'The Coward' by Robert Service
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'Ave you seen Bill's mug in the Noos to-day?
'E's gyned the Victoriar Cross, they say;
Little Bill wot would grizzle and run away,
If you 'it 'im a swipe on the jawr.
'E's slaughtered the Kaiser's men in tons;
'E's captured one of their quick-fire guns,
And 'e 'adn't no practice in killin' 'Uns
Afore 'e went off to the war.
Little Bill wot I nussed in 'is by-by clothes;
Little Bill wot told me 'is childish woes;
'Ow often I've tidied 'is pore little nose
Wiv the 'em of me pinnyfore.
And now all the papers 'is praises ring,
And 'e's been and 'e's shaken the 'and of the King
And I sawr 'im to-day in the ward, pore thing,
Where they're patchin' 'im up once more.
And 'e says: "Wot d'ye think of it, Lizer Ann?"
And I says: "Well, I can't make it out, old man;
You'd 'ook it as soon as a scrap began,
When you was a bit of a kid."
And 'e whispers: "'Ere, on the quiet, Liz,
They're makin' too much of the 'ole damn biz,
And the papers is printin' me ugly phiz,
But . . . I'm 'anged if I know wot I did.
"Oh, the Captain comes and 'e says: 'Look 'ere!
They're far too quiet out there: it's queer.
They're up to somethin' -- 'oo'll volunteer
To crawl in the dark and see?'
Then I felt me 'eart like a 'ammer go,
And up jumps a chap and 'e says: 'Right O!'
But I chips in straight, and I says 'Oh no!
'E's a missis and kids -- take me.'
"And the next I knew I was sneakin' out,
And the oozy corpses was all about,
And I felt so scared I wanted to shout,
And me skin fair prickled wiv fear;
And I sez: 'You coward! You 'ad no right
To take on the job of a man this night,'
Yet still I kept creepin' till ('orrid sight!)
The trench of the 'Uns was near.
"It was all so dark, it was all so still;
Yet somethin' pushed me against me will;
'Ow I wanted to turn! Yet I crawled until
I was seein' a dim light shine.
Then thinks I: 'I'll just go a little bit,
And see wot the doose I can make of it,'
And it seemed to come from the mouth of a pit:
'Christmas!' sez I, 'a mine.'
"Then 'ere's the part wot I can't explain:
I wanted to make for 'ome again,
But somethin' was blazin' inside me brain,
So I crawled to the trench instead;
Then I saw the bullet 'ead of a 'Un,
And 'e stood by a rapid-firer gun,
And I lifted a rock and I 'it 'im one,
And 'e dropped like a chunk o' lead.
"Then all the 'Uns that was underground,
Comes up with a rush and on with a bound,
And I swings that giddy old Maxim round
And belts 'em solid and square.
You see I was off me chump wiv fear:
'If I'm sellin' me life,' sez I, 'it's dear.'
And the trench was narrow and they was near,
So I peppered the brutes for fair.
"So I 'eld 'em back and I yelled wiv fright,
And the boys attacked and we 'ad a fight,
And we 'captured a section o' trench' that night
Which we didn't expect to get;
And they found me there with me Maxim gun,
And I'd laid out a score if I'd laid out one,
And I fainted away when the thing was done,
And I 'aven't got over it yet."
So that's the 'istory Bill told me.
Of course it's all on the strict Q. T.;
It wouldn't do to get out, you see,
As 'e hacted against 'is will.
But 'e's convalescin' wiv all 'is might,
And 'e 'opes to be fit for another fight --
Say! Ain't 'e a bit of the real all right?
Wot's the matter with Bill!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Coward by Robert Service: A Critique and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were right there in the scene, experiencing everything the speaker was going through? Well, if you haven't, then you need to read Robert Service's "The Coward." This classic poem is not only gripping but also thought-provoking, and it has left a lasting impression on readers for generations. In this critique and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and structure of "The Coward" and analyze how Service uses these elements to convey his message.
Background information
Before we dive into the poem, let's get some background information about the poet, Robert Service. Service was a British-Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was known for his narrative poems, which often dealt with themes of adventure, war, and the human experience. Service's poems were immensely popular during his time, and he is still regarded as one of Canada's most famous poets. "The Coward" is one of his most well-known and beloved poems.
Summary
"The Coward" tells the story of a soldier who is terrified of going to war. The soldier is filled with fear and doubt, and he spends his time trying to get out of going to battle. However, when the time comes for him to fight, he is filled with shame and regret for his cowardice. The poem ends with the soldier accepting his fate and going to war, but it is left uncertain whether he will survive or not.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Coward" is fear. The soldier is consumed by fear, and it is the driving force behind all of his actions. He is afraid of dying, afraid of being injured, and afraid of the horrors of war. This fear ultimately leads him to try and avoid going to battle, but it also fills him with shame and regret when he does finally go.
Another theme in the poem is bravery. The soldier is initially portrayed as a coward, but by the end of the poem, he has made the decision to go to war. This decision, while still filled with fear, is an act of bravery. The soldier recognizes that he has a duty to fight for his country and his fellow soldiers, and he overcomes his fear to do so.
The theme of duty is also present in the poem. The soldier feels a sense of duty to his country and his fellow soldiers, which is why he ultimately decides to go to war. This theme is closely tied to the theme of bravery, as it takes bravery to fulfill one's duty, even in the face of fear.
Imagery
Service uses vivid imagery throughout "The Coward" to convey the soldier's fear and the horrors of war. In the first stanza, he describes the soldier's fear as "cold as clay." This image immediately conveys the soldier's terror and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Service also uses images of blood and death to show the gruesome reality of war. For example, in stanza six, he writes, "The dead lay stark in the welter of gore," painting a vivid picture of the battlefield.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the soldier's fellow soldiers. Service describes them as "clean and keen and true," which serves to highlight the contrast between them and the cowardly soldier. This image also emphasizes the soldier's duty to his fellow soldiers and his country.
Structure
"The Coward" is written in six stanzas of six lines each. Each stanza follows an AABBCC rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and consistency, which contrasts with the soldier's fear and anxiety. The rhyme scheme also serves to emphasize certain words and phrases, such as "shame" and "fame" in stanza five.
The poem is also structured in a way that mirrors the soldier's emotional journey. In the first three stanzas, the soldier is consumed by fear and doubt, and he spends his time trying to avoid going to war. In the fourth stanza, he begins to feel ashamed of his cowardice. The final two stanzas see the soldier making the decision to go to war, but still filled with fear and uncertainty.
Interpretation
So what is Service trying to say with "The Coward"? The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of fear and bravery. Service seems to be saying that fear is a natural human emotion, but that bravery comes from acknowledging that fear and acting in spite of it. The soldier is not portrayed as a hero, but rather as a flawed human being who is struggling with his fear. However, by the end of the poem, he has made the decision to face his fear and fulfill his duty, even though he is still afraid.
"The Coward" can also be interpreted as a commentary on the horrors of war. Service's descriptions of the battlefield and the dead soldiers are incredibly powerful and serve to show the gruesome reality of war. The soldier's fear and reluctance to go to battle can be seen as a reflection of the senselessness of war and the toll it takes on those who fight in it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Coward" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that deals with themes of fear, bravery, duty, and the horrors of war. Service's use of vivid imagery and consistent structure serve to emphasize the soldier's emotional journey and convey his message. This classic poem is still relevant today, and it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make and the toll that war takes on the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Coward: A Poem of Bravery and Redemption
Robert Service's "The Coward" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who is haunted by his cowardice and seeks redemption through a heroic act. The poem is a powerful exploration of the human psyche, and it delves into the themes of fear, courage, and redemption. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the protagonist, a man who is known as "The Coward." The man is described as being "a craven cur" who is "afraid of his own shadow." The narrator goes on to describe how the man is tormented by his fear, and how he is unable to escape it. The man is portrayed as being weak and helpless, and the reader is left with the impression that he is a lost cause.
However, the poem takes a dramatic turn when the man is given the opportunity to prove his bravery. A group of men are trapped in a mine, and the man is the only one who can save them. At first, the man is hesitant and afraid, but he eventually summons the courage to enter the mine and rescue the men. The poem describes the man's bravery in vivid detail, and the reader is left with a sense of awe and admiration for the man's courage.
The poem ends with the man being hailed as a hero, and the narrator reflecting on the power of bravery and redemption. The poem is a powerful reminder that even the most cowardly of men can find the courage to do great things, and that redemption is always possible.
One of the key themes of the poem is fear. The man is portrayed as being consumed by his fear, and he is unable to escape it. The poem suggests that fear can be a powerful force that can hold us back and prevent us from achieving our full potential. However, the poem also suggests that fear can be overcome, and that bravery can triumph over fear.
Another key theme of the poem is courage. The man's bravery in the face of danger is the central focus of the poem, and it is portrayed as being a heroic act. The poem suggests that courage is a powerful force that can inspire others and change the course of history. The man's bravery is a reminder that even the most unlikely of heroes can rise to the occasion and do great things.
The poem also explores the theme of redemption. The man is initially portrayed as being a lost cause, but he is given the opportunity to redeem himself through his heroic act. The poem suggests that redemption is always possible, and that even the most flawed of individuals can find a way to make amends for their mistakes.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The language is clear and concise, and the imagery is vivid and powerful. The poem is also structured in a way that builds tension and suspense, which keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story.
In conclusion, "The Coward" is a classic poem that explores the themes of fear, courage, and redemption. The poem is a powerful reminder that even the most cowardly of men can find the courage to do great things, and that redemption is always possible. The poem is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and it is a timeless work of literature that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
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