'The Song Of The Pacifist' by Robert Service
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What do they matter, our headlong hates, when we take the toll of our Dead?
Think ye our glory and gain will pay for the torrent of blood we have shed?
By the cheers of our Victory will the heart of the mother be comforted?
If by the Victory all we mean is a broken and brooding foe;
Is the pomp and power of a glitt'ring hour, and a truce for an age or so:
By the clay-cold hand on the broken blade we have smitten a bootless blow!
If by the Triumph we only prove that the sword we sheathe is bright;
That justice and truth and love endure; that freedom's throned on the height;
That the feebler folks shall be unafraid; that Might shall never be Right;
If this be all: by the blood-drenched plains, by the havoc of fire and fear,
By the rending roar of the War of Wars, by the Dead so doubly dear. . . .
Then our Victory is a vast defeat, and it mocks us as we cheer.
Victory! there can be but one, hallowed in every land:
When by the graves of our common dead we who were foemen stand;
And in the hush of our common grief hand is tendered to hand.
Triumph! Yes, when out of the dust in the splendour of their release
The spirits of those who fell go forth and they hallow our hearts to peace,
And, brothers in pain, with world-wide voice, we clamour that War shall cease.
Glory! Ay, when from blackest loss shall be born most radiant gain;
When over the gory fields shall rise a star that never shall wane:
Then, and then only, our Dead shall know that they have not fall'n in vain.
When our children's children shall talk of War as a madness that may not be;
When we thank our God for our grief to-day, and blazon from sea to sea
In the name of the Dead the banner of Peace . . . that will be Victory.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song Of The Pacifist: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you a pacifist? Do you believe that war is never the answer to any conflict? If yes, then you are in for a treat! Robert Service's "The Song of the Pacifist" is a classic poem that embodies the ideals of peace, love, and harmony. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this timeless work of art.
Historical Context
Before we dive deep into the poem, it is essential to understand the historical context in which it was written. Robert Service wrote "The Song of the Pacifist" in 1915, during the peak of World War I. The world was at war, and millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives. The poem was a response to the horrors of war and a call for peace.
Service was a Canadian poet who served as a war correspondent during the Balkan Wars and World War I. He witnessed the brutality of war firsthand and was deeply affected by it. "The Song of the Pacifist" was his way of expressing his beliefs and values about peace and non-violence.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is pacifism. Service argues that war is not the solution to any conflict and that peace can only be achieved through non-violent means. He uses various literary devices to reinforce this theme, including symbolism, repetition, and imagery.
The poem begins with the speaker asking a rhetorical question, "Have you ever stood where the billows boom?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to describe the horrors of war. He talks about the "ghastly glare" of the battlefield, the "sobs of women" and the "scream of a dying man." The imagery used here is vivid and powerful, leaving no doubt in the reader's mind about the devastating effects of war.
Service also uses repetition to drive home the message of pacifism. The phrase "I am a pacifist" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's commitment to non-violence. The repetition of this phrase serves as a reminder to the reader that the poem is a call for peace, and war is not the answer.
Symbolism is another literary device used in the poem. The "billows" referred to in the first line represent the waves of the ocean. The ocean symbolizes the vastness of the world and the unity of all humanity. The speaker is calling for a world where people can live in peace and harmony, like the waves of the ocean.
Literary Devices
Aside from the themes, Service uses various literary devices to make the poem more engaging and thought-provoking. These devices include rhyme, meter, and alliteration.
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs. This meter gives the poem a rhythmic flow and makes it easier to read and remember. The rhyming scheme is also consistent throughout the poem, with every two lines rhyming with each other. The consistent meter and rhyme scheme make the poem more musical and enjoyable to read.
Alliteration is another literary device used in the poem. The phrase "billows boom" is an example of alliteration, as is the phrase "whistling wheel" later in the poem. Alliteration adds a poetic quality to the text, making it more memorable and attention-grabbing.
Interpretation
"The Song of the Pacifist" is a powerful poem that advocates for peace and non-violence. The speaker is a pacifist who believes that war only leads to destruction and pain. He uses vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism to convey his message, and the result is a poem that is both memorable and thought-provoking.
Service's use of literary devices such as rhyme, meter, and alliteration makes the poem more engaging and enjoyable to read. The poem's musical quality adds to its appeal, and the consistent rhyming scheme makes it easier to remember.
In conclusion, "The Song of the Pacifist" is a timeless work of art that speaks to the human desire for peace and harmony. Service's use of literary devices and vivid imagery makes the poem both memorable and engaging. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to reject violence and embrace non-violence as the only way to achieve lasting peace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of the Pacifist: A Timeless Ode to Peace
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his vivid and evocative descriptions of the human experience. His poem, The Song of the Pacifist, is a timeless ode to peace that captures the essence of the pacifist philosophy. The poem is a powerful reminder of the futility of war and the importance of peace.
The poem begins with a powerful opening line, “Do you deem it heroic to shout your war-song loud in a crowd?” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, challenging the reader to question the glorification of war and violence in society. Service then goes on to describe the horrors of war, “Do you think it’s a tonic to ride in a troopship over the Atlantic?” The imagery used in this line is particularly striking, as it conjures up images of soldiers being transported to the front lines, unsure of what awaits them.
The poem then takes a turn towards the pacifist philosophy, “But I think it’s a tonic to climb on a mountain-top and to shout: ‘Peace on Earth!’” This line is a powerful statement of the pacifist philosophy, emphasizing the importance of peace over war. Service then goes on to describe the beauty of nature, “To see the sun rise in the morning, to hear the birds sing in the trees.” This imagery is a stark contrast to the horrors of war described earlier in the poem, emphasizing the beauty and value of life.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as Service describes his own experiences, “I’ve been in the trenches and I’ve heard the guns roar.” This line is particularly poignant, as it emphasizes the personal toll that war takes on individuals. Service then goes on to describe the aftermath of war, “I’ve seen the dead lying in heaps, I’ve seen the wounded crawling in the mud.” This imagery is particularly powerful, as it emphasizes the senseless loss of life that occurs in war.
The poem then returns to the pacifist philosophy, “But I think it’s a tonic to sit in a garden and to read a book.” This line emphasizes the importance of peaceful activities, such as reading, over violent ones, such as war. Service then goes on to describe the beauty of nature once again, “To see the flowers bloom in the springtime, to watch the leaves fall in the autumn.” This imagery is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, and the importance of cherishing each moment.
The poem then ends with a powerful statement of the pacifist philosophy, “For I know that the world is a beautiful place, and I want to keep it that way.” This line is a reminder of the importance of preserving the beauty and value of life, and the futility of war in achieving this goal.
Overall, The Song of the Pacifist is a powerful reminder of the importance of peace over war. Service’s vivid imagery and personal experiences make the poem particularly poignant, emphasizing the personal toll that war takes on individuals. The poem is a timeless ode to peace that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of war and violence in our world, The Song of the Pacifist serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing each moment and preserving the beauty and value of life.
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