'The Home-Coming' by Robert Service


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Rhymes of a RoughneckMy boy's come back; he's here at last;
He came home on a special train.
My longing and my ache are past,
My only son is back again.
He's home with music, flags and flowers;
With peace and joy my heart's abrim;
He got here in the morning hours
With half the town to welcome him.To hush my grief, night after night,
How I have digged my pillow deep,
And it would be the morning light
Before I sobbed myself to sleep.
And how I used to stare and stare
Across the harbour's yeasty foam,
Thinking he's fighting far out there . . .
But now with bells my boy's come home.There's Mrs. Burke, she has her Ted,
But less the sight of his two eyes;
And Mrs. Smith - you know her Fred -
They took his legs off at the thighs.
How can these women happy be,
For all their bravery of talk,
One with a son who cannot see,
One with a boy who'll never walk.I should be happier than they;
My lad came back without a scar,
And all the folks are proud they say,
To greet their hero of the war.
So in the gentle eventide
I'll give God thanks my Bert's come home. . . .
As peacefully I sit beside
His tiny mound of new-turned loam.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Home-Coming by Robert Service: A Journey Through Emotions

Introduction

Poetry is a powerful art form that has the ability to evoke various emotions in the reader. Robert Service's "The Home-Coming" is a classic piece of poetry that captures the intense emotions of a soldier returning home after a long and dangerous war. The poem is a moving portrayal of the struggle of readjusting to civilian life after experiencing the horrors of war.

The Themes of the Poem

"The Home-Coming" is a complex poem that deals with several themes. The most prominent of these themes is the idea of homecoming. The soldier in the poem is returning home after a long time away, and the poem captures the emotions of this experience. The poem also deals with the theme of war and the impact it has on soldiers. The soldier's experiences in the war have left him scarred and he struggles to adjust to life back home.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of isolation. The soldier feels disconnected from the people around him and struggles to communicate with them. He is unable to express the emotions he is feeling and feels like an outsider in his own home. The theme of isolation is further reinforced by Service's use of imagery and symbolism throughout the poem.

The Use of Imagery and Symbolism

Service's use of imagery and symbolism is one of the most striking aspects of the poem. The imagery in the poem is vivid and powerful, and it helps to convey the emotions of the soldier. For example, the image of the soldier's "boots that splashed as they'd tramped in the mud" (line 2) conveys the weariness and hardship of his journey.

The symbolism in the poem is also very effective. For example, the soldier's inability to communicate with those around him is symbolized by his inability to speak. He is "mute as a dog" (line 10) and his silence is a reflection of his isolation.

The Structure of the Poem

"The Home-Coming" is structured in three stanzas, each with a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza has a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, while the second stanza has a more complex ABCCB rhyme scheme. The third stanza returns to the simpler ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure helps to reinforce the emotional journey of the soldier. The first stanza is relatively simple and reflects the soldier's initial excitement at returning home. The second stanza is more complex and reflects the soldier's struggle to adjust to civilian life. The third stanza is simpler again and reflects the soldier's eventual acceptance of his new life.

The Emotions of the Soldier

The most powerful aspect of "The Home-Coming" is the way in which it captures the intense emotions of the soldier. The soldier is excited to be returning home, but he is also apprehensive about what he will find. He is disconnected from the people around him and struggles to communicate with them. He is haunted by his experiences in the war and is unable to forget what he has seen.

The poem captures the soldier's emotional journey as he struggles to adjust to his new life. He feels like an outsider in his own home and is unable to express the emotions he is feeling. He is torn between his desire to return to the life he knew before the war and his fear of what he will find.

Conclusion

"The Home-Coming" is a powerful piece of poetry that captures the emotional journey of a soldier returning home after a long and dangerous war. The poem deals with several themes, including the idea of homecoming, the impact of war on soldiers, and the theme of isolation. Service's use of imagery and symbolism is very effective, and the structure of the poem helps to reinforce the emotional journey of the soldier. Overall, "The Home-Coming" is a moving and powerful poem that captures the complex emotions of a soldier returning home.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Home-Coming: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. His poem, The Home-Coming, is a classic example of his mastery of the art of poetry. The Home-Coming is a powerful and moving poem that tells the story of a soldier's return home after a long and grueling war. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the soldier's arrival at the train station, where he is greeted by his family and friends. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the soldier is described as "gaunt and hollow-eyed" and "weary to the bone." These lines immediately convey the physical and emotional toll that war has taken on the soldier. The imagery used here is powerful and evocative, as it paints a vivid picture of the soldier's exhaustion and suffering.

As the soldier makes his way home, he is greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of his hometown. The poem describes the "smell of hay" and the "sound of the river" as he walks through the streets. These sensory details create a sense of nostalgia and comfort, as the soldier is reminded of the simple pleasures of home.

The theme of homecoming is central to the poem, as the soldier is returning to a place of safety and familiarity after a long and dangerous journey. The poem explores the idea of what it means to come home, and the emotions that are associated with it. The soldier is described as feeling "strange and shy" as he reunites with his family, highlighting the sense of disconnection that can occur after a long absence.

The poem also touches on the theme of sacrifice, as the soldier reflects on the friends he has lost in the war. He thinks of the "boys who went before" and the "ones who stayed behind," acknowledging the bravery and sacrifice of those who have fought alongside him. This theme is particularly poignant, as it highlights the human cost of war and the toll it takes on those who serve.

The language used in The Home-Coming is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and emotion. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the soldier is speaking directly to the reader. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as we are drawn into the soldier's experience and emotions.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "I'm home again, I'm home again" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and momentum. This repetition also emphasizes the soldier's sense of relief and joy at being back home.

The poem also uses metaphor and symbolism to convey its themes. The soldier is described as a "wounded bird" who has finally returned to his nest. This metaphor highlights the soldier's vulnerability and the need for safety and protection. The nest symbolizes the soldier's home, a place of comfort and security.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it captures the soldier's sense of gratitude and appreciation for his home. He reflects on the "simple things" that he has missed, such as the "smell of hay" and the "sound of the river." This stanza is a reminder of the importance of the small things in life, and the value of home and family.

In conclusion, The Home-Coming is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience. Through its themes of homecoming, sacrifice, and gratitude, the poem explores the emotions and experiences of a soldier returning home from war. The language, imagery, and repetition used in the poem create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the soldier's experience. The Home-Coming is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

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