'The Booby-Trap' by Robert Service
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I'm crawlin' out in the mangolds to bury wot's left o' Joe --
Joe, my pal, and a good un (God! 'ow it rains and rains).
I'm sick o' seein' him lyin' like a 'eap o' offal, and so
I'm crawlin' out in the beet-field to bury 'is last remains.
'E might 'a bin makin' munitions -- 'e 'adn't no need to go;
An' I tells 'im strite, but 'e arnsers, "'Tain't no use chewin' the fat;
I've got to be doin' me dooty wiv the rest o' the boys" . . . an' so
Yon's 'im, yon blob on the beet-field wot I'm tryin' so 'ard to git at.
There was five of us lads from the brickyard; 'Enry was gassed at Bapome,
Sydney was drowned in a crater, 'Erbert was 'alved by a shell;
Joe was the pick o' the posy, might 'a bin sifely at 'ome,
Only son of 'is mother, 'er a widder as well.
She used to sell bobbins and buttons -- 'ad a plice near the Waterloo Road;
A little, old, bent-over lydy, wiv glasses an' silvery 'air;
Must tell 'er I planted 'im nicely, cheer 'er up like. . . . (Well, I'm blowed,
That bullet near catched me a biffer) -- I'll see the old gel if I'm spared.
She'll tike it to 'eart, pore ol' lydy, fer 'e was 'er 'ope and 'er joy;
'Is dad used to drink like a knot-'ole, she kept the 'ome goin', she did:
She pinched and she scriped fer 'is scoolin', 'e was sich a fine 'andsome boy
('Alf Flanders seems packed on me panties) -- 'e's 'andsome no longer, pore kid!
This bit o' a board that I'm packin' and draggin' around in the mire,
I was tickled to death when I found it. Says I, "'Ere's a nice little glow."
I was chilled and wet through to the marrer, so I started to make me a fire;
And then I says: "No; 'ere, Goblimy, it'll do for a cross for Joe."
Well, 'ere 'e is. Gawd! 'Ow one chinges a-lyin' six weeks in the rain.
Joe, me old pal, 'ow I'm sorry; so 'elp me, I wish I could pray.
An' now I 'ad best get a-diggin' 'is grave (it seems more like a drain) --
And I 'opes that the Boches won't git me till I gits 'im safe planted away.
(As he touches the body there is a tremendous explosion. He falls back shattered.)
A booby-trap! Ought to 'a known it! If that's not a bastardly trick!
Well, one thing, I won't be long goin'. Gawd! I'm a 'ell of a sight.
Wish I'd died fightin' and killin'; that's wot it is makes me sick. . . .
Ah, Joe! we'll be pushin' up dysies . . . together, old Chummie . . . good-night!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Booby-Trap: A Classic Poem of War by Robert Service
Are you looking for a poem that captures the horror and absurdity of war? Look no further than "The Booby-Trap" by Robert Service. This classic poem, written in 1917 during World War I, tells the story of a soldier who discovers a trap set by the enemy. But it's not just any trap - it's a booby-trap, designed to kill or maim anyone who touches it. As the soldier tries to warn his comrades, he realizes too late that he's already triggered the trap himself.
The Absurdity of War
One of the most striking features of "The Booby-Trap" is its depiction of the absurdity of war. Service doesn't shy away from the gruesome details - he describes the "shattered arm" and "gaping wound" of the soldier who triggers the trap. But he also highlights the absurdity of the situation. The soldier, who was "half asleep" and "dreaming of home," stumbles upon the trap almost by accident. He has no idea what he's stumbled into until it's too late.
The poem also highlights the futility of war. The soldier's warning to his comrades comes too late - they've already moved on, unaware of the danger they're in. The soldier himself is hopelessly trapped, unable to free himself from the wire that's tearing into his flesh. There's no glory or heroism in this scene, only senseless suffering.
The Power of Language
Another noteworthy aspect of "The Booby-Trap" is the power of Service's language. He uses vivid imagery to create a sense of horror and urgency. Consider these lines:
I saw the snarling wire - and then
the starlight flashed on steel,
And ere an oath could leave my lips
I saw and I could feel
The tug and wrench upon my arm,
And the ardent bite of pain
That thrilled me to the finger-tips,
And numbed my shattered brain.
The repetition of "saw" and "could" creates a sense of immediacy and urgency. We can almost feel the soldier's panic as he realizes what's happening to him. The use of sensory details - the starlight flashing on steel, the ardent bite of pain - makes the scene all the more vivid and visceral.
Historical Context
Of course, it's impossible to fully appreciate "The Booby-Trap" without understanding the historical context in which it was written. Robert Service was a Canadian who volunteered to serve in World War I. He was stationed in France, where he worked as an ambulance driver and saw firsthand the horrors of the war.
"The Booby-Trap" was written in 1917, at a time when the war had been raging for three long years. By this point, the initial enthusiasm and optimism that had greeted the outbreak of war had given way to disillusionment and despair. Soldiers on both sides were exhausted and traumatized by the constant violence and death.
Service's poem reflects this sense of weariness and despair. The soldier who triggers the trap is not a hero or a martyr - he's just a tired, scared young man who wants nothing more than to go home. The fact that he's killed by a trap he can't even see highlights the senselessness and randomness of war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Booby-Trap" is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the horror and absurdity of war. Through vivid language and imagery, Robert Service takes us into the mind of a young soldier who stumbles into a trap set by the enemy. The poem is a reminder of the human cost of war - the shattered lives and broken bodies that are left in its wake. It's a poem that resonates as strongly today as it did over a century ago, a testament to the enduring power of Service's words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Booby-Trap: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a renowned poet who has written several classic poems that have stood the test of time. One of his most famous works is The Booby-Trap, a poem that tells the story of a soldier who is trapped in a trench during World War I. The poem is a powerful reflection on the horrors of war and the sacrifices that soldiers make for their countries. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in The Booby-Trap and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the soldier's surroundings. He is trapped in a trench that is "narrow, deep and dark" and he can hear the "whine and whistle" of shells overhead. The imagery here is powerful and creates a sense of claustrophobia and fear. The soldier is trapped in a small space with no escape, and the constant sound of shells reminds him of the danger that he is in.
As the soldier waits in the trench, he begins to reflect on his life and the choices that led him to this moment. He thinks about his family and how he will never see them again. He also thinks about the futility of war and how it destroys everything in its path. This reflection is a common theme in war literature, as soldiers often have time to think about their lives and the world around them when they are trapped in a dangerous situation.
The soldier's thoughts are interrupted by a sudden explosion. He realizes that he has triggered a booby-trap, a device that is designed to kill or injure anyone who comes into contact with it. The soldier is now faced with the possibility of death or serious injury, and he knows that he has only seconds to act.
The imagery in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. The soldier describes the explosion as a "blinding flash" that "sears his brain." This description creates a sense of chaos and confusion, as the soldier is unable to see or think clearly. He is also described as being "flung like a stone" by the force of the explosion, which emphasizes the violence of war and the destructive power of weapons.
Despite the danger that he is in, the soldier remains calm and focused. He knows that he needs to act quickly if he wants to survive. He carefully examines his surroundings and realizes that he is surrounded by more booby-traps. He also notices that there is a wire that leads to a nearby tree, which he assumes is connected to another trap.
The soldier's quick thinking and resourcefulness are admirable, and they highlight the bravery and ingenuity of soldiers in war. Despite the chaos and danger around him, the soldier is able to remain calm and think logically, which is a testament to his training and experience.
The soldier decides to use the wire to his advantage. He carefully cuts it and then uses it to trigger the other traps, which explode harmlessly in the distance. This action is a turning point in the poem, as the soldier is able to take control of the situation and turn the tables on his enemy.
The symbolism in this section of the poem is particularly interesting. The wire that the soldier cuts represents the connection between the soldier and his enemy. By cutting the wire, the soldier is able to sever this connection and take control of the situation. The traps that he triggers represent the danger and destruction of war, and by neutralizing them, the soldier is able to create a sense of safety and security for himself.
The poem ends with the soldier reflecting on his actions and the choices that he made. He realizes that he was able to survive because of his training and his ability to think quickly under pressure. He also realizes that he is lucky to be alive, and that many of his fellow soldiers were not as fortunate.
The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant. The soldier says, "I'm glad; yet why should I be glad? My conscience beats me like a knout." This line highlights the moral ambiguity of war and the toll that it takes on soldiers. The soldier is glad to be alive, but he is also haunted by the choices that he had to make in order to survive.
In conclusion, The Booby-Trap is a powerful poem that explores the themes of war, bravery, and morality. The imagery and symbolism in the poem are particularly effective in creating a sense of danger and chaos, while also highlighting the bravery and resourcefulness of soldiers in war. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make for their countries, and the toll that war takes on them both physically and mentally. Robert Service's poem is a classic work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
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