'The Sniper' by Robert Service


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Because back home in Tennessee
I was a champeen shot,
They made a sniper outa me
An' ninety krouts I got:
I wish to Christ I'd not!

Athinkin' o' them blasted lives
It's kindo' blue I be;
Them lads no doubt had kids an' wives
An' happy home like me:
Them stiffs I still can see.

Aye, ninety men or more my hand
Has hustled down to hell;
They've loaded me with medals and
They tell me I done well:
A hero for a spell.

But Heaven help me to forget
Them fellow men I've slain,
The bubbling flow of blood I've let . . .
I'll never kill again:
To swat flies gives me pain.

Just let me dream when we will see
And end of soldierin';
When flags of famous victory
Will be amoulderin':
An' lethal steel an' battle blast
Be nightmares of the past.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Sniper: A Masterpiece in War Poetry

“The Sniper” by Robert Service is a haunting tale of war that leaves you breathless and speechless. The poem is a masterpiece in war poetry and is an unforgettable experience for the reader. Robert Service, a renowned poet and war correspondent, beautifully captures the essence of war and the psychological trauma it inflicts on soldiers.

The Poem

The poem is about a sniper who is perched on a rooftop in the middle of a war zone. He is scanning the area for targets when he suddenly spots an enemy sniper on a nearby rooftop. The two snipers engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse, each trying to outsmart the other. The tension in the poem is palpable, and the reader is left on the edge of their seat, waiting to see how the situation will unfold.

The Theme

The theme of the poem is the senseless brutality of war and the psychological impact it has on soldiers. Service does an excellent job of conveying this theme through the character of the sniper. The sniper is a skilled soldier, but he is also a human being with emotions and feelings. He is forced to take the life of another human being, and the weight of that action takes a toll on him.

The Imagery

The imagery in the poem is stunning. Service uses vivid language to paint a picture of the war zone and the sniper's surroundings. The reader can almost feel the heat of the sun and the dust in the air. The imagery is so powerful that it transports the reader to the middle of the war zone, making them feel like they are right there with the sniper.

The Personification

Service also uses personification to great effect in the poem. The buildings and objects in the war zone are given human-like qualities, which adds to the overall sense of dread and foreboding. For example, Service writes, "The houses stared with eyeless windows" and "The street lamps winked a sinister red." These descriptions make the war zone feel like a living, breathing entity that is out to get the sniper.

The Ending

The ending of the poem is what makes it truly memorable. After the sniper kills his enemy, he climbs down from the rooftop and approaches the body. As he turns the body over, he realizes that he has killed his own brother. This revelation is heartbreaking and adds another layer of complexity to the poem. The reader is left to contemplate the senseless nature of war and the tragic consequences it can have.

The Analysis

The poem is a commentary on the nature of war and the toll it takes on soldiers. Service depicts war as a brutal and senseless activity that destroys everything in its path. The sniper is a symbol of the soldiers who are caught up in the war, forced to take actions that go against their basic humanity. The fact that the sniper kills his own brother adds an extra layer of tragedy to the poem.

The imagery in the poem is powerful and evocative. Service uses vivid language to transport the reader to the middle of the war zone, making them feel like they are right there with the sniper. The personification of the buildings and objects in the war zone adds to the overall sense of dread and foreboding.

Service's use of personification is particularly effective. The war zone is depicted as a living, breathing entity that is out to get the sniper. This adds to the sense of danger and makes the situation feel more intense.

The ending of the poem is what makes it truly memorable. The revelation that the sniper has killed his own brother is heart-wrenching and adds another layer of complexity to the poem. It forces the reader to confront the senselessness of war and the tragic consequences it can have.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Sniper" by Robert Service is a masterpiece in war poetry. It is a haunting tale of the senseless brutality of war and the psychological toll it takes on soldiers. The vivid imagery, effective use of personification, and heartbreaking ending make this poem an unforgettable experience for the reader. It is a powerful commentary on the nature of war and the tragic consequences it can have.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Sniper: A Classic Poem of War and its Aftermath

Robert Service’s “The Sniper” is a classic poem that captures the essence of war and its aftermath. The poem is a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the devastating effects it has on the human psyche. It tells the story of a sniper who is caught in the midst of a battle and is forced to confront the harsh realities of war. The poem is a haunting reminder of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those who are forced to fight.

The poem begins with a description of the sniper’s surroundings. The setting is a war-torn city, where the streets are empty and the buildings are in ruins. The sniper is perched on a rooftop, scanning the streets below for any signs of movement. He is a skilled marksman, and he knows that his life depends on his ability to spot his enemies before they spot him.

As the poem progresses, we get a glimpse into the sniper’s thoughts and emotions. He is a man who has been hardened by war, and he has seen things that no human being should ever have to see. He is haunted by the memories of his fallen comrades, and he knows that he may be next. He is a man who has lost his humanity, and he has become a killing machine.

The poem takes a dramatic turn when the sniper spots an enemy soldier on the street below. He takes aim and fires, and the soldier falls to the ground. The sniper is elated, and he feels a sense of triumph. But his victory is short-lived, as he soon realizes that the soldier he has just killed is his own brother.

This realization is a turning point in the poem, as the sniper is forced to confront the devastating effects of war. He is filled with remorse and regret, and he realizes that he has become a monster. He is no longer a human being, but a killing machine that has lost all sense of morality.

The poem ends with a powerful message about the futility of war. The sniper realizes that the war has accomplished nothing, and that it has only brought death and destruction to the city. He is filled with a sense of hopelessness, and he knows that there is no way to escape the horrors of war.

In conclusion, “The Sniper” is a classic poem that captures the essence of war and its aftermath. It is a powerful commentary on the futility of war and the devastating effects it has on the human psyche. The poem is a haunting reminder of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those who are forced to fight. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of war and the importance of peace.

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