'The Three Tommies' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 4)That Barret, the painter of pictures, what feeling for color he had!
And Fanning, the maker of music, such melodies mirthful and mad!
And Harley, the writer of stories, so whimsical, tender and glad!To hark to their talk in the trenches, high heart unfolding to heart,
Of the day when the war would be over, and each would be true to his part,
Upbuilding a Palace of Beauty to the wonder and glory of Art . . .Yon's Barret, the painter of pictures, yon carcass that rots on the wire;
His hand with its sensitive cunning is crisped to a cinder with fire;
His eyes with their magical vision are bubbles of glutinous mire.Poor Fanning! He sought to discover the symphonic note of a shell;
There are bits of him broken and bloody, to show you the place where he fell;
I've reason to fear on his exquisite ear the rats have been banqueting well.And speaking of Harley, the writer, I fancy I looked on him last,
Sprawling and staring and writhing in the roar of the battle blast;
Then a mad gun-team crashed over, and scattered his brains as it passed.Oh, Harley and Fanning and Barret, they were bloody good mates o' mine;
Their bodies are empty bottles; Death has guzzled the wine;
What's left of them's filth and corruption. . . . Where is the Fire Divine?I'll tell you. . . . At night in the trenches, as I watch and I do my part,
Three radiant spirits I'm seeing, high heart revealing to heart,
And they're building a peerless palace to the splendor and triumph of Art.Yet, alas! for the fame of Barret, the glory he might have trailed!
And alas! for the name of Fanning, a star that beaconed and paled,
Poor Harley, obscure and forgotten. . . . Well, who shall say that they failed!No, each did a Something Grander than ever he dreamed to do;
And as for the work unfinished, all will be paid their due;
The broken ends will be fitted, the balance struck will be true.So painters, and players, and penmen, I tell you: Do as you please;
Let your fame outleap on the trumpets, you'll never rise up to these --
To three grim and gory Tommies, down, down on your bended knees!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Three Tommies: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Have you ever read a poem that captures the essence of war and the human experience in such a way that it leaves you feeling like you were there, fighting alongside the soldiers? If not, then you need to read Robert Service's "The Three Tommies." This powerful and evocative poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of war, sacrifice, and camaraderie.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
"The Three Tommies" is a narrative poem that tells the story of three British soldiers who are fighting in World War I. The poem begins by introducing us to the three soldiers, who are all good friends and comrades-in-arms. They are stationed in a trench on the front lines, waiting for the enemy to attack. As they wait, they talk about their lives back home, their families, and their hopes for the future.
Suddenly, the enemy begins to advance, and the three Tommies prepare for battle. They fight bravely, but eventually, two of them are killed in action. The third Tommy survives, but he is left alone, grieving for his fallen friends.
A Deeper Analysis of the Poem
At first glance, "The Three Tommies" may appear to be a simple war poem that recounts the experiences of soldiers on the front lines. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be a complex exploration of the human experience in times of war.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The three Tommies are willing to risk their lives for their country, and in doing so, they make the ultimate sacrifice. Service portrays their sacrifice as both heroic and tragic, highlighting the senseless loss of human life that occurs in times of war.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of camaraderie. The three Tommies are not just soldiers fighting together; they are also friends who care about each other deeply. This sense of camaraderie is evident in the way they talk to each other, share their fears and hopes, and support each other in battle. Service uses this theme to highlight the bonds that can form between people in the face of adversity.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "The Three Tommies" is the way in which it captures the horror and chaos of war. Service does not shy away from the brutality of battle, depicting the sounds of gunfire, the screams of dying soldiers, and the constant fear and uncertainty of life on the front lines. By doing so, he creates a vivid and realistic portrait of what it was like to fight in World War I.
Despite its bleak subject matter, "The Three Tommies" is also a deeply poetic and lyrical work. Service's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that makes it both beautiful and haunting. His vivid imagery and attention to detail create a sense of immediacy and intimacy that draws the reader into the world of the poem.
Conclusion
"The Three Tommies" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of war, sacrifice, and camaraderie in a powerful and evocative way. Through its vivid imagery, attention to detail, and poetic language, the poem captures the horror and chaos of war and the human experience in times of conflict. It is a work of art that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone interested in the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Three Tommies: An Analysis of Robert Service's Classic Poetry
Robert Service's "The Three Tommies" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the First World War. The poem tells the story of three soldiers who are fighting in the trenches and their experiences during the war. The poem is a powerful commentary on the horrors of war and the impact it has on those who fight in it.
The poem begins with the three soldiers, Tom, Dick, and Harry, sitting in the trenches, waiting for the enemy to attack. The soldiers are nervous and scared, but they try to keep their spirits up by singing songs and telling jokes. The poem captures the camaraderie that exists between soldiers in the trenches, as they rely on each other for support and comfort.
As the poem progresses, the soldiers are forced to confront the reality of war. They witness the death and destruction that surrounds them, and they begin to question the purpose of the war. The poem captures the sense of disillusionment that many soldiers felt during the First World War, as they realized that the war was not the glorious adventure they had been promised.
The poem also explores the theme of sacrifice. The soldiers are willing to risk their lives for their country, but they also recognize the toll that the war is taking on them. They are physically and emotionally exhausted, and they long for the comforts of home. The poem captures the sense of sacrifice that soldiers make during war, as they put their lives on the line for their country.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way that it captures the horror of war. The soldiers are constantly under attack, and they witness the death and destruction that surrounds them. The poem describes the sound of the shells exploding and the sight of the wounded and dying soldiers. The poem captures the sense of fear and despair that soldiers felt during the war, as they faced the constant threat of death.
Despite the horrors of war, the soldiers in the poem remain resilient. They continue to sing and joke, even in the face of danger. The poem captures the sense of determination that soldiers felt during the war, as they refused to give up in the face of adversity.
The poem also explores the theme of patriotism. The soldiers are fighting for their country, and they are proud to do so. The poem captures the sense of pride that soldiers felt during the war, as they fought for their country and their fellow soldiers.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "The Three Tommies" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the First World War. The poem explores themes of camaraderie, sacrifice, horror, resilience, and patriotism. The poem is a powerful commentary on the impact of war on those who fight in it, and it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country.
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