'Les Grands Mutiles' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 4)I saw three wounded of the war:
And the first had lost his eyes;
And the second went on wheels and had
No legs below the thighs;
And the face of the third was featureless,
And his mouth ran cornerwise.
So I made a rhyme about each one,
And this is how my fancies run.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Les Grands Mutiles by Robert Service: A Poetic Masterpiece
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were living the story yourself? That's what Robert Service's Les Grands Mutiles does to the reader. It's a poem that tells a story of war, loss, and the courage to keep going despite the odds. This literary masterpiece is not only a tribute to the brave soldiers who fought in World War I but also a reminder of the harsh realities of war.
Background Information
Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who became famous for his poems about the Yukon gold rush. However, he also wrote extensively about his experiences during World War I. Service served in the Ambulance Corps and witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. Les Grands Mutiles was published in 1916, during the height of World War I.
The poem tells the story of a soldier who has lost both his legs in battle. He sits in his wheelchair, watching the other soldiers march past him. He feels like he's no longer a part of the war effort and wonders what his purpose is. The soldier is visited by a nurse who reminds him of the sacrifice he's made for his country. She tells him that he's still a part of the war effort and that he's a hero for what he's done.
Analysis
Les Grands Mutiles is a poem that's filled with imagery and symbolism. Service uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the soldier's surroundings. The poem begins with the soldier sitting in his wheelchair, watching the other soldiers march past him. Service writes:
He sits in his wheelchair, watching their feet
Go by, and he smells the reek of the street,
Soap, and petrol and fried fish and all,
And he curses the feet that can hear the call
Of the blood of youth in a bugle blown,
And go to the agony and the unknown.
The soldier is filled with anger and frustration. He feels like he's been left behind and that he's no longer a part of the war effort. Service's use of sensory details helps the reader to feel like they are sitting in the wheelchair next to the soldier.
As the poem progresses, the soldier is visited by a nurse who tells him that he's still a hero. The nurse is a symbol of hope and encouragement. She reminds the soldier that he's made a sacrifice for his country and that he's still a part of the war effort. Service writes:
She comes and she sits by his side and she talks
Of the things that are done and the things that are not,
And she brings him a cigarette, coffee and cake,
And she laughs, and he knows what he cannot shake,
That like him she is bound on a wheel,
That her fight is as grim and her wounds as real.
The nurse's visit is a turning point in the poem. The soldier begins to see that he's not alone and that there are others who are also suffering. Service's use of contrast between the soldier's anger and the nurse's kindness helps to highlight the themes of compassion and empathy.
The poem ends with the soldier realizing that he's still a part of the war effort. He may not be able to fight on the front lines, but he can still contribute in other ways. Service writes:
And he knows that he's doing a whole lot more
Than the men who are fighting the battles of war,
For he's one of the army of Gimps and Cripples
Who are dragging their feet through the muddy triples
Of anguish and terror and bitter despair,
And giving the rest of the world a square deal.
The soldier's realization is a powerful moment in the poem. He's come to understand that his sacrifice is just as important as those who are fighting on the front lines. Service's use of repetition in the last stanza emphasizes the soldier's determination and resilience.
Conclusion
Les Grands Mutiles is a poem that's both beautiful and heartbreaking. It's a tribute to the brave soldiers who fought in World War I and a reminder of the harsh realities of war. Service's use of vivid descriptions and symbolism helps to bring the story to life. The poem is a testament to the human spirit and the courage to keep going despite the odds. If you haven't read Les Grands Mutiles, I highly recommend that you do. It's a literary masterpiece that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Les Grands Mutiles: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most celebrated poems is Les Grands Mutiles, which tells the story of the Great War and the sacrifices made by soldiers who lost their limbs in battle. This poem is a powerful tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who fought in the war and a reminder of the horrors of war.
The poem begins with a description of the soldiers who have lost their limbs in battle. Service paints a vivid picture of these men, describing them as "the great mutilated," who are "sitting in chairs of pain." The use of the word "great" here is significant, as it emphasizes the magnitude of the sacrifice made by these soldiers. They are not just ordinary soldiers, but heroes who have given up a part of themselves for their country.
Service then goes on to describe the physical and emotional pain that these soldiers endure. He writes, "Their eyes are closed in sleep serene, their hearts are wearily beating." This line is particularly poignant, as it highlights the contrast between the peaceful appearance of the soldiers and the turmoil that they are experiencing inside. The soldiers may appear to be sleeping, but their hearts are still beating with the pain and trauma of war.
The poem then takes a turn, as Service shifts his focus to the families of these soldiers. He writes, "And oh, the wives who weep and wait, the mothers gray with sorrow." Here, Service acknowledges the impact that war has on the families of soldiers. The wives and mothers of these soldiers are left to grieve and worry about their loved ones, who may never return home.
Service then returns to the soldiers themselves, describing their determination to carry on despite their injuries. He writes, "They'll fight their battles o'er again, and shout their battle-cry." This line is a testament to the resilience of these soldiers. Despite their injuries, they are still willing to fight for their country and to defend their comrades.
The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and resilience. Service writes, "And though they sit in chairs of pain, they'll stand at God's right hand." This line is a reminder that the sacrifices made by these soldiers will not be forgotten. They may have lost their limbs, but they have gained a place in history as heroes who fought for their country.
Overall, Les Grands Mutiles is a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who fought in the Great War. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language captures the pain and sacrifice of these soldiers, while also highlighting their resilience and determination. This poem is a reminder of the horrors of war, but also of the bravery and heroism of those who fought in it.
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