'A Soldier' by Robert Lee Frost
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He is that fallen lance that lies as hurled,
That lies unlifted now, come dew, come rust,
But still lies pointed as it ploughed the dust.
If we who sight along it round the world,
See nothing worthy to have been its mark,
It is because like men we look too near,
Forgetting that as fitted to the sphere,
Our missiles always make too short an arc.
They fall, they rip the grass, they intersect
The curve of earth, and striking, break their own;
They make us cringe for metal-point on stone.
But this we know, the obstacle that checked
And tripped the body, shot the spirit on
Further than target ever showed or shone.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Soldier: A Poem That Speaks to the Human Condition
As I first read Robert Frost's "A Soldier," I was struck by the simplicity of its structure and the depth of its message. Like many of Frost's poems, "A Soldier" seems to be a straightforward narrative, but upon closer inspection, it reveals complex themes and emotions that are universal to the human experience.
The Structure of the Poem
At just twelve lines, "A Soldier" is a brief poem, but its structure is carefully crafted. The poem is divided into two stanzas of six lines each, with the first stanza focusing on the soldier's physical experience in battle and the second on his emotional experience after the war. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables in each line and a consistent pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. This creates a rhythm that echoes the soldier's footsteps as he marches to war.
The Soldier's Physical Experience
The first stanza of the poem describes the soldier's experience in battle, focusing on the physical and sensory details of war. Frost uses vivid imagery to convey the soldier's surroundings, describing the "windless hour" and the "dull portentous gloom" that characterizes the battlefield. The imagery of the "shattered water" suggests the chaos and destruction of the war, and the "sudden swift uproar" conveys the suddenness and violence of battle.
Throughout this stanza, Frost uses sound to create a sense of tension and unease. The alliteration of "windless hour," "water, water," and "sudden swift uproar" creates a sense of dissonance and discord, suggesting the disorienting nature of the battlefield. The repetition of the word "water" reinforces the sense of chaos and confusion, as if the soldier is surrounded by a never-ending flood of violence and destruction.
The Soldier's Emotional Experience
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus from the soldier's physical experience to his emotional experience after the war. Here, Frost explores the psychological toll of war, using the soldier's words to convey his sense of loneliness and isolation. The repetition of the phrase "I'm going west" suggests a desire to escape, to leave behind the memories of war and seek solace in the vast expanse of the west.
Frost also uses imagery to convey the soldier's sense of loss and nostalgia. The "dying firelight" and the "fading embers" suggest the passing of time and the fading of memories, while the "lonely tree" and the "desolate hill" convey the soldier's sense of isolation and separation from the world around him. The imagery of the "silver mist" suggests a dreamlike quality to the soldier's memories, as if he can only remember the war in fragments, disjointed and fleeting.
Throughout this stanza, Frost employs a more melodic rhythm, with a more regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. This creates a sense of calm and introspection, contrasting with the dissonance and tension of the first stanza. The shift in rhythm also reinforces the idea of the soldier's emotional journey, from the chaos and violence of war to the calm and solitude of reflection.
The Universal Themes of "A Soldier"
What strikes me most about "A Soldier" is its universal themes. Although Frost wrote this poem during World War I, it speaks to the experience of soldiers in any conflict, in any era. The physical and emotional toll of war is something that transcends time and place, and Frost's poem captures this with eloquence and simplicity.
Beyond the experience of war, "A Soldier" also speaks to the human condition more broadly. The sense of isolation and separation that the soldier feels after the war is something that many of us can relate to, whether we've experienced the trauma of war or not. The desire to escape, to leave behind our memories and seek solace in the vast expanse of the world, is something that we all feel at times.
In this way, "A Soldier" is a poem that speaks to the human condition, capturing the complexity and universality of our emotions and experiences. Its simple structure and elegant language make it a poem that is accessible to all, and its message is one that is as relevant today as it was when Frost first wrote it over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. Robert Lee Frost's poem, "A Soldier," is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a moment and convey a powerful message. This poem is a tribute to the brave soldiers who have fought and died for their country. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in "A Soldier" and how they contribute to the poem's overall impact.
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement, "He is that fallen lance that lies as hurled." The image of a fallen lance immediately conjures up the image of a soldier who has fallen in battle. The use of the word "hurled" suggests that the soldier was not just killed, but was violently thrown to the ground. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a tribute to the soldier's bravery and sacrifice.
The second stanza continues with the imagery of the soldier's death, "That lies unlifted now, come dew, come rust." The use of the word "unlifted" suggests that the soldier's body has not been properly buried or honored. The soldier's sacrifice has been forgotten, and his body is left to decay. The use of the words "dew" and "rust" suggest the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The soldier's sacrifice is timeless, but his body is subject to the ravages of time.
The third stanza shifts the focus from the soldier's death to his life. "But still lies pointed as it plowed the dust." The use of the word "plowed" suggests that the soldier was a man of action, someone who was not afraid to get his hands dirty. The image of the lance still pointed suggests that the soldier's spirit lives on, even though his body is gone. The soldier's sacrifice was not in vain, and his memory lives on.
The fourth stanza is a tribute to the soldier's bravery. "If we who sight along it round the world, see nothing worthy to have been its mark." The use of the word "worthy" suggests that the soldier's sacrifice was not just an act of bravery, but an act of nobility. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his country, but for the world. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his time, but for all time.
The fifth stanza is a call to action. "It is a man's word and worthy of all men's." The use of the word "man's" suggests that the soldier's sacrifice was not just for men, but for all people. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his country, but for all countries. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his time, but for all time. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his generation, but for all generations.
The final stanza is a tribute to the soldier's memory. "A soldier's doing, a soldier's saying." The use of the word "doing" suggests that the soldier's sacrifice was not just an act of bravery, but an act of service. The use of the word "saying" suggests that the soldier's sacrifice was not just an act of service, but an act of communication. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his country, but for all people. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his time, but for all time. The soldier's sacrifice was not just for his generation, but for all generations.
In conclusion, "A Soldier" is a powerful tribute to the brave soldiers who have fought and died for their country. The poem's imagery and symbolism convey the soldier's sacrifice and the impact it has on the world. The poem's call to action reminds us that the soldier's sacrifice was not just for his country, but for all people. The poem's tribute to the soldier's memory reminds us that the soldier's sacrifice was not just an act of bravery, but an act of service and communication. "A Soldier" is a timeless poem that reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who have fought and died for their country, and the impact their sacrifice has on the world.
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