'The Mole' by Robert Service
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Said he: "I'll dive deep in the Past,
And write a book of direful days
When summer skies were overcast
With smoke of humble hearths ablaze;
When War was rampant in the land,
And poor folk cowered in the night,
While ruin gaped on every hand -
of ravishing and wrath I'll write."
Ten years he toiled to write his book,
Yet he was happy all the while;
The world he willingly forsook
T live alone in hermit style.
In garden sanctuaried sweet,
Full favoured by the steadfast sun,
plunged in the Past, a life complete
He lived. . . . At last his work was done.
A worthy book that few would read
Yet all would praise - each precious page
Starred with some truth the rare would heed,
The vivid images of an age,
Then blinking, to the world again
He came a sage, remote, austere . . .
When lo! his eyes were smote with flame,
The wail of war was in his ear.
He shrank and sighed: "Oh can it be
These old iniquities prevail!
That sons of men are still unfree
And time repeats her sorry tale!"
So with a long sad gaze and last,
Seeking his secret garden nook,
He slipped again into the Past
To live - and write another book.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mole: A Masterpiece of Depth and Irony
Oh, The Mole! The simple, yet profound poem written by Robert Service that digs deep into the human psyche and portrays the eternal struggle between light and darkness, hope and despair, and life and death. In just 28 lines, Service manages to weave a tapestry of images that capture the essence of human existence and the paradoxical nature of our desires.
Background and Context
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, let's first take a look at the background and context in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-born poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the Klondike gold rush, which he experienced firsthand during his time in Canada. Service's writing style was characterized by his use of simple language, humor, and vivid imagery, which made his poems accessible to a wide audience.
The Mole was first published in Service's book, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, in 1916. The book was a collection of poems that Service wrote while serving as an ambulance driver for the British army in France during World War I. The Mole is one of the few poems in the book that does not directly reference the war, but the context of the book adds another layer of meaning to the poem. The war may have influenced Service's thoughts about human nature and the struggle between light and darkness that he portrays in The Mole.
Analysis
The Mole begins with a simple but powerful image:
Under the Earth I go,
On my belly I travel slow,
And silently, stealthily I sow
The seed in the dark and the cold below;
Immediately, we are introduced to the central metaphor of the poem: the mole, who represents the darkness, the underworld, and the hidden aspects of our existence. The mole is a creature that lives underground, away from the light and the sun, and is often associated with secrecy, subterfuge, and deception. By choosing the mole as the narrator of the poem, Service invites us to enter a world that is often hidden from view, a world that is both fascinating and terrifying.
The mole's journey through the earth is slow and deliberate, and the language that Service uses to describe it is both vivid and musical. The repetition of the "s" sound in the first line creates a sense of slowness and stealth, while the alliteration in the second line ("On my belly I travel slow") emphasizes the physicality of the mole's movement. The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that draws the reader in and creates a sense of intimacy with the mole.
As the mole travels deeper underground, he sows a seed in the darkness and the cold, which represents the potential for life to emerge from the depths. The seed is a symbol of hope and renewal, but it is also a reminder of the fragility and transience of life. The mole is both the bringer of life and the harbinger of death, a paradox that Service explores throughout the poem.
I am the Mole of Life and Light;
I am the Mole of Eternal Night;
And the seed that silently I sow
Is the hope of countless lives to grow.
In these lines, the mole declares himself to be both the mole of life and light, and the mole of eternal night. This duality is a central theme of the poem, and it reflects the paradoxical nature of existence. The mole is both a creature of the earth and a creature of the sky, both a bringer of life and a harbinger of death. The seed that he sows represents the hope of countless lives to grow, but it also represents the inevitability of death and decay.
And yet as I journey on and on,
And on and on, and on and on,
My heart is heavy, my hope is gone,
For in the darkness I travel alone.
As the mole continues his journey through the darkness, his tone becomes increasingly melancholy. He speaks of his heavy heart and his lost hope, and we sense that he is struggling with the burden of his existence. The repetition of "on and on" emphasizes the endlessness of the mole's journey and the futility of his efforts. Despite his ability to bring life to the darkness, he is unable to escape his own loneliness and despair.
Oh, the Mole is a deep deceiver,
And Life is a dream that cheats,
And Death is the end of all endeavour,
And Darkness is full of defeats.
In these lines, Service captures the irony and depth of the mole's existence. The mole is a deep deceiver, because he brings life to the darkness but also embodies the darkness itself. Life is a dream that cheats, because it promises hope and renewal but ultimately leads to death and decay. Death is the end of all endeavour, because all of our efforts and struggles are ultimately meaningless in the face of our mortality. Darkness is full of defeats, because it represents the unknown and the unknowable, and it is a constant reminder of our limitations as human beings.
Interpretation
So what does The Mole mean? What is Service trying to tell us through this simple yet profound poem?
At its core, The Mole is a meditation on the paradoxical nature of existence, and the struggle between life and death, light and darkness, hope and despair. The mole represents the darkness and the hidden aspects of our existence, while the seed represents the potential for life to emerge from the depths. The duality of the mole's character reflects the paradoxical nature of existence, and the inevitability of death and decay.
The mole's journey through the darkness is a metaphor for the human experience, and his struggles with loneliness and despair are a reflection of our own struggles with the limitations of our existence. The poem is both a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life, and a reminder of its fragility and transience.
Conclusion
The Mole is a masterpiece of depth and irony, a poem that captures the essence of human existence and the paradoxical nature of our desires. Through the character of the mole, Service invites us to explore the darkness and the hidden aspects of our existence, and to embrace the potential for life to emerge from the depths. The poem is a reminder of the beauty and wonder of life, and a celebration of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mole: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
The Mole, a classic poem by Robert Service, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human nature and the struggle for survival. The poem is a metaphor for the human condition, and it speaks to the universal experience of overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
The poem tells the story of a mole who lives underground and spends his days digging tunnels. The mole is a hard worker, and he is determined to create a comfortable home for himself. However, his efforts are constantly thwarted by the forces of nature, such as rocks and roots, which make his work difficult.
Despite these obstacles, the mole persists in his efforts, and he eventually succeeds in creating a comfortable home for himself. The poem ends with the mole reflecting on his journey and the lessons he has learned along the way.
The Mole is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of struggle and perseverance. It is a reminder that success is not easy, and that it requires hard work and determination. The poem is also a celebration of the human spirit, and it reminds us that we are capable of achieving great things if we are willing to put in the effort.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The language is clear and concise, and the imagery is vivid and evocative. The poem is also structured in a way that makes it easy to follow, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a cohesive narrative.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of metaphor. The mole is not just a mole, but a symbol for the human struggle for survival. The obstacles he faces are not just rocks and roots, but the challenges that we all face in our daily lives. The mole's determination and perseverance are not just his own, but a reflection of the human spirit.
The poem also speaks to the importance of hard work and persistence. The mole is not a quitter, and he does not give up in the face of adversity. Instead, he keeps digging, even when it seems like he will never succeed. This is a powerful message for all of us, and it reminds us that success is not just about talent or luck, but about hard work and determination.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of learning from our experiences. The mole reflects on his journey and the lessons he has learned along the way. He realizes that his struggles have made him stronger, and that he has become a better mole as a result. This is a powerful reminder that our struggles can be opportunities for growth and learning, and that we should embrace them rather than avoid them.
In conclusion, The Mole is a classic poem that speaks to the universal human experience of struggle and perseverance. It is a celebration of the human spirit, and a reminder that success is not easy, but requires hard work and determination. The poem's use of metaphor, simple language, and vivid imagery make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The Mole is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.
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