'Son' by Robert Service
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He hurried away, young heart of joy, under our Devon sky!
And I watched him go, my beautiful boy, and a weary woman was I.
For my hair is grey, and his was gold; he'd the best of his life to live;
And I'd loved him so, and I'm old, I'm old; and he's all I had to give.
Ah yes, he was proud and swift and gay, but oh how my eyes were dim!
With the sun in his heart he went away, but he took the sun with him.
For look! How the leaves are falling now, and the winter won't be long. . . .
Oh boy, my boy with the sunny brow, and the lips of love and of song!
How we used to sit at the day's sweet end, we two by the firelight's gleam,
And we'd drift to the Valley of Let's Pretend, on the beautiful river of Dream.
Oh dear little heart! All wealth untold would I gladly, gladly pay
Could I just for a moment closely hold that golden head to my grey.
For I gaze in the fire, and I'm seeing there a child, and he waves to me;
And I run and I hold him up in the air, and he laughs and shouts with glee;
A little bundle of love and mirth, crying: "Come, Mumsie dear!"
Ah me! If he called from the ends of the earth I know that my heart would hear.
Yet the thought comes thrilling through all my pain: how worthier could he die?
Yea, a loss like that is a glorious gain, and pitiful proud am I.
For Peace must be bought with blood and tears, and the boys of our hearts must pay;
And so in our joy of the after-years, let us bless them every day.
And though I know there's a hasty grave with a poor little cross at its head,
And the gold of his youth he so gladly gave, yet to me he'll never be dead.
And the sun in my Devon lane will be gay, and my boy will be with me still,
So I'm finding the heart to smile and say: "Oh God, if it be Thy Will!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Adventures in Son by Robert Service
When you think of a son, what comes to mind? A precious child, perhaps? A continuation of life? Robert Service's poem, "Son," takes a different approach, depicting a son as a daring adventurer who defies death and thrives on danger. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the poem's themes, tone, and imagery, and explore how Service's use of language creates a vivid portrait of a son who lives life to the fullest.
Themes
One of the main themes in "Son" is the idea of risk-taking and adventure. The speaker describes his son as someone who "flung himself on the raging sea," "saddled up the wildest steed," and "danced with danger." The son is not content to live a safe and comfortable life; he seeks out challenges and risks, even if it means putting himself in harm's way. This theme of adventure is reinforced by the poem's title, which emphasizes the son's importance and significance.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. The speaker acknowledges that his son's reckless behavior puts him at risk of injury or death, and he expresses his fear and worry for his son's safety. Yet, at the same time, the speaker seems to admire his son's courage and bravery, even in the face of danger. The poem suggests that life is short and should be lived to the fullest, even if it means taking risks.
Tone
The tone of "Son" is both admiring and fearful. The speaker clearly loves his son and is in awe of his adventurous spirit, but he also recognizes the dangers that come with such a lifestyle. The poem switches between moments of excitement and moments of anxiety, creating a sense of tension and uncertainty. The tone becomes more somber towards the end of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the possibility of his son's death.
Imagery
Service uses vivid imagery to convey the sense of adventure and danger in the poem. The son is described as a "king of men" who "rode the prairies wide and far," and who "gloried in the fight." These images create a larger-than-life portrait of the son, emphasizing his bravery and fearlessness. The images of the sea and the wild horse also add to the sense of danger and risk-taking in the poem.
The poem also contains images of mortality and death, such as the "gallows tree" and the "grim trail." These images underscore the risks that the son is taking and create a sense of foreboding. The image of the "long, long sleep" at the end of the poem is particularly powerful, as it suggests the possibility of the son's death and the speaker's acceptance of it.
Language
Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of risk and adventure in the poem. He uses strong, active verbs such as "flung," "saddled up," and "danced," to create a sense of movement and action. The repetition of these verbs throughout the poem reinforces the idea of the son's adventurous spirit and his willingness to take risks.
The poem also contains several examples of alliteration, such as "flung himself on the raging sea" and "saddled up the wildest steed." This use of sound creates a sense of rhythm and energy in the poem, emphasizing the son's boldness and daring.
Service also uses metaphor in the poem, comparing the son to a "king" and a "dancer." These metaphors create a sense of grandeur and significance around the son, emphasizing his heroic qualities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Son" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of risk-taking, mortality, and adventure. The poem's tone and imagery create a sense of tension and uncertainty, as the speaker grapples with his love and admiration for his son and his fear for his safety. Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the son's adventurous spirit and his willingness to take risks. Overall, "Son" is a vivid and compelling portrayal of a son who defies death and lives life to the fullest.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Son by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poignant and emotional piece that explores the relationship between a father and his son. The poem is written in a simple yet powerful style that captures the essence of the father-son bond.
The poem begins with the father expressing his love for his son. He talks about how his son is the apple of his eye and how he cherishes every moment spent with him. The father is proud of his son and sees him as a reflection of himself. He talks about how his son has inherited his strength and courage, and how he will one day become a man just like him.
The father then goes on to talk about the challenges that his son will face in life. He talks about how life is not always easy and how his son will have to face many obstacles along the way. He tells his son that he will have to be strong and brave in order to overcome these challenges. The father also talks about how he will always be there for his son, no matter what happens.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the father talks about the possibility of his own death. He tells his son that one day he will no longer be there to protect him and that he will have to face the world on his own. The father talks about how he hopes that his son will remember the lessons that he has taught him and how he will always be with him in spirit.
The poem ends with the father expressing his love for his son once again. He tells his son that he will always be proud of him and that he will always love him, no matter what happens. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the father-son bond and captures the essence of what it means to be a father.
One of the things that makes Son such a powerful poem is its simplicity. The poem is written in a straightforward style that is easy to understand. This simplicity allows the reader to focus on the emotions that the poem evokes, rather than getting bogged down in complex language or metaphors.
Another thing that makes Son such a powerful poem is its universal appeal. The poem speaks to anyone who has ever had a father or a son. It captures the essence of the father-son bond and the love that exists between them. This universal appeal is what has allowed the poem to stand the test of time and continue to be relevant today.
The poem also explores some of the universal themes of life, such as the inevitability of death and the challenges that we all face. The father’s words of wisdom to his son are applicable to anyone, regardless of their age or gender. The poem reminds us that life is not always easy, but that we can overcome any obstacle if we are strong and brave.
In terms of literary devices, Son makes use of repetition to emphasize the father’s love for his son. The phrase “my son” is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the father’s pride and affection for his child. The repetition also serves to create a sense of rhythm and flow to the poem.
The poem also makes use of imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. The father’s words about his son inheriting his strength and courage create a powerful image of a young boy growing up to be a strong and brave man. The father’s words about his own death also create a poignant image of a father passing on his wisdom to his son before he leaves this world.
In conclusion, Son by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the relationship between a father and his son. The poem is written in a simple yet powerful style that captures the essence of the father-son bond. The poem’s universal appeal and its exploration of universal themes make it a timeless piece of literature. The poem’s use of repetition and imagery also serve to create a powerful emotional impact on the reader. Son is a beautiful tribute to the love that exists between a father and his son, and it will continue to be relevant for generations to come.
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