'Only A Boche' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Red Cross ManWe brought him in from between the lines: we'd better have let him lie;
For what's the use of risking one's skin for a tyke that's going to die?
What's the use of tearing him loose under a gruelling fire,
When he's shot in the head, and worse than dead, and all messed up on the wire?
However, I say, we brought him in.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Only A Boche" by Robert Service: A Masterpiece in War Poetry
Are you looking for a poem that captures the horror, futility, and humanity of war? Then look no further than Robert Service's "Only A Boche." Published in 1917, during the height of World War I, this poem is a powerful and haunting depiction of a soldier's death and the impact it has on his comrades. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of "Only A Boche" to explore why it is considered a classic of war poetry.
The Context of World War I
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. World War I was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, and claimed the lives of millions of soldiers and civilians. The war was fought mainly in Europe, with the major powers being Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire (collectively known as the Central Powers) against the United Kingdom, France, and Russia (known as the Allies). As the war dragged on, it became increasingly brutal and destructive, with trench warfare, gas attacks, and mass casualties.
Robert Service was a Canadian poet who volunteered for service in the Canadian Army during World War I. He served as a stretcher-bearer and ambulance driver on the Western Front, and his experiences in the war had a profound impact on his poetry. "Only A Boche" is one of his most famous poems, and it reflects his firsthand knowledge of the horrors of war.
The Poem
Let's begin by reading the poem in full:
Only a Boche, but he died like a man
We'd have buried him where he lay
But he took such a lot of killing
We had to bring him away.
We dragged him back to our trenches
And spite of his German tongue
We treated him as we should like to be treated
If we'd died when we were young.
He was a Prussian grenadier,
A chap with a big moustache,
And it was horrible hot and we'd nothing to drink
And he begged for a drop to his last gasp.
He clung to my hand like a baby,
He asked me to sing him a song;
And I sung "The Blue and the Gray" and "Ben Bolt"
Till his poor soul had gone.
Only a Boche, but he died like a man
And I reckon he understood,
As I closed his eyes, how a fellow feels
When his heart's blood soaks through his good.
At first glance, "Only A Boche" appears to be a simple and straightforward poem. It is only eight lines long, and the language is plain and direct. However, upon closer examination, we can see that this poem is a masterful combination of form and content, with each line carrying a deep emotional weight.
Theme: Humanity in War
The central theme of "Only A Boche" is the humanity of soldiers, even in the midst of war. Service emphasizes this theme throughout the poem, using the death of a German soldier to illustrate the common bonds that unite all soldiers, regardless of nationality.
The first stanza sets up the contrast between the soldier's nationality and his actions. The word "Boche" is a derogatory term for Germans, and it suggests a sense of animosity and hostility towards the soldier. However, the line "he died like a man" immediately undercuts this hostility, emphasizing the soldier's bravery and courage in the face of death. This juxtaposition is reinforced in the second line, where the soldiers express their desire to bury him where he lay. This is a respectful gesture, and it suggests that the soldiers recognize the humanity of the fallen soldier.
The second stanza builds on this theme, highlighting the soldiers' treatment of the German soldier. Despite his nationality and his enemy status, the soldiers "treated him as we should like to be treated / If we'd died when we were young." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that the soldiers recognize the futility of war, and the senselessness of killing people who are not so different from themselves. The fact that the German soldier begged for a drink of water reinforces this idea, as it humanizes him and emphasizes his vulnerability.
The final stanza brings the theme of humanity to its climax, as the soldier sings to the dying German soldier. The choice of songs is significant: "The Blue and the Gray" is a Civil War ballad that celebrates the bravery of soldiers on both sides of the conflict, while "Ben Bolt" is a sentimental song about friendship and loss. By singing these songs, the soldier is emphasizing the idea of common humanity, and he is reaching out to the dying German soldier in a moment of shared emotion.
Imagery and Language
In addition to its powerful themes, "Only A Boche" is also notable for its vivid imagery and simple, direct language. Service uses a variety of sensory details to evoke the horror and brutality of war, while also emphasizing the soldiers' humanity.
The first stanza is particularly effective in its use of imagery. The phrase "he took such a lot of killing" is shocking in its bluntness, and it suggests the violence and brutality of the soldiers' actions. The fact that the soldiers had to "drag him back to our trenches" underscores the physical toll of the fighting, and the fact that the soldiers had to overcome significant obstacles to bring the German soldier back to their lines. The line "spite of his German tongue" is also significant, as it emphasizes the soldiers' recognition of the soldier's nationality, while also suggesting that he was not so different from themselves.
The second stanza is notable for its use of sensory details. The fact that it was "horrible hot and we'd nothing to drink" reinforces the soldiers' vulnerability and the harshness of their environment. The German soldier's request for water is reinforced by the soldier's description of him as clinging "to my hand like a baby." This image is particularly poignant, as it emphasizes the soldier's vulnerability and his need for comfort in a moment of intense suffering.
The final stanza is perhaps the most powerful in its use of language. The repetition of the line "Only a Boche, but he died like a man" reinforces the soldiers' recognition of the German soldier's humanity, while also underscoring the senselessness of war. The phrase "heart's blood soaks through his good" is particularly evocative, as it suggests the physical and emotional toll of the soldier's death. The fact that the soldier "closed his eyes" reinforces the idea of shared humanity, as the soldier is performing a final gesture of kindness and respect towards his fallen comrade.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Only A Boche" is a masterpiece of war poetry that captures the horror, futility, and humanity of war. Through its themes of common humanity and shared emotion, as well as its vivid imagery and simple, direct language, Service's poem transcends the boundaries of nationality and ideology to reveal the universal truths of human suffering and compassion. As we continue to grapple with the aftermath of wars around the world, "Only A Boche" remains a powerful reminder of the cost of conflict, and the importance of recognizing our shared humanity in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Only A Boche: A Poem of War and Humanity
Robert Service's poem "Only A Boche" is a powerful and moving piece of literature that captures the essence of war and humanity. Written during the First World War, the poem tells the story of a German soldier who is captured by the British and brought to a prisoner-of-war camp. The poem is a poignant reminder of the horrors of war and the humanity that exists even in the midst of conflict.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the arrival of the German soldier at the camp. The soldier is described as "a Boche" - a derogatory term used by the British to refer to the Germans. The narrator notes that the soldier is "thin and pale" and "seemed to shrink from the light." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it highlights the physical and emotional toll that war has taken on the soldier.
As the poem progresses, the narrator begins to describe the interactions between the German soldier and the British prisoners. At first, the British prisoners are hostile towards the German, calling him names and treating him with contempt. However, as time goes on, the British prisoners begin to see the humanity in the German soldier. They notice that he is just like them - a young man who has been caught up in the horrors of war.
The turning point in the poem comes when the German soldier begins to sing. The narrator notes that the soldier has a beautiful voice, and that his singing is "like a bird in the wood." The British prisoners are moved by the soldier's singing, and they begin to see him in a new light. They realize that he is not just a "Boche," but a human being with feelings and emotions.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the soldier's fate. He notes that the soldier will likely be sent back to Germany at the end of the war, and that he will be seen as a hero by his countrymen. However, the narrator also notes that the soldier will never forget his time in the prisoner-of-war camp, and that he will always remember the kindness that was shown to him by the British prisoners.
Overall, "Only A Boche" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of war and humanity. It reminds us that even in the midst of conflict, there is still room for compassion and understanding. The poem is a testament to the power of art to capture the human experience, and to remind us of our shared humanity.
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