'Futility' by Robert Service

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Dusting my books I spent a busy day:
Not ancient toes, time-hallowed and unread,
but modern volumes, classics in their way,
whose makers now are numbered with the dead;
Men of a generation more than mine,
With whom I tattled, battled and drank wine.

I worshipped them, rejoiced in their success,
Grudging them not the gold that goes with fame.
I thought them near-immortal, I confess,
And naught could dim the glory of each name.
How I perused their pages with delight! . . .
To-day I peer with sadness in my sight.

For, death has pricked each to a flat balloon.
A score of years have gone, they're clean forgot.
Who would have visioned such a dreary doom?
By God! I'd like to burn the blasted lot.
Only, old books are mighty hard to burn:
They char, they flicker and their pages turn.

And as you stand to poke them in the flame,
You see a living line that stabs the heart.
Brave writing that! It seems a cursed shame
That to a bonfire it should play it's part.
Poor book! You're crying, and you're not alone:
Some day someone will surely burn my own.

No, I will dust my books and put them by,
Yet never look into their leaves again;
For scarce a soul remembers them save I,
Re-reading them would only give me pain.
So I will sigh, and say with curling lip:
Futility! Thy name is authorship.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Exploration of the Poetic Devices in Robert Service's "Futility"

Wow, what a poem! Robert Service's "Futility" is a masterful exploration of the themes of loss and lamentation, and the ways in which humans grapple with the inevitable march of time. Through the use of a variety of poetic devices, Service creates a vivid portrait of the emotional devastation of war, and the power of memory to preserve what has been lost.

A Closer Look at the Poetic Devices Used in "Futility"

One of the most striking aspects of "Futility" is its use of imagery. Service employs a variety of metaphors and symbols to convey the sense of loss and despair that pervades the poem. For example, the image of the "dead sunflowers" in the first stanza is a powerful symbol of the waning vitality of the soldiers, and the fading hope of victory. Similarly, the reference to the "sodden, frozen earth" in the second stanza creates a sense of bleakness and desolation, emphasizing the harsh conditions of the battlefield.

Another key poetic device used in the poem is repetition. The refrain of "Move him into the sun" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. The repetition serves to emphasize the futility of the soldiers' efforts, as they struggle to bring life to a body that has already succumbed to death. In addition, the repetition of the phrase "it seems" in the final stanza creates a sense of uncertainty and doubt, highlighting the sense of confusion and helplessness that often accompanies loss.

Service also employs a variety of sound devices to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. For example, the use of alliteration in "sodden, frozen earth" creates a sense of heaviness and oppressiveness, emphasizing the weight of the soldiers' burden. Similarly, the use of internal rhyme in "flower" and "power" in the second stanza creates a sense of harmony and balance, underscoring the sense of hope and potential that has been lost.

The Significance of the Poem's Themes

But what do these poetic devices mean? What is the significance of the themes that Service is exploring in "Futility"? At its core, the poem is an exploration of the human response to loss and death, and the ways in which we grapple with the reality of mortality. Through the depiction of the soldiers' attempts to revive their fallen comrade, Service highlights the power of memory to keep alive that which has been lost, even in the face of seeming futility.

In addition, the poem can be read as a commentary on the futility of war itself. The soldiers' efforts to revive their fallen comrade are ultimately in vain, as he remains lifeless despite their best efforts. This sense of futility underscores the senselessness of war, and the tragic loss of human life that it entails.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's "Futility" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of loss and lamentation through the use of a variety of poetic devices. Through the depiction of the soldiers' attempts to revive their fallen comrade, Service highlights the power of memory to keep alive that which has been lost, even in the face of seeming futility. The poem can also be read as a commentary on the futility of war itself, emphasizing the senselessness of conflict and the tragic loss of human life that it entails. Ultimately, "Futility" is a poignant meditation on the ways in which we grapple with the reality of mortality, and the enduring power of memory to keep alive that which has been lost.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Futility, written by Robert Service, is a classic poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the futility of war. The poem is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the essence of the human experience and the struggles we face in our daily lives.

The poem begins with a description of a soldier who has died on the battlefield. The soldier is lying in the sun, and the speaker wonders if the warmth of the sun will bring him back to life. The speaker then questions the purpose of war and the futility of the soldier's sacrifice.

The poem is structured in a way that emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and death. The first stanza describes the soldier's death, while the second stanza describes the natural world and the cycle of life. The third stanza returns to the soldier and the futility of his sacrifice.

The first stanza is particularly powerful, as it describes the soldier's death in vivid detail. The speaker describes the soldier as "face downward on the ground" and notes that "the sun upon his back did beat." The image of the soldier lying in the sun is a powerful one, as it emphasizes the contrast between the warmth of the sun and the coldness of death.

The second stanza provides a contrast to the first, as it describes the natural world and the cycle of life. The speaker notes that "the earth that's nature's mother is her tomb," emphasizing the idea that life and death are intertwined. The stanza also describes the beauty of nature, with its "flowers that bloom in Spring" and "the birds that sing."

The third stanza returns to the soldier and the futility of his sacrifice. The speaker questions the purpose of war and wonders if the soldier's sacrifice was in vain. The stanza ends with the powerful line, "O what made fatuous sunbeams toil to break earth's sleep at all?" This line emphasizes the idea that life and death are ultimately futile, and that the struggles we face in our daily lives are ultimately meaningless.

Overall, Futility is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem explores the themes of life, death, and the futility of war, and does so in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience and to help us understand the world around us.

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