'Michael' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 4)"There's something in your face, Michael, I've seen it all the day;
There's something quare that wasn't there when first ye wint away. . . .""It's just the Army life, mother, the drill, the left and right,
That puts the stiffinin' in yer spine and locks yer jaw up tight. . . .""There's something in your eyes, Michael, an' how they stare and stare --
You're lookin' at me now, me boy, as if I wasn't there. . . .""It's just the things I've seen, mother, the sights that come and come,
A bit o' broken, bloody pulp that used to be a chum. . . .""There's something on your heart, Michael, that makes ye wake at night,
And often when I hear ye moan, I trimble in me fright. . . .""It's just a man I killed, mother, a mother's son like me;
It seems he's always hauntin' me, he'll never let me be. . . .""But maybe he was bad, Michael, maybe it was right
To kill the inimy you hate in fair and honest fight. . . .""I did not hate at all, mother; he never did me harm;
I think he was a lad like me, who worked upon a farm. . . .""And what's it all about, Michael; why did you have to go,
A quiet, peaceful lad like you, and we were happy so? . . .""It's thim that's up above, mother, it's thim that sits an' rules;
We've got to fight the wars they make, it's us as are the fools. . . .""And what will be the end, Michael, and what's the use, I say,
Of fightin' if whoever wins it's us that's got to pay? . . .""Oh, it will be the end, mother, when lads like him and me,
That sweat to feed the ones above, decide that we'll be free. . . .""And when will that day come, Michael, and when will fightin' cease,
And simple folks may till their soil and live and love in peace? . . .""It's coming soon and soon, mother, it's nearer every day,
When only men who work and sweat will have a word to say;
When all who earn their honest bread in every land and soil
Will claim the Brotherhood of Man, the Comradeship of Toil;
When we, the Workers, all demand: `What are we fighting for?' . . .
Then, then we'll end that stupid crime, that devil's madness -- War."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Michael by Robert Service: A Journey Through the Human Heart
Have you ever read a poem that touched your soul so deeply that you felt like it was written just for you? That's how I felt when I first read "Michael" by Robert Service. This classic poem, published in 1916, captures the essence of the human heart in all its complexity and contradictions. It tells the story of a man named Michael who lives his life on his own terms, refusing to conform to society's expectations. Yet, in the end, he finds himself alone and isolated, a tragic hero of his own making.
As I read "Michael" again and again, I was struck by the way in which Service captures the nuances of human emotion. His use of imagery and metaphor is masterful, painting vivid pictures in our minds of Michael's world and inner turmoil. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes and techniques used in "Michael" and what they reveal about the human experience.
The Theme of Individualism
One of the central themes of "Michael" is the idea of individualism. Michael is a man who refuses to be caged in by society's expectations. He lives his life on his own terms, free to roam the mountains and live off the land. Service describes him as "a man apart" and "a wild thing" who is "the king of his kind". Michael is a symbol of the rugged individualism that is often associated with the pioneer spirit of the West.
But Michael's individualism comes at a cost. He is unable to connect with others on a deep level, and his isolation is palpable. Service writes, "He never cared to make friends, or to cease from the chase he led". Michael's rejection of society's norms leads to his alienation from others and his own humanity.
Service also explores the tension between individualism and community. Michael is a part of a larger community, but he chooses to live on the fringes of it. He is a product of his environment, shaped by the rugged landscape and frontier mentality of the Yukon. Yet, he is also a rebel against that same environment, seeking to define himself on his own terms. This tension between individualism and community is a theme that runs throughout the poem, illustrating the complexity of the human experience.
The Power of Nature
Another important theme in "Michael" is the power of nature. Service describes the Yukon wilderness in vivid detail, painting a picture of a harsh and unforgiving landscape. Michael is at home in this world, but it is also a source of danger and isolation. The mountains and forests are both his sanctuary and his prison.
Service uses nature as a metaphor for Michael's internal struggles as well. The poem is replete with images of fire and ice, representing the extremes of Michael's personality. He is both passionate and cold, wild and controlled. These contradictions are mirrored in the natural world around him, creating a sense of harmony between the external and internal worlds.
The power of nature is also expressed in the way that it shapes Michael's identity. He is a product of his environment, a man shaped by the harsh realities of frontier life. His rugged individualism is born out of the need to survive in a world that is constantly testing him. Service captures this sense of struggle and survival in the following lines:
He lived as we'd like to live; the free spirit who follows his vision,
In quietness, modesty, kindness, a man beyond greed or ambition,
A pipe and a book by the fire, a dog and a horse on the prairie,
And a star or two in the frosty sky when the Northern Lights are airy.
But oh! the difference to me, and it maybe that I am mistaken;
I see him only against the grim grey dawn and the lonely hills unshaken;
I see him no more in the sunlight and the tender green of the Spring,
But against a background of midnight cloud and the sorrow of everything.
These lines capture the duality of Michael's character, both the aspirational and the tragic. He is a man who embodies the pioneer spirit, but who is also haunted by his own demons.
The Tragic Hero
Perhaps the most striking aspect of "Michael" is the way in which it portrays Michael as a tragic hero. He is a man who lives life on his own terms, refusing to be hemmed in by society's expectations. Yet, in the end, his individualism leads to his isolation and ultimate downfall.
Service writes, "But oh! the difference to me, and it maybe that I am mistaken; I see him no more in the sunlight and the tender green of the Spring, but against a background of midnight cloud and the sorrow of everything". These lines capture the sense of loss and regret that permeates the poem. Michael is a man who could have achieved great things, but who is ultimately brought down by his own stubbornness and refusal to connect with others.
The tragedy of Michael's story is compounded by the fact that he is so close to achieving his goals. He has built himself a home in the mountains, and he is living a life free from the constraints of society. Yet, his isolation and lack of connection with others mean that he is ultimately unable to find happiness.
Conclusion
"Michael" is a masterpiece of poetry, a work that captures the complexities of the human heart in all their contradictions. Robert Service uses vivid imagery and metaphor to paint a picture of a man who is both admirable and tragic. Michael embodies the pioneer spirit of the West, but his individualism ultimately leads to his downfall. The power of nature, the tension between individualism and community, and the tragic hero are all themes that Service explores in this poem. In the end, "Michael" is a haunting and unforgettable work of literature, a journey through the human heart that touches us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Michael: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry Michael," which is a masterpiece in its own right. The poem is a tribute to Michael, a poet who is struggling to find his voice in the world of poetry. Service's poem is a beautiful portrayal of the struggles that a poet faces in his quest for artistic expression.
The poem begins with the introduction of Michael, who is described as a poet who is "young and unknown." Michael is portrayed as a man who is passionate about poetry and is determined to make a name for himself in the world of literature. However, he is struggling to find his voice and is constantly searching for inspiration. Service writes, "He searched for a theme to fire him, / Some subject to inspire him, / Some motive to awaken his soul."
The poem then takes a turn as Michael meets an old man who is a poet himself. The old man is described as a "master of the art" and is someone who has already found his voice in the world of poetry. The old man takes Michael under his wing and becomes his mentor. He teaches Michael the art of poetry and helps him find his voice. Service writes, "He taught him the art of the poet, / The rhythm, the rhyme, and the flow, / And Michael, with heart all aglow, / Found the voice that he longed to know."
The poem then takes a beautiful turn as Michael finds his inspiration in the beauty of nature. He is inspired by the "purple heather" and the "silver birch." He finds his voice in the beauty of the world around him. Service writes, "He found it in purple heather, / In silver birch and the blue, / In the song of the lark and the plover, / In the wind as it whispered through."
The poem then takes a bittersweet turn as Michael's mentor passes away. Michael is left alone to continue his journey as a poet. However, he is no longer alone as he has found his voice and his inspiration. Service writes, "And though the old poet has gone, / His spirit still lingers on, / And Michael, with heart all aglow, / Will carry his mentor's song."
The poem ends with a beautiful message of hope and inspiration. Service writes, "For the world is a canvas of beauty, / And the poet a master of art, / And Michael, with heart all aglow, / Will paint with the colors of his heart." The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the struggles that a poet faces in his quest for artistic expression. It is a tribute to the power of inspiration and the beauty of the world around us.
In conclusion, "Poetry Michael" is a masterpiece of Robert Service. It is a beautiful portrayal of the struggles that a poet faces in his quest for artistic expression. The poem is a tribute to the power of inspiration and the beauty of the world around us. It is a message of hope and inspiration for all those who are struggling to find their voice in the world of poetry. Robert Service has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works, and "Poetry Michael" is a shining example of his talent and genius.
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