'The Twins' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Red Cross ManThere were two brothers, John and James,
And when the town went up in flames,
To save the house of James dashed John,
Then turned, and lo! his own was gone.And when the great World War began,
To volunteer John promptly ran;
And while he learned live bombs to lob,
James stayed at home and -- sneaked his job.John came home with a missing limb;
That didn't seem to worry him;
But oh, it set his brain awhirl
To find that James had -- sneaked his girl!Time passed. John tried his grief to drown;
To-day James owns one-half the town;
His army contracts riches yield;
And John? Well,
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Twins by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetry
The Twins is one of Robert Service's most celebrated poems, and it's not difficult to see why. From the very first line, the poem grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go until the final stanza. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbols, and literary techniques used in The Twins and argue that it is a true masterpiece of poetry.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem itself:
There were two brothers, John and James,
Tall and stout and strong;
And their fame was spread in foreign lands
By the sailors' story and song.
John was quick with his voice and his wit,
His temper was gay and glad;
But James was quite and seldom smiled,
Yet none was so tender and sad.
They sailed away on a trading trip,
And they vowed to come back some day;
And they told their love to Mary O'Neill,
And they kissed her and went away.
Years and years and years went by,
And Mary O'Neill grew old;
But she waited still for John and James,
Though her story had long been told.
At last there came a ship to port,
With ribbons of every hue;
And the sailors said: "We've a tale to tell,
And it's all of the boys in blue."
John had fought in the tented field,
And James had tilled the soil;
And both had fared full manfully,
And both had won the spoil.
But James lay dying in a distant land,
And John was by his side;
And he begged of John to kiss his face,
And then in his arms he died.
John brought him home to Mary's house,
And he told her the sorry tale;
And he said: "I thought it was best to bring
Poor James to his native vale."
Mary washed the mud from James's face,
And she smoothed his yellow hair;
And she said: "My poor dead soldier lad,
Was ever a woman so fair?"
John and Mary stand by the grave,
And they mourn in bitter pain;
But John's heart is proud for the gallant fight,
And Mary's for the tender slain.
And there in the hush of the dying day,
With the wreaths of the twilight skies,
They pledge their troth as they stand by the grave
Of the brother who never dies.
The Themes
The Twins is a poem about love, sacrifice, and loyalty. It tells the story of two brothers who leave their home to seek their fortune and promise to return, but years go by without a word. When they finally return, one is dying and the other brings him home to be buried, fulfilling his promise to his brother. The poem explores the themes of love and loyalty between siblings, as well as the sacrifice that one is willing to make for the other.
The Symbols
The Twins also makes use of several symbols, most notably the ship that brings the news of the brothers' return. The ship represents the hope that Mary O'Neill has held onto for so many years, as well as the connection between the brothers and the wider world. The ship is also a symbol of the passage of time, as it has been years since the brothers left but they are still remembered by sailors in foreign lands.
Another important symbol in the poem is James's face. When he dies, John kisses his face and brings him home to be buried. Mary washes the mud from James's face and smooths his yellow hair, showing respect for the dead and the love that she had for him. James's face also symbolizes the memory of the brothers, as it is the only physical reminder that Mary has of the two men she loved.
Finally, the grave itself is a symbol of the brothers' bond and the love that Mary and John share. They stand by the grave and pledge their troth to each other, as well as to the memory of the brother who never dies. The grave is a physical representation of the connection between the three characters and the sacrifice that they made for each other.
The Literary Techniques
The Twins is a masterclass in literary technique, with Robert Service using a variety of tools to create a powerful and emotional poem. One of the most notable techniques used in the poem is the repetition of certain phrases and lines, such as "And they told their love to Mary O'Neill, / And they kissed her and went away." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the importance of certain events in the story.
Another technique used in the poem is the use of imagery, particularly in the description of James's death. John is by his brother's side as he dies and begs for a final kiss, which John gives him. This image of two brothers, one dying in the arms of the other, is a powerful one that creates a sense of pathos and tragedy.
Finally, Service makes use of symbolism throughout the poem, as discussed above. The ship, James's face, and the grave all represent important themes and ideas in the story, and their use creates a depth of meaning that would not be present without them.
Conclusion
The Twins is a beautiful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and loyalty. Robert Service's masterful use of literary technique and symbolism creates a powerful and emotional story that stays with the reader long after they have finished reading. This poem is a true masterpiece of poetry and a testament to the power of language to evoke deep and profound emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Twins: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional poetry. His works are known for their vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and captivating storytelling. One such masterpiece is "The Twins," a poem that explores the bond between two brothers and the inevitable separation that comes with life.
The poem begins with the introduction of the twins, who are identical in every way. They are inseparable, and their bond is unbreakable. Service paints a beautiful picture of their childhood, where they played together, laughed together, and shared everything. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and powerful, making the reader feel as if they are a part of the story.
As the poem progresses, we see the twins grow up and embark on their own journeys. One becomes a sailor, while the other becomes a soldier. The contrast between their professions is stark, but their bond remains unbroken. Service beautifully captures the essence of their relationship, even as they are separated by distance and circumstance.
The poem takes a poignant turn when the soldier twin is killed in battle. The sailor twin is devastated by the loss of his brother, and the reader can feel his pain and sorrow. Service's use of language is powerful, and the emotions he evokes are raw and real. The sailor twin is left to mourn his brother's death, but he finds solace in the fact that they will be reunited in death.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Service writes, "And when I die, O brother mine, / My twin in life and death, / I'll dare to seek the soul of thee / And clasp thee with my breath." These lines capture the essence of the bond between the twins. Even in death, they will be reunited, and their bond will remain unbroken.
The Twins is a masterpiece of poetry, and Robert Service's skill as a poet is evident in every line. The poem explores the themes of brotherhood, love, loss, and mortality. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and powerful, and the emotions it evokes are raw and real. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the unbreakable bond between siblings.
The poem is also a reflection of the times in which it was written. Service wrote The Twins during World War I, a time when many brothers were separated by war and death. The poem speaks to the pain and sorrow of those who lost loved ones during the war, and it is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought and died.
In conclusion, The Twins is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of brotherhood, love, loss, and mortality. Robert Service's skill as a poet is evident in every line, and the poem is a testament to the power of love and the unbreakable bond between siblings. The poem is a reflection of the times in which it was written, and it is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought and died during World War I. The Twins is a timeless work of literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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