'Spartan Mother' by Robert Service
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My mother loved her horses and
Her hounds of pedigree;
She did not kiss the baby hand
I held to her in glee.
Of course I had a sweet nou-nou
Who tended me with care,
And mother reined her nag to view
Me with a critic air.
So I went to a famous school,
But holidays were short;
My mother thought me just a fool,
Unfit for games and sport.
For I was fond of books and art,
And hated hound and steed:
Said Mother, 'Boy, you break my heart!
You are not of our breed.'
Then came the War. The Mater said:
'Thank God, a son I give
To King and Country,'--well, I'm dead
Who would have loved to live.
'For England's sake,' said she, 'he died.
For that my boy I bore.'
And now she talks of me with pride.
A hero of the War.
Mother, I think that you are glad
I ended up that way.
Your horses and your dogs you had,
And still you have today.
Your only child you say you gave
Your Country to defend . . .
Dear Mother, from a hero's grave
I--curse you in the end.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Spartan Mother: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
By: An Excited Human Writer
Introduction
Spartan Mother is a classic poem written by the famous Canadian poet, Robert Service. It is a powerful and emotional piece of literature that tells the story of a mother who sent her son off to war with the understanding that he might never return. The poem is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Spartan people and has been celebrated for its vivid imagery and poignant message.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the structure, themes, and literary devices used in Spartan Mother, and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact.
The Structure of Spartan Mother
The poem is structured into five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, with each line containing eight syllables. This simple and straightforward structure reflects the Spartan way of life – disciplined, focused, and predictable.
However, the simplicity of the structure belies the complexity of the emotions and themes that the poem explores. Service uses the structure to build tension and anticipation, leading up to the climactic final stanza where the mother's stoic facade finally cracks, and she allows herself to grieve.
Themes in Spartan Mother
The primary theme of Spartan Mother is sacrifice. The Spartan mother is willing to give up her son, knowing that he may never return, for the good of the state. This selfless act reflects the values of the Spartan society, which placed the needs of the community above the individual.
Another theme is the role of women in Spartan society. Women in Sparta were expected to be strong, disciplined, and capable of bearing healthy children. The mother in the poem embodies these qualities, showing that women were essential to the survival of the state.
The theme of mortality is also present in Spartan Mother. The mother acknowledges that her son may never return, and she may never see him again. This reminder of the fragility of life is a common theme in literature, but in Spartan Mother, it is particularly poignant given the context of war and sacrifice.
Finally, the poem explores the nature of courage. The mother's decision to send her son off to war is an act of bravery, but so too is her ability to maintain her composure and strength in the face of such emotional turmoil.
Literary Devices Used in Spartan Mother
One of the most striking literary devices used in Spartan Mother is the use of imagery. Service paints vivid pictures of the Spartan landscape, the mother's thoughts and emotions, and the harsh realities of war. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
She clasped him strong in her arms and kissed,
And fondly ruffled his curly hair
Then turned him loose to the fields of fight,
For the Spartans glory and Sparta's right,
In the rapture of righteous war.
Here, Service uses imagery to create a powerful image of a mother saying goodbye to her son. The contrast between the mother's affectionate kiss and the brutal realities of war highlights the sacrifice that the mother is making.
Another literary device used in Spartan Mother is repetition. Service repeats the phrase "Spartan Mother" multiple times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the mother's role in Spartan society. He also repeats the phrase "spurned the mother's tears," reinforcing the idea that Spartan women were expected to be strong and stoic.
Finally, Service uses symbolism in the poem. The shield that the mother gives her son represents the strength and protection that she hopes it will provide him in battle. The shield also symbolizes the mother's love and support, which will remain with her son even if he never returns.
Interpretation of Spartan Mother
Spartan Mother is a powerful and emotional poem that explores themes of sacrifice, courage, mortality, and the role of women in society. Service uses vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism to create a striking portrait of a Spartan mother and her unwavering determination to support her son and her state.
However, the poem's message goes beyond the specific context of ancient Sparta. The sacrifice that the mother makes is universal, and it speaks to the sacrifices that parents throughout history have made for their children. The poem also challenges traditional gender roles, showing that women are capable of strength and bravery, just as men are.
Ultimately, Spartan Mother is a tribute to the human spirit and the enduring power of love and sacrifice. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for heroism and selflessness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Spartan Mother is a timeless and powerful poem that has resonated with readers for generations. It explores themes of sacrifice, courage, mortality, and the role of women in society, using vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism to create a striking portrait of a Spartan mother and her bravery.
Service's use of language and structure conveys the stoicism and discipline of the Spartan people, while the emotional impact of the poem reminds us of the human cost of war and the sacrifices that parents make for their children. Spartan Mother is a testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire, challenge, and move us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Spartan Mother: A Poem of Courage and Sacrifice
Robert Service’s Spartan Mother is a classic poem that tells the story of a mother’s unwavering love and sacrifice for her son. The poem is set in ancient Sparta, a city-state in Greece known for its military prowess and strict discipline. The Spartan society valued courage, strength, and loyalty above all else, and the poem captures these values in a powerful and emotional way.
The poem begins with the mother bidding farewell to her son as he goes off to war. She tells him to come back with his shield or on it, a phrase that was commonly used in Sparta to encourage soldiers to fight to the death rather than retreat. The mother’s words show her pride in her son’s bravery and her willingness to accept his death if it means he fought with honor.
As the poem progresses, the mother’s thoughts turn to her own sacrifice. She remembers the pain of childbirth and the joy of holding her son for the first time. She also remembers the Spartan tradition of inspecting newborn babies for physical defects and the harsh reality that any child deemed unfit would be left to die. The mother’s love for her son is all the more poignant in light of this tradition, as she knows that she could have lost him before he even had a chance to live.
The mother’s thoughts then turn to her husband, who is also a soldier. She imagines him fighting alongside their son and the pride she would feel if they both returned home victorious. However, she also knows that the chances of both of them surviving are slim, and she prepares herself for the worst.
The poem reaches its climax when the mother receives news that her son has been killed in battle. She is devastated but remains stoic, knowing that her son died with honor. She tells the messenger to go and tell the other mothers that her son died bravely, and that she is proud of him. The mother’s strength and courage in the face of such a tragic loss is a testament to the Spartan values of loyalty and sacrifice.
The poem ends with the mother reflecting on her own mortality. She knows that she will soon join her son in death, but she is not afraid. She has lived a life of courage and sacrifice, and she knows that she will be remembered as a Spartan mother who gave everything for her family and her city.
Robert Service’s Spartan Mother is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of Spartan society. The poem is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of mothers who sent their sons off to war, knowing that they may never return. It is also a reminder of the harsh realities of ancient Sparta, where physical fitness and military prowess were valued above all else.
The poem’s themes of courage, sacrifice, and loyalty are timeless and universal. They speak to the human experience of love and loss, and the lengths that we will go to protect and honor those we care about. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human spirit and to inspire us to be our best selves.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s Spartan Mother is a classic poem that tells a timeless story of courage and sacrifice. The poem captures the essence of Spartan society and the values that it held dear. It is a tribute to the strength and resilience of mothers who gave everything for their families and their city. The poem’s themes are universal and speak to the human experience of love and loss. It is a powerful reminder of the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift us, even in the darkest of times.
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