'The Sergeant's Song' by Thomas Hardy
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WHEN Lawyers strive to heal a breach,
And Parsons practise what they preach;
Then Little Boney he'll pounce down,
And march his men on London town!
Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!
When Justices hold equal scales,
And Rogues are only found in jails;
Then Little Boney he'll pounce down,
And march his men on London town!
Rollicum-rorum, etc.
When Rich Men find their wealth a curse,
And fill therewith the Poor Man's purse;
Then Little Boney he'll pounce down,
And march his men on London town!
Rollicum-rorum, etc.
When Husbands with their Wives agree,
And Maids won't wed from modesty;
Then Little Boney he'll pounce down,
And march his men on London town!
Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lorum,
Rollicum-rorum, tol-lol-lay!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sergeant's Song by Thomas Hardy: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that pulls you in with its immersive language and vivid imagery? The Sergeant's Song by Thomas Hardy is one such poem. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols and poetic devices that make The Sergeant's Song a classic work of poetry.
Overview of The Sergeant's Song
The Sergeant's Song is a poem that was first published in Hardy's collection, Wessex Poems and Other Verses, in 1898. The poem is written in the voice of a young soldier who is stationed in a foreign land. The soldier sings of his longing for his home in Wessex and his desire to return to his loved ones.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCD, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is written in a conversational tone, and the language is simple and direct.
Themes in The Sergeant's Song
The Sergeant's Song explores several themes that are typical of Hardy's work. One of the main themes in the poem is homesickness. The soldier sings of his longing for his home in Wessex and his loved ones. He misses the familiar sights and sounds of his homeland, and he yearns for the comfort of his family.
Another theme in the poem is the futility of war. The soldier is stationed in a foreign land, fighting in a war that he does not understand. He questions the purpose of the war and wonders why he and his fellow soldiers are fighting.
The poem also explores the theme of identity. The soldier is torn between his duty as a soldier and his identity as a Wessex man. He feels a strong connection to his homeland and his family, but he also feels a sense of loyalty to his fellow soldiers and his country.
Symbols in The Sergeant's Song
The Sergeant's Song is rich in symbolism, which adds depth and meaning to the poem. One of the main symbols in the poem is the song itself. The soldier's song represents his longing for his home and his loved ones. The song is a way for him to express his emotions and connect with his fellow soldiers.
Another symbol in the poem is the landscape of the foreign land. The soldier describes the landscape as barren and lifeless, which symbolizes the emptiness and meaninglessness of war. The barren landscape also contrasts sharply with the lush and fertile landscape of Wessex, which symbolizes the soldier's longing for home.
Poetic Devices in The Sergeant's Song
The Sergeant's Song is a masterful example of Hardy's skill as a poet. The poem is full of poetic devices that create a sense of rhythm and harmony. One of the most striking devices in the poem is the use of repetition. The soldier repeats the phrase "Oh, to be in Wessex now" three times throughout the poem, which emphasizes his longing for his home.
Another poetic device in the poem is imagery. Hardy uses vivid and descriptive language to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The soldier describes the landscape of the foreign land in detail, which helps the reader to visualize the scene.
The poem also contains several examples of alliteration and assonance, which create a sense of musicality. For example, in the first stanza, the soldier sings, "The sun was low down in the west, / And the breeze soft as a sigh." The repetition of the "s" sound creates a soothing and peaceful effect.
Conclusion
The Sergeant's Song is a classic work of poetry that explores themes of homesickness, the futility of war, and identity. The poem is rich in symbolism and poetic devices, which create a sense of rhythm and harmony. Hardy's use of language is immersive and vivid, which makes the poem a joy to read. The Sergeant's Song is a timeless reminder of the human longing for home and the futility of war.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sergeant's Song: A Masterpiece of Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy, the renowned English novelist and poet, is known for his exceptional works that reflect the social, cultural, and political aspects of his time. One of his most celebrated poems, The Sergeant's Song, is a masterpiece that portrays the life of a soldier and his struggles. The poem is a perfect example of Hardy's unique style of writing, which combines realism, romanticism, and symbolism. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and significance.
The Sergeant's Song is a four-stanza poem that tells the story of a soldier who is marching to war. The poem begins with the soldier's thoughts about his homeland, his family, and his loved ones. He is nostalgic and emotional, thinking about the beauty of his village and the memories he has left behind. However, as he marches forward, his thoughts change, and he becomes more focused on the present and the future. He starts to think about the war, the battles he will fight, and the glory he will achieve.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone and the mood of the poem. It is a nostalgic and emotional stanza that reflects the soldier's feelings about his homeland. The stanza begins with the line, "Oh! That was in the forest, in the morning," which creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. The soldier is remembering a beautiful morning in the forest, which he associates with his homeland. He then goes on to describe the beauty of the forest, the birds singing, and the sun shining. The stanza ends with the line, "And now I march to do my part in war," which marks the transition from nostalgia to the present.
The second stanza of the poem is more focused on the present and the soldier's thoughts about the war. The stanza begins with the line, "They'll say 'tis love of country drives me there," which shows that the soldier is aware of the patriotic rhetoric that is often used to justify war. However, he is not motivated by love of country alone. He also wants to achieve glory and honor. He thinks about the battles he will fight and the enemies he will defeat. The stanza ends with the line, "And I'll come back to you, my dear, some day," which shows that the soldier still has hope and love for his family and loved ones.
The third stanza of the poem is the most symbolic and metaphorical. It describes the soldier's thoughts about death and the afterlife. The stanza begins with the line, "If God himself should strike me dead," which shows that the soldier is aware of the possibility of death in war. However, he is not afraid of death. He believes that if he dies, he will go to heaven and be with his loved ones who have passed away. The stanza ends with the line, "And meet you there, my dear, beyond the sky," which shows that the soldier's love and hope transcend death and the physical world.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a repetition of the first stanza, with some minor changes. The soldier is still nostalgic and emotional, but he is also more mature and experienced. He has been to war, and he has seen the horrors and the realities of it. He knows that war is not just about glory and honor, but also about death and destruction. The stanza ends with the line, "And I'll come back to you, my dear, some day," which shows that the soldier's hope and love are still strong, despite the hardships he has faced.
The Sergeant's Song is a poem that explores several themes, including patriotism, love, war, death, and hope. The poem is a reflection of Hardy's own experiences and beliefs, as he was a volunteer in the Boer War and witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. The poem also showcases Hardy's unique style of writing, which combines realism, romanticism, and symbolism. The poem is realistic in its portrayal of the soldier's thoughts and emotions, romantic in its depiction of love and hope, and symbolic in its exploration of death and the afterlife.
The poem also employs several literary devices, including imagery, repetition, and allusion. The imagery in the poem is vivid and powerful, creating a sense of nostalgia, beauty, and horror. The repetition of the line, "And I'll come back to you, my dear, some day," creates a sense of hope and longing, while also emphasizing the soldier's love for his family and loved ones. The allusion to God and heaven adds a spiritual and religious dimension to the poem, highlighting the soldier's faith and belief in an afterlife.
In conclusion, The Sergeant's Song is a masterpiece of Thomas Hardy that portrays the life of a soldier and his struggles. The poem is a perfect example of Hardy's unique style of writing, which combines realism, romanticism, and symbolism. The poem explores several themes, including patriotism, love, war, death, and hope, and employs several literary devices, including imagery, repetition, and allusion. The poem is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and move readers, reminding us of the sacrifices and the struggles of those who have fought and died for their country.
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