'Recompense' by John McCrae
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I saw two sowers in Life's field at morn,
To whom came one in angel guise and said,
"Is it for labour that a man is born?
Lo:I am Ease.Come ye and eat my bread!"
Then gladly one forsook his task undone
And with the Tempter went his slothful way,
The other toiled until the setting sun
With stealing shadows blurred the dusty day.
Ere harvest time, upon earth's peaceful breast
Each laid him down among the unreaping dead.
"Labour hath other recompense than rest,
Else were the toiler like the fool," I said;
"God meteth him not less, but rather more
Because he sowed and others reaped his store."
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Recompense" by John McCrae: A heartfelt tribute to fallen soldiers
As a literary piece, "Recompense" by John McCrae is a poem that exudes a sense of sadness, sorrow and remorse. The poem was written during World War I, a period marked by the loss of countless lives, the destruction of homes and the devastation of cities. It is a period that changed the world forever and that had a profound impact on the psyche of those who lived through it.
The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died during the war. It is a tribute to their sacrifice, their courage and their unwavering commitment to their cause. It is a tribute to the families who lost loved ones, to the communities that were torn apart and to the nations that were forever scarred by the war.
A detailed analysis of 'Recompense'
The poem begins with the line, "God of the fair, God of the just". This is a reference to God, the creator of the universe, who is often associated with fairness and justice. The first stanza of the poem talks about the role of God in the lives of soldiers. It talks about how God is present with them on the battlefield, providing them with comfort and strength in the face of danger.
The second stanza of the poem talks about the physical toll of war. It talks about the soldiers who have been wounded or killed in battle. It describes how their bodies are left on the battlefield, exposed to the elements and to the ravages of war. The stanza ends with the line, "Sleep Thou, whose wounds are fresh and deep". This is a reference to the soldiers who have died in battle and who are now at rest.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of war. It talks about how war destroys everything in its path, leaving nothing but destruction and devastation in its wake. It talks about how war is a destructive force that tears apart families and communities, leaving behind a trail of broken lives and shattered dreams.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a plea for peace. It talks about how war is a senseless and pointless exercise that achieves nothing but destruction and pain. It talks about how peace is the only way forward, the only way to heal the wounds of war and to rebuild what has been destroyed.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. It is a call for people to remember the sacrifice of the soldiers who fought and died in the war. It is a call for people to honor their memory by working towards a better future, a future free from war and conflict.
The use of imagery
One of the most striking features of "Recompense" is the use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid and powerful images that help to convey the sense of sadness and loss that permeates the poem.
For example, in the second stanza, the image of the soldiers' bodies left on the battlefield is a powerful one. It helps to bring home the reality of war and the toll that it takes on those who fight it.
Similarly, the image of war as a destructive force that tears apart families and communities is a powerful one. It helps to highlight the senselessness of war and the need for peace.
The use of language
Another striking feature of "Recompense" is the use of language. The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also incredibly powerful. The use of repetition, in particular, helps to reinforce the themes of the poem and to drive home its message.
For example, the repetition of the phrase "God of the fair, God of the just" in the first stanza helps to establish the theme of God's presence on the battlefield.
Similarly, the repetition of the word "war" in the third stanza helps to reinforce the destructive nature of war and to highlight the need for peace.
The message of 'Recompense'
At its core, "Recompense" is a poem about sacrifice, loss and the need for peace. It is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the war, and a reminder of the devastation that war can bring.
But it is also a call to action. It is a call for people to remember the sacrifice of those who fought in the war, and to work towards a better future, a future free from war and conflict.
In the end, "Recompense" is a powerful and moving poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It is a testament to the human spirit, to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the war, and to the need for peace in a world that is all too often torn apart by conflict and war.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Recompense: An Analysis of John McCrae's Classic Poem
John McCrae's "Poetry Recompense" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving piece that speaks to the heart of the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "I have desired to go where springs not fail." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it speaks to the human desire for something more, something beyond the mundane and ordinary. The speaker longs for a place where there is no pain, no suffering, and no sorrow. This desire is universal, as all humans long for a better life, a life free from the struggles and hardships of this world.
The imagery in this poem is powerful and evocative. The speaker describes a place where "the fields are full of clover and the skies are blue and gold." This image of a beautiful, idyllic landscape is contrasted with the harsh realities of the world we live in. The speaker longs for a place where there is no war, no death, and no destruction. This image of a peaceful, harmonious world is a powerful one, and it speaks to the human desire for a better life.
The language in this poem is also significant. The speaker uses words like "desire," "longing," and "yearning" to convey the intensity of his emotions. He also uses words like "recompense" to suggest that there is a reward for those who seek a better life. This language is powerful and emotive, and it helps to convey the message of the poem.
One of the key themes of this poem is the idea of recompense. The speaker suggests that there is a reward for those who seek a better life, a life free from the struggles and hardships of this world. This reward is not material, but spiritual. It is the reward of peace, of harmony, and of a life lived in accordance with one's deepest values and beliefs.
Another theme of this poem is the idea of the human condition. The speaker suggests that all humans share a common desire for something more, something beyond the mundane and ordinary. This desire is universal, and it speaks to the human need for meaning and purpose in life. The poem suggests that this desire is a fundamental part of the human condition, and that it is something that we all share.
In conclusion, John McCrae's "Poetry Recompense" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It explores themes of recompense, the human condition, and the desire for something more. The imagery and language in this poem are powerful and emotive, and they help to convey the message of the poem. This poem is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time, and it continues to speak to readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Prompt Composing: AutoGPT style composition of LLMs for attention focus on different parts of the problem, auto suggest and continueLow Code Place: Low code and no code best practice, tooling and recommendations
Defi Market: Learn about defi tooling for decentralized storefronts
LLM Prompt Book: Large Language model prompting guide, prompt engineering tooling
JavaFX App: JavaFX for mobile Development
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Divine Image by William Blake analysisI Do, I Will, I Have by Ogden Nash analysis
Houses of Dreams by Sarah Teasdale analysis
From The 'Antigone' by William Butler Yeats analysis
Autumn Song by Dante Gabriel Rossetti analysis
Never Again Would Bird's Song Be The Same by Robert Frost analysis
Young Sea by Carl Sandburg analysis
Faded Flower, The by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Elegy For Jane by Theodore Roethke analysis
Crystal Cabinet, The by William Blake analysis