'Brave Coward' by Robert Service
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Elisabeth imagines I've
A yellow streak
She deems I have no dash and drive,
Jest dogoned weak.
'A man should be a man,' says Liz
'Trade blow for blow.'
Poor kid! What my position is
She jest don't know.
She jest don't know my old man killed,
Yea, slew and slew.
As steamy blood he sweetly spilled,
So could I too.
And though no wrath of heart I show
When I see red,
I fear no S. O. B. but oh
Myself I dread.
Though fellers reckon me a dope
And trigger-shy,
'Tain't nice to dangle on a rope,
And like Pa die.
So as I belly to the bar
Meek is my breath . . .
No guts! --Don't needle me too far,
Elizabeth!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Brave Coward: A Literary Analysis
Introduction
"Brave Coward" is a poem written by Robert Service that speaks about the nature of bravery and cowardice. The poem's protagonist is a man named Tom, who is known to be a coward by his friends, family, and the people in his town. The poem explores Tom's journey as he faces his fears and eventually proves that he is indeed a brave man.
Robert Service is well known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotion in his poems. With "Brave Coward," Service explores the complex nature of bravery and cowardice and how these traits are not always black and white. Service uses vivid imagery, metaphors, and a narrative that takes the reader on a journey to reflect on how we perceive bravery and cowardice in our own lives.
Analysis
Structure
"Brave Coward" is written in the form of a ballad, which is a narrative poem that tells a story. Ballads are known for their musical quality and typically have a simple rhyme scheme. Service uses this structure to create a sense of rhythm and flow that adds to the story's overall impact. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines, and follows an AABB rhyme scheme.
Themes
The main themes of the poem are bravery, cowardice, and the fear of failure. Service explores how society views these traits and how they are often perceived as being mutually exclusive. The poem challenges this notion and suggests that bravery and cowardice are not always black and white. Service portrays Tom's journey as a representation of the human experience and how we all face moments of fear and doubt in our lives.
Imagery
Service uses vivid imagery to bring the story to life and create an emotional connection with the reader. In the first stanza, Tom is described as "a fella that's mighty small." This visual description immediately sets the tone for the poem and creates a sense of sympathy for Tom. We can almost see him standing there, small and insignificant.
Throughout the poem, Service uses metaphors to describe Tom's journey. In the second stanza, Tom is compared to a mouse who is "trembling with fear and dread." This metaphor creates a powerful image of Tom's fear and how it paralyzes him. Later on, Tom is compared to a lion who is "roaring with pride." This metaphor shows the transformation that Tom undergoes as he faces his fears and becomes a brave man.
Narration
Service uses a third-person omniscient narrator to tell Tom's story. This narrative style allows the reader to see Tom's journey from an objective viewpoint and understand how he is perceived by those around him. It also allows the reader to see Tom's internal struggle and how he overcomes his fear of failure. The narrator is also able to provide insight into how society views bravery and cowardice and how these perceptions influence Tom's journey.
Symbolism
Service uses symbolism to add depth and meaning to the poem. The most significant symbol in the poem is the snake. In the third stanza, Tom encounters a snake and is paralyzed with fear. The snake represents Tom's fear and how it controls him. Later on, after Tom has faced his fears and become a brave man, he encounters the same snake and kills it. This symbolizes Tom's triumph over his fear and his newfound bravery.
Tone
The tone of the poem is sympathetic towards Tom but also has a sense of urgency. Service wants the reader to understand the importance of facing our fears and overcoming our limitations. The urgency of the tone creates a sense of tension that keeps the reader engaged and invested in Tom's journey.
Interpretation
"Brave Coward" is a poem that challenges our perceptions of bravery and cowardice. Service shows us that these traits are not always black and white and that we all have moments of fear and doubt in our lives. The poem is a call to action for us to face our fears and overcome our limitations.
Tom's journey is a representation of the human experience. We all have moments where we feel insignificant and powerless. We all have moments where we are paralyzed by fear and doubt. But Tom's journey shows us that we can overcome these moments and become brave in the face of adversity.
The snake symbolizes our fears and how they control us. We must face these fears head-on and defeat them to become brave. Tom's transformation from a coward to a brave man shows us that we can all overcome our limitations and achieve greatness.
Service's use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbolism creates a powerful emotional connection with the reader. The poem is a reminder that we all have the potential to be brave and that our fears should not hold us back.
Conclusion
"Brave Coward" is a powerful poem that challenges our perceptions of bravery and cowardice. Service's use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and symbolism creates a powerful emotional connection with the reader. The poem is a call to action for us to face our fears and overcome our limitations. Tom's journey is a representation of the human experience, and his transformation from a coward to a brave man shows us that we all have the potential to be brave. The poem is a reminder that our fears should not hold us back and that we should embrace our courage and face our fears head-on.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Brave Coward: A Poem of Contradictions
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his unique style of writing. His poems are known for their simplicity, yet they convey profound messages that touch the hearts of readers. One such poem is "Brave Coward," which is a paradoxical masterpiece that explores the complexities of human nature.
The poem begins with the narrator describing a man who is a "brave coward." The term itself is an oxymoron, as bravery and cowardice are two opposing traits. However, the narrator goes on to explain that this man is brave in the face of danger, but a coward when it comes to matters of the heart. This contradiction sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the narrator delves deeper into the complexities of the human psyche.
The first stanza of the poem describes the man's physical bravery. He is a "man of iron nerve," who faces danger with a calm and collected demeanor. He is not afraid of death, and his bravery is evident in the way he faces life-threatening situations. However, the second stanza reveals a different side of the man. He is a coward when it comes to love. He is afraid to express his feelings, and he hides behind a mask of indifference. He is afraid of rejection, and this fear prevents him from pursuing the woman he loves.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. It describes the man's inner turmoil as he struggles with his conflicting emotions. He is torn between his desire for love and his fear of rejection. He longs to express his feelings, but he is afraid of being vulnerable. He is afraid of being hurt, and this fear paralyzes him. The stanza ends with the line, "He's a man in hell, a man in strife," which captures the intensity of his emotional turmoil.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of bravery and cowardice. The narrator suggests that bravery and cowardice are not mutually exclusive. A person can be brave in one area of their life and a coward in another. This is a powerful message that challenges the traditional notion of bravery as an all-encompassing trait. The poem suggests that bravery is situational, and that it is possible to be brave in some areas of life and cowardly in others.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the man's life. The narrator suggests that the man's fear of love has prevented him from living a full and meaningful life. He has missed out on the joys of love and companionship, and his fear has left him alone and unfulfilled. The stanza ends with the line, "He's a man who's paid in tears and strife," which is a poignant reminder of the cost of fear and cowardice.
In conclusion, "Brave Coward" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human nature. It challenges the traditional notion of bravery as an all-encompassing trait and suggests that bravery and cowardice are situational. The poem is a reminder that fear can prevent us from living a full and meaningful life, and that we must be brave enough to face our fears and pursue our dreams. Robert Service's unique style of writing and his ability to convey profound messages through simple language make "Brave Coward" a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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