Beef Tea
By C. J. Dennis
She never magged; she never said no word;
But sat an' looked at me an' never stirred.
I could 'a' bluffed it out if she 'ad been
Fair narked, an' let me 'ave it wiv 'er tongue;
But silence told me 'ow 'er 'eart wus wrung.
Poor 'urt Doreen!
Gorstruth! I'd sooner fight wiv fifty men
Than git one look like that frum 'er agen!
She never moved; she never spoke no word;
That 'urt look in 'er eyes, like some scared bird:
"'Ere is the man I loved," it seemed to say.
"'E's mine, this crawlin' thing, an' I'm 'is wife;
Tied up fer good; an' orl me joy in life
Is chucked away!"
If she 'ad bashed me I'd 'a felt no 'urt!
But 'ere she treats me like — like I wus dirt.
'Ow is a man to guard agen that look?
Fer other wimmin, when the'r blokes go crook,
An' lobs 'ome wiv the wages uv a jag,
They smashes things an' carries on a treat
An' 'owls an' scolds an' wakes the bloomin' street
Wiv noisy mag.
But 'er — she never speaks; she never stirs…
I drops me bundle…An' the game is 'ers.
Jist two months wed! Eight weeks uv married bliss
Wiv my Doreen, an' now it's come to this!
Wot wus I thinkin' uv? Gawd! I ain't fit
To kiss the place 'er little feet 'as been!
'Er that I called me wife, me own Doreen!
Fond dreams'as flit;
Love's done a bunk, an' joy is up the pole;
An' shame an' sorrer's roostin' in me soul.
'Twus orl becors uv Ginger Mick — the cow!
(I wish't I 'ad 'im 'ere to deal wiv now!
I'd pass 'im one, I would! 'E ain't no man!)
I meets 'im Choosdee ev'nin' up the town.
"Wot O," 'e chips me. "Kin yeh keep one down?"
I sez I can.
We 'as a couple; then meets three er four
Flash coves I useter know, an' 'as some more.
"'Ow are yeh on a little gamble, Kid?"
Sez Ginger Mick. "Lars' night I'm on four quid.
Come 'round an' try yer luck at Steeny's school."
"No," sez me conscience. Then I thinks, "Why not?
An' buy 'er presents if I wins a pot?
A blazin' fool
I wus. Fer 'arf a mo' I 'as a fight;
Then conscience skies the wipe…Sez I "Orright."
Ten minutes later I was back once more,
Kip in me 'and, on Steeny Isaac's floor,
Me luck was in an' I wus 'eadin' good.
Yes, back agen amongst the same old crew!
An' orl the time down in me 'eart I knew
I never should…
Nex' thing I knows it's after two o'clock —
Two in the mornin'! An' I've done me block!
"Wot odds?" I thinks. "I'm in fer it orright."
An' so I stops an' gambles orl the night;
An' bribes me conscience wiv the gilt I wins.
But when I comes out in the cold, 'ard dawn
I know I've crooled me pitch; me soul's in pawn.
My flamin' sins
They 'its me in a 'eap right where I live;
Fer I 'ave broke the solim vow I give.
She never magged; she never said no word.
An' when I speaks, it seems she never 'eard.
I could 'a' sung a nim, I feels so gay!
If she 'ad only roused I might 'a' smiled.
She jist seems 'urt an' crushed; not even riled.
I turns away,
An' yanks me carkis out into the yard,
Like some whipped pup; an' kicks meself reel 'ard.
An' then, I sneaks to bed, an' feels dead crook.
Fer golden quids I couldn't face that look
That trouble in the eyes uv my Doreen.
Aw, strike! Wot made me go an' do this thing?
I feel jist like a chewed up bit of string,
An' rotten mean!
Fer 'arf an hour I lies there feelin' cheap;
An' then I s'pose, I muster fell asleep….
"'Ere, Kid, drink this"…I wakes, an' lifts me 'ead,
An' sees 'er standin' there beside the bed;
A basin in 'er 'ands; an' in 'er eyes
(Eyes that wiv unshed tears is shinin' wet) —
The sorter look I never shall ferget,
Until I dies.
"'Ere, Kid, drink this," she sez, an' smiles at me.
I looks — an' spare me days! It WAS BEEF TEA!
Beef tea! She treats me like a hinvaleed!
Me! that 'as caused 'er lovin' 'eart to bleed.
It 'urts me worse than maggin' fer a week!
'Er! 'oo 'ad right to turn dead sour on me,
Fergives like that, an' feeds me wiv beef tea…
I tries to speak;
An' then — I ain't ashamed o' wot I did —
I 'ides me face…an' blubbers like a kid.
Poem Analysis:
Beef Tea by C. J. Dennis is a deeply emotional narrative poem that captures the themes of guilt, remorse, love, and redemption within a working-class Australian context. Written in the vernacular style that Dennis is famous for, the poem uses colloquial language to present the protagonist's internal struggle after betraying his wife’s trust. The poem is a poignant exploration of human weakness and the redemptive power of love and forgiveness.
Summary
The poem follows a man who has recently married his beloved, Doreen. He falls back into his old habits, influenced by his friend Ginger Mick, and spends the night gambling and drinking. He loses track of time and returns home to find his wife waiting silently, hurt beyond words. Unlike other women who might scold or confront him, Doreen’s silent disappointment cuts deeper than any rebuke could.
The protagonist experiences profound guilt, recognizing the pain he has caused her. He retreats in shame, unable to face her. Later, he wakes to find Doreen offering him beef tea—a simple yet powerful gesture of care and forgiveness. This act of kindness overwhelms him, reducing him to tears as he realizes the depth of her love and the pain he has inflicted on her.
Themes
- Guilt and Remorse: The protagonist's guilt is palpable throughout the poem. He knows he has broken his promise to Doreen, and her silent disappointment serves as an unbearable burden. Unlike an angry confrontation, her quiet suffering forces him to confront his actions more profoundly.
- Love and Forgiveness: Doreen’s response to her husband’s betrayal is neither anger nor punishment. Instead, she shows him compassion through an act as simple as offering beef tea. Her quiet forgiveness contrasts sharply with his reckless behavior, highlighting the depth of her love and emotional strength.
- Masculinity and Vulnerability: The protagonist struggles with societal expectations of masculinity. Initially, he succumbs to peer pressure and indulgence in vices. However, his emotional breakdown at the end of the poem reveals his vulnerability, showing that true strength lies in acknowledging one’s flaws and seeking redemption.
- Class and Vernacular Expression: Dennis’s use of Australian vernacular and working-class slang adds authenticity to the poem. The characters are everyday people, making their struggles and emotions relatable. The contrast between the rough, informal speech and the deeply emotional content emphasizes the rawness of the protagonist’s turmoil.
Literary Devices
- Colloquial Language: Dennis writes in the Australian vernacular, which makes the poem more accessible and authentic. Phrases like "me carkis out into the yard" and "I ‘ides me face…an’ blubbers like a kid" give the poem a distinctive working-class voice.
- Irony: There is a deep irony in the fact that the protagonist expects punishment but instead receives care. The act of giving him beef tea—a traditional remedy for the sick—symbolizes Doreen’s unwavering love, despite the emotional pain he has caused.
- Imagery: Dennis effectively uses imagery to evoke emotions. Doreen’s "hurt look" is described as a silent condemnation, and the protagonist’s self-loathing is painted vividly as he sneaks away like a "whipped pup." The final image of him breaking down in tears powerfully conveys his transformation.
Beef Tea is a masterful exploration of human weakness, regret, and redemption. Through its use of vernacular language, emotional depth, and simple yet profound acts of love, the poem delivers a powerful message about forgiveness. Doreen’s quiet strength and compassion serve as a stark contrast to her husband’s recklessness, ultimately leading to his emotional awakening. The poem resonates as a timeless reflection on love’s ability to heal and transform even the most flawed individuals.