'A Hero' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckThree times I had the lust to kill,
To clutch a throat so young and fair,
And squeeze with all my might until
No breath of being lingered there.
Three times I drove the demon out,
Though on my brow was evil sweat. . . .
And yet I know beyond a doubt
He'll get me yet, he'll get me yet.I know I'm mad, I ought to tell
The doctors, let them care for me,
Confine me in a padded cell
And never, never set me free;
But Oh how cruel that would be!
For I am young - and comely too . . .
Yet dim my demon I can see,
And there is but one thing to do.Three times I beat the foul fiend back;
The fourth, I know he will prevail,
And so I'll seek the railway track
And lay my head upon the rail,
And sight the dark and distant train,
And hear its thunder louder roll,
Coming to crush my cursed brain . . .
Oh God, have mercy on my soul!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: "A Hero" by Robert Service

Wow! "A Hero" by Robert Service is one of those poems that just grabs you from the first line and refuses to let go. The poem is a dramatic narrative that tells the story of a young soldier who is sent to fight in a war. The soldier starts out as a brave and fearless hero. However, as the poem progresses, the soldier becomes more and more disillusioned by the horrors of war. In this essay, I will analyze and interpret "A Hero" by Robert Service.

Background Information

Robert Service was a British-Canadian poet and novelist who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poetry about the Canadian Northwest and the Yukon Gold Rush. "A Hero" was written in 1916 during World War I. The poem was inspired by Service's own experiences as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross during the war.

Analysis

The poem is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. However, the subject matter is far from lighthearted. The first stanza sets the stage for the poem by introducing the soldier:

Jack fell as he'd have wished," the Mother said,
And folded up the letter that she'd read.
"The Colonel writes so nicely." Something broke
In the tired voice that quavered to a choke.

Right from the first line, the poem pulls the reader in with a dramatic and emotional statement. The second line reveals that the mother is reading a letter from the army informing her of her son's death. The third line introduces the Colonel, who is writing to the mother to express his condolences. The fourth line hints at the mother's grief, which is so overwhelming that her voice is shaking.

The second stanza describes the soldier's bravery:

She half looked up. "We mothers are so proud
Of our dead soldiers." Then her face was bowed.
Quietly the Brother Officer went out.
He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies
That she would nourish all her days, no doubt.
For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes
Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,
Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy.

The first two lines of the second stanza reveal the mother's pride in her son's heroism. The Brother Officer goes out, leaving the mother alone with her grief. The third and fourth lines reveal that he has lied to her, telling her that her son died bravely, when in reality, he probably died in agony. The last four lines of the stanza describe the mother's joy in the face of her son's bravery. However, this joy is fleeting, and it is evident that the mother will be devastated when the truth is revealed.

The third stanza describes the soldier's disillusionment with the war:

He thought how "Jack", cold-footed, useless swine,
Had panicked down the trench that night the mine
Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried
To get sent home, and how, at last, he died,
Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care
Except that lonely woman with white hair.

The first line of the third stanza reveals the soldier's contempt for his fallen comrade. The second line describes the moment when the mine exploded, and the third line reveals that Jack panicked and tried to get sent home. The fourth line tells us that Jack died in the explosion. The fifth line highlights the soldier's disillusionment with the war. He realizes that nobody cares about the soldiers who die, except for the grieving families left behind. The final line shows the soldier's empathy for the mother.

The fourth stanza describes the soldier's despair:

Not even the Colonel knew. . . .
buffoon
He yawned and swore. And one big gun
Grinned like a fool to hear a German run. . . .
One day a sergeant-major found him sprawled
Upon the firestep, groaning to be killed.
And the stench. . . . If you could hear, at every jolt,
The blood. . . . Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs
Bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

The first line of the fourth stanza reveals that even the Colonel does not know the truth about the soldier's death. The second and third lines reveal the soldier's contempt for the buffoonish Colonel and the big gun that grins at the sound of a German dying. The fourth and fifth lines reveal the soldier's despair. He is found groaning to be killed, and the stench of death is overwhelming. The final six lines of the stanza describe the soldier's disillusionment with the war. The Latin phrase "Dulce et decorum est/Pro patria mori" means "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country." The soldier realizes that this is a lie, and he is bitter about the fact that others are still promoting this lie to children.

Interpretation

"A Hero" is a powerful anti-war poem that reveals the horrors of war and the disillusionment of soldiers who have experienced it. The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery, such as the description of the blood and the stench of death. The poem is also notable for its use of irony. The soldier, who was initially seen as a hero, is revealed to be disillusioned and despairing. The poem suggests that the true heroes of war are not necessarily the soldiers who die, but the grieving families left behind.

The poem is also a commentary on the propaganda that is often used to promote war. The Brother Officer lies to the mother, telling her that her son died bravely. The soldier realizes that this lie is just a way to promote the idea that it is noble to die for one's country. The final six lines of the poem are a direct attack on this idea. The soldier is bitter about the fact that others are still promoting this lie to children.

In conclusion, "A Hero" by Robert Service is a powerful and emotional poem that reveals the horrors of war and the disillusionment of soldiers who have experienced it. The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery and irony. The poem is also a commentary on the propaganda that is often used to promote war.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and powerful. One such poem that stands out in this regard is "A Hero" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a tribute to the bravery and selflessness of a soldier who sacrifices his life for his country. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its significance and impact.

The poem begins with a description of the hero's physical appearance, emphasizing his strength and courage. The opening lines, "A hero is not braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer," set the tone for the rest of the poem. The hero is not someone who is born with extraordinary courage, but rather someone who is able to summon it when it matters most. This idea is reinforced in the next few lines, where the hero is described as having "the courage to stand alone" and "the courage to make a stand."

The poem then shifts to a description of the hero's actions on the battlefield. The hero is depicted as charging into battle, fearless and determined. The language used here is particularly powerful, with phrases like "he plunged ahead" and "he fought his way through." These lines create a vivid image of the hero's bravery and determination, and the reader can almost feel the intensity of the battle.

As the battle rages on, the hero is wounded, but he refuses to give up. He continues to fight, even as his strength begins to fade. The lines "He fought with all his might, and that was all he had" capture the hero's determination and resilience in the face of adversity. The hero's actions are not just brave, but also selfless. He is fighting not just for himself, but for his comrades and his country.

The poem then takes a somber turn, as the hero is mortally wounded. The language used here is particularly poignant, with lines like "he fell, but his face was set" and "he died, but he conquered." These lines convey the hero's sense of purpose and his unwavering commitment to his cause, even in the face of death.

The final stanza of the poem is a tribute to the hero's sacrifice. The lines "He gave his life for something that he thought was right" capture the essence of the hero's bravery and selflessness. The hero did not die in vain, but rather gave his life for a cause he believed in. The poem ends with the lines "He's a hero, he's not a martyr, and he died for you and me." These lines remind us that the hero's sacrifice was not just for his country, but for all of us.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The language used is simple and direct, which makes the poem accessible to a wide audience. The use of repetition, particularly in the first stanza, reinforces the central theme of the poem - that a hero is someone who is able to summon courage when it matters most.

The language used in the poem is particularly powerful, with vivid imagery and strong metaphors. The use of military language, such as "charge" and "plunge," creates a sense of urgency and intensity. The use of contrast, such as "he fell, but his face was set" and "he died, but he conquered," creates a sense of tension and drama. The use of repetition, particularly in the first stanza, reinforces the central theme of the poem - that a hero is someone who is able to summon courage when it matters most.

In conclusion, "A Hero" by Robert Service is a powerful tribute to the bravery and selflessness of a soldier who sacrifices his life for his country. The poem's simple structure and language make it accessible to a wide audience, while its vivid imagery and strong metaphors create a sense of urgency and intensity. The poem's central theme - that a hero is someone who is able to summon courage when it matters most - is reinforced through the use of repetition and contrast. Overall, "A Hero" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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