'The Booby-Trap' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 4)I'm crawlin' out in the mangolds to bury wot's left o' Joe --
Joe, my pal, and a good un (God! 'ow it rains and rains).
I'm sick o' seein' him lyin' like a 'eap o' offal, and so
I'm crawlin' out in the beet-field to bury 'is last remains.'E might 'a bin makin' munitions -- 'e 'adn't no need to go;
An' I tells 'im strite, but 'e arnsers, "'Tain't no use chewin' the fat;
I've got to be doin' me dooty wiv the rest o' the boys" . . . an' so
Yon's 'im, yon blob on the beet-field wot I'm tryin' so 'ard to git at.There was five of us lads from the brickyard; 'Enry was gassed at Bapome,
Sydney was drowned in a crater, 'Erbert was 'alved by a shell;
Joe was the pick o' the posy, might 'a bin sifely at 'ome,
Only son of 'is mother, 'er a widder as well.She used to sell bobbins and buttons -- 'ad a plice near the Waterloo Road;
A little, old, bent-over lydy, wiv glasses an' silvery 'air;
Must tell 'er I planted 'im nicely, cheer 'er up like. . . . (Well, I'm blowed,
That bullet near catched me a biffer) -- I'll see the old gel if I'm spared.She'll tike it to 'eart, pore ol' lydy, fer 'e was 'er 'ope and 'er joy;
'Is dad used to drink like a knot-'ole, she kept the 'ome goin', she did:
She pinched and she scriped fer 'is scoolin', 'e was sich a fine 'andsome boy
('Alf Flanders seems packed on me panties) -- 'e's 'andsome no longer, pore kid!This bit o' a board that I'm packin' and draggin' around in the mire,
I was tickled to death when I found it. Says I, "'Ere's a nice little glow."
I was chilled and wet through to the marrer, so I started to make me a fire;
And then I says: "No; 'ere, Goblimy, it'll do for a cross for Joe."Well, 'ere 'e is. Gawd! 'Ow one chinges a-lyin' six weeks in the rain.
Joe, me old pal, 'ow I'm sorry; so 'elp me, I wish I could pray.
An' now I 'ad best get a-diggin' 'is grave (it seems more like a drain) --
And I 'opes that the Boches won't git me till I gits 'im safe planted away.(
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Booby-Trap by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of World War Poetry
As a literature enthusiast, I have always been captivated by the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and experiences in a condensed and impactful manner. That is why I was particularly excited to delve into Robert Service's classic poem, "The Booby-Trap," a piece of work that immortalizes the horrors of World War I and the toll it took on the soldiers who fought in it.
At first glance, "The Booby-Trap" may seem like a simple and straightforward poem, but as I delved deeper into its themes and literary devices, I realized that it is a masterful piece of writing that deserves to be studied and appreciated by anyone who loves poetry.
Overview of the Poem
"The Booby-Trap" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a soldier who is tasked with removing a booby-trap from a trench during World War I. The soldier is aware of the danger he faces and is filled with dread as he approaches the trap, fully aware that the slightest mistake could cost him his life. As he works to disarm the trap, he reflects on the futility of war and the senseless loss of life it causes.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a regular meter that creates a sense of urgency and tension as the soldier works to disarm the trap. The language is simple and direct, but the imagery and symbolism used by the poet are powerful and evocative.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "The Booby-Trap" is the way it captures the sense of dread and fear that soldiers must have felt during the war. The opening lines of the poem immediately set the tone:
"So set, before its echoes fade,
Each stupid yankee son of gun
To clean his rifle and parade
And practice hitting with a run."
The "stupid yankee son of gun" is a reference to the soldiers who fought in the war, and the poet is mocking the military drills and exercises they were put through. The use of the word "stupid" highlights the senselessness of the war and the way soldiers were sent to their deaths without fully understanding the purpose of their sacrifice.
The soldier's fear is further emphasized by the imagery used in the poem. When he first approaches the booby-trap, he describes it as a "vile and slimy brute" that is "waiting with a fiendish grin." This creates a sense of foreboding and unease, as if the trap itself is alive and malevolent, waiting to ensnare its victim.
As the soldier works to disarm the trap, he reflects on the futility of war and the senseless loss of life it causes. He thinks about the families of the soldiers who have died, and how they will never know the truth about the war. He also reflects on the irony of the situation, as he is risking his life to remove a trap that was designed to kill soldiers like himself.
The symbolism used in the poem is also worth noting. The booby-trap itself is a powerful symbol of the war and the way it ensnared and destroyed countless lives. The soldier's struggle to disarm the trap represents the struggle of humanity to overcome the violence and destruction of war.
The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant and powerful:
"And so I die--and hate and woe
Are as they've always been, and will;
And so across the trench I go,
As shot and shell are shrieking still."
These lines capture the sense of resignation and hopelessness that must have been felt by soldiers during the war. The repetition of the word "so" emphasizes the inevitability of death and the futility of the soldier's struggle.
Interpretation of the Poem
"The Booby-Trap" is more than just a description of a soldier's struggle to disarm a trap. It is a powerful commentary on the senselessness of war and the toll it takes on humanity.
The use of rhyme and meter in the poem creates a sense of urgency and tension, as if the soldier's life is on the line with each passing moment. This is an effective way of capturing the fear and dread that soldiers must have felt during the war.
The symbolism used in the poem is also powerful. The booby-trap is a metaphor for war itself, a deadly and insidious force that ensnares and destroys those who come into contact with it. The soldier's struggle to disarm the trap represents the struggle of humanity to overcome the violence and destruction of war.
The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as they capture the sense of hopelessness and resignation that must have been felt by soldiers during the war. The fact that nothing will change, that "hate and woe / Are as they've always been, and will," emphasizes the sense that the war was a pointless and futile exercise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Booby-Trap" is a masterpiece of World War poetry that captures the horror and senselessness of war in a condensed and powerful manner. The use of imagery, symbolism, and meter create a sense of urgency and tension that draws the reader into the soldier's struggle. The poem is a powerful commentary on the toll that war takes on humanity and the futility of violence as a means of resolving conflicts. If you haven't read "The Booby-Trap," I highly recommend you do so. It is a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the need for peace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Booby-Trap: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Robert Service, the famous poet who wrote about the wild and rugged landscapes of the Yukon. One of his most famous poems is The Booby-Trap, a thrilling and suspenseful piece that captures the essence of the Yukon wilderness. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The Booby-Trap is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is out hunting in the Yukon wilderness. As he walks through the snow-covered landscape, he comes across a strange and ominous sight - a dead moose hanging from a tree. The man realizes that this is a booby-trap, a trap set by a hunter to catch unsuspecting prey. He quickly realizes that he is in danger and must find a way to escape before it's too late.
One of the most striking things about The Booby-Trap is its vivid imagery. Service's descriptions of the Yukon landscape are so detailed and evocative that you can almost feel the cold wind on your face and hear the crunch of snow underfoot. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Service writes:
"It was an icy morning, and a foot of snow Had blanketed the earth, and Joe Was hobbling down a mountain trail, His rifle on his arm, his eyes set pale."
These lines immediately transport the reader to the Yukon wilderness, where the cold and snow are a constant presence. Service's use of sensory language helps to create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader.
Another notable aspect of The Booby-Trap is its use of symbolism. The dead moose hanging from the tree is a powerful symbol of death and danger. It represents the hunter's ability to trap and kill his prey, and serves as a warning to the man that he too could become a victim. The man's realization that he is in danger is also symbolic of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the Yukon wilderness. In this environment, even the slightest mistake can be fatal.
The theme of survival is also central to The Booby-Trap. The man's struggle to escape the trap and avoid becoming the hunter's prey is a testament to the human instinct for self-preservation. Service portrays the man as resourceful and determined, using his wits and knowledge of the wilderness to outsmart the hunter. For example, he uses his rifle to create a diversion and distract the hunter, giving him enough time to escape. This theme of survival is a common one in Service's poetry, as he often writes about the challenges of living in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Yukon.
In addition to its themes and symbolism, The Booby-Trap is also notable for its use of rhyme and meter. Service's poetry is known for its musicality and rhythm, and The Booby-Trap is no exception. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four beats per line, which gives it a steady and rhythmic pace. The use of rhyme also adds to the musicality of the poem, with Service using a variety of rhyming patterns to create a sense of unity and coherence.
Overall, The Booby-Trap is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Yukon wilderness. Its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and themes of survival and self-preservation make it a compelling and suspenseful read. Whether you're a fan of poetry or just looking for a thrilling story, The Booby-Trap is a must-read for anyone interested in the wild and rugged landscapes of the Yukon.
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