'The Return' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Rolling StoneThey turned him loose; he bowed his head,A felon, bent and grey.
His face was even as the Dead,He had no word to say.He sought the home of his old love,To look on her once more;
And where her roses breathed above,He cowered beside the door.She sat there in the shining room;Her hair was silver grey.
He stared and stared from out the gloom;He turned to go away.Her roses rustled overhead.She saw, with sudden start.
"I knew that you would come," she said,And held him to her heart.Her face was rapt and angel-sweet;She touched his hair of grey;. . . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Return: A Masterpiece of Poetic Realism
Are you tired of reading poems that are too abstract, too obscure, or too pretentious to understand? Do you long for a poem that speaks to your heart and mind, that tells a story in a language that you can relate to, that evokes emotions and memories that you thought were forgotten? Look no further than "The Return" by Robert Service, a classic poem that has stood the test of time and still resonates with readers today.
The Plot and Theme of "The Return"
What is the story behind "The Return"? It is a simple but powerful tale of a soldier who comes back home from war, only to find that everything has changed, including himself. The soldier, whose name we never know, is greeted by his family and friends, who are eager to see him, but also curious about his experiences in the war. The soldier, however, is reluctant to talk about the war, or to share his thoughts and feelings with others. He feels alienated and estranged from his old life, and longs for the comradeship and camaraderie of the army.
The soldier's inner conflict, between his duty to his country and his love for his family, is the theme that drives the poem. He is torn between his loyalty to his fellow soldiers, who have become his brothers in arms, and his obligation to his loved ones, who have been waiting for him to come back. He is haunted by the memories of the war, the horrors he has witnessed, the losses he has suffered, and the guilt he feels for having survived while others did not. He is also frustrated by the indifference of the civilians, who seem to take peace for granted, and who cannot understand the sacrifices that soldiers have made for their freedom.
The Style and Technique of Robert Service
What makes "The Return" a masterpiece of poetry? It is not only the story, but also the style and technique of Robert Service, that elevate this poem to a high level of literary achievement. Service is known for his ability to write in a simple and direct language, that conveys complex emotions and ideas in an accessible and relatable way. He uses rhyme and rhythm, not for the sake of decoration, but to enhance the meaning and impact of his words. He employs repetition, alliteration, and other sound devices, to create a musicality that echoes the themes and moods of his poem.
Service also uses imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, to enrich the texture and depth of his poem. He describes the soldier's journey from the battlefield to the hometown, as a transition from darkness to light, from chaos to order, from death to life. He compares the soldier's wounds, physical and mental, to scars that will never heal, to ghosts that will never leave. He contrasts the soldier's virtues, courage and loyalty, with the civilians' vices, ignorance and apathy. He uses the symbol of the poppies, which grow in the fields of Flanders, where so many soldiers have fallen, to remind us of the price of war, and the fragility of peace.
The Reception and Legacy of "The Return"
How has "The Return" been received and appreciated by readers and critics? It has been praised for its realism, its sincerity, and its universality. It depicts the experience of war and its aftermath, not as a heroic adventure, or a romantic tragedy, but as a brutal and traumatic event, that leaves deep scars on the soul. It speaks to the heart of every soldier, who has served and sacrificed for his country, and who has struggled to readjust to civilian life. It also speaks to the heart of every human being, who has faced loss, trauma, or change, and who has felt the need to find a way to come back home, emotionally and spiritually.
"The Return" has also had a lasting impact on popular culture, inspiring songs, films, and other artistic works. It has become a classic, not only of war poetry, but of poetry in general, that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come. It reminds us of the power of poetry, to capture the essence of human experience, to console and inspire us, and to help us make sense of the world we live in.
Conclusion: Why "The Return" Matters
Why does "The Return" matter, in the context of contemporary poetry and literature? It matters because it shows us that poetry can be both beautiful and meaningful, that it can touch our hearts and minds, and that it can help us to understand ourselves and others. It matters because it reminds us of the sacrifices and struggles of those who have served in the military, and of the need to honor and support them, not only during their service, but also after their return. It matters because it challenges us to think critically and compassionately about the complex issues of war, peace, and human nature, and to strive for a world that is more just, more peaceful, and more humane.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Return: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his captivating and evocative poems that have stood the test of time. One of his most famous works is "The Return," a poem that tells the story of a soldier's return home after a long and grueling war. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem.
The poem opens with the soldier's arrival at the train station, where he is greeted by a crowd of people. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Service describes the soldier's physical appearance and the emotions he is feeling. The soldier is described as "gaunt and hollow-eyed," which immediately conveys the toll that the war has taken on him. The use of the word "gaunt" suggests that the soldier has lost weight and is physically weakened, while "hollow-eyed" implies that he has seen things that have left him emotionally drained.
The second stanza introduces the soldier's family, who are waiting for him at the station. Service uses vivid imagery to describe the scene, painting a picture of a bustling train station filled with people. He writes, "And oh! the joy of meeting and the rapture of release!" This line captures the overwhelming emotions that the soldier and his family are feeling at this moment. The use of exclamation marks emphasizes the excitement and relief that they are experiencing.
As the soldier makes his way home, he is struck by how much everything has changed. The third stanza describes the landscape around him, which is now unfamiliar and foreign. Service writes, "The town had grown and strangers thronged its streets." This line highlights the soldier's sense of displacement and the fact that he no longer feels at home in the place where he grew up. The use of the word "strangers" emphasizes the soldier's feeling of isolation and the fact that he no longer recognizes the people around him.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as it describes the soldier's reunion with his mother. Service uses powerful imagery to convey the depth of emotion that the soldier and his mother are feeling. He writes, "And then I saw my mother's face, and in her eyes the gleam, / The love-light of her glad embrace, the wondrous welcome beam." The use of the word "gleam" suggests that the soldier's mother is overcome with emotion, while "love-light" and "wondrous welcome beam" emphasize the depth of her love for her son.
The fifth stanza shifts the focus to the soldier's father, who is described as "stoic" and "grim." Service uses contrasting imagery to highlight the difference between the soldier's mother and father. While the mother is overcome with emotion, the father is described as being "stern and still." This contrast emphasizes the different ways that people cope with trauma and loss.
The sixth stanza describes the soldier's return to his childhood home, which is now empty and abandoned. Service uses powerful imagery to convey the sense of loss and emptiness that the soldier is feeling. He writes, "The house was dark, the door was locked, no welcome there for me." This line emphasizes the soldier's sense of isolation and the fact that he no longer feels at home in the place where he grew up.
The seventh and final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the soldier reflects on his experiences and the toll that the war has taken on him. Service writes, "And so I stand, a ghostly shape, / A shadow on the wall." This line emphasizes the soldier's sense of displacement and the fact that he no longer feels like he belongs in the world that he left behind. The use of the word "ghostly" suggests that the soldier is haunted by his experiences, while "shadow on the wall" implies that he is no longer a tangible presence in the world.
In conclusion, "The Return" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the emotions and experiences of a soldier returning home from war. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language conveys the sense of displacement and isolation that the soldier feels, as well as the overwhelming emotions that he and his family experience upon his return. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience and to convey complex emotions in a way that is both beautiful and profound.
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