'The Younger Son' by Robert Service
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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesIf you leave the gloom of London and you seek a glowing land,Where all except the flag is strange and new,
There's a bronzed and stalwart fellow who will grip you by the hand,And greet you with a welcome warm and true;
For he's your younger brother, the one you sent awayBecause there wasn't room for him at home;
And now he's quite contented, and he's glad he didn't stay,And he's building Britain's greatness o'er the foam.When the giant herd is moving at the rising of the sun,And the prairie is lit with rose and gold,
And the camp is all abustle, and the busy day's begun,He leaps into the saddle sure and bold.
Through the round of heat and hurry, through the racket and the rout,He rattles at a pace that nothing mars;
And when the night-winds whisper and camp-fires flicker out,He is sleeping like a child beneath the stars.When the wattle-blooms are drooping in the sombre she-oak glade,And the breathless land is lying in a swoon,
He leaves his work a moment, leaning lightly on his spade,And he hears the bell-bird chime the Austral noon.
The parrakeets are silent in the gum-tree by the creek;The ferny grove is sunshine-steeped and still;
But the dew will gem the myrtle in the twilight ere he seekHis little lonely cabin on the hill.Around the purple, vine-clad slope the argent river dreams;The roses almost hide the house from view;
A snow-peak of the Winterberg in crimson splendor gleams;The shadow deepens down on the karroo.
He seeks the lily-scented dusk beneath the orange tree;His pipe in silence glows and fades and glows;
And then two little maids come out and climb upon his knee,And one is like the lily, one the rose.He sees his white sheep dapple o'er the green New Zealand plain,And where Vancouver's shaggy ramparts frown,
When the sunlight threads the pine-gloom he is fighting might and mainTo clinch the rivets of an Empire down.
You will find him toiling, toiling, in the south or in the west,A child of nature, fearless, frank, and free;
And the warmest heart that beats for you is beating in his breast,And he sends you loyal greeting o'er the sea.You've a brother in the army, you've another in the Church;One of you is a diplomatic swell;
You've had the pick of everything and left him in the lurch,And yet I think he's doing very well.
I'm sure his life is happy, and he doesn't envy yours;I know he loves the land his pluck has won;
And I fancy in the years unborn, while England's fame endures,She will come to bless with pride -- The Younger Son.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Younger Son by Robert Service: A Poem of Regret and Redemption
Are you looking for a poem that will tug at your heartstrings? A poem that will make you ponder about the choices you made in life? Look no further than Robert Service's "The Younger Son," a gripping piece of poetry that tells the story of a man who lost everything but found a glimmer of hope in the end.
Context and Background
Robert Service was a Scottish-born poet who gained fame in the early 20th century for his narrative poems that depicted the rugged life of the Yukon gold rush. "The Younger Son" was published in 1917 as part of his collection, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," which he wrote while serving as an ambulance driver in France during World War I.
The poem is based on the parable of the Prodigal Son, a story from the Christian Bible about a wayward son who squanders his inheritance on worldly pleasures and ends up penniless and hungry. In the end, he returns to his father's house, humbled and contrite, and is welcomed back with open arms. Service's poem follows this same plot, but with a few twists and turns that add depth and complexity to the narrative.
The Poem
The poem opens with the speaker introducing himself as the younger son of a wealthy man who "owned a score of acres rich as cream." He describes his life of luxury and privilege, where he had "all that heart could wish" and "feasted like a king." But despite his good fortune, the son longed for adventure and excitement, and so he begged his father for his share of the inheritance and set out on his own.
As he journeyed far from home, the son spent his wealth on "riotous living" and "a score of sins," which left him destitute and alone. He recounts how he was reduced to "a ragged beggar by the roadside" and how he "crept back to the old house, less than a dog." But instead of being met with scorn and contempt, the son is embraced by his father, who welcomes him back with open arms.
The poem ends with the son reflecting on his misfortunes and expressing his gratitude for his father's forgiveness. He realizes that he has been "foolish, sinful, wild" and that he "brought shame and sorrow to the home he loved." But he also sees the hope of redemption in his father's love, and vows to "live with him forever" and "never leave his side."
Analysis
What makes "The Younger Son" such a powerful poem is its raw emotional honesty and its ability to speak to the universal themes of regret, forgiveness, and redemption. The speaker's journey from a life of ease and comfort to one of hardship and despair is a cautionary tale about the perils of excess and the consequences of our actions. At the same time, his father's unconditional love and forgiveness offer a glimmer of hope for those who have lost their way.
The poem is structured as a narrative, with the speaker recounting his story in chronological order. This gives the poem a sense of coherence and clarity, and allows the reader to follow the speaker's journey from his initial rebellion to his ultimate reconciliation. The use of dialogue, such as the father's words of welcome, also adds to the poem's realism and immediacy, and helps to convey the depth of the father's love for his son.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery to convey the speaker's emotional state. The contrast between the "rich as cream" life of the son's youth and the "beggar by the roadside" state that he finds himself in is a powerful image of the son's fall from grace. The description of the son as "less than a dog" is also a poignant image of his shame and despair.
In contrast, the father's love is portrayed through images of abundance and nourishment, such as the "fatted calf" that is killed in celebration of the son's return. This contrast between the son's emptiness and the father's abundance is a powerful image of the son's need for redemption and the father's willingness to provide it.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of Christian imagery and themes. The parable of the Prodigal Son is a central motif of the poem, and the father's love and forgiveness are portrayed as emblematic of God's grace. This religious symbolism adds to the poem's emotional resonance and universal appeal, as it speaks to the human desire for forgiveness and redemption.
Conclusion
"The Younger Son" is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It tells the story of a man who loses everything but gains a newfound appreciation for the love and forgiveness of his father. Through its use of vivid imagery, narrative structure, and religious symbolism, the poem conveys a message of hope and redemption that speaks to readers of all ages and backgrounds. So if you're looking for a poem that will make you reflect on your choices in life and remind you of the power of forgiveness, look no further than Robert Service's "The Younger Son."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and paint vivid pictures in the minds of its readers. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Younger Son" by Robert Service. This classic poem tells the story of a young man who leaves his home to seek adventure and fortune, only to return years later to find his father's farm in ruins. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in this poem, and how they contribute to its enduring popularity.
The poem begins with the young man's departure from his home, leaving behind his father and brother to seek his fortune. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the young man's eagerness to explore the world and his desire for adventure. The use of the word "gay" in the first line is not meant to convey a sense of homosexuality, but rather to describe the young man's carefree and happy demeanor. The phrase "the world was wide" emphasizes the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities that lay ahead for the young man.
As the poem progresses, we see the young man's journey through various lands and experiences. He travels to "the land of the midnight sun" and "the land of the midnight moon," which are references to Alaska and the Arctic regions. These places are known for their harsh climates and rugged terrain, which highlights the young man's bravery and determination to explore the unknown.
The second stanza introduces the theme of time and its effects on the young man's journey. The phrase "the years went by" suggests that the young man's travels were not without their challenges and setbacks. However, he persevered and continued on his journey, even when faced with adversity. The use of the phrase "the world was wide" again emphasizes the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities that lay ahead for the young man.
The third stanza introduces the theme of family and the young man's eventual return home. The phrase "the prodigal son" is a biblical reference to the parable of the prodigal son, who leaves his home to seek his fortune and eventually returns home to his father. The young man's return home is not a triumphant one, however, as he finds his father's farm in ruins and his family struggling to survive. This is a stark contrast to the young man's earlier travels, where he was free to explore and experience the world without any responsibilities or obligations.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as it highlights the young man's regret and sorrow for leaving his family behind. The phrase "I would give my life" emphasizes the young man's deep remorse for his actions and his desire to make amends. The use of the word "home" in the final line is significant, as it suggests that the young man has finally found his place in the world and realizes the importance of family and community.
Throughout the poem, Robert Service uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the themes of adventure, time, family, and regret. The use of the phrase "the world was wide" emphasizes the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities that lay ahead for the young man. The references to Alaska and the Arctic regions highlight the young man's bravery and determination to explore the unknown. The biblical reference to the prodigal son emphasizes the theme of family and the young man's eventual return home. Finally, the use of the word "home" in the final line suggests that the young man has finally found his place in the world and realizes the importance of family and community.
In conclusion, "The Younger Son" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time due to its powerful themes, vivid imagery, and poignant symbolism. Robert Service's use of language and storytelling creates a vivid picture of a young man's journey through life, and his eventual realization of the importance of family and community. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to evoke emotions and inspire readers to reflect on their own lives and experiences.
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