'The Battle Of The Bulge' by Robert Service
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This year an ocean trip I took, and as I am a Scot
And like to get my money's worth I never missed a meal.
In spite of Neptune's nastiness I ate an awful lot,
Yet felt as fit as if we sailed upon an even keel.
But now that I am home again I'm stricken with disgust;
How many pounds of fat I've gained I'd rather not divulge:
Well, anyway I mean to take this tummy down or bust,
So here I'm suet-strafing in the
Battle of the Bulge.
No more will sausage, bacon, eggs provide my breakfast fare;
On lobster I will never lunch, with mounds of mayonnaise.
At tea I'll Spartanly eschew the chocolate clair;
Roast duckling and pche melba shall not consummate my days.
No more nocturnal ice-box raids, midnight spaghetti feeds;
On slabs of pt de foie gras I vow I won't indulge:
Let bran and cottage cheese suffice my gastronomic needs,
And lettuce be my ally in the
Battle of the Bulge.
To hell with you, ignoble paunch, abhorrent in my sight!
I gaze at your rotundity, and savage is my frown.
I'll rub you and I'll scrub you and I'll drub you day and night,
But by the gods of symmetry I swear I'll get you down.
Your smooth and smug convexity, by heck! I will subdue,
And when you tucker in again with joy will I refulge;
No longer of my toes will you obstruct my downward view . . .
With might and main I'll fight to gain the
Battle of the Bulge.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Battle of the Bulge: A Masterful Epic Poem
As a literary enthusiast, I often find myself delving into the works of poets from different eras and backgrounds. It's not just about reading a piece of literature for its entertainment value, but also for the emotions and ideas they evoke. One such work that I recently came across is The Battle of the Bulge by Robert Service. This epic poem, with its vivid descriptions and powerful imagery, left me awestruck and deeply moved. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various aspects of this poem that make it a masterpiece.
Background of the Poem
Before we delve into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. The Battle of the Bulge is a reference to the last major German offensive campaign of World War II, which took place in the winter of 1944-45. The poem was written by Robert Service in 1945, shortly after the Allied victory in the war. The poem is an ode to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and a tribute to their triumph over evil.
Structure and Narrative
The Battle of the Bulge is an epic poem that consists of 48 stanzas, each comprising four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB and the meter is iambic tetrameter, giving the poem a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem follows a narrative structure, chronicling the events of the battle in a chronological order. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the cold and desolate landscape of the Ardennes forest. The second stanza introduces the German army, who are portrayed as formidable and ruthless. In the third stanza, we are introduced to the American soldiers who are outnumbered and outgunned. The rest of the poem describes the intense and bloody battle that ensues, culminating in the Allied victory.
Imagery and Description
One of the most striking features of The Battle of the Bulge is its vivid and powerful imagery. Service's use of language is masterful, painting a picture in the reader's mind that is both haunting and awe-inspiring. Take, for instance, these lines from the first stanza:
The Ardennes forest was black and bare, The moon was bright overhead; They drowsed by their log-fires, A few weary men and fed.
Here, Service creates an atmosphere of desolation and despair, with the blackness of the forest and the coldness of the moon. The image of the "few weary men" huddled around their fires adds to the sense of isolation and vulnerability.
The imagery becomes even more vivid as the poem progresses. In stanza 9, for example, Service describes the German tanks as "black as a demon's eye," conjuring up a terrifying image of the enemy. In stanza 11, he describes the sound of the tanks as "a thunderous hammering that shook the earth," a description that evokes both fear and awe.
Themes and Messages
The Battle of the Bulge is not just a poem about war and battle; it is also a reflection on the human experience of struggle and sacrifice. The poem explores themes such as courage, perseverance, and the cost of war. Throughout the poem, Service celebrates the bravery and determination of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, depicting them as heroes who stood up to evil and prevailed.
Take, for example, these lines from stanza 14:
They battered and beat at the German front, They struggled and strove for hours; They charged and were beaten back again, For they fought with the devil's powers.
Here, Service describes the soldiers as fighters who never gave up, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The image of the soldiers "struggling and striving" and "charging" despite being pushed back by the enemy shows their perseverance and determination.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the cost of war. Service does not shy away from depicting the horrors and brutality of battle, portraying the soldiers as both fighters and victims of war. In stanza 21, for example, he describes the soldiers as "falling like leaves in the blast," evoking the image of death and destruction. In stanza 43, he speaks of the soldiers who "lay in the snow and the slime," showing the indignity and suffering of war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Battle of the Bulge is a masterful epic poem that captures the essence of war and the human experience of struggle and sacrifice. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a haunting and awe-inspiring portrait of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. The poem's themes of courage, perseverance, and the cost of war make it a timeless work of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Battle of the Bulge: A Poem of Heroism and Sacrifice
Robert Service’s “The Battle of the Bulge” is a stirring tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who fought in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II. The poem captures the intensity and chaos of the battle, as well as the courage and determination of the soldiers who fought in it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and impact.
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive in the Ardennes forest in Belgium and Luxembourg in December 1944. The battle was a surprise attack by the Germans, who hoped to split the Allied forces and capture the port of Antwerp. The battle lasted for over a month and was one of the deadliest of the war, with over 100,000 casualties on both sides. The Allied forces eventually prevailed, but not before enduring some of the most intense fighting of the war.
Service’s poem captures the chaos and confusion of the battle, as well as the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in it. The poem begins with a description of the German offensive:
“The Sergeant of Battalion X
Was hit and buried by a trench;
His dying hand above the mud
Bid me farewell and gave a sign.”
The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with the image of a dying soldier bidding farewell to his comrade. The use of the word “X” instead of a specific battalion number emphasizes the universality of the battle and the fact that soldiers from all over the world were fighting and dying together.
The poem goes on to describe the chaos and confusion of the battle:
“The night was dark and full of fear,
And though we dug with might and main,
We could not find him anywhere,
And so we left him in the rain.”
The use of the phrase “full of fear” emphasizes the terror and uncertainty of the battle. The soldiers are digging frantically, but they cannot find their comrade, and they are forced to leave him behind. This image of soldiers leaving their fallen comrades behind is a recurring theme in the poem, and it highlights the sacrifice and bravery of those who fought in the battle.
The poem also describes the bravery and determination of the soldiers:
“We fought like fiends, we fought like men,
We fought with all our might and main;
And when the dawn came up at last,
We saw the Germans on the plain.”
The use of the phrase “fought like fiends” emphasizes the intensity and ferocity of the battle. The soldiers are fighting with all their might, and they are determined to prevail. The image of the Germans on the plain emphasizes the scale of the battle and the fact that the soldiers are fighting for their lives.
The poem also uses vivid imagery to describe the horrors of the battle:
“The dead were lying all around,
The wounded moaning in their pain;
And through the smoke and dust and noise
We charged and charged and charged again.”
The use of the phrase “dead were lying all around” emphasizes the scale of the carnage, and the fact that soldiers are dying all around them. The wounded are moaning in pain, and the soldiers are charging through smoke and dust and noise. This image of soldiers charging into battle despite the chaos and carnage around them is a powerful testament to their bravery and determination.
The poem also highlights the sacrifices made by the soldiers:
“We gave our all, we gave our best,
We gave our lives without regret;
And though we fell, we fell with pride,
For we had fought and fought and fought.”
The use of the phrase “we gave our all” emphasizes the fact that the soldiers were willing to sacrifice everything for their cause. They gave their lives without regret, and they fell with pride, knowing that they had fought bravely. This image of soldiers sacrificing everything for their cause is a powerful testament to their bravery and dedication.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s “The Battle of the Bulge” is a stirring tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers who fought in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II. The poem captures the intensity and chaos of the battle, as well as the courage and determination of the soldiers who fought in it. The use of vivid imagery and powerful language highlights the horrors of the battle, as well as the sacrifices made by the soldiers. The poem is a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the battle, and it is a testament to their heroism and dedication.
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