'The Blood-Red Fourragere' by Robert Service
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What was the blackest sight to me
Of all that campaign?
A naked woman tied to a tree
With jagged holes where her breasts should be,
Rotting there in the rain.
On we pressed to the battle fray,
Dogged and dour and spent.
Sudden I heard my Captain say:
"Voilà! Kultur has passed this way,
And left us a monument."
So I looked and I saw our Colonel there,
And his grand head, snowed with the years,
Unto the beat of the rain was bare;
And, oh, there was grief in his frozen stare,
And his cheeks were stung with tears!
Then at last he turned from the woeful tree,
And his face like stone was set;
"Go, march the Regiment past," said he,
"That every father and son may see,
And none may ever forget."
Oh, the crimson strands of her hair downpoured
Over her breasts of woe;
And our grim old Colonel leaned on his sword,
And the men filed past with their rifles lowered,
Solemn and sad and slow.
But I'll never forget till the day I die,
As I stood in the driving rain,
And the jaded columns of men slouched by,
How amazement leapt into every eye,
Then fury and grief and pain.
And some would like madmen stand aghast,
With their hands upclenched to the sky;
And some would cross themselves as they passed,
And some would curse in a scalding blast,
And some like children cry.
Yea, some would be sobbing, and some would pray,
And some hurl hateful names;
But the best had never a word to say;
They turned their twitching faces away,
And their eyes were like hot flames.
They passed; then down on his bended knee
The Colonel dropped to the Dead:
"Poor martyred daughter of France!" said he,
"O dearly, dearly avenged you'll be
Or ever a day be sped!"
Now they hold that we are the best of the best,
And each of our men may wear,
Like a gash of crimson across his chest,
As one fierce-proved in the battle-test,
The blood-red Fourragere.
For each as he leaps to the top can see,
Like an etching of blood on his brain,
A wife or a mother lashed to a tree,
With two black holes where her breasts should be,
Left to rot in the rain.
So we fight like fiends, and of us they say
That we neither yield nor spare.
Oh, we have the bitterest debt to pay. . . .
Have we paid it? -- Look -- how we wear to-day
Like a trophy, gallant and proud and gay,
Our blood-red Fourragere.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Blood-Red Fourragere by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism
Poetry is an art form that allows us to express our deepest emotions and thoughts through carefully crafted words. Some poems are written to convey a specific message, while others are meant to evoke certain feelings or memories. In this literary criticism, I will be examining Robert Service's classic poem, The Blood-Red Fourragere, and interpreting its meaning and significance.
The Poem
The Blood-Red Fourragere is a powerful and haunting poem that tells the story of a soldier's experience on the battlefields of France during World War I. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal and emotional tone. The soldier describes his feelings of fear and despair as he witnesses the horrors of war, but also his sense of duty and honor as he fights for his country.
The poem begins with the soldier describing the beauty of the French countryside, with its "fields of poppies" and "rolling hills". However, this idyllic scene is soon shattered by the sounds of war, as "the screaming shells and the bursting bombs" remind the soldier of the reality of the conflict.
As the soldier marches towards the front lines, he sees the devastation that the war has wrought upon the land and its people. He describes "the ruined farms, the shattered towns" and "the dead and dying left behind". The soldier's sense of horror and despair is palpable, as he wonders if "God in Heaven can be blind" to the suffering of those around him.
Despite his doubts and fears, the soldier continues to fight on, driven by his sense of duty and patriotism. He describes the camaraderie and brotherhood that he shares with his fellow soldiers, and how they rely on each other for support and strength in the face of the enemy.
The poem ends with the soldier reflecting on the blood-red fourragere that he wears as a symbol of his service. He realizes that it represents not just his own sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all those who have fought and died in the war. The fourragere is a reminder of the bravery and valor of the soldiers who have come before him, and a call to continue the fight until victory is achieved.
Interpretation
The Blood-Red Fourragere is a deeply moving poem that captures the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism that drove soldiers to fight in World War I. The poem is a powerful portrayal of the horrors of war, but also of the courage and resilience of those who fought in it.
One of the main themes of the poem is the contrast between the beauty of nature and the brutality of war. The soldier describes the fields of poppies and rolling hills of the French countryside, which are contrasted with the sounds of war, the ruined farms and shattered towns. This contrast highlights the senseless destruction that war brings, and the toll that it takes on the natural world and its inhabitants.
Another important theme in the poem is the sense of duty and obligation that the soldier feels towards his country. Despite his doubts and fears, the soldier is driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. This theme is exemplified by the soldier's description of the camaraderie and brotherhood that he shares with his fellow soldiers, and how they rely on each other for support and strength.
The blood-red fourragere that the soldier wears is a powerful symbol of the sacrifices that he and his comrades have made. The fourragere represents not just the soldier's own sacrifice, but the sacrifice of all those who have fought and died in the war. It is a reminder of the bravery and valor of those who have come before him, and a call to continue the fight until victory is achieved.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Blood-Red Fourragere is a powerful and moving poem that captures the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism that drove soldiers to fight in World War I. The poem is a testament to the horrors of war, but also to the courage and resilience of those who fought in it. Through its powerful imagery and emotional tone, the poem reminds us of the sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom and democracy, and of the importance of never forgetting the lessons of the past.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Blood-Red Fourragere: A Poem of Heroism and Sacrifice
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his powerful and evocative works. One such poem that stands out is The Blood-Red Fourragere, a stirring tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers in World War I. This poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, vivid imagery, and emotional depth, and it captures the essence of the war and the human experience of those who fought in it.
The poem opens with a description of the fourragere, a braided cord worn on the shoulder of French soldiers who had been awarded the Croix de Guerre, a medal for bravery in battle. The fourragere is described as "blood-red," a color that symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifice of the soldiers who earned it. This sets the tone for the poem, which is a tribute to the courage and heroism of those who fought in the war.
The first stanza of the poem describes the soldiers marching off to war, with their heads held high and their spirits unbroken. They are determined to fight for their country and defend their way of life, even though they know that the road ahead will be long and difficult. The imagery in this stanza is powerful, with the soldiers depicted as "a column of steel," marching "with the swing of a thousand men." This creates a sense of unity and strength, and it emphasizes the soldiers' resolve to face whatever challenges come their way.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the battlefield, where the soldiers are engaged in a fierce and bloody struggle. The imagery in this stanza is graphic and intense, with descriptions of "the roar of the guns" and "the scream of the shells." The soldiers are depicted as brave and fearless, charging forward into the fray with "the fury of men who fight for their lives." This stanza captures the chaos and brutality of war, and it highlights the soldiers' willingness to put their lives on the line for their country.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as it describes the aftermath of the battle. The soldiers are exhausted and wounded, but they are still standing, still fighting, still determined to carry on. The imagery in this stanza is haunting, with descriptions of "the dead and the dying" and "the blood on the ground." This stanza captures the toll that war takes on the human spirit, and it emphasizes the soldiers' resilience and determination in the face of unimaginable hardship.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the fourragere, which is now a symbol of the soldiers' sacrifice and bravery. The fourragere is described as a "scarlet thread of glory," a reminder of the soldiers' courage and heroism. The poem ends with a powerful image of the soldiers marching off into the distance, their heads held high and their spirits unbroken, a testament to the human spirit and the enduring legacy of those who fought in the war.
Overall, The Blood-Red Fourragere is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the human experience of war. It is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers, and it reminds us of the toll that war takes on the human spirit. The imagery in the poem is vivid and intense, and it creates a sense of unity and strength among the soldiers. The poem is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit, and it is a reminder of the enduring legacy of those who fought in World War I.
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