'The Score' by Robert Service
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Because I've come to eighty odd,
I must prepare to meet you, God.
What should I do? I cannot pray,
I have no pious words to say;
And though the Bible I might read,
Scriptures don't meet my need.
Please tell me God what can I do
To be acceptable to you?
I've put in order my affairs,
And left their portion to my heirs;
And what remains I've willed to be
A gift to Charity.
What must I do? I cannot kneel,
Although a sense of you I feel,
I will not show a coward's fear,
Waiting until the end be near
To pester you with mercy plea,
--You'd be despising me.
I hope I have been kind and true;
I've helped to happiness a few.
I've made a mother's eye to smile,
I've played with little ones a while.
I do not know what is the score;
Of good I might have done much more:
But now I guess my exit's due;--
Dear God, it's up to You!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Score: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Introduction
The Score is a magnificent poem written by the legendary Canadian poet Robert Service. It was first published in 1916 as part of the collection Rhymes of a Red Cross Man. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a soldier's life and death in the World War I. It captures the essence of war and its impact on human life in a fascinating and compelling way.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and analyze its various elements such as structure, language, themes, and symbolism. We will discuss how Robert Service's use of these elements creates a powerful and moving piece of literature.
Structure
The Score consists of six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The regularity of the rhyme and meter adds to the poem's sense of order and control, which is in stark contrast to the chaos of war that it describes.
The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective. It is easy to read and memorize, which might have been important during the war when soldiers might have recited poems as a way to pass the time and maintain morale. The poem's structure also highlights the cyclical nature of war, with the repetition of the refrain 'And that's the score' after each stanza.
Language
Robert Service's use of language in The Score is both simple and powerful. He uses everyday language to describe the horrors of war, which makes the poem accessible to a wide audience. The poem's language is also emotive, with words such as 'crash', 'blood', and 'death', creating vivid and memorable images in the reader's mind.
The poem's language is also very rhythmic, with Service using alliteration and repetition to create a musical quality to the poem. The repetition of 'And that's the score' adds to the poem's musicality and also emphasizes the cyclical nature of war.
Themes
The Score deals with several themes, including the futility of war, the sacrifice of soldiers, and the impact of war on families. The poem's central theme is the futility of war, with Service questioning the purpose of war and the loss of human life.
The poem also highlights the sacrifice that soldiers make, with Service describing the brutal conditions that soldiers endure and the ultimate sacrifice that many of them make. The line 'The Cross, the flag, the sacrifice, they're all the same in war' emphasizes the idea that all soldiers, regardless of their nationality, are making the same sacrifice.
Finally, The Score shows the impact of war on families, with Service describing the pain and grief of a mother who has lost her son in the war. The poem's final stanza is particularly poignant, with Service describing the mother's tears and the emptiness that she feels.
Symbolism
The Score uses several symbols to convey its themes. The most prominent symbol is the 'cross', which represents the sacrifice that soldiers make. The cross is a powerful symbol in Christianity, representing the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. Service uses the cross to illustrate the sacrifice that soldiers make in war, which is often in vain.
The poem also uses the symbol of the 'flag', which represents the pride and patriotism that soldiers feel. However, the flag is also a symbol of the divisions that exist between nations, which can lead to war. Service uses the flag to highlight the futility of war and the idea that soldiers on both sides are making the same sacrifice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Score is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of war in a compelling way. Robert Service's use of structure, language, themes, and symbolism creates a masterpiece of literature that resonates with readers even today, more than a hundred years after it was written. The poem's central message, that war is futile and that soldiers make a senseless sacrifice, is as relevant today as it was during the World War I. The Score is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex and emotive messages that transcend time and place.
And that's the score.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Score: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you are a fan of classic poetry, then you must have heard of Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet who is known for his narrative poems that capture the essence of the human experience. One of his most famous works is "The Score," a poem that tells the story of a man who is obsessed with winning and losing, and the toll it takes on his life.
At its core, "The Score" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the importance of balance in life. The poem begins with the narrator introducing us to the main character, a man who is described as "a man who played for keeps." This man is not content with simply playing games for fun; he must win at all costs, and this obsession consumes him.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the narrator describes the man's intense desire to win:
"He played for life and he played for death, He played for the prize of a woman's breath, He played for his hate and he played for his love, For his God above and the Hell beneath."
This stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as we see the man's obsession with winning and losing. He is not content with simply playing games for fun; he must win at all costs, even if it means risking his life or his soul.
The second stanza introduces us to the man's opponent, a "sallow-faced" man who is described as "a stranger to mirth." This man is the perfect foil for the main character, as he is not obsessed with winning and losing like the main character is. Instead, he is content to simply play the game and enjoy himself.
The third stanza is where the action really begins, as the two men face off in a game of cards. The tension is palpable as the narrator describes the intense focus of the two men:
"The cards were shuffled and cut with care, The stakes were piled on the table bare, And the silence fell like a cloak of lead On the two who played for the souls of the dead."
As the game progresses, the main character becomes more and more obsessed with winning. He is willing to risk everything, including his own life, to come out on top. The narrator describes his intense focus and determination:
"His eyes were fixed and his face was set, His breath came hard and his heart was wet, With the sweat of his brow and the sweat of his soul, He played for the stake that would make him whole."
In the end, the main character wins the game, but at what cost? The final stanza of the poem is a haunting reminder of the toll that obsession can take on a person:
"He won the game, but he lost his life, For he played with a heart that was full of strife, And the stranger smiled as he took his pay, For he knew that the man had lost his way."
The poem ends on a somber note, as we see the main character's obsession with winning and losing ultimately lead to his downfall. He may have won the game, but he lost his soul in the process.
In conclusion, "The Score" is a powerful poem that explores the dangers of obsession and the importance of balance in life. Robert Service's vivid imagery and powerful language bring the story to life, and the poem's message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written. If you haven't read "The Score" yet, I highly recommend it. It's a classic poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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