'The Mole' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckSaid he: "I'll dive deep in the Past,
And write a book of direful days
When summer skies were overcast
With smoke of humble hearths ablaze;
When War was rampant in the land,
And poor folk cowered in the night,
While ruin gaped on every hand -
of ravishing and wrath I'll write."Ten years he toiled to write his book,
Yet he was happy all the while;
The world he willingly forsook
T live alone in hermit style.
In garden sanctuaried sweet,
Full favoured by the steadfast sun,
plunged in the Past, a life complete
He lived. . . . At last his work was done.A worthy book that few would read
Yet all would praise - each precious page
Starred with some truth the rare would heed,
The vivid images of an age,
Then blinking, to the world again
He came a sage, remote, austere . . .
When lo! his eyes were smote with flame,
The wail of war was in his ear.He shrank and sighed: "Oh can it be
These old iniquities prevail!
That sons of men are still unfree
And time repeats her sorry tale!"
So with a long sad gaze and last,
Seeking his secret garden nook,
He slipped again into the Past
To
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mole: A Masterpiece of Poetry
When it comes to poetry, Robert Service is a name that cannot be ignored. His ability to weave words into powerful and evocative images is unparalleled. Among his many works, "The Mole" stands out as a masterpiece of the form. In this essay, I will analyze and interpret this poem with the aim of uncovering its true meaning and exploring why it has endured as a classic of literature.
Context and Summary
"The Mole" was published in Service's collection, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," in 1916. The collection was written during World War I, and many of the poems deal with the theme of war and its effects on the human psyche. "The Mole" is one such poem.
The poem tells the story of a mole who has been burrowing underground for years. He is content with his life and the safety of his burrow. However, one day, he hears the sound of a nearby battle. The noise terrifies him, and he decides to dig deeper to escape the danger. As he burrows, he senses the futility of his efforts. No matter how deep he goes, the war will still be happening above him. He realizes that he cannot escape the reality of the conflict, and he resigns himself to his fate.
Analysis
"The Mole" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of war, isolation, and futility. Service's use of imagery and language is particularly effective in conveying these themes.
The mole is a perfect symbol for the isolation and detachment that war can bring. He lives his life underground, oblivious to the world above him. This is similar to how soldiers in the trenches could feel during World War I. They were cut off from the rest of society, living in a world of their own, surrounded by death and destruction.
Service's use of sound in the poem is also noteworthy. The sound of the battle is described as a "dreadful roar." The use of the word "dreadful" conveys the horror of war, while the word "roar" suggests the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of the conflict. The mole's fear of this sound is understandable, and his attempt to escape it by digging deeper into the ground is a futile but understandable response.
The mole's realization of the futility of his efforts is a crucial moment in the poem. He says, "What use to burrow thus to simply flee / The terrors of the strife I may not see?" This moment encapsulates the sense of helplessness and despair that soldiers must have felt during the war. No matter how hard they fought or how deep they dug, they could not escape the reality of the conflict.
The final lines of the poem, "So I'll go back and wait for what must be / The inevitable fate of mole and man," are haunting and powerful. The mole resigns himself to his fate, accepting that he cannot escape the war above him. This is a stark reminder of the brutal reality of war and the toll it takes on those caught up in it.
Interpretation
"The Mole" can be interpreted as a commentary on the futility of war and the human desire to escape from it. The mole's attempt to burrow deeper into the ground is a metaphor for the many ways in which people try to escape the horrors of war. However, the mole's realization of the futility of his efforts suggests that there is no true escape from the reality of conflict.
The poem can also be seen as a meditation on the human condition. The mole's resignation to his fate is a reminder that death is inevitable for all of us. No matter how hard we try to avoid it, we will all eventually face our own mortality. This is a sobering thought, but it is also a reminder to live life to the fullest and appreciate the time we have.
Finally, "The Mole" can be interpreted as a warning against the dangers of isolation and detachment. The mole's life underground is a metaphor for the ways in which people can become cut off from the world around them. This can lead to a sense of helplessness and despair, as seen in the mole's reaction to the sound of the battle. The poem suggests that it is important to stay connected to the world and to fight against the forces that seek to isolate us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Mole" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of war, isolation, and futility. Service's use of imagery and language is particularly effective in conveying these themes. The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, but its message is clear: there is no escape from the reality of conflict, and it is important to stay connected to the world around us. "The Mole" is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves its place in the canon of great literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mole: A Poem of Subterranean Adventure
Robert Service’s “The Mole” is a classic poem that tells the story of a mole who, tired of his mundane life, decides to embark on a subterranean adventure. The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, with vivid imagery and a captivating narrative that draws the reader in from the very first line.
The poem begins with the mole, who is described as “a little blind mole in a hole” who is “tired of digging and grubbing for coal.” The mole is bored with his life and longs for something more exciting. He dreams of adventure and decides to set out on a journey to explore the underground world.
The mole’s journey takes him through a series of tunnels and caverns, where he encounters a variety of creatures, including rats, bats, and even a dragon. Each encounter is described in vivid detail, with Service’s masterful use of language bringing the underground world to life.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Service uses the mole’s journey as a metaphor for the human experience. The mole’s desire for adventure and his willingness to take risks in order to achieve his goals are qualities that many people can relate to. The poem encourages readers to embrace their own sense of adventure and to be willing to take risks in order to achieve their dreams.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of perseverance. The mole faces many challenges on his journey, including difficult terrain and dangerous creatures. However, he never gives up, and his determination ultimately leads him to success. This message is particularly relevant in today’s world, where many people face obstacles and challenges in their daily lives.
Service’s use of rhyme and meter is also worth noting. The poem has a simple, sing-song quality that makes it easy to read and remember. This is particularly effective in conveying the mole’s sense of joy and excitement as he explores the underground world.
Overall, “The Mole” is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of adventure, perseverance, and the human experience are timeless, and its vivid imagery and masterful use of language make it a joy to read. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a good story, “The Mole” is a must-read.
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