'My Feud' by Robert Service
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I hate my neighbour Widow Green;
I'd like to claw her face;
But if I did she'd make a scene
And run me round the place:
For widows are in way of spleen
A most pugnacious race.
And yet I must do something quick
To keep the hag in line,
Since her red rooster chose to pick
Five lettuce heads of mine:
And so I fed it arsenic
Which it did not decline.
It disappeared, but on my mat
Before a week had sped
I found Mi-mi, my tabby cat
And it was stoney dead;
I diagnosed with weeping that
On strychnine it had fed.
And so I bought a hamburg steak,
Primed it with powdered glass,
And left it for her dog to take
With gulping from the grass:
Since then, although I lie awake
I have not seen it pass.
Well, that's the scoring up to date:
And as I read a text
From Job to justify my hate
I wonder who'll be next?
Somehow I feel that one must die,
Ma Green or I.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Feud: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
"My Feud" is a poem written by Robert Service that describes a long-standing feud between two men. The poem is a vivid depiction of the intensifying hatred and violence that can arise between enemies. The poem is an excellent example of how personal vendettas can spiral out of control, bringing pain and destruction to everyone involved. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the meaning, themes, and literary devices employed in this classic poem.
Background Information
Robert William Service was a Scottish poet and writer who lived between 1874 and 1958. He is known for his stories and poems that focus on the rugged and wild landscape of the Canadian North. Service was a prolific writer who wrote more than 50 books, including novels, short stories, and poetry collections. "My Feud" was originally published in 1912 as part of a collection of poems called "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man."
Summary
The poem "My Feud" is a narrative poem that tells the story of two men who have been feuding for years. The poem opens with the speaker describing the hatred and bitterness between the two men. The speaker notes that the feud began over a trivial matter and that neither man can remember the original reason for their animosity towards each other.
The poem then goes on to describe the escalating violence between the two men. The two men begin by throwing stones at each other, but soon the feud becomes more dangerous. They bring out their guns, and the speaker notes that one of the men is shot in the leg. Despite this injury, the feud continues.
As the feud intensifies, the two men begin to involve other people. They enlist their families and friends to help them in their fight, and soon the entire community is divided into two factions. The speaker notes that the feud has become a "holy war," and the two sides are fighting to the death.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the senseless violence of the feud. He notes that both of the men have lost everything they once had, including their families, their homes, and their fortunes. The speaker laments the fact that the feud has consumed everything in its path, leaving only destruction and sorrow in its wake.
Themes
The poem "My Feud" explores several themes, including the destructive power of hatred, the futility of violence, and the impact of personal vendettas on communities.
The Destructive Power of Hatred
One of the central themes of the poem is the destructive power of hatred. The feud between the two men began over a trivial matter, and yet it escalated into a violent conflict that consumed everything in its path. The speaker notes that the two men have lost everything they once had, including their families, their homes, and their fortunes. The poem suggests that hatred is a destructive force that can lead to senseless violence and destruction.
The Futility of Violence
Another theme of the poem is the futility of violence. Despite the fact that the two men have been fighting for years, they cannot remember the original reason for their feud. The violence between the two men escalates, but it ultimately leads to nothing but destruction and sorrow. The poem suggests that violence is a futile endeavor that only leads to more pain and suffering.
The Impact of Personal Vendettas on Communities
The poem also explores the impact of personal vendettas on communities. The two men enlist their families and friends to help them in their fight, and soon the entire community is divided into two factions. The feud becomes a "holy war," and the two sides are fighting to the death. The poem suggests that personal vendettas can have a profound impact on communities, dividing people and causing chaos and destruction.
Literary Devices
The poem "My Feud" employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and themes.
Imagery
One of the most prominent literary devices in the poem is imagery. The poem uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of the violence and destruction that the feud has caused. For example, the poem describes the two men throwing stones at each other, shooting each other with guns, and eventually burning each other's homes. The imagery in the poem is visceral and creates a sense of the chaos and destruction caused by the feud.
Personification
The poem also employs personification to give human qualities to non-human objects. For example, the poem describes the feud as a "holy war," giving it a sense of religious significance. The use of personification creates a sense of the intensity and passion behind the feud.
Repetition
The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of the relentlessness of the feud. For example, the poem repeats the phrase "my feud" throughout the poem, emphasizing the personal nature of the conflict. The repetition creates a sense of the repetitive, never-ending nature of the feud.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "My Feud" is a powerful poem that explores the destructive power of hatred and violence. The poem uses vivid imagery, personification, and repetition to convey its meaning and themes. The poem suggests that personal vendettas can lead to senseless violence and destruction, and that violence is ultimately a futile endeavor. The poem is a cautionary tale about the dangers of personal vendettas and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Feud: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have come across the name Robert Service. He was a famous poet known for his works that revolved around the Yukon Gold Rush. One of his most popular poems is "My Feud," which tells the story of a man's lifelong feud with his neighbor. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker introducing himself as a man who has been in a feud with his neighbor for years. He describes how the feud started over a small matter, but it has grown into something much bigger. The speaker's neighbor is described as a man who is always looking for a fight, and the speaker is not one to back down from a challenge.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is angry and frustrated with his neighbor, and he is determined to get revenge. He says, "I hate my neighbour with a deadly hate; / I do not know him, and I do not care." This line shows that the speaker's hatred for his neighbor has consumed him to the point where he doesn't even know why he hates him anymore.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes how he has tried to make peace with his neighbor, but to no avail. He says, "I've tried to reason with him, man to man; / But he's a brute, and will not understand." This line shows that the speaker has tried to resolve the feud peacefully, but his neighbor is not willing to listen.
The third stanza is where the speaker's anger and frustration reach a boiling point. He says, "I'll crush him, though it cost me all I own; / I'll ruin him, and trample on his throne." This line shows that the speaker is willing to do whatever it takes to get revenge on his neighbor, even if it means losing everything he owns.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes how his neighbor has tried to get the upper hand in the feud by spreading rumors about him. He says, "He's lied about me to the folks in town; / But when I meet him, he will lie down." This line shows that the speaker is not afraid of his neighbor's lies and is confident that he will come out on top in any confrontation.
The fifth stanza is where the speaker reveals the reason behind the feud. He says, "It started over nothing, at a fair; / He pushed me, and I hit him then and there." This line shows that the feud started over a small matter, but it has grown into something much bigger over the years.
In the sixth stanza, the speaker describes how the feud has affected his life. He says, "It's been a curse to me, this bitter strife; / It's aged me ten years in a single life." This line shows that the feud has taken a toll on the speaker's mental and physical health.
In the seventh stanza, the speaker reveals that he has finally gotten his revenge on his neighbor. He says, "I've won at last, and he is in my power; / I've triumphed, and he cowers." This line shows that the speaker has finally achieved his goal of getting revenge on his neighbor.
In the eighth and final stanza, the speaker reflects on the feud and its consequences. He says, "And yet, I would not have it otherwise; / It's taught me that revenge is sweet as lies." This line shows that the speaker has learned a valuable lesson from the feud, but it is a lesson that comes at a great cost.
In conclusion, "My Feud" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man's lifelong feud with his neighbor. The poem is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of hatred and revenge. It shows how a small disagreement can escalate into something much bigger and how it can consume a person's life. The poem is a reminder that forgiveness and understanding are much more valuable than revenge.
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