'Michael' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
"There's something in your face, Michael, I've seen it all the day;
There's something quare that wasn't there when first ye wint away. . . ."
"It's just the Army life, mother, the drill, the left and right,
That puts the stiffinin' in yer spine and locks yer jaw up tight. . . ."
"There's something in your eyes, Michael, an' how they stare and stare --
You're lookin' at me now, me boy, as if I wasn't there. . . ."
"It's just the things I've seen, mother, the sights that come and come,
A bit o' broken, bloody pulp that used to be a chum. . . ."
"There's something on your heart, Michael, that makes ye wake at night,
And often when I hear ye moan, I trimble in me fright. . . ."
"It's just a man I killed, mother, a mother's son like me;
It seems he's always hauntin' me, he'll never let me be. . . ."
"But maybe he was bad, Michael, maybe it was right
To kill the inimy you hate in fair and honest fight. . . ."
"I did not hate at all, mother; he never did me harm;
I think he was a lad like me, who worked upon a farm. . . ."
"And what's it all about, Michael; why did you have to go,
A quiet, peaceful lad like you, and we were happy so? . . ."
"It's thim that's up above, mother, it's thim that sits an' rules;
We've got to fight the wars they make, it's us as are the fools. . . ."
"And what will be the end, Michael, and what's the use, I say,
Of fightin' if whoever wins it's us that's got to pay? . . ."
"Oh, it will be the end, mother, when lads like him and me,
That sweat to feed the ones above, decide that we'll be free. . . ."
"And when will that day come, Michael, and when will fightin' cease,
And simple folks may till their soil and live and love in peace? . . ."
"It's coming soon and soon, mother, it's nearer every day,
When only men who work and sweat will have a word to say;
When all who earn their honest bread in every land and soil
Will claim the Brotherhood of Man, the Comradeship of Toil;
When we, the Workers, all demand: `What are we fighting for?' . . .
Then, then we'll end that stupid crime, that devil's madness -- War."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Michael by Robert Service: A Poem of Love and Loss
Have you ever read a poem that left a deep impact on your mind? A poem that made you feel the emotions of the characters and the setting? If you haven't, then you must read "Michael" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece that depicts the love and loss of a father for his son. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Service to create a powerful and emotional poem.
Background Information
Before we dive deep into the analysis, let's first understand the context and background of the poem. Robert Service was a Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was known for his narrative poems that captured the spirit of the people and the land of the Canadian North. "Michael" was first published in 1916 in his collection of poems titled "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man." The poem was inspired by Service's experience as a volunteer ambulance driver during World War I. It is said that the character of Michael was based on a soldier who died in Service's arms.
Themes
The central theme of "Michael" is the love and loss between a father and his son. The poem tells the story of Michael, a soldier who dies in battle, and his father who is left with the memories of his son. The poem is not just about the bond between a father and son, but it also explores the themes of sacrifice, war, and grief.
One of the most powerful lines in the poem is "And oh! how I loved you, Michael, my son." This line captures the depth of the love that the father had for his son. It shows that the love between a father and son is unconditional and eternal. The poem also explores the sacrifice that Michael made by going to war. The line "You gave your life for Freedom" shows that Michael believed in a cause greater than himself.
The poem also explores the theme of war and its impact on families. The line "The War, the War, the War!" shows the despair and hopelessness that war brings. It also shows that war is not just about the soldiers who fight but also about the families who are left behind.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of grief. The line "I cannot weep, for all my tears are shed" shows that the father is overwhelmed by grief. It shows that grief is not just about shedding tears but also about the pain that one feels inside.
Symbols
Service uses several symbols in the poem to create a deeper meaning. One of the most prominent symbols is the poppies. The line "They say in Flanders Fields the poppies grow" refers to the famous poem by John McCrae about the poppies that grew on the graves of soldiers who died in battle. The poppies symbolize the sacrifice that Michael made for his country.
Another symbol used in the poem is the letter that Michael wrote to his father. The line "I have a letter here, Michael your son" shows that the letter is a symbol of the connection between father and son. The letter is also a symbol of the memories that the father has of his son.
Literary Devices
Service uses several literary devices to create a powerful and emotional poem. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The line "The War, the War, the War!" is repeated several times in the poem. The repetition creates a sense of hopelessness and despair that war brings.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The line "Your eyes had the glad light of battle in them" creates a vivid image of Michael's eyes shining with excitement and determination. The imagery is used to create a contrast between the joy that Michael felt in battle and the despair that his father feels after his death.
Service also uses alliteration in the poem. The line "They say in Flanders Fields the poppies grow" uses the repetition of the "p" sound to create a sense of rhythm and melody.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Michael" by Robert Service is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of love and loss, sacrifice, war, and grief. The poem uses symbols and literary devices to create a deeper meaning and to capture the emotions of the characters and the setting. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make for their country and the impact that war has on families. "Michael" is a classic poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Michael: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Robert Service’s poem “Michael” is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. It tells the story of a man named Michael who falls in love with a woman named Mary, only to lose her to illness. The poem explores themes of love, loss, grief, and redemption, and it does so with a lyrical beauty that is both haunting and uplifting.
The poem begins with a description of Michael, a man who is “big and strong and bold” and who “loved with a love that was more than love.” Michael is a man who is passionate and intense, and his love for Mary is all-consuming. He is willing to do anything for her, even if it means risking his own life. This is evident in the lines, “He would have gone to the ends of the earth / For the woman who gave him birth.”
Mary, on the other hand, is described as a woman who is “fair and sweet and true” and who “loved with a love that was pure and new.” She is the perfect match for Michael, and their love is a thing of beauty. However, tragedy strikes when Mary falls ill, and Michael is powerless to save her. The poem captures the agony of watching a loved one suffer and die, and it does so with a rawness and honesty that is both heartbreaking and cathartic.
The lines, “He watched her die by inches slow, / And felt the pain of every blow” capture the depth of Michael’s grief. He is consumed by his loss, and he feels as though he will never be able to move on. However, the poem takes a turn when Michael has a vision of Mary in heaven. This vision gives him hope and comfort, and it allows him to find redemption.
The lines, “He saw her there in shining white, / The guiding star of his dark night” capture the beauty of Michael’s vision. It is a moment of transcendence, and it allows Michael to see beyond his pain and sorrow. He realizes that Mary is not truly gone, but rather she is waiting for him in heaven. This realization gives him the strength to carry on, and it allows him to find meaning in his suffering.
The poem ends with Michael finding peace and comfort in the knowledge that he will one day be reunited with Mary. The lines, “And though he walks with bowed grey head, / He knows that Mary waits ahead” capture the sense of hope and redemption that permeates the poem. Michael has found a way to transcend his grief, and he has found a way to see beyond the darkness of his loss.
In many ways, “Michael” is a poem about the power of love to transcend even death. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience of loss and grief, and it does so with a beauty and grace that is both profound and uplifting. The poem reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope and redemption to be found.
Overall, Robert Service’s “Michael” is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience. It is a poem that speaks to the power of love, the pain of loss, and the hope of redemption. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, and it is a testament to the enduring power of great literature.
Editor Recommended Sites
ML Cert: Machine learning certification preparation, advice, tutorials, guides, faqFantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy games
Privacy Chat: Privacy focused chat application.
Developer Asset Bundles - Dev Assets & Tech learning Bundles: Asset bundles for developers. Buy discounted software licenses & Buy discounted programming courses
Logic Database: Logic databases with reasoning and inference, ontology and taxonomy management
Recommended Similar Analysis
Purdah by Sylvia Plath analysisThere Will Come Soft Rains by Sarah Teasdale analysis
To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Nothing by William Butler Yeats analysis
It dropped so low in my regard by Emily Dickinson analysis
Poppies In October by Sylvia Plath analysis
Spontaneous Me by Walt Whitman analysis
The Retreat by Henry Vaughan analysis
O sweet spontaneous... (V) by e.e. cummings analysis
The Mystery Of Marie Roget - A Sequel To "The Murder In The Rue Morgue" by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Hurrahing In Harvest by Gerard Manley Hopkins analysis