more deadly and terrible than the suffering in Siberia itself. This idea may also be symbolic of the fact that the cruelty in Siberia is perpetrated by human hands, and preceded by considerations of guilt and innocence. The disease however is worse in the sense of its non-human and non-discretionary nature.

Merry France" is another location that is used in such a symbolic way. It contrasts with Siberia by means of the adjective "merry." Once again Churchill emphasizes the idea that the disease cannot be stopped by either gloom or merriment. Furthermore, it cannot be stopped by either natural or human power. The country's warriors are described as "symbolic of initial human strength." Once again the adjective is of importance. The word "initial" signifies the state before disease. Once the disease has its hold, however, all human strength falters and the struggle becomes futile and indeed fatal.

Churchill also uses a number of symbolic assertions in association with the disease itself. These include "loathsome hand and poisonous sting" and "poisonous breath and blighted wing." There is nothing to redeem the reputation of the influenza. It is the words of all things on earth. The diction used, such as "sting" and "wing" further emphasizes the inhuman quality of the disease. It is seen in terms of a type of insect, despite the personifying effects of words like "hand" and "breath." The adjectives "loathsome" and "poisonous" negates any personification that can be ascribed to the disease. It is later personified as a "cruel, unconquerable foe," which leaves its victims and its families with an utterly powerless feeling. This feeling signifies that the disease is a foe without any pity, unlike a human one. In using the personification "foe" then, Churchill emphasizes the fact that the disease is far from human or any human enemy. A human enemy for example would generally, in most cases, demonstrate some discretion as to who is the focus of attack. To not do so is to be utterly without humanity, which is the nature of the disease.

The turning point in the poem comes in the form of "Father Neptune," symbolic of the sea, served to break the power of the influenza and protected the poet's country from its full force. By using the name of an ancient god force to describe the barrier of the sea, Churchill appears to indicate that, while no earthly powers could break the curse, a supernatural force was required. In this way he ascribes to the sea a more mythical than natural character in succeeding where no other human or natural force could. Furthermore, the sea as a symbol is dichotomous; it is capable of both kindness and violence. In terms of the disease, it was able to break its hold through the sheer volume of its barrier.