'My Hero' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowOf all the boys with whom I fought
In Africa and Sicily,
Bill was the bravest of the lot
In our dare-devil Company.
That lad would rather die than yield;
His gore he glorified to spill,
And so in every battlefield
A hero in my eyes was Bill.Then when the bloody war was done,
He moseyed back to our home town,
And there, a loving mother's son,
Like other kids he settled down.
His old girl seemed a shade straight-laced,
For when I called my buddy "Bill,"
She looked at me with some distaste,
Suggesting that his name was "Will."And then he had to get engaged,
And took unto himself a wife;
And so inevitably caged,
He settled down to wedded life.
He introduced me to his Missis,
But oh I thought her rather silly,
For in between their frequent kisses
She called my hard-boiled here: "Willie."Now he has long forgot the War,
The which he did a lot to win,
And feeling full of ginger for
He's happy Pop of cherubs twin.
Yet with his air: "Don't care a damn,"
On Main Street he's my hero still . . .
As proud he
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Hero: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, what a poem! Robert Service really knew how to capture the heart and soul of an ordinary man and turn him into a hero. In "My Hero," Service tells the story of a man who may not have done anything extraordinary, but who has nevertheless left an indelible mark on the speaker's life. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deceptively simple language, Service manages to create a character who is both ordinary and extraordinary, both mundane and heroic.
Overview of the Poem
"My Hero" is a short, eight-verse poem that tells the story of the speaker's hero, a man who is never named but who is nevertheless described in detail. The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that his hero did not do anything great or famous, but that he was still his hero. The poem then goes on to describe the man's physical appearance, his character, his habits, and his vices.
Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of literary devices to create a vivid picture of this man. He uses metaphors to describe the man's eyes ("two blue lakes"), his hair ("a silver crown"), and his voice ("a trumpet blast"). He also uses powerful imagery to evoke a sense of the man's character and habits, such as his love of nature ("he'd talk to bird and beast"), his work ethic ("he'd work from dawn till dark"), and his drinking ("he'd like a nip or two").
But what makes this poem truly special is the way Service manages to create a sense of heroism out of this ordinary man. Through his use of language and imagery, he makes the man seem larger than life, almost mythic. He describes him as "a knight without a crest," a "mighty man" who "walked with God" and "fought with sin." By the end of the poem, the reader is left with the sense that this man was truly a hero, even if he did not achieve fame or fortune.
Literary Analysis
One of the most striking aspects of "My Hero" is the way Service uses metaphors to describe the man. The metaphor of the "two blue lakes" to describe his eyes, for instance, is both vivid and powerful. It creates an image of the man's eyes as deep, clear, and reflective, suggesting a sense of wisdom and intelligence. Similarly, the metaphor of the man's hair as a "silver crown" creates an image of him as dignified and noble, a man worthy of respect.
Service also uses imagery to great effect in this poem. His descriptions of the man's love of nature, his work ethic, and his drinking all contribute to the overall sense of his character. The fact that the man "talked to bird and beast" suggests a sense of gentleness and harmony with the natural world. His willingness to work hard from dawn till dark suggests a sense of discipline and determination. And his love of drink, while not necessarily admirable, adds a sense of complexity to his character that makes him seem more human.
But what really makes this poem stand out is the way Service creates a sense of heroism out of this ordinary man. He uses language and imagery to make the man seem almost mythic, like a character out of legend. When he describes the man as "a knight without a crest," for instance, he is comparing him to a chivalric hero of old, someone who embodies the virtues of honor, courage, and loyalty. When he describes the man as having "walked with God," he is suggesting that he is a man of great faith and spiritual depth. And when he describes the man as having "fought with sin," he is suggesting that he is a man of great moral courage.
Interpretation
So what is the meaning of "My Hero"? What is Service trying to say about heroism and the nature of greatness?
One possible interpretation is that Service is suggesting that heroism is not necessarily about achieving fame or fortune, but about living a life of virtue and integrity. The man in the poem may not have achieved great things in the eyes of the world, but he lived a life of honesty, hard work, and compassion. He was a man who loved nature, who treated others with kindness, and who fought against his own weaknesses and vices. In Service's eyes, that makes him a hero.
Another possible interpretation is that Service is suggesting that heroism is not necessarily about achieving perfection, but about embracing one's flaws and weaknesses. The man in the poem is not a perfect person; he has his vices, such as his love of drink. But he is also a man who recognizes his own limitations and strives to overcome them. He is a man who is not afraid to admit his own faults and work to improve himself. In Service's eyes, that makes him a hero.
Yet another possible interpretation is that Service is suggesting that heroism is not necessarily about achieving greatness in the eyes of others, but about making a difference in the lives of those around us. The man in the poem may not have achieved fame or fortune, but he made a difference in the speaker's life. He was a man who inspired others by his example, who showed them what it means to live a life of virtue and integrity. In Service's eyes, that makes him a hero.
Conclusion
"My Hero" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a hero. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deceptively simple language, Service manages to create a character who is both ordinary and extraordinary, both mundane and heroic. He shows us that heroism is not necessarily about achieving fame or fortune, but about living a life of virtue and integrity, about embracing our flaws and weaknesses, and about making a difference in the lives of those around us. In short, he shows us that heroism is within the reach of each and every one of us, if we only have the courage and the wisdom to embrace it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Hero: A Poem of Inspiration and Courage
Robert Service's "My Hero" is a classic poem that has inspired generations of readers with its message of courage, perseverance, and selflessness. Written in the early 20th century, the poem tells the story of a young man who overcomes his fears and becomes a hero in the eyes of his community. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and relevance to our lives today.
Themes
At its core, "My Hero" is a poem about the power of courage and self-sacrifice. The protagonist of the poem is a young man who is afraid of the dangers of the world and the challenges that lie ahead of him. However, he is inspired by the example of a hero who has faced those same challenges and emerged victorious. The hero's courage and selflessness inspire the young man to overcome his fears and become a hero himself.
The poem also explores the theme of community and the importance of being a part of something larger than oneself. The young man's heroism is not just for his own benefit, but for the benefit of his community. He is willing to risk his own life to protect others and to make the world a better place. This selflessness is what makes him a true hero in the eyes of those around him.
Finally, the poem touches on the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The hero in the poem is not immortal, but his legacy lives on through the young man who is inspired by him. The poem reminds us that even though we may not live forever, we can still make a lasting impact on the world through our actions and our example.
Imagery
Service uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to bring the story to life and to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The opening lines of the poem set the scene:
The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed.
These lines create a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and power of the world. The image of the world "flaming out" like "shook foil" suggests a sudden burst of energy and light, while the image of oil being "crushed" suggests a slow and steady buildup of power. These contrasting images create a sense of tension and anticipation that sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
Later in the poem, Service uses imagery to describe the hero and his actions:
He faced the horde undaunted, And he held the bridge alone; And they sent against him men-at-arms, But he fought them all, and he held them all, And he died, and his spirit went abroad For the cause that he had shown.
These lines create a vivid picture of the hero standing alone against a horde of enemies, fighting with all his might to protect his community. The image of the hero "holding the bridge" suggests a sense of stability and strength, while the image of the "men-at-arms" suggests a sense of danger and violence. The hero's death is not portrayed as a defeat, but as a triumph of his spirit and his cause.
Language
Service's use of language in "My Hero" is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. The poem is written in a straightforward narrative style, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The language is accessible and easy to understand, yet it conveys a sense of depth and meaning that resonates with readers.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "my hero" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of emphasis and importance. The repetition of this phrase reinforces the idea that the hero is not just a character in a story, but a symbol of something greater.
The poem also uses alliteration and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, the lines:
He faced the horde undaunted, And he held the bridge alone;
use alliteration to create a sense of momentum and energy. The repetition of the "h" sound in "faced," "horde," and "held" creates a sense of urgency and determination. The rhyme between "undaunted" and "alone" creates a sense of unity and coherence, as if the hero's actions are all part of a larger plan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "My Hero" is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human spirit and our capacity for courage and selflessness. Through its themes of community, mortality, and heroism, the poem reminds us of the importance of living a life of purpose and meaning. Its vivid imagery and simple yet powerful language create a sense of atmosphere and emotion that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. As we face the challenges of our own lives, we can look to the example of the hero in this poem and find the courage and inspiration we need to overcome our fears and make a difference in the world.
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