'My Brothers' by Robert Service


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While I make rhymes my brother John
Makes shiny shoes which dames try on,
And finding to their fit and stance
They buy and wear with elegance;
But mine is quite another tale,--
For song there is no sale.

My brother Tom a tailor shop
Is owner of, and ladies stop
To try the models he has planned,
And richly pay, I understand:
Yet not even a dingy dime
Can I make with my rhyme.

My brother Jim sells stuff to eat
Like trotters, tripe and sausage meat.
I dare not by his window stop,
Lest he should offer me a chop;
For though a starving bard I be,
To hell, say I, with charity!

My brothers all are proud of purse,
But though my poverty I curse,
I would not for a diadem
Exchange my lowly lot with them:
A garret and a crust for me,
And reams and dreams of Poetry.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Brothers: A Poetic Ode to Brotherhood

Introduction:

"Brotherhood is not just a word - it's a way of life." This famous quote by Robin S. Sharma perfectly encapsulates the essence of Robert Service's timeless poem, "My Brothers." Written in 1916, the poem explores the theme of brotherhood and the bond that exists between siblings.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the various literary devices, themes, and the emotional impact of this classic poem. Its lyrical quality and emotional depth make it a masterpiece that resonates with readers even today, over a century after it was written.

The Poem:

The poem is a simple yet powerful ode to brotherhood, which Service expertly conveys through vivid imagery and evocative language. He begins with a metaphorical comparison of his brothers to trees in a forest, alluding to the strength and resilience of siblings who stand together against the storms of life.

The first two stanzas describe how his brothers used to play and fight as children, but even then, they had an unbreakable bond, evidenced by how they would always come back to each other after an argument. The third stanza talks about their shared experiences and how they have weathered life's storms together.

The fourth and fifth stanzas describe how the speaker has grown and changed, but his love for his brothers remains steadfast. He speaks of how they have all gone their separate ways, but their bond remains unbroken, even across continents and oceans.

The final stanza talks about the inevitability of death and how, even in death, the brothers' bond remains unbroken. The speaker imagines his brothers as trees once again, but this time, they stand as sentinels over his grave, a testament to the strength and resilience of brotherhood.

Literary Devices:

Service uses various literary devices to convey the theme of brotherhood and the emotional impact of the poem. The extended metaphor of the brothers as trees is a powerful and evocative image that runs through the entire poem, driving home the idea of strength and resilience.

The use of repetition in the first two stanzas, with the repetition of the phrase "my brothers," drives home the idea of the unbreakable bond between siblings. The use of imagery in the third stanza, with the "lightning flash" and the "wind's wild roar," conveys the idea of how siblings weather life's storms together.

The use of enjambment throughout the poem, with lines flowing seamlessly into each other, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, driving home the idea that brotherhood is a lifelong bond. The use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality, making it a pleasure to read aloud.

Themes:

The main theme of the poem is brotherhood, and Service explores this theme through various sub-themes. The idea of strength and resilience is a recurring theme in the poem, with the brothers compared to trees that stand firm against the storms of life.

Another theme is the idea of shared experiences, with the speaker describing how he and his brothers have weathered life's storms together. The theme of change is also explored, with the speaker acknowledging how they have all grown and changed over time, but their bond remains unbroken.

The theme of death is also present in the poem, with the speaker imagining his brothers as trees standing sentinel over his grave. This final image conveys the idea that even in death, the bond of brotherhood remains unbroken.

Emotional Impact:

The emotional impact of the poem is powerful and evocative, with the imagery and language driving home the idea of the unbreakable bond between siblings. The use of repetition in the first two stanzas creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, while the use of imagery in the third stanza conveys a sense of shared experience and resilience.

The final stanza, with its imagery of the brothers as trees standing sentinel over the speaker's grave, is a poignant and emotional image that drives home the idea of the enduring nature of brotherhood. The poem is a tribute to the power of sibling love and the bonds that hold us together, even in death.

Conclusion:

"My Brothers" is a timeless ode to brotherhood that explores the themes of strength, resilience, shared experience, change, and death. Service expertly uses literary devices such as extended metaphor, repetition, imagery, enjambment, rhyme, and meter to convey the emotional impact of the poem.

The imagery and language in the poem are evocative and powerful, driving home the idea of the enduring bond between siblings. The final image of the brothers standing sentinel over the speaker's grave is a poignant and emotional image that stays with the reader long after the poem has been read.

In conclusion, "My Brothers" is a classic poem that resonates with readers even today, over a century after it was written. Its lyrical quality and emotional depth make it a masterpiece that celebrates the power of sibling love and the bonds that hold us together, even in death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

My Brothers: A Poem of Brotherhood and Sacrifice

Robert Service, the renowned poet and writer, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his powerful and evocative works. Among his many celebrated poems, "My Brothers" stands out as a poignant and moving tribute to the bond of brotherhood and the ultimate sacrifice that it demands.

The poem is a narrative of two brothers who go off to war, leaving behind their family and loved ones. The speaker, who is the younger brother, expresses his admiration and love for his older brothers, who he sees as brave and selfless heroes. He describes their departure as a "proud and gallant sight," and marvels at their courage and determination to fight for their country.

However, as the poem progresses, the tone shifts from one of admiration to one of sorrow and grief. The speaker receives news that his brothers have been killed in battle, and he is left to mourn their loss. He laments the fact that they will never return home, and that he will never see them again. He speaks of the pain and emptiness that he feels, and the sense of loss that will never go away.

The poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and loss. It captures the essence of the bond that exists between siblings, and the pain that is felt when that bond is broken. It also highlights the bravery and courage of those who go off to war, and the sacrifices that they make for their country.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Service uses language to convey the emotions of the speaker. The poem is written in a simple and direct style, with short, staccato sentences that convey a sense of urgency and immediacy. The use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the phrase "my brothers," emphasizes the importance of the bond between the siblings, and the depth of the speaker's feelings.

Service also makes use of vivid imagery to create a sense of the world that the brothers inhabit. He describes the "drumming of the guns" and the "whistling of the shells," creating a sense of the chaos and violence of war. He also describes the "dawn's red light" and the "silver stars," creating a sense of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

The poem is also notable for its exploration of the theme of sacrifice. The brothers are willing to give up everything for their country, including their lives. The speaker acknowledges the bravery and selflessness of his brothers, and the sacrifices that they have made. He speaks of their "noble hearts" and their willingness to "die for duty's sake."

However, the poem also highlights the cost of this sacrifice. The speaker is left to mourn the loss of his brothers, and to deal with the pain and emptiness that comes with their absence. He speaks of the "aching void" that he feels, and the sense of loss that will never go away. The poem is a reminder that the cost of war is not just measured in terms of lives lost, but also in terms of the pain and suffering that is left behind.

In conclusion, "My Brothers" is a powerful and moving tribute to the bond of brotherhood and the sacrifices that it demands. It is a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of those who go off to war, and the cost that is paid by those left behind. Service's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative world, and his exploration of the themes of sacrifice and loss is both poignant and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of brotherhood, and a reminder of the importance of remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

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