'Futility' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckDusting my books I spent a busy day:
Not ancient toes, time-hallowed and unread,
but modern volumes, classics in their way,
whose makers now are numbered with the dead;
Men of a generation more than mine,
With whom I tattled, battled and drank wine.I worshipped them, rejoiced in their success,
Grudging them not the gold that goes with fame.
I thought them near-immortal, I confess,
And naught could dim the glory of each name.
How I perused their pages with delight! . . .
To-day I peer with sadness in my sight.For, death has pricked each to a flat balloon.
A score of years have gone, they're clean forgot.
Who would have visioned such a dreary doom?
By God! I'd like to burn the blasted lot.
Only, old books are mighty hard to burn:
They char, they flicker and their pages turn.And as you stand to poke them in the flame,
You see a living line that stabs the heart.
Brave writing that! It seems a cursed shame
That to a bonfire it should play it's part.
Poor book! You're crying, and you're not alone:
Some day someone will surely burn my own.No, I will dust my books and put them by,
Yet never look into their leaves again;
For scarce a soul remembers them save I,
Re-reading them would only give me pain.
So I will sigh, and say with curling lip:
Futility! Thy name is authorship.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpreting "Futility" by Robert Service

Wow! "Futility" is one of those poems that leaves you breathless. It's a beautiful and haunting piece of art that speaks to the human condition in a way that few poems do. Robert Service, the Canadian poet who wrote "Futility," was a master of telling stories through verse, and this poem is a perfect example of that.

In this literary criticism, we'll dive deep into "Futility," and explore its themes, imagery, and poetic devices. We'll also discuss the historical context in which the poem was written and its significance to literature as a whole.

The Historical Context of "Futility"

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's essential to understand the historical context in which it was written. "Futility" was published in 1917, during the height of World War I. Service himself was a war correspondent during the conflict, and he witnessed firsthand the horrors of trench warfare.

It's essential to keep this context in mind while reading the poem. The sense of despair and futility that permeates the poem is a direct result of the war and the devastation it caused. Service himself was likely grappling with the profound sadness that comes with witnessing the destruction of human life on such a massive scale.

Themes and Imagery in "Futility"

At its core, "Futility" is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem opens with the image of a broken toy, a wind-up soldier that no longer functions. This image is a metaphor for human life, which, like the toy, is fragile and limited. The speaker then goes on to describe the futility of human endeavor, referencing the "shattered helms" of fallen soldiers and the "crumbled ramparts" of ruined cities.

Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid and often unsettling imagery to convey a sense of decay and decay. He talks of "mouldering bones," "shattered thrones," and "corpses cold and stark." These images paint a bleak picture of a world that has been ravaged by war and is now left to decay.

But there is a glimmer of hope in the poem as well. The speaker suggests that even though life is short and ultimately futile, we can still find meaning in our brief existence. He writes, "And yet - God bless our human heart! - / We still go on and on, / Like foolish things that live and burn, / And make no sense of dawn."

This passage is a reminder that even though life can be brutal and unforgiving, we still have the capacity to find joy and purpose in it. In the face of overwhelming darkness, we can still choose to live and love and create.

Poetic Devices in "Futility"

Service's use of poetic devices in "Futility" is masterful. He employs rhyme, meter, and repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a simple but effective structure.

Service also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of sonic harmony in the poem. For example, in the line "Of shattered helms and crumbled ramparts that groan," the repetition of the "sh" and "r" sounds creates a sense of echoing decay.

But perhaps the most striking poetic device in "Futility" is Service's use of repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats the phrase "And yet" to draw attention to the paradoxical nature of human existence. This repetition creates a sense of momentum and urgency in the poem, driving the reader towards the final stanza where the poem's message is most fully realized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Futility" is a stunning example of modernist poetry. It uses vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and masterful poetic devices to create a haunting meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It's no wonder that this poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers nearly a century after its publication.

So, why not take a moment to read "Futility" yourself? I promise you won't be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Futility: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. His poems are known for their simplicity, yet they carry a profound message that touches the hearts of readers. One such masterpiece is "Futility," a poem that explores the futility of life and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and analyze its various aspects.

The poem "Futility" is a short, four-stanza poem that is written in a simple and straightforward manner. The poem begins with the line, "Move him into the sun," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is asking someone to move a dead soldier's body into the sun, as if to give him one last chance to feel the warmth of life. The poem then goes on to describe the soldier's lifeless body and the futility of his death.

The first stanza of the poem describes the soldier's body lying in the mud, with his face turned towards the sky. The speaker describes the soldier's face as "pale" and "cold," which highlights the lifelessness of his body. The speaker then asks someone to move the soldier's body into the sun, as if to give him one last chance to feel the warmth of life. This line is significant because it shows the speaker's desire to give the soldier some semblance of life, even though he is already dead.

The second stanza of the poem describes the soldier's body in more detail. The speaker describes the soldier's "shattered" body, which suggests that he was killed in battle. The speaker then goes on to describe the soldier's "bleeding hands" and "bleeding feet," which highlights the brutality of war. The use of the word "bleeding" is significant because it shows the soldier's pain and suffering, even in death.

The third stanza of the poem explores the futility of the soldier's death. The speaker asks, "Was it for this the clay grew tall?" which suggests that the soldier's death was pointless. The use of the word "clay" is significant because it suggests that the soldier's body is now nothing more than dirt. The speaker then goes on to ask, "Was it for this the child was born?" which suggests that the soldier's death was a waste of life. The use of the word "child" is significant because it highlights the fact that the soldier was once a child, full of life and potential.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. The speaker asks, "In vain the sunbeams smile?" which suggests that even the warmth of the sun cannot bring the soldier back to life. The use of the word "vain" is significant because it suggests that the soldier's death was pointless. The speaker then goes on to ask, "In vain the birds of song?" which suggests that even the beauty of nature cannot bring the soldier back to life. The use of the word "song" is significant because it highlights the fact that the soldier will never hear the beauty of nature again.

Overall, "Futility" is a powerful poem that explores the futility of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward manner, yet it carries a profound message that touches the hearts of readers. The use of imagery and symbolism is significant because it helps to convey the speaker's message. The poem is a reminder that life is fragile and that death is inevitable, but it also reminds us to cherish the moments we have and to live life to the fullest.

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