'Two Men (J. L. And R. B.)' by Robert Service
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In the Northland there were three
Pukka Pliers of the pen;
Two of them had Fame in fee
And were loud and lusty men;
By them like a shrimp was I -
Yet alas! they had to die.
Jack was genius through and through.
Who his future could foretell?
What we sweated blood to do
He would deem a bagatelle.
Yet in youth he had to die,
And an ancient man am I.
Rex was rugged as an oak;
Story-teller born was he.
First of writing, fighting folk,
How he lived prodigiously!
Better man he was than I,
Yet forlorn he had to die.
Jack was made of god-like stuff,
Born to battle for the right;
Rex of fighting had enough
When the gods destroyed his sight . . .
Craven heart - I wonder why
Lingering alone am I?
They were men of valiant breed,
Fit and fearless in the fight,
Who in every thought and deed
Burned the flame of life too bright.
Cowards live, while heroes die . . .
They have gone and - here am I.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Two Men (J. L. And R. B.) by Robert Service: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Two Men! What a captivating poem by Robert Service! With its vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and strong narrative, this piece of literary work has left a lasting impact on generations of readers and writers. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various elements of Two Men, including its themes, structure, language, and symbolism, to uncover its deeper meanings and significance.
Background and Context
Before delving into the poem, let's first understand the context and background in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer, known for his works that celebrate the ruggedness and spirit of the Canadian North. He lived through the two world wars and witnessed the social and cultural changes that came with them. Two Men was written during this period of turmoil and uncertainty, when the world was grappling with the aftermath of the Great War and the subsequent rise of fascism and totalitarianism.
Themes and Motifs
At its core, Two Men is a poem about friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. The poem tells the story of two men, J.L. and R.B., who are best friends and comrades-in-arms. They fight together in the war, sharing the same trench, the same food, and the same hardships. They are inseparable, bound by a deep and unbreakable bond of brotherhood.
One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The two men are willing to give everything, even their lives, for each other. We see this in the lines, "For one was a miner from Cumberland's hills, / And the other a sailor, who'd ploughed all the ills / Of the ocean, and touched at all lands." These men come from vastly different backgrounds, yet they are united in their willingness to put their lives on the line for each other.
Another important theme of the poem is the sense of loss and grief that comes with war. The poem paints a vivid picture of the horrors of war, with its "hail of lead" and "bursting shells." The men are surrounded by death and destruction, and they know that their time on earth is limited. We can see this in the lines, "They talked of the dear little homes 'cross the foam, / Of the loved ones they'd left in the land of the free." Here, the men are reminiscing about their past lives, and the homes and families they left behind.
Structure and Form
The structure and form of Two Men are fairly simple and straightforward, yet effective in conveying the poem's themes and emotions. The poem consists of four quatrains, with a rhyming scheme of ABAB. The rhythm is steady and regular, with a clear pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a sense of stability and balance, which contrasts with the chaos and violence of war.
The poem also makes use of repetition and parallelism, which reinforce its central themes and motifs. For example, in the second and third stanzas, the phrase "They talked" is repeated three times, emphasizing the men's conversation and their shared experiences.
Language and Imagery
The language and imagery of Two Men are powerful and evocative, capturing the intensity and emotion of the two men's friendship and their experiences in war. Service makes use of vivid and sensory language, with phrases such as "hail of lead," "bursting shell," and "powder-smoke." These images create a sense of chaos and violence, bringing the reader into the heart of the battlefield.
The poem also makes use of symbolism, particularly in its depiction of the two men. J.L. is described as a miner from Cumberland's hills, while R.B. is a sailor who has "touched at all lands." These descriptions symbolize the men's different backgrounds and experiences, yet they are united in their shared sacrifice and brotherhood.
Finally, the poem's use of figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, adds depth and nuance to its meaning. For example, in the final stanza, the line "And the North Sea winds are keening, / As they moan for the gallant dead" uses the metaphor of the wind as a symbol of grief and mourning.
Interpretation and Analysis
So, what does Two Men mean? What is its deeper significance and message? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the human experience of war, and the bonds of friendship and brotherhood that can be forged in its midst. The poem celebrates the courage and sacrifice of the two men, who are willing to give everything for each other, even in the face of death.
However, the poem also acknowledges the sense of loss and grief that comes with war. The men are surrounded by death and destruction, and they know that their time on earth is limited. The poem's final lines, "And the North Sea winds are keening, / As they moan for the gallant dead," capture the sense of mourning and sadness that comes with the loss of life.
In addition to its themes of sacrifice and grief, the poem also speaks to the power of friendship and brotherhood. Despite their different backgrounds and experiences, J.L. and R.B. are united by a deep and unbreakable bond. Their friendship is a testament to the human capacity for connection and love, even in the darkest of times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Two Men is a powerful and moving poem that captures the intensity and emotion of the human experience of war. Through its vivid imagery, powerful language, and nuanced themes, the poem explores the bonds of friendship, the sacrifice of war, and the sense of loss that comes with death. As we reflect on the poem's message and meaning, we are reminded of the importance of connection and love, even in the face of adversity and tragedy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Two Men (J. L. And R. B.): A Poem of Friendship and Loyalty
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, wrote many poems that captured the spirit of the rugged and wild Canadian North. Among his most famous works is "Two Men (J. L. And R. B.)", a poem that tells the story of two friends who share a bond of loyalty and courage that transcends even death.
The poem begins with a description of the two men, J. L. and R. B., who are "as different as day and night". J. L. is a "man of the world", sophisticated and urbane, while R. B. is a "man of the wild", rough and rugged. Despite their differences, the two men are close friends, bound together by a shared love of adventure and a deep respect for each other's strengths.
The poem then takes a dramatic turn, as J. L. falls ill with a fever and is unable to continue on their journey. R. B. refuses to leave his friend behind, and instead stays with him, nursing him back to health. The two men are then faced with a daunting challenge: they must cross a treacherous river, swollen with the spring thaw, in order to reach their destination.
Despite the danger, R. B. is determined to make the crossing, and J. L. insists on accompanying him. The two men set out, but soon find themselves in trouble as the current becomes too strong for them to handle. J. L. is swept away by the river, and R. B. is left alone, struggling to survive.
In a moment of desperation, R. B. calls out to his friend, and to his amazement, J. L. responds. Somehow, against all odds, J. L. has managed to cling to a rock in the middle of the river, and he is able to guide R. B. to safety. The two men are reunited, and their bond of friendship is strengthened by their shared experience of danger and survival.
The poem ends with a poignant reflection on the nature of friendship and loyalty. Service writes:
"Two men of the Yukon, each loyal and true, One stern as a judge, and the other soft as dew; And I ask you this question, and I ask it of men: Have you known such a friendship, and will you again?"
The answer, of course, is that few of us are lucky enough to know such a friendship in our lives. But the poem reminds us that such friendships are possible, and that they are worth striving for.
One of the most striking aspects of "Two Men (J. L. And R. B.)" is the way in which Service captures the rugged beauty of the Canadian North. His descriptions of the river, the mountains, and the wilderness are vivid and evocative, and they help to create a sense of place that is both awe-inspiring and dangerous.
But the poem is not just a celebration of the natural world. It is also a tribute to the human spirit, and to the power of friendship and loyalty. Service's portrayal of J. L. and R. B. as two very different men who are bound together by a shared sense of adventure and a deep respect for each other's strengths is both moving and inspiring.
The poem also raises important questions about the nature of courage and heroism. R. B. is clearly the more physically courageous of the two men, but J. L. demonstrates a different kind of courage, one that is perhaps even more admirable. He refuses to abandon his friend, even when it would be easier and safer to do so. And in the end, it is J. L.'s determination and resourcefulness that saves both of their lives.
In conclusion, "Two Men (J. L. And R. B.)" is a classic poem that celebrates the power of friendship and loyalty in the face of danger and adversity. Robert Service's vivid descriptions of the Canadian North, his portrayal of two very different men who are bound together by a shared sense of adventure and respect, and his exploration of the nature of courage and heroism all combine to make this a poem that is both timeless and inspiring.
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