'Land Mine' by Robert Service
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A grey gull hovered overhead,
Then wisely flew away.
'In half a jiffy you'll be dead,'
I thought I heard it say;
As there upon the railway line,
Checking an urge to cough,
I laboured to de-fuse the mine
That had not yet gone off.
I tapped around the time-clock rim,
Then something worried me.
I heard the singing of a hymn:
Nearer my God to Thee.
That damned Salvation Army band!
I phoned back to the boys:
'Please tell them,--they will understand,--
Cut out the bloody noise!'
Silence . . . I went to work anew,
And then I heard a tick
That told me the blast was due,--
I never ran so quick.
I heard the fury-roar behind;
The earth erupted hell,
As hoisted high and stunned and blind
Into a ditch I fell.
Then when at last I crawled from cover,
My hands were bloody raw;
And I was blue and bruised all over,
And this is what I saw:
All pale, but panting with elation,
And very much unstuck,
There was the Army of Salvation
Emerging from the muck.
And then I heard the Captain saying:
''Twas Heaven heard our pleas;
For there anight we all were praying
Down on our bended knees.
'Twas little hope your comrades gave you,
Though we had faith divine . . .
The blessed Lord stooped down to save you,
But Gosh! He cut it fine.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Land Mine: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Author: Robert Service
Year Published: 1918
Introduction
It is not every day that a poem can evoke such a strong emotion from its readers. Robert Service's "Land Mine" is one such poem that manages to do that. Written in 1918, during the First World War, the poem is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of war and the devastating effects it has on both soldiers and civilians. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "Land Mine" and explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by the poet to convey his message.
Analysis
Form and Structure
"Land Mine" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse, which is a type of poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This form is perfectly suited to the subject matter of the poem as it allows the poet to convey his message more effectively without being constrained by a particular format.
The poem's structure is also worth noting. Each stanza follows a similar structure, with the first two lines describing the scene and the last two lines providing a commentary on the destruction caused by the landmines. This structure helps to emphasize the devastating effects of war and how it destroys everything in its path.
Themes
The central theme of "Land Mine" is the destructive nature of war. The poem highlights how war destroys not only soldiers but also the innocent civilians who are caught up in the conflict. The poet describes how the landmines laid by soldiers indiscriminately kill anyone who happens to tread on them, without any regard for their age, gender or innocence. The poem also touches on the theme of loss, as families are left devastated by the death of their loved ones.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the futility of war. The poet questions the purpose of war and wonders if it is worth sacrificing so many lives for. He highlights the fact that the landmines continue to cause death and destruction long after the war is over, and wonders what the point of such destruction is.
Symbols
The landmine is the central symbol in the poem. It represents the destructive power of war and how it continues to kill and maim long after the conflict is over. The landmine is also a symbol of the indiscriminate nature of war, as it does not differentiate between soldiers and civilians or between combatants and non-combatants.
The idea of the landmine being hidden is also significant. The fact that it is hidden beneath the ground represents the hidden dangers of war and how innocent people can be caught up in the conflict without even realizing it.
Literary Devices
Service makes use of various literary devices in "Land Mine" to convey his message effectively.
One such device is imagery. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the scene and evoke strong emotions in the reader. For example, the image of the mother and child walking hand in hand is a powerful image that immediately draws the reader's attention.
Another device used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of the phrase "a land mine" in every stanza helps to reinforce the central message of the poem and emphasize the destructive power of war.
The use of rhetorical questions is also notable. The poet asks several rhetorical questions throughout the poem, such as "What good are all our victories?" and "Who counts the cost of war?" These questions force the reader to question the purpose of war and its devastating effects.
Tone
The tone of "Land Mine" is somber and melancholic. The poet's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of despair and hopelessness. The poem is a commentary on the futility of war and the devastating effects it has on both soldiers and civilians. The tone of the poem reflects the poet's disillusionment with war and his belief that it is a senseless and destructive activity.
Interpretation
"Land Mine" is a powerful poem that highlights the destructive nature of war and the devastating effects it has on both soldiers and civilians. The poem is a commentary on the futility of war and the toll it takes on human life. The poet questions the purpose of war and wonders if it is worth sacrificing so many lives for.
The landmine is the central symbol in the poem, representing the hidden dangers of war and the indiscriminate nature of its destruction. The use of vivid imagery, repetition, and rhetorical questions helps to reinforce the central message of the poem and emphasize its somber tone.
Overall, "Land Mine" is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the need for peace. It is a powerful statement against the futility of war and the devastation it causes, and it remains as relevant today as it was when it was first written in 1918.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Land Mine: A Poem of War and its Horrors
Robert Service’s poem, Land Mine, is a powerful and haunting depiction of the horrors of war. Written in the early 20th century, the poem captures the brutal reality of the battlefield and the devastating impact of landmines on soldiers. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a soldier walking through a field, unaware of the danger lurking beneath his feet. The opening lines, “He stared at me with eyes wide open, / He gasped for breath and then was gone,” immediately set the tone for the rest of the poem. The soldier’s sudden and violent death is a stark reminder of the unpredictability and brutality of war.
The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone as the narrator reflects on the soldier’s death. The lines, “I did not know him, yet I think / I knew him all too well,” suggest that the narrator sees himself in the fallen soldier. The horrors of war have a way of stripping away our individuality and reducing us to mere numbers on a casualty list. The narrator’s identification with the soldier highlights the universal nature of war and its impact on all those involved.
The theme of the indiscriminate nature of war is further developed in the second stanza. The lines, “It matters not who wins the war, / Or who the victor be,” suggest that the true cost of war is not measured in terms of victory or defeat, but in the lives lost and the damage done. The use of landmines, in particular, is a powerful symbol of the senseless destruction wrought by war. Landmines do not discriminate between friend or foe, civilian or soldier. They are a silent killer, lying in wait for their next victim.
The imagery used in the poem is both vivid and disturbing. The lines, “His face was white, his eyes were blue, / His hair like golden corn,” create a stark contrast between the soldier’s youthful appearance and the violent nature of his death. The use of color imagery, such as “white” and “blue,” further emphasizes the suddenness and finality of the soldier’s death. The image of the soldier’s hair “like golden corn” is particularly poignant, as it suggests the loss of potential and the destruction of youth.
The use of sound imagery is also effective in conveying the horror of the scene. The lines, “The air was rent with savage sound, / And screams of pain and fear,” create a cacophony of noise that mirrors the chaos and violence of war. The use of onomatopoeia, such as “savage sound,” further emphasizes the brutality of the scene.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also deeply emotional. The repetition of the phrase “land mine” throughout the poem creates a sense of dread and foreboding. The use of the word “mine” is particularly effective, as it suggests the hidden and treacherous nature of these weapons. The repetition of the phrase “I did not know him” also creates a sense of distance and detachment, as if the narrator is struggling to come to terms with the reality of war.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The lines, “And so I wonder, as I hear / The battle’s distant roar, / How many more will fall tonight / On some forgotten shore,” suggest that the horrors of war are ongoing and never-ending. The use of the word “forgotten” is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the sacrifices made by soldiers are often overlooked and forgotten by those who do not experience the horrors of war firsthand.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s poem, Land Mine, is a powerful and haunting depiction of the horrors of war. Through its vivid imagery, emotional language, and universal themes, the poem captures the senseless destruction wrought by war and the toll it takes on all those involved. As we reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers throughout history, we must also remember the devastating impact of war on individuals, families, and communities.
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