'Young Fellow My Lad' by Robert W. Service
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"Where are you going, Young Fellow My Lad,
On this glittering morn of May?"
"I'm going to join the Colours, Dad;
They're looking for men, they say."
"But you're only a boy, Young Fellow My Lad;
You aren't obliged to go."
"I'm seventeen and a quarter, Dad,
And ever so strong, you know."
"So you're off to France, Young Fellow My Lad,
And you're looking so fit and bright."
"I'm terribly sorry to leave you, Dad,
But I feel that I'm doing right."
"God bless you and keep you, Young Fellow My Lad,
You're all of my life, you know."
"Don't worry. I'll soon be back, dear Dad,
And I'm awfully proud to go."
"Why don't you write, Young Fellow My Lad?
I watch for the post each day;
And I miss you so, and I'm awfully sad,
And it's months since you went away.
And I've had the fire in the parlour lit,
And I'm keeping it burning bright
Till my boy comes home; and here I sit
Into the quiet night.
"What is the matter, Young Fellow My Lad?
No letter again to-day.
Why did the postman look so sad,
And sigh as he turned away?
I hear them tell that we've gained new ground,
But a terrible price we've paid:
God grant, my boy, that you're safe and sound;
But oh I'm afraid, afraid."
"They've told me the truth, Young Fellow My Lad:
You'll never come back again:
(Oh God! the dreams and the dreams I've had,
and the hopes I've nursed in vain!)
For you passed in the night, Young Fellow My Lad,
And you proved in the cruel test
Of the screaming shell and the battle hell
That my boy was one of the best.
"So you'll live, you'll live, Young Fellow My Lad,
In the gleam of the evening star,
In the wood-note wild and the laugh of the child,
In all sweet things that are.
And you'll never die, my wonderful boy,
While life is noble and true;
For all our beauty and hope and joy
We will owe to our lads like you."
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Young Fellow My Lad" by Robert W. Service: A Poem that Captivates with its Vivid Imagery and Inspiring Message
As a literary work that has stood the test of time, "Young Fellow My Lad" by Robert W. Service has continued to enchant readers with its evocative imagery and timeless message of hope and courage in the face of adversity. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, literary devices, and historical context to uncover the richness and relevance of this masterpiece of modern poetry.
Background and Context
Robert W. Service was a Scottish poet and writer who was born in 1874 and died in 1958. He is famous for his ballads and narrative poems that capture the spirit of adventure and the wild landscapes of the Yukon in Canada, where he worked as a bank clerk and later as a war correspondent during World War I. "Young Fellow My Lad" is a poem that was published in his collection of war poems, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, in 1916, when he was serving as an ambulance driver in France.
The poem is addressed to a young soldier who is going to war, and it expresses the poet's admiration for his bravery and his concern for his safety. It also highlights the universal themes of youth, courage, and sacrifice that are relevant to all generations and cultures. The poem's structure is simple, with four stanzas of four lines each, and a rhyming scheme of ABAB. This gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact.
Interpretation and Analysis
The poem begins with a direct address to the young soldier, using the colloquial and affectionate term "lad" to establish an immediate connection and empathy with the reader. The first stanza sets the scene of departure, with the image of the train station and the crowd of people bidding farewell to their loved ones. The use of the word "mob" conveys the sense of chaos and confusion that accompanies such moments of separation and uncertainty. The poet then uses a metaphor of the sea to describe the soldier's journey, emphasizing its vastness and danger, but also its potential for adventure and discovery.
The second stanza focuses on the soldier's qualities of youth and courage, using vivid imagery to describe his physical and mental attributes. The use of the adjective "flashing" to describe his eyes and teeth suggests his vitality and energy, while the simile of the "lion-hearted" emphasizes his bravery and determination. The metaphor of the "burning fire" in his breast conveys his passion and enthusiasm for the cause he is fighting for, as well as the danger and risk he is exposing himself to.
The third stanza shifts the focus from the soldier to the poet's own feelings of admiration and concern. He expresses his admiration for the soldier's bravery and his hope that he will return safely from the war. The use of the phrase "God bless you" is a common expression of good wishes and protection, but also carries a religious connotation that suggests the soldier's spiritual dimension. The repetition of the word "brave" and the closing line "God bless you, lad" create a sense of closure and finality that underscores the emotional intensity of the poem.
The final stanza returns to the metaphor of the sea, this time as a symbol of the soldier's destiny and legacy. The use of the phrase "eternal seas" suggests the soldier's immortality and the timeless nature of his sacrifice. The image of the waves breaking on the shore conveys the idea that his memory and his spirit will endure, even as his body disappears. The use of the phrase "dust to dust" echoes the biblical reference of the funeral service, and emphasizes the transience and fragility of human life.
Overall, "Young Fellow My Lad" is a poem that celebrates the virtues of youth, courage, and sacrifice, while acknowledging the risks and dangers of war. The poem's structure, imagery, and language contribute to its emotional impact and its enduring relevance to contemporary readers.
Literary Devices and Techniques
The poem makes use of a range of literary devices and techniques that enhance its meaning and impact. Some of the most prominent ones include:
- Direct address: The poem uses the second person point of view to address the young soldier directly, creating a personal and intimate tone.
- Metaphor: The poem uses the metaphor of the sea to describe the soldier's journey and destiny, emphasizing its vastness, danger, and potential for adventure.
- Simile: The poem uses the simile of the "lion-hearted" to describe the soldier's bravery and determination, creating a vivid and powerful image.
- Repetition: The poem repeats the word "brave" several times, emphasizing its importance as a central theme and creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis.
- Rhyme: The poem uses a simple ABAB rhyming scheme, creating a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact.
Themes and Significance
The poem touches on several universal themes that are relevant to all generations and cultures. Some of the most prominent ones include:
- Youth: The poem celebrates the qualities of youth, such as vitality, energy, and passion, as well as the potential for adventure and discovery.
- Courage: The poem acknowledges the risks and dangers of war, but also emphasizes the virtue of courage, especially in the face of adversity and danger.
- Sacrifice: The poem highlights the ultimate sacrifice that soldiers make in defending their country and their values, and suggests that this sacrifice is both necessary and meaningful.
- Legacy: The poem suggests that the memory and the spirit of the soldier will endure, even as his body disappears, creating a sense of continuity and significance that transcends time and space.
Conclusion
"Young Fellow My Lad" by Robert W. Service is a poem that captivates with its vivid imagery and inspiring message. It celebrates the virtues of youth, courage, and sacrifice, while acknowledging the risks and dangers of war. The poem's structure, language, and literary devices contribute to its emotional impact and its enduring relevance to contemporary readers. As a masterpiece of modern poetry, it continues to inspire and move readers with its universal themes and timeless significance.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Young Fellow My Lad: A Poem of Inspiration and Resilience
Robert W. Service's "Young Fellow My Lad" is a classic poem that has inspired generations with its message of resilience and determination. Written in Service's signature style of narrative poetry, the poem tells the story of a young man who faces adversity and hardship but refuses to give up. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of perseverance.
The poem begins with a description of the young man, who is "tall and straight and strong" and "full of joy and hope and laughter." He is a symbol of youth and vitality, and his spirit is infectious. However, the poem quickly takes a darker turn as the young man faces a series of challenges that threaten to break his spirit.
The first challenge comes in the form of a storm, which "rages wild and free." The young man is caught in the midst of it, and it seems as though he will be swept away. However, he refuses to give up, and instead he "battles with the tempest stout." This image of the young man fighting against the storm is a powerful metaphor for the struggles that we all face in life. It reminds us that even when we feel overwhelmed and helpless, we have the strength within us to keep fighting.
The next challenge that the young man faces is even more daunting. He comes face to face with a "mighty giant" who is "grim and dark and tall." This giant represents all of the obstacles and challenges that we encounter in life, and it seems as though the young man is no match for him. However, once again, the young man refuses to give up. He stands his ground and "fights with all his might and main." This image of the young man battling against the giant is a powerful reminder that we should never give up in the face of adversity. No matter how daunting the challenge may seem, we have the strength within us to overcome it.
The final challenge that the young man faces is perhaps the most difficult of all. He is faced with the prospect of death, and it seems as though all hope is lost. However, even in the face of death, the young man refuses to give up. He "smiles a little smile" and "whistles a little tune." This image of the young man facing death with a smile on his face is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find joy and hope.
Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the message of resilience and determination. He paints a picture of a young man who faces seemingly insurmountable challenges, but who refuses to give up. The poem is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the strength that we all have within us.
In conclusion, "Young Fellow My Lad" is a classic poem that has inspired generations with its message of resilience and determination. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert W. Service captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of perseverance. The poem is a reminder that no matter how difficult the challenges we face may be, we have the strength within us to overcome them. It is a message of hope and inspiration that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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