The Pied Piper of Hamelin

One of the most effective ways Browning tells the story in The Pied Piper of Hamelin is through the use of rhyme. Throughout most of the poem (with a few exceptions), Browning uses ABAB. The use of such a rhythmic scheme allows Browning to transform the poem into a child's poem, which is completely different to his other poetry. Traditionally, the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin is used as a cautionary tale for children, and the rhythmic scheme allows the poem to take this form.

Throughout the poem, there are clear voices: the mayor, the Pied Piper, the lonely child and so on. There is also a clear linear chronology. It goes from the story of the Pied Piper being told, to then the voice of the poem talking directly to a child. Both of these narrative techniques emphasise the possibility of this poem being a cautionary tale for children as it ensures the poem has a simple and basic flow.

Browning's descriptions of the politicians/the "Corporation" are another effective way of telling the poem, and highly interesting. Line 27; "vermin" and line 29; "furry civic robe". This animalises the powerful people which makes it seem as if its deeper than a child’s cautionary tale, and it is another way of Browning making a dig at politicians, claiming they’re completely detached from society and humanity on a whole.

There are many underlying issues in this poem that suggest that it is not just a child's tale, but it is actually a story about corruption and the issues with lying. As a result of the leaders of Hamelin lying to the Pied Piper about how much money they would give to him, he leads the children to their death. This mixed with the animalistic descriptions of the Corporation is yet another direct dig at politicians; that deceit ends in death and unhappiness. 

Another way of telling the story is the difference between the blandness of the citizens of the town (and the town itself) and the Pied Piper. The way he dresses is depicted as “quaint” and he describes at length how much he has travelled; “I eased in Asia the Nizam Of a monstrous brood of vampyre bats”. Whereas they are described as being “monstrously fat”. In this sense, it is Browning’s way of singling the Pied Piper out; perhaps a foreshadowing as it suggests they are hugely different so said difference could perhaps lead to a conflict or issue later on.