'The Stretcher-Bearer' by Robert Service
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My stretcher is one scarlet stain,
And as I tries to scrape it clean,
I tell you wot -- I'm sick with pain
For all I've 'eard, for all I've seen;
Around me is the 'ellish night,
And as the war's red rim I trace,
I wonder if in 'Eaven's height,
Our God don't turn away 'Is Face.
I don't care 'oose the Crime may be;
I 'olds no brief for kin or clan;
I 'ymns no 'ate: I only see
As man destroys his brother man;
I waves no flag: I only know,
As 'ere beside the dead I wait,
A million 'earts is weighed with woe,
A million 'omes is desolate.
In drippin' darkness, far and near,
All night I've sought them woeful ones.
Dawn shudders up and still I 'ear
The crimson chorus of the guns.
Look! like a ball of blood the sun
'Angs o'er the scene of wrath and wrong. . . .
"Quick! Stretcher-bearers on the run!"
O Prince of Peace! 'ow long, 'ow long?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Stretcher-Bearer: A Poem of Heroism and Sacrifice
As I read The Stretcher-Bearer, I am struck by the raw emotion and vivid imagery that Robert Service employs to tell the story of one soldier's heroic act of selflessness. This poem is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in war, and it is a tribute to the human spirit that can rise above the horrors of battle to perform acts of great valor.
A Summary of the Poem
The Stretcher-Bearer tells the story of a young soldier who is wounded on the battlefield and left behind by his comrades as they retreat. A stretcher-bearer, whose job it is to carry the wounded from the front lines to safety, hears the soldier's cries for help and risks his own life to go back and retrieve him.
As the stretcher-bearer carries the wounded soldier to safety, he is fired upon by the enemy and hit by a bullet. Despite his own injuries, he continues to carry the soldier, determined to save his life. Finally, he collapses from his wounds, but not before he has delivered the soldier to safety.
The poem ends with the stretcher-bearer lying on the ground, his life slipping away, but feeling a sense of pride and fulfillment that he has done his duty and saved a comrade's life.
A Look at the Themes
One of the central themes of The Stretcher-Bearer is heroism. The poem shows us that heroism is not just about physical strength or bravery in the face of danger, but it is also about selflessness and sacrifice. The stretcher-bearer is not a soldier in the traditional sense, but he is just as much a hero as any soldier on the front lines because he risks his own life to save another.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of duty. The stretcher-bearer is not just performing a job, but he sees it as his duty to help his fellow soldiers. He doesn't hesitate when he hears the wounded soldier's cries for help, and he doesn't give up when he is fired upon by the enemy. He knows that it is his duty to save lives, and he does so with unwavering determination.
Sacrifice is also a prominent theme in the poem. The stretcher-bearer sacrifices his own safety and wellbeing to save the wounded soldier. He is willing to take a bullet and risk death to make sure that his comrade is brought to safety. This act of sacrifice is what makes the stretcher-bearer a hero, and it is something that we can all aspire to in our own lives.
An Analysis of the Poem
One of the things that stands out to me about The Stretcher-Bearer is the use of vivid imagery to convey the horrors of war. Service doesn't shy away from describing the gruesome injuries suffered by the soldiers, and he paints a picture of the chaos and destruction that surrounds them. The poem is full of graphic descriptions of blood, mud, and death, but it is also full of moments of beauty and heroism that shine through the darkness.
The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a sense of urgency and immediacy. The staccato rhythm of the lines mimics the sound of gunfire, and the short, choppy sentences convey the sense of chaos and confusion on the battlefield. Service also uses repetition to great effect, with phrases like "grim and stern" and "stretcher-bearer" repeated throughout the poem to emphasize their importance.
The characters in the poem are also well-drawn, with the wounded soldier and the stretcher-bearer both coming across as sympathetic and fully realized. We feel the soldier's pain and fear, and we admire the stretcher-bearer's bravery and determination. Service doesn't spend a lot of time on character development, but he is able to convey a great deal with just a few well-chosen words.
The Importance of The Stretcher-Bearer
The Stretcher-Bearer is an important poem because it reminds us of the sacrifices that soldiers make in times of war. It is easy to forget the human toll of conflict when we are bombarded with news reports and statistics, but this poem brings the reality of war home in a visceral way.
The poem also has relevance beyond the battlefield. The stretcher-bearer's selflessness and sacrifice are qualities that we should all strive for in our everyday lives. The poem challenges us to put the needs of others before our own desires, and it reminds us that true heroism is not about personal gain or glory, but about doing what is right and just.
In conclusion, The Stretcher-Bearer is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of heroism and sacrifice. It is a tribute to those who have served in war and a reminder of the importance of putting others before ourselves. As we read this poem, we are inspired to be better people, to live lives of purpose and meaning, and to always strive to do the right thing, no matter the cost.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Stretcher-Bearer: A Poem of Heroism and Sacrifice
Robert Service’s poem, The Stretcher-Bearer, is a powerful and moving tribute to the bravery and selflessness of those who serve as medical personnel in times of war. Written in the aftermath of World War I, the poem captures the horror and devastation of the conflict, while also celebrating the courage and compassion of those who risked their lives to save others.
At its heart, The Stretcher-Bearer is a story of sacrifice. The poem tells the tale of a young man who volunteers to serve as a stretcher-bearer on the front lines of the war. Despite the danger and the constant threat of death, the stretcher-bearer remains steadfast in his duty, determined to do whatever it takes to help his fellow soldiers.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the battlefield, with its “smoke and flame and gas and hate” and its “wounded men who crawl and groan”. The stretcher-bearer is introduced as a “lad” who has “never known the taste of fear”, but who is now faced with the harsh reality of war. Despite the chaos and confusion around him, the stretcher-bearer remains calm and focused, determined to do his job and save as many lives as possible.
As the poem progresses, we see the stretcher-bearer in action, carrying wounded soldiers to safety and tending to their injuries. We see him risking his own life to save others, dodging bullets and shells as he moves across the battlefield. We see him comforting the wounded and dying, offering them words of comfort and hope in their darkest moments.
Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the horror and brutality of war. He describes the “red and green and purple splashes” of blood on the ground, the “shrieks and groans and curses” of the wounded, and the “stench of death and decay” that hangs over the battlefield. But he also captures the beauty and nobility of the stretcher-bearer’s actions, describing him as a “hero” and a “saint” who is “greater than a king”.
One of the most striking aspects of The Stretcher-Bearer is its use of religious imagery. Service portrays the stretcher-bearer as a Christ-like figure, sacrificing himself for the sake of others. He describes him as a “crucified Christ” who bears the “cross of pain and woe” on behalf of his fellow soldiers. This imagery serves to elevate the stretcher-bearer’s actions to a higher plane, suggesting that his sacrifice is not just heroic, but also divine.
At the same time, however, Service is careful to avoid sentimentality or romanticism. He does not shy away from the harsh realities of war, nor does he sugarcoat the suffering and pain that the stretcher-bearer and his fellow soldiers endure. Instead, he presents a stark and honest portrayal of the horrors of war, while also celebrating the courage and compassion of those who fight to overcome them.
In the end, The Stretcher-Bearer is a poem that speaks to the best of humanity. It is a tribute to the courage and selflessness of those who risk their lives to save others, and a reminder of the power of compassion and sacrifice in the face of adversity. As we continue to face the challenges of our own time, this poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, kindness, and heroism in the face of adversity.
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