'The Woman At The Gate' by Robert Service
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"Where is your little boy to-day?"
I asked her at the gate.
"I used to see him at his play,
And often I would wait:
He was so beautiful, so bright,
I watched him with delight.
"He had a tiny motor-car
And it was painted red;
He wound it up; it ran so far,
So merrily it sped.
I think he told me that it was
A gift from Santa Claus."
The woman said: "It ran so far
He followed it with joy.
Then came a real motor-car,--
He sought to save his toy . . .
My little boy is far away
Where angel children play.
"His father perished in the War;
Now I am all alone,
And death is all I'm longing for . . ."
So said with face of stone
That woman. "Curse their crazy cars
And cruel wars!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Woman At The Gate: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were there, experiencing everything that the characters were feeling? That's what Robert Service's "The Woman at the Gate" does to me every time I read it. Let's dive into this masterpiece and explore its themes, symbols, and deeper meanings.
Summary
The poem starts with the narrator seeing a woman standing at a gate, watching the road "as one who waited for a mate." He describes her as being "young and sweet" but also "sad and wan." The narrator wonders who she's waiting for and why she looks so sad.
As the poem unfolds, we learn that the woman is waiting for her lover who went off to fight in the war. Her heart is heavy with worry and fear for him, and she stands at the gate day after day, hoping to catch a glimpse of him returning home.
But as time passes, the woman's hope fades away. She starts to feel like her lover is never coming back, and the pain becomes unbearable. She cries out to the narrator, asking him if he has seen her lover and if he knows anything about him. The narrator tries to comfort her, but he knows that he cannot ease the woman's pain.
As the poem ends, the woman continues to stand at the gate, watching the road, waiting for her lover to return. The narrator leaves her there, still searching for the man she loves.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Woman at the Gate" is love and loss. The woman's love for her soldier is the driving force behind her waiting at the gate, and her fear of losing him is what keeps her there. Service portrays the depth and power of love through the woman's actions and emotions, as well as her unwavering devotion to her lover.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the brutality of war. Service doesn't explicitly mention the war, but the fact that the soldier is away fighting is the reason why the woman is waiting at the gate. The war has separated the lovers, and it's through the woman's sorrow that we see the devastating effects of war on families and relationships.
The theme of hope is also present in the poem. The woman's hope that her lover will return is what keeps her standing at the gate, day after day. But as time passes and her hope begins to fade, we see how the absence of hope can lead to despair and heartbreak.
Symbols
One of the most powerful symbols in "The Woman at the Gate" is the gate itself. The gate represents the boundary between the woman and her lover, as well as the outside world. It's a physical barrier that separates the woman from the rest of the world, highlighting her isolation and loneliness.
The road is another symbol that's used throughout the poem. The road represents the journey that the soldier is on, as well as the woman's hope that he will return. The road is also a symbol of the unknown, as the woman has no idea what has happened to her lover or where he is.
The woman's tears are a symbol of her pain and heartbreak. They represent the depth of her love and the extent of her despair. They also serve as a reminder of the emotional toll that war takes on families and loved ones.
Interpretation
"The Woman at the Gate" is a poignant and powerful poem that explores the themes of love and loss, the brutality of war, and the importance of hope. Service's use of symbols and imagery creates a vivid portrait of the woman's emotional journey, as well as the devastation wrought by war.
The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families, and the toll that war takes on everyone involved. It's a call to remember the human cost of conflict and to honor those who have served and sacrificed for their country.
But the poem is also a testament to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the woman's pain and heartbreak, she continues to stand at the gate, watching the road, and hoping that her lover will return. Her unwavering devotion is a reminder of the strength of the human heart and the power of love to endure even in the darkest of times.
In conclusion, "The Woman at the Gate" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the depth of human emotion and the impact of war on families and loved ones. Its themes and symbols resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, and its message of love and hope is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Woman At The Gate: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Woman At The Gate," which is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. This poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in a few lines. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Service to create a timeless piece of art.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a woman standing at the gate of a house. The woman is old and haggard, and her clothes are tattered. The speaker wonders why the woman is standing at the gate and what she wants. The speaker then approaches the woman and asks her what she is doing there. The woman replies that she is waiting for her son to come home. The speaker then asks the woman how long she has been waiting, and the woman replies that she has been waiting for twenty years.
The first thing that strikes the reader about this poem is its structure. The poem is written in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of rhyme also helps to emphasize the poem's themes and create a sense of unity. The poem's structure is simple yet effective, allowing the reader to focus on the poem's content.
The poem's central theme is the power of love and the pain of loss. The woman at the gate is waiting for her son to come home, and she has been waiting for twenty years. This shows the depth of her love for her son and the pain she feels at his absence. The poem also highlights the idea that love can endure even in the face of great adversity. The woman's love for her son has not diminished over time, and she continues to wait for him, hoping that he will return.
Service uses several literary devices to create a powerful and emotional poem. One of the most striking devices used in the poem is imagery. The description of the woman at the gate is vivid and evocative, allowing the reader to visualize her clearly. The use of imagery also helps to create a sense of empathy for the woman and her situation. The reader can feel her pain and understand her longing for her son.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "twenty years" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the length of time the woman has been waiting. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the poem's themes of love and loss.
Service also uses symbolism in the poem. The gate represents the boundary between the woman and her son. The fact that the woman is standing at the gate shows that she is unable to cross this boundary and be reunited with her son. The gate also represents the passage of time, as the woman has been waiting for twenty years. The use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to interpret it in different ways.
The poem's language is simple yet powerful. Service uses everyday language to convey complex emotions and ideas. The use of colloquial language also makes the poem more accessible to a wider audience. The poem's simplicity is deceptive, as it belies the depth of emotion and meaning contained within its lines.
In conclusion, "The Woman At The Gate" is a masterpiece of poetry. Service's use of structure, literary devices, and language creates a powerful and emotional poem that resonates with readers. The poem's themes of love and loss are universal, and the woman's story is one that many can relate to. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the pain of loss, and it will continue to be read and appreciated for generations to come.
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