'The Return' by Robert Service
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They turned him loose; he bowed his head,
A felon, bent and grey.
His face was even as the Dead,
He had no word to say.
He sought the home of his old love,
To look on her once more;
And where her roses breathed above,
He cowered beside the door.
She sat there in the shining room;
Her hair was silver grey.
He stared and stared from out the gloom;
He turned to go away.
Her roses rustled overhead.
She saw, with sudden start.
"I knew that you would come," she said,
And held him to her heart.
Her face was rapt and angel-sweet;
She touched his hair of grey;
. . . . .
But he, sob-shaken, at her feet,
Could only pray and pray.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Return by Robert Service: A Tale of Love and Loss
When I first read "The Return" by Robert Service, I was captivated by its simple yet powerful language, its haunting imagery, and its emotional resonance. It is a poem that speaks of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of a rugged and unforgiving landscape. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, analyze its structure and language, and offer my own insights into its meaning and significance.
The Poem's Themes and Motifs
At its core, "The Return" is a poem about the enduring power of love, even in the face of death and separation. The narrator, who is presumably a soldier returning from war, is haunted by memories of his beloved, whom he left behind. He longs to be reunited with her, to feel her touch and hear her voice, but he knows that this may never happen. In his heart, he carries the memory of their love, like a flame that refuses to be extinguished.
The poem also deals with the theme of loss, both personal and collective. The narrator has lost his comrades in battle, and he feels the weight of their absence keenly. He knows that he is lucky to have survived, but he also knows that he will never forget those who did not. The landscape itself seems to embody this sense of loss, with its barren hills and empty skies.
Another important motif in the poem is that of the journey. The narrator has traveled a long and difficult road to get to where he is now, and he knows that there may be many more journeys to come. He is weary and battered, but he is also determined to keep moving forward, to find his way back to his beloved and to make the most of the time he has left.
The Poem's Structure and Language
"The Return" is a free verse poem, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and naturalness, as if the words are flowing directly from the narrator's heart. The poem is divided into six stanzas of varying length, each of which contains a different image or idea.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and symbolism. Service uses a variety of sensory details to create a vivid picture of the landscape and the narrator's emotional state. For example, he describes the "sage and thistle" that cover the hills, the "sky of slate" that hangs overhead, and the "frost that stings like fire." These details help to create a sense of place and atmosphere, and they also convey the emotional intensity of the narrator's experience.
My Interpretation of the Poem
To me, "The Return" is a poem about the human experience of love and loss, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The narrator's journey is a metaphor for the journey that we all take through life, with its joys and sorrows, triumphs and tragedies. His longing for his beloved is a universal longing, a desire for connection and intimacy that transcends time and distance.
The poem also speaks to the theme of memory, and the power that it holds to shape our lives. The narrator cannot forget his love, nor can he forget his fallen comrades. Their memory lives on within him, giving him the strength and courage to keep moving forward. In a sense, the poem is a tribute to the power of memory, and to the enduring nature of human relationships.
Ultimately, "The Return" is a poem that invites us to reflect on the fragility and beauty of life, and on the human capacity for love and resilience. It is a poem that speaks to the heart, and that reminds us of the things that truly matter in life. As I read it again and again, I am struck by its power and its poetry, and by the timeless truths that it contains.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Return: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Robert Service's "The Return" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who returns to his hometown after years of wandering. The poem is a powerful exploration of themes such as love, loss, and redemption, and it is a testament to Service's skill as a poet.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the town he has returned to. He notes that everything looks the same, but that he feels like a stranger in his own hometown. This sense of dislocation is a common theme in literature, and it is one that Service explores in depth throughout the poem.
As the narrator walks through the town, he begins to remember the people and places that he left behind. He remembers the girl he loved, and he feels a sense of regret for leaving her behind. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as it highlights the narrator's sense of loss and longing.
The narrator then goes to visit the girl he left behind. He finds her living in a small cottage, and he is struck by how much she has changed. She is no longer the young girl he fell in love with, but a woman who has lived a hard life. This is another powerful moment in the poem, as it highlights the passage of time and the changes that come with it.
Despite the changes in the girl he left behind, the narrator still feels a strong connection to her. He realizes that he still loves her, and he is filled with a sense of longing and regret. This is a common theme in literature, and it is one that Service explores in depth throughout the poem.
The narrator then goes to visit his old friend, who is now a successful businessman. He is struck by how much his friend has changed, and he is filled with a sense of envy. This is another powerful moment in the poem, as it highlights the narrator's sense of loss and regret.
Despite the changes in his friend, the narrator still feels a strong connection to him. He realizes that he still loves his friend, and he is filled with a sense of longing and regret. This is a common theme in literature, and it is one that Service explores in depth throughout the poem.
The poem ends with the narrator leaving his hometown once again. He realizes that he can never go back to the way things were, but he is filled with a sense of hope for the future. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as it highlights the narrator's sense of redemption and renewal.
Overall, "The Return" is a powerful poem that explores themes such as love, loss, and redemption. It is a testament to Service's skill as a poet, and it is a classic work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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