'Allouette' by Robert Service
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Singing larks I saw for sale -
(Ah! the pain of it)
Plucked and ready to impale
On a roasting spit;
Happy larks that summer-long
Stormed the radiant sky,
Adoration in their song . . .
Packed to make a pie.>
Hark! from springs of joy unseen
Spray their jewelled notes.
Tangle them in nets of green,
Twist their lyric throats;
Clip their wings and string them tight,
Stab them with a skewer,
All to tempt the apptite
Of the epicure.
Shade of Shelley! Come not nigh
This accursèd spot,
Where for sixpence one can buy
Skylarks for the pot;
Dante, paint a blacker hell,
Plunge in deeper darks
Wretches who can slay and sell
Sunny-hearted larks.
You who eat, you are the worst:
By internal pains,
May you ever be accurst
Who pluck these poor remains.
But for you wingèd joy would soar
To heaven from the sod:
In ecstasy a lark would pour
Its gratitude to God.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Allouette" by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh boy, where do I even begin with "Allouette" by Robert Service? This classic poem is a treasure trove of literary devices, vivid imagery, and a chilling narrative that leaves the reader with a lot to think about. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will dive deep into the poem's themes, symbols, structure, and language, and hopefully shed some light on why "Allouette" is still so relevant today.
Overview and Background
First things first, let's establish some context for this poem. "Allouette" was written by Robert Service, a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who is best known for his works about the Canadian West and the Yukon Gold Rush. The poem was published in Service's 1916 collection, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," which was inspired by his experiences as a volunteer ambulance driver in France during World War I. "Allouette" is one of the many poems in the collection that deal with the horrors of war and the toll it takes on the human psyche.
The poem's title, "Allouette," is French for lark, a small bird that is known for its sweet song. However, the poem is anything but sweet or peaceful. Instead, it is a haunting meditation on the psychological impact of war, particularly on soldiers who have been forced to kill and witness atrocities. With that in mind, let's dive into the poem itself.
Analysis
Structure
"Allouette" is a relatively short poem, consisting of three stanzas of six lines each. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCCBA) and meter (iambic tetrameter), which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality that is reminiscent of a children's nursery rhyme. This is especially ironic given the dark subject matter of the poem.
The poem's structure is also significant in that it mirrors the psychological state of the speaker. The first stanza begins with a lighthearted and almost whimsical tone, with the speaker singing about plucking the feathers of the lark. However, as the poem progresses, the tone becomes increasingly darker and more disturbing, reflecting the speaker's descent into madness and trauma.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "Allouette" is the psychological impact of war on soldiers. The poem is a stark reminder of the toll that killing and witnessing atrocities can take on the human psyche, and how it can lead to a sense of isolation and madness. The speaker's obsessive and violent fixation on the lark is a metaphor for the trauma and guilt he carries with him, and his inability to escape the memories of war.
Another theme that is closely related to this is the dehumanization of the enemy. The speaker's violent and sadistic treatment of the lark is a reflection of how soldiers are often trained to view their enemies as less than human, and how this can lead to a disregard for human life and an acceptance of violence as the norm.
Symbols
The lark is the central symbol in "Allouette," and it carries a lot of weight in the poem. On one level, the lark represents innocence, beauty, and freedom, all of which are destroyed by the speaker's violent actions. However, on a deeper level, the lark represents the speaker's own psyche, which has been damaged and scarred by the trauma of war. By obsessively plucking the lark's feathers, the speaker is trying to exert control over his own mind and emotions, but ultimately fails.
The landscape in which the poem is set is also significant. The image of the "waste of No Man's Land" is a powerful symbol of the devastation and destruction that war brings, and how it can turn even the most beautiful and fertile landscapes into barren wastelands. The fact that the lark is the only living thing in this landscape highlights its significance as a symbol of hope and resilience, as well as its vulnerability to human violence and destruction.
Language
Finally, let's take a closer look at the language of "Allouette." As I mentioned earlier, the poem has a rhythmic and musical quality that is reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, which is a stark contrast to the violent and disturbing imagery that it contains. This contrast serves to highlight the disconnect between the speaker's outward appearance and inner turmoil, and how trauma can manifest itself in unexpected ways.
The use of repetition in the poem is also significant, particularly in the refrain of "Je te plumerai," which means "I will pluck you." This repetition serves to create a sense of obsessive and sadistic fixation on the part of the speaker, and reinforces the idea that he is unable to escape the memories of war and the guilt that comes with it.
The imagery in "Allouette" is vivid and visceral, and it leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The image of the lark's feathers being plucked out one by one is both gruesome and haunting, and it serves as a powerful metaphor for the violence and trauma that soldiers experience in war.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Allouette" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the psychological toll of war on soldiers. Through its vivid imagery, rhythmic structure, and powerful symbolism, the poem highlights the dehumanization of the enemy, the devastation of war, and the lasting trauma that soldiers carry with them long after the war is over. "Allouette" is a reminder of the human cost of war, and a call to recognize and honor the sacrifices that soldiers make every day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Allouette: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, you've probably heard of Robert Service. He was a Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958 and is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush. One of his most famous poems is "Allouette," a playful and catchy poem that has been translated into many languages and is still popular today.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a lark, or "allouette" in French. He asks the bird to sing a song for him, and promises to pluck its feathers one by one if it doesn't comply. This may sound cruel, but it's important to remember that the poem is meant to be humorous and lighthearted. The speaker is not actually threatening the bird, but rather using hyperbole to make a point.
As the poem continues, the speaker lists various body parts of the lark that he will pluck if it doesn't sing. He starts with the bird's head, then moves on to its beak, eyes, wings, and so on. Each time he mentions a body part, he repeats the phrase "Je te plumerai" (which means "I will pluck you") before moving on to the next one. This repetition gives the poem a sing-song quality that makes it easy to remember and recite.
The poem's chorus is also very catchy and memorable. It goes like this:
Allouette, gentille allouette Allouette, je te plumerai
This translates to "Lark, nice lark / Lark, I will pluck you." The repetition of the word "allouette" and the rhyming of "plumerai" with "allouette" make the chorus very easy to sing along to.
So what is the poem actually about? Some people interpret it as a metaphor for the French-Canadian habit of teasing and joking around. The speaker is not actually going to harm the lark, but rather using the threat of harm to get it to sing. This could be seen as a playful way of encouraging someone to do something they might not want to do.
Others see the poem as a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature. The speaker is threatening to harm the lark if it doesn't comply with his wishes, which could be seen as a reflection of how humans often exploit and harm the natural world for their own purposes.
Regardless of how you interpret the poem, there's no denying its enduring popularity. It has been translated into many languages and is still sung and recited today. Its catchy chorus and playful tone make it a favorite among children and adults alike.
In conclusion, "Allouette" is a classic poem by Robert Service that has stood the test of time. Its playful tone, catchy chorus, and humorous threats make it a favorite among poetry lovers and casual readers alike. Whether you see it as a metaphor for French-Canadian culture or a commentary on human-nature relationships, there's no denying the poem's enduring appeal. So the next time you hear someone singing "Allouette," join in and enjoy the fun!
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