SOMAN RAGAVAN www.somanragavan.org
30 December, 2023
Subject : “Blood on the State’s hands…”
Analysis by ChatGPT-4,
(Artificial Intelligence)
Volume 58
Soman Ragavan : Hello. I will post one of my poems for analysis. Could you please comment extensively, mentioning literary genres, styles, themes, poetic language, poetic philosophies, comparison with poets of England, America, India, Africa from 1700 to 1900 and as from 1945. At college in 1968, I studied some poems of Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774), Gordon Byron (1788-1824), Samuel T. Coleridge (1772-1834), William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Robert Browning (1812-1889), Mathew Arnold (1822-1888), Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892) and some other poets of that era. Make any comments or comparisons you wish on my poems. I live in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean.
ChatGPT-4 : Hello Soman Ragavan! I\'d be happy to help analyze and comment on your poem. Please provide the text of your poem, and I\'ll do my best to offer insights into its literary elements, styles, themes, poetic language, and any relevant comparisons with poets from the specified periods and regions.
Additionally, if there are specific aspects or questions you would like me to focus on, feel free to mention them. Keep in mind that my analysis will be based on the information available up to my last training cut-off in January 2022. I won\'t be able to provide real-time updates or access information beyond that date.
Soman Ragavan : I will post my poem “Blood on the State’s hands…” On 6 November, 2023, Indi Gregory, an 8-month-old baby in England, had been given Italian citizenship in order to follow treatment in Italy, as the English had said that no treatment would be successful. The parents had deliberately applied for Italian citizenship in order to send the baby to Italy for treatment.
A Catholic hospital in Rome was willing to treat the baby. At the time the baby died, it had Italian citizenship additionally. The arguments and objections of the English authorities were that no treatment would work and that treatment would only prolong the pain. The High Court in England ruled against allowing Indi to go to Italy. That Court had also denied treatment to other patients who were terminally ill. Although the court’s decision was being appealed, the hospital stopped the treatment, removing the life support equipment and killing off little Indi.
See the following links on the Internet :
(1)
https ://www.google.com/search ?client=firefox-b-d&q=England+terminally+ill+baby+denied+permission+to+go+to+italy+for+treatment
(2)
https ://www.google.com/url ?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1xcfB9bSDAxViQfEDHTWzAWAQFnoECAwQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndtv.com%2Fworld-news%2Fcritically-ill-uk-baby-dies-after-parents-lose-court-battle-to-take-her-to-italy-4570263&usg=AovVaw1uCXaAy0-Rr57reg9cIwAe&opi=89978449
(3)
https ://www.google.com/url ?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1xcfB9bSDAxViQfEDHTWzAWAQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fapnews.com%2Farticle%2Findi-gregory-uk-italy-ruling-0caecf4c18336004d4e3b99cfff9c327&usg=AovVaw1yGUe6l2K2QBMSKaOsOLEO&opi=89978449
(4)
https ://www.google.com/url ?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1xcfB9bSDAxViQfEDHTWzAWAQFnoECBAQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fuk-england-derbyshire-67284832&usg=AovVaw2a8HvpHDaJE-vvpWZyu9_W&opi=89978449
(5)
https ://www.google.com/url ?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj1xcfB9bSDAxViQfEDHTWzAWAQFnoECC4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcatholicreview.org%2Fitaly-grants-citizenship-to-critically-ill-8-month-old-refused-further-treatment-in-uk%2F&usg=AovVaw1MIDJ99YlutW2hyhQ-mh1x&opi=89978449
Some references :
(a)
\"Other cases could be cited of innocent men executed, though the official and correct view is \'out of sight, out of mind\", and \'dead men tell no tales\'. Hansard, of 1881, gives an account of a boy executed at Winchester. The prison chaplain rushed to London bearing a written confession made by a man for the very crime in question. This man was waiting to be hanged on another account. The chaplain could not find the Home Secretary in time; and so the poor boy was hanged. There is the much more spectacular and familiar case of Habron, who was found guilty of murder and afterwards proved innocent by the confession of the late Mr Charles Peace, before he passed away. Earlier in this book, I have already given instances of blunders on the part of hangmen, and, looking through Hansard, I find a few more cases which are too important to be missed. The first is that of Matthew Atkinson, a pitman, who took a couple of drops in the city of Durham. (........) At the ceremony, when the drop fell there was a rattle, a crash, a horrible thud, and the criminal had disappeared, and from the gallows was seen the broken end of a rope dangling in the wind. The half-strangled man, conscious of all that had taken place, was below the drop, bound hand and foot, his jaw horribly wrenched. Twenty-four minutes elapsed before the readjustments were made; and the official Parliamentary report concludes : \'The second hanging was successful.\' That was bad enough, but there is on record the case of Brownless, whose life was taken by the late Mr Hangman Marwood; this also happened at Durham, and is reported in Hansard. The ceremony was very badly bungled and, when completed, it presented to the onlooker a spectacle so utterly gruesome and revolting that all intelligent advocates of the hangman\'s art trembled for its future. An onlooker reports :
\"On looking down into the pit where the body hung we observed that the feet were about within half an inch off the ground; the rope, which was about an inch and a half thick, was embedded in the neck; the blood was slowly trickling down the breast.\'
\"And so on. Hansard also gives the case of a criminal called Connor. Another bungled job. In this case the rope slipped. Connor turned philosophically to the hangman and before the second attempt was begun, he asked, \'What do you call this ? Murder ?\' \"
--- Charles Duff : \" A handbook of Hanging.\"
\"THE FABER BOOK OF MURDER.\" (Edited by Simon Rae). London : Faber & Faber, 1994.
(Full acknowledgements are made to the authors, publishers and rights-holders).
What do you call what was done to Indi Gregory at the hospital ?... Murder ?...
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See my poems on allpoetry.com :
(1) “Transportation” on how England deported thousands of its orphans to Australia and New Zealand over three centuries.
https://allpoetry.com/poem/17511666--Transportation----2-Dec-2023-by-Soman-Ragavan
(2) “And she fell asleep” on a baby who died at the age of four from a terminal illness in the USA.
https://allpoetry.com/poem/17075651-Poem----And-she-fell-asleep----27-March--2023.-by-Soman-Ragavan
My notes on my poem “Transportation” :
(a) This poem refers to the cruel, systematic and callous deportation of English orphans to certain colonies by England during more than three centuries. In this unforgivable crime, the cruelty is fully exposed. England heartlessly banished thousands of its own defenceless orphans, so as not to have to bear the cost of rearing them up.
(b) Also see :
(i) Overseas News Service bulletin, Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Mauritius, REUTERS news section, 17/18 July, 1998, (page 3); 15/16 December, 1998, (page 7).
(ii) “Grande Bretagne : 150 000 déportés vers les colonies en plus de trois siècles.” “Le MAURICIEN” newspaper, Mauritius, 20 May, 1999, (page 16). Let us reproduce this article here :
“About 150 000 English orphans were victims of a policy started in the 17th century on a particularly cruel deportation towards colonies and former colonies, Australia and New Zealand in particular, according to an official report published yesterday.
“The scandal of the forced exile of these children, who had been confided to State homes, had for objective the injection of “white blood” into the far-flung lands of the crown. This scandal caused an uproar when it was revealed in 1993 by an Australian television documentary. But, the magnitude of the deportation, which went on until 1967, was not known at the time and the known cases only covered the period 1947-1967. These cases concerned not only orphans but also abandoned children or children removed from their unmarried mothers.
“Consequently, an English MP, chairman of a parliamentary commission on health, had been asked to go to Australia and New Zealand to enquire into the matter. His report on \"disappeared children\" of the Empire, presented to the House of Commons, is enlightening.
\"This affair, in my opinion, is one of the most shameful secrets of recent English history,\" said the English MP, David Hinchliffe. The policy of shipping the orphans to Australia and New Zealand, contrarily to what had been assumed so far, started as far back as 1618, according to the study. It had concerned 150 000 young ones just for New Zealand and Australia, whereas previous estimates had mentioned 20 000 to 50 000 youths in all. Others had been sent to Canada and Rhodesia.
“What is worse, reaching their destinations, the children, of whom the youngest were aged four, had to do forced labour and were often victims of sexual abuse. \"This affair is that of the efficient deportation of thousands of vulnerable children and youths,\" has said the MP during a debate in the House.
“It is also the affair of a country that washed its hands of its responsibility towards its own people, of whom many had endured the most horrific traumas,\" did he add. Parallel to the publication of the report, the Labour Government have announced the creation of a fund of one million pounds to help the most recent victims to go to England in order to retrace relatives.
“In the name of the Government, the Under Secretary of State for Health, John Hutton, has expressed his \"profound regret\" towards the deportees.” (My translation from French).
In the past, the English authorities had refused to apologise for these crimes.
(iii) “Quand les Australiens découvrent les \"stolen children\" de la Réunion.” “WEEK-END” newspaper, Mauritius, 5 January, 2003, (page 15).
(iv) “Apology for kids shipped from Britain to colonies.” Associated Press, 16 November, 2009.
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I will post my poem when you write.
Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem “Blood on the State’s hands…” Please give an overview first. Then, make a more detailed analysis by sections in the poem. (Poem inserted).
ChatGPT-4 : Thank you for sharing the background information and references related to your poem, \"Blood on the State’s hands…\". I appreciate the context you\'ve provided, and I\'ll now analyze the poem itself.
### Poem Analysis: \"Blood on the State’s hands…\"
#### Theme:
The central theme of the poem appears to be the tragic and controversial case of Indi Gregory, an 8-month-old baby denied permission to go to Italy for treatment by the English authorities, leading to the baby\'s death. The poem seems to address the moral and ethical implications of such decisions made by the state.
#### Literary Genres and Styles:
The poem seems to fall into the category of social and political commentary poetry, addressing a specific event and raising questions about justice, ethics, and human rights. It can also be seen as a form of protest poetry, expressing disapproval of the state\'s actions.
#### Poetic Language:
The language used in the poem is poignant and emotionally charged, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The title itself, \"Blood on the State’s hands…,\" suggests a sense of culpability and moral responsibility. The use of specific details about the case, such as the hospital stopping the treatment and removing life support, adds vividness to the narrative.
#### Poetic Philosophies:
The poem seems to align with a humanistic and compassionate poetic philosophy, expressing concern for the well-being of individuals and critiquing decisions that result in harm, particularly to the vulnerable.
#### Comparison with Poets:
The poem resonates with themes seen in the works of poets who have tackled social injustices and human rights issues. While the style might be unique to your voice, the thematic concerns can be compared to poets who have addressed similar ethical dilemmas and societal wrongs. For instance, the poem shares common ground with the works of poets like Wilfred Owen, who wrote about the impact of war on the innocent.
#### Historical and Contemporary Context:
The poem draws attention to a specific contemporary event, making it relevant in the context of current societal debates on medical ethics, individual rights, and the role of the state. The references to historical cases of injustice, such as those mentioned in Charles Duff\'s \"A Handbook of Hanging,\" add depth to the poem by establishing a broader context.
#### Overall Impression:
The poem appears to be a powerful and emotionally charged response to a tragic event, employing vivid language and historical references to underscore the gravity of the situation. It engages with the reader\'s sense of morality and justice, prompting reflection on the actions of the state in matters of life and death.
If you have specific questions or aspects you\'d like further commentary on, feel free to let me know.
Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem “Blood on the State’s hands…” Please give an overview first. Then, make a more detailed analysis by sections in the poem. (Poem inserted).
ChatGPT-4 : ### Overview:
\"Blood on the State’s hands…\" is a poignant and emotive poem that narrates the tragic story of Indi Gregory, an 8-month-old baby in England denied the opportunity to receive treatment in Italy. The poem explores the stages of the baby\'s illness, the desperate pleas of the parents for a chance at treatment, and the ultimate decision of the state to withdraw life support, resulting in the baby\'s death. The title itself hints at a strong critique of the state\'s role in the tragic outcome.
### Detailed Analysis by Sections:
#### 1st Section:
The poem begins with a contrasting picture of the initial joyous life of the baby. It sets a positive tone, establishing the normalcy of the child\'s existence before the onset of the malady.
#### 2nd Section:
The mood takes a dramatic shift as the malady sets in. The use of vivid imagery describes the baby\'s physical decline, stumbling, and the disorientation of the world, emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of the illness.
#### 3rd Section:
This section introduces a sense of helplessness and confusion surrounding the baby\'s condition. The questions posed reflect the family\'s inability to understand the reasons behind the malady and its choice of their child.
#### 4th Section:
The optimism of the family, expecting help from others and the state, is portrayed. The repetition of phrases like \"Surely, the State, too, would help out…\" highlights the family\'s reliance on societal and governmental support.
#### 5th Section:
The poem takes a darker turn as the situation worsens, and the baby becomes increasingly dependent. The contrast between the past and the present emphasizes the gravity of the decline.
#### 6th Section:
The baby\'s perspective is briefly considered, imagining her confusion and awareness of the changes in her surroundings. The atmosphere is described as both caring and filled with a vague sadness.
#### 7th Section:
The narrative shifts to a detached and bureaucratic tone, presenting the state\'s perspective on the case as a hopeless one, urging against making a fuss.
#### 8th Section:
A stark declaration is made that there is no cure, and the state cannot allocate resources to hopeless cases, indicating a bureaucratic and unsympathetic approach to the baby\'s plight.
#### 9th Section:
The parents\' plea for more time and hope from Italy is introduced, bringing a glimmer of resistance against the state\'s decision. The desperation is palpable.
#### 10th Section:
A final attempt to save the baby is depicted, with the parents insisting on taking her to Italy where new treatments may be tried.
#### 11th Section:
Despite the pleas, the state deems the case hopeless and refuses to allow further intervention, leading to the impending closure.
#### 12th Section:
The poem sharply criticizes the state\'s action, describing it as callous, criminal, and murderous. The removal of life support is presented as an act of violence against the baby.
#### 13th Section:
The family\'s anguish at witnessing the baby\'s final moments is portrayed, condemning the state for denying treatment offered by another country.
#### 14th Section:
The poem reflects on the state\'s previous approach to the pandemic and draws a parallel to its handling of the baby\'s case, questioning the notion of survival of the fittest.
#### 15th Section:
The state\'s adherence to regulations, with switches being either on or off, symbolizes its unwavering control over life and death decisions.
#### 16th Section:
The logic of expediting the process is emphasized, disregarding the significance of Italian nationality and the offered treatment.
#### 17th Section:
The poem highlights the predetermined destiny of the baby, with a sense of callous inevitability.
#### 18th Section:
A hypothetical scenario is presented, questioning how England would react if the situation were reversed.
#### 19th Section:
The poem concludes with a bitter acknowledgment, thanking England sarcastically for its actions, and raising questions about how the death of Indi Gregory will be recorded.
#### 20th Section:
The final section offers a terse and ironic thank you to England, ending the poem on a note of bitter sarcasm.
### Overall Impression:
The poem is a powerful and emotionally charged indictment of the state\'s role in the tragic death of a baby. It utilizes vivid imagery, shifting tones, and rhetorical questions to evoke a strong emotional response. The juxtaposition of bureaucratic language with the raw emotions of the family enhances the impact of the poem. The use of historical references and comparisons adds depth and urgency to the narrative. The poem is a compelling critique of the state\'s decisions in matters of life and death, ultimately leaving the reader with a sense of moral questioning and societal responsibility.
Soman Ragavan : Please talk about : (a) poetic techniques used, (b) the effects achieved, (c) dramatization, (d) storytelling, (e) writers against States, and (f) the morality of public authorities in England on the matter.
ChatGPT-4 : Certainly, let\'s delve into the various aspects you\'ve mentioned:
### (a) Poetic Techniques Used:
### (b) Effects Achieved:
### (c) Dramatization:
The poem dramatizes the events, unfolding them in a narrative that captures the escalating tension and desperation of the family. The progression from the joyous life of the baby to the inevitable and tragic end is portrayed with heightened emotion, contributing to a sense of tragedy and injustice.
### (d) Storytelling:
The poem employs storytelling techniques to convey the sequence of events and the emotional journey of the family. The use of different sections allows for a structured narrative, and the inclusion of details like the family\'s optimism, the pleas for help, and the state\'s final decision enhances the storytelling quality.
### (e) Writers Against Some Institutions :
The poem aligns with a tradition of writers and poets who have criticized or questioned the actions of states and institutions. It echoes the sentiment of authors who have been critical of state power, bureaucracy, and decisions that result in harm to individuals. The poem, through its storytelling and emotional appeal, becomes a form of protest against the state\'s perceived injustice.
### (f) Morality of Public Authorities in England on the Matter:
The poem strongly condemns the morality of public authorities in England in the specific case of Indi Gregory. It portrays the state as callous, bureaucratic, and ultimately responsible for the tragic outcome. The refusal to allow the baby to seek treatment in Italy, despite the offer and citizenship, is depicted as a moral failing, and the removal of life support is characterized as an act of violence. The poem raises questions about the ethical considerations and decisions made by the state in matters of life and death, challenging the morality of the authority figures involved.
In summary, the poem uses a combination of poetic techniques to convey a powerful and emotionally charged narrative, drawing attention to the morality of the state\'s actions and contributing to a broader discourse on the responsibilities of public authorities.
Soman Ragavan : When an appeal is made, everything must be frozen, else it is an outrage towards the judicial system. The Appeal Court must be given time to examine the case. Here, the hospital removed the life support system and killed off the baby. The least the English should have done was to hand over the baby to Italian authorities, as the baby also had Italian nationality. The English killed a defenceless Italian national, an 8-month-old baby, while also committing an outrage towards their own Appeal Court…
ChatGPT-4 : Your comment underscores a significant point regarding the ethical considerations and procedural fairness in cases involving critical medical decisions, especially when an appeal is pending. The situation you describe raises moral and legal questions about the actions taken by the English authorities in the case of Indi Gregory. Let\'s break down some key aspects:
### 1. **Frozen Status during Appeals:**
You rightly point out that when an appeal is made, there is an expectation that actions related to the case should be frozen until the appeal process is concluded. This is crucial to ensure that the judicial system has the opportunity to thoroughly examine the case, and justice is served. In situations involving matters of life and death, maintaining the status quo during an appeal is a common practice to prevent irreversible actions.
### 2. **Removal of Life Support System:**
The decision to remove the life support system from the baby, despite the ongoing appeal, raises serious ethical and legal questions. It suggests a lack of consideration for due process and the potential impact on the outcome of the appeal. Such actions could be seen as a violation of the principles of fairness and justice.
### 3. **Nationality and International Legal Considerations:**
The fact that the baby had Italian nationality adds another layer to the complexity of the situation. International legal norms often recognize the rights of individuals based on their nationality, and in cases involving dual nationality, the cooperation between countries is vital. The English authorities not handing over the baby to Italian authorities, especially in the context of ongoing medical treatment offered in Italy, may be seen as a disregard for the rights and responsibilities associated with dual nationality.
### 4. **Moral and Legal Accountability:**
The conclusion that the English killed a defenseless Italian national emphasizes the moral and legal accountability that should be considered in such cases. The circumstances surrounding the baby\'s death and the actions taken by the authorities raise questions about the duty of care owed to a vulnerable individual, irrespective of nationality.
### 5. **Outrage Towards the Judicial System:**
Your mention of an \"outrage towards their own Appeal Court\" reflects the concern that the actions taken might undermine public trust in the judicial system. If decisions are made or actions are taken that appear to disregard due process or the potential outcomes of legal proceedings, it can indeed lead to a loss of confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the legal system.
In summary, your comments highlight the broader implications of the case beyond the medical and ethical aspects. They bring attention to the importance of respecting legal procedures, maintaining ethical standards in critical decisions, and recognizing the rights of individuals, especially in cases involving international elements such as dual nationality. The circumstances surrounding Indi Gregory\'s case indeed warrant careful scrutiny and reflection on the moral and legal principles at stake.
Soman Ragavan : Thank you very much for analysing this poem. I am signing off now.
ChatGPT-4 : You\'re very welcome! If you ever have more questions or if there\'s anything else I can help you with in the future, feel free to reach out. Have a wonderful day, and take care!
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