'The Pigeon Shooting' by Robert Service
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They say that Monte Carlo is
A sunny place for shady people;
But I'm not in the gambling biz,
And sober as a parish steeple.
so though this paradisal spot
The devil's playground of the rich is,
I love it and I love it not,
As men may sometimes fall for bitches.
I lazed beneath the sky's blue bliss,
The sea swooned with a sequin glimmer;
The breeze was shy as maiden kiss,
The palms sashayed in silken shimmr.
The peace I soaked in every pore
did me more good than ten religions . . .
And then: Bang! Bang! my joy was o'er;
Says I: "There goes them poor dam pigeons."
I see them bob from out their traps,
the swarded green aroud them ringing;
bewildered, full of joy perhaps,
With sudden hope of skyway winging.
They blink a moment at the sun,
They flutter free of earthy tether . . .
A fat man holds a smoking gun,
A boy collects some blood and feather.
And so through all the sainted day,
Bang! Bang! a bunch of plumage gory.
Five hundred francs they cost to slay,
And few there live to tell the story . . .
Yet look! there's one so swift to fly,
Despite the shots a course he's steering . . .
Brave little bird! he's winging high,
He's gained the trees - I feel like cheering.
In Monte Carlo's garden glades
With dreamful bliss one softly lingers,
And lazily in leafy shades
The doves pick breadcrumbs from one fingers . . .
Bang! Bang! Farewell, oh sylvan courts!
Where peace and joy are sweetly blended . . .
God curse these lousy Latin sports!
My pigeons scat, my dream is ended.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Pigeon Shooting: A Critical Interpretation
As someone who had only heard about pigeon shooting in passing, stumbling upon Robert Service's poem "The Pigeon Shooting" was quite the treat. As I delved into the poem, I found myself intrigued by the characters, the setting, and the overall themes that emerged from it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the different ways in which Service's poem can be read and understood, and the impact it has on its readers.
The Characters
The poem is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who is observing a group of men engaged in pigeon shooting. The men are described as "sportsmen bold" who are "fierce for the feathered breed". From the outset, it is clear that these are men who are passionate about their sport, and who take it very seriously.
As the poem progresses, we are introduced to the "crack shot of the North" who is described as "a man of nerve and brain". He is the one who is ultimately responsible for shooting down the pigeons, and is clearly the most skilled marksman in the group. We also meet the "cockney chap" who is described as "a bit of a card", and who provides some comic relief amidst the otherwise serious tone of the poem.
The characters in the poem are all male, and it is interesting to note that there are no women present. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the gendered nature of hunting and shooting, and the ways in which these activities are often seen as being exclusively for men.
The Setting
The poem is set in a field in the English countryside, and the descriptions of the landscape are beautiful and evocative. Service writes of "rolling downs" and "hedgerows green", painting a picture of a pastoral idyll. However, this idyllic setting is juxtaposed with the violence of the pigeon shooting that takes place within it.
The fact that the shooting is taking place in the countryside is significant, as it underscores the idea that hunting and shooting are seen as being "natural" activities that are inextricably linked to the land. This is a common trope in literature about hunting, and it is interesting to consider the ways in which this idea has persisted over time.
The Themes
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is that of violence. The pigeons are described as being "blasted" out of the sky, and there is a sense of brutal aggression in the way that the men pursue their sport. However, despite this violence, there is also a sense of admiration and respect for the pigeons themselves. The narrator describes them as being "fleet as a falcon", and there is a sense of awe in the way that they are described.
This tension between violence and admiration is at the heart of the poem, and raises important questions about the morality of hunting and shooting. Is it possible to appreciate the beauty and grace of a creature while also taking pleasure in killing it? Service does not provide any easy answers to these questions, but rather leaves them open for interpretation.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is that of class. The "crack shot of the North" is described as being "a man of humble birth", while the "cockney chap" is clearly of a lower social class than the others. This raises questions about the ways in which class intersects with sport and leisure, and the extent to which these activities are accessible to all.
Conclusion
Robert Service's "The Pigeon Shooting" is a poem that raises important questions about violence, admiration, and class. The characters are vividly drawn, and the setting is beautifully described. The themes that emerge from the poem are both timeless and timely, and it is a work that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the intersections of literature and society.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Pigeon Shooting: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
The Pigeon Shooting is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet and writer from Scotland. The poem was first published in 1912 and has since become a popular piece of literature, known for its vivid imagery, powerful language, and gripping narrative.
The poem tells the story of a group of men who gather together for a pigeon shooting competition. The narrator, who is one of the participants, describes the scene in great detail, painting a picture of the countryside and the excitement of the event. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which captures a different aspect of the experience.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the characters. The narrator describes the countryside, with its rolling hills and fields of wheat. He then introduces the other participants, describing them as "keen-eyed sportsmen" who are "eager for the fray." The language here is powerful and evocative, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.
The second stanza focuses on the actual shooting competition. The narrator describes the pigeons as they are released from their cages, soaring into the sky. He then describes the thrill of the chase, as the men take aim and fire their guns. The language here is visceral and intense, capturing the adrenaline rush of the moment. The narrator describes the sound of the guns, the smell of the gunpowder, and the sight of the pigeons falling from the sky.
The third and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the narrator reflecting on the experience. He describes the aftermath of the competition, with the men gathering together to count their kills. He then reflects on the nature of the sport, describing it as a "cruel game" that is "hard to justify." The language here is more reflective and contemplative, contrasting with the excitement of the previous stanzas.
Overall, The Pigeon Shooting is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the thrill and excitement of a shooting competition. The language is vivid and intense, creating a sense of immersion in the experience. At the same time, the poem raises important questions about the ethics of the sport, forcing the reader to consider the morality of killing animals for sport.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. The narrator describes the countryside in great detail, painting a picture of a beautiful and idyllic landscape. He then contrasts this with the violence of the shooting competition, describing the pigeons as they are shot out of the sky. The contrast between the beauty of nature and the brutality of the sport is a powerful one, forcing the reader to confront the darker side of human nature.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of language. Robert Service was known for his use of vivid and powerful language, and The Pigeon Shooting is no exception. The language is visceral and intense, capturing the adrenaline rush of the shooting competition. At the same time, the poem is also reflective and contemplative, with the narrator questioning the morality of the sport. This creates a sense of tension and complexity, making the poem a rich and rewarding read.
In conclusion, The Pigeon Shooting is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that captures the thrill and excitement of a shooting competition, while also raising important questions about the ethics of the sport. The language is vivid and intense, creating a sense of immersion in the experience. At the same time, the poem is also reflective and contemplative, making it a rich and rewarding read for anyone interested in poetry or the ethics of hunting.
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