'The Sniper' by Robert Service
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Carols of an Old CodgerBecause back home in TennesseeI was a champeen shot,
They made a sniper outa meAn' ninety krouts I got:I wish to Christ I'd not!Athinkin' o' them blasted livesIt's kindo' blue I be;
Them lads no doubt had kids an' wivesAn' happy home like me:Them stiffs I still can see.Aye, ninety men or more my handHas hustled down to hell;
They've loaded me with medals andThey tell me I done well:A hero for a spell.But Heaven help me to forgetThem fellow men I've slain,
The bubbling flow of blood I've let . . .I'll never kill again:To swat flies gives me pain.Just let me dream when we will seeAnd end of soldierin';
When flags of famous victoryWill be amoulderin':
An' lethal steel an' battle blastBe nightmares of the past.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sniper by Robert Service: An Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that left you breathless? A poem that took you on an emotional rollercoaster, leaving you unsure of what to feel or think? If not, then you need to read "The Sniper" by Robert Service. This poem is not just a literary masterpiece, but it is also a testament to the horrors of war.
Background Information
Robert Service was a prolific poet who wrote about various themes such as love, nature, and war. His poems were often simple and easy to understand, but they had a profound impact on readers. "The Sniper" is one of his most famous works and was written during the First World War.
Themes
"The Sniper" is a poem that deals with various themes such as war, death, and the human condition. However, the most prominent theme is the senseless nature of war. Service portrays war as a brutal and merciless activity that brings nothing but pain and suffering to those involved.
The poem also highlights the dehumanizing effects of war. The sniper is a faceless soldier who is consumed by his hate for the enemy. He is no longer a human being, but a killing machine who takes pleasure in the death of others. However, in the end, he realizes the futility of his actions and the senselessness of war.
Structure and Tone
The structure of "The Sniper" is simple but effective. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a rhythmic flow. The tone of the poem is bleak and depressing. Service does not hold back in his portrayal of war and the effects it has on individuals.
The poem starts with the sniper lying on a roof, waiting for his next target. He is cold and hungry, but he does not care. He is consumed by his hate and desire for revenge. As the poem progresses, the sniper takes aim at his enemy and pulls the trigger. The final stanza is the most poignant as the sniper realizes that his enemy was his own brother.
Imagery
Service uses vivid imagery to bring the horrors of war to life. He describes the sniper as a "gray rat" who scurries around the rooftops looking for his next victim. The image of a rat is significant as it portrays the sniper as a pestilence, spreading death and destruction wherever he goes.
Service also uses imagery to describe the death of the enemy. He writes, "He dropped like a stone, his life done," which paints a picture of a lifeless body falling to the ground. The words "life done" are particularly effective as they highlight the finality of death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Sniper" by Robert Service is a powerful poem that deals with the horrors of war. Service's use of imagery and tone creates a bleak and depressing atmosphere that is hard to shake off. The theme of the senselessness of war is conveyed effectively, and the poem serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict.
If you have not read "The Sniper," I urge you to do so. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sniper: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Robert Service, the renowned Canadian poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many masterpieces, "The Sniper" stands out as a powerful and poignant poem that captures the essence of war and its devastating impact on human lives. With its vivid imagery, haunting tone, and profound message, "The Sniper" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers across generations.
The poem is set in the midst of a war-torn city, where a lone sniper is perched on a rooftop, waiting for his next target. As he peers through his scope, he sees a figure in the distance, and takes aim. The shot rings out, and the figure falls to the ground. But as the sniper approaches his fallen victim, he realizes with horror that he has just killed his own brother.
The poem is a powerful commentary on the futility and senselessness of war, and the tragic consequences it can have on families and individuals. Service's use of imagery is particularly striking, as he paints a vivid picture of the war-torn city and the sniper's surroundings. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:
"Down in the street little eddies of wind were whirling dust and torn paper into spirals, and though the sun was shining and the sky a harsh blue, there seemed to be no color in anything, except the posters that were plastered everywhere."
These lines immediately convey the bleak and desolate atmosphere of the city, and the sense of chaos and destruction that surrounds the sniper. The use of the word "little" to describe the eddies of wind is particularly effective, as it emphasizes the insignificance of human life in the midst of war.
Service's use of language is also noteworthy, as he employs a range of literary devices to convey the emotions and experiences of the sniper. The use of onomatopoeia, for example, is particularly effective in conveying the sound of the sniper's rifle:
"Crack! It was the echo of a rifle-shot."
The use of the word "echo" here is significant, as it suggests that the sound of the rifle-shot is reverberating through the city, and that the impact of the sniper's actions will be felt far beyond the immediate vicinity.
The poem is also notable for its use of irony, as the sniper's actions ultimately lead to his own downfall. The fact that he kills his own brother is a tragic twist of fate, and one that underscores the senselessness of war. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant:
"The sniper looked at his enemy falling and he shuddered. The lust of battle died in him. He became bitten by remorse. The sweat stood out in beads on his forehead. Weakened by his wound and the long summer day of fasting and watching on the roof, he revolted from the sight of the shattered mass of his dead enemy. His teeth chattered, he began to gibber to himself, cursing the war, cursing himself, cursing everybody."
These lines capture the emotional turmoil of the sniper, and the realization that his actions have had devastating consequences. The use of the word "revolted" here is significant, as it suggests that the sniper is sickened by the violence and destruction of war, and that he has come to see the futility of his actions.
In conclusion, "The Sniper" is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the essence of war and its devastating impact on human lives. With its vivid imagery, haunting tone, and profound message, it is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers across generations. Robert Service's masterful use of language and literary devices makes this poem a true masterpiece, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience.
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