'The Soldier' by Robert Frost
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He is that fallen lance that lies as hurled,
That lies unlifted now, come dew, come rust,
But still lies pointed as it ploughed the dust.
If we who sight along it round the world,
See nothing worthy to have been its mark,
It is because like men we look too near,
Forgetting that as fitted to the sphere,
Our missiles always make too short an arc.
They fall, they rip the grass, they intersect
The curve of earth, and striking, break their own;
They make us cringe for metal-point on stone.
But this we know, the obstacle that checked
And tripped the body, shot the spirit on
Further than target ever showed or shone.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Soldier: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem by Robert Frost
Robert Frost, one of the most renowned poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of portraying human emotions in his poetry. His works often delve deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of life, death, love, and nature. One of his most famous poems, The Soldier, is a hauntingly beautiful piece that speaks of war, sacrifice, and patriotism. In this literary criticism, we will explore the meaning and interpretation of The Soldier, and how Robert Frost conveys the essence of war through his words.
Overview of The Soldier
The Soldier is a short, fourteen-line poem that captures the essence of war in a few words. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a poetic meter that consists of ten syllables per line, with a stressed and an unstressed syllable alternating. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which gives it a structured and organized feel. The poem is divided into two quatrains and two tercets, with the final couplet completing the poem.
The Soldier is written in first person, from the perspective of a soldier who is going to war. The poem describes the soldier's thoughts as he contemplates his fate and the possibility of his death in battle. The poem also speaks of the eternal bond between a soldier and his country, and how the soldier is willing to lay down his life for the greater good.
Analysis of The Soldier
The Soldier opens with the line "He is that fallen lance that lies as hurled," which sets the tone for the entire poem. The word "fallen" suggests that the soldier has already been defeated, and the use of the word "lance" symbolizes the soldier's weapon, which is now lying unused. The next line, "That lies unlifted now, come dew, come rust," suggests that the soldier is now abandoned and forgotten, left to decay with the passage of time.
The second quatrain speaks of the soldier's connection with his country, and how he is willing to die for it. The line "But for him, the mateless, the dearest to God," suggests that the soldier is one of the most beloved and precious beings in the eyes of God. The use of the word "mateless" suggests that the soldier is alone and has no companions, which adds to the loneliness and isolation of the soldier's situation. The line "Nearest his heart shall rank them, sweetheart, wife," suggests that the soldier's love for his country is greater than his love for his own family, and that his country is the most important thing to him.
The third tercet speaks of the soldier's willingness to sacrifice his life for his country. The line "He shall not be failed that breathed her breath," suggests that the soldier will not be let down by his country, and that his sacrifice will not be in vain. The line "He shall not fail that raced, cantered, or walked," speaks of the soldier's courage and determination, and how he is ready to face any obstacle that comes his way. The use of the word "walked" suggests that even if the soldier is not as skilled or experienced as others, he is still willing to fight for his country.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close, with the line "They shall find earth not unkind, nor yet too dear." This line suggests that the soldier's sacrifice will be remembered and appreciated by his country, and that even though he will die, he will not be forgotten. The final line, "But foreign earth with her own lips shall clear," suggests that even the foreign land where the soldier dies will honor and respect him for his sacrifice.
Interpretation of The Soldier
The Soldier speaks of war, sacrifice, and patriotism, and how these concepts are intertwined with the human psyche. The poem explores the relationship between a soldier and his country, and how the soldier is willing to lay down his life for the greater good. The Soldier is also a commentary on the human condition, and how we are all alone in the face of death.
The Soldier can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see the poem as a celebration of bravery and heroism, while others may view it as a critique of war and its devastating consequences. The poem can also be interpreted as a reflection of Robert Frost's own views on war and patriotism, and how he believed that sacrifice for a higher cause was the ultimate form of love.
Conclusion
The Soldier is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of war and patriotism in a few short lines. Robert Frost's use of language and symbolism creates a hauntingly beautiful poem that speaks to the human condition and the eternal bond between a soldier and his country. The Soldier is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Soldier by Robert Frost: A Poem of Sacrifice and Duty
Robert Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his profound and thought-provoking works that explore the complexities of human nature and the world around us. Among his many poems, The Soldier stands out as a powerful and poignant tribute to the sacrifices made by those who serve their country in times of war.
Written in 1914, at the onset of World War I, The Soldier captures the spirit of patriotism and duty that characterized the era. The poem is a sonnet, a form of poetry that consists of 14 lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme. Frost's use of this form adds to the poem's sense of order and structure, reflecting the discipline and organization that are essential in times of war.
The poem begins with the famous line, "If I should die, think only this of me: / That there's some corner of a foreign field / That is forever England." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the idea of sacrifice and the willingness to give one's life for their country. The speaker of the poem is a soldier who has gone to fight in a foreign land, and he is aware that he may not return home alive. However, he is not afraid of death, as he believes that his sacrifice will be remembered and honored by his countrymen.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of sacrifice, as the soldier reflects on the beauty of the English countryside and the memories he has of his homeland. He acknowledges that he may never see these sights again, but he is willing to give them up for the sake of his duty. The lines "In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; / A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware, / Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam" emphasize the idea that the soldier's sacrifice is not just for his country, but for the very soil that gave him life.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the soldier's comrades, who are also fighting and dying in the same foreign land. The lines "If I should die, think only this of me: / That there's some corner of a foreign field / That is forever England" are repeated, emphasizing the idea that all of the soldiers are united in their sacrifice and their love for their country. The speaker acknowledges that he is not alone in his duty, and that his comrades are also willing to give their lives for the same cause.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the soldier himself, as he reflects on the possibility of death and what it means for him. He acknowledges that he may not be remembered as an individual, but he believes that his sacrifice will be remembered by his country and his fellow soldiers. The final lines of the poem, "And think, this heart, all evil shed away, / A pulse in the eternal mind, no less / Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given; / Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day; / And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, / In hearts at peace, under an English heaven," emphasize the idea that the soldier's sacrifice is not just for his country, but for the eternal memory of all those who have fought and died for England.
In conclusion, The Soldier by Robert Frost is a powerful and moving tribute to the sacrifices made by those who serve their country in times of war. The poem captures the spirit of patriotism and duty that characterized the era in which it was written, and it remains relevant today as a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers around the world. Frost's use of the sonnet form adds to the poem's sense of order and structure, reflecting the discipline and organization that are essential in times of war. The poem's themes of sacrifice, duty, and patriotism are universal, and they continue to resonate with readers today.
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