The Mother Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

There will be a singing in your heart,
There will be a rapture in your eyes;
You will be a woman set apart,
You will be so wonderful and wise.
You will sleep, and when from dreams you start,
As of one that wakes in Paradise,
There will be a singing in your heart,
There will be a rapture in your eyes.

There will be a moaning in your heart,
There will be an anguish in your eyes;
You will see your dearest ones depart,
You will hear their quivering good-byes.
Your heart-ache and the sorrow, tears that scald and lonely sacrifice;
There will be a moaning in your heart,
There will be an anguish in your eyes.

There will come a glory in your eyes,
There will come a peace within your heart;
Sitting ‘neath the quiet evening skies,
Time will dry the tear and dull the sorrow.
You will know that you have played your part;
Your love shall never die:
You, with Heaven’s peace within your heart,
You, with God’s own glory in your eyes.

Welcome, poetry explorers, to a journey into the heart of a truly moving poem, “The Mother” by Robert W. Service. This beautiful piece of literature offers a profound look at one of life’s most significant relationships. Prepare to uncover the layers of emotion, wisdom, and artistry woven into its lines, revealing why this poem continues to resonate with so many.

Exploring “The Mother”: A Summary

Robert W. Service’s “The Mother” is a heartfelt tribute to the profound and often challenging experience of motherhood. The poem does not tell a specific story with characters and a plot, but rather paints a series of emotional portraits, guiding the reader through the various stages of a mother’s life. It begins with the overwhelming joy and wonder of new motherhood, then transitions to the inevitable sorrow and sacrifice that can accompany raising children, and finally culminates in a serene acceptance and enduring peace. It is a celebration of the strength, love, and resilience inherent in a mother’s journey, acknowledging both the sweetness and the pain.

The Central Idea and Enduring Message

The central idea of “The Mother” is the complete emotional spectrum experienced by a mother throughout her life. Service masterfully illustrates that motherhood is not solely about joy; it encompasses deep sorrow, profound sacrifice, and unwavering love. The poem’s ultimate message is one of hope, resilience, and the enduring nature of maternal love. It suggests that a mother’s love transcends time, hardship, and even loss, finding ultimate peace and glory. A noteworthy aspect of this poem is its lyrical quality and its skillful use of repetition, which creates a song-like rhythm, making it particularly memorable and emotionally impactful for readers.

An In-Depth Analysis of “The Mother”

To truly appreciate the artistry of “The Mother,” let us delve deeper into its structure, language, and the poetic devices that give it such power.

Structure and Form: A Harmonious Design

“The Mother” is composed of three distinct stanzas, each containing eight lines. This consistent structure provides a sense of balance and order, guiding the reader through the poem’s emotional progression. Each stanza also employs a regular rhyme scheme, contributing significantly to its musicality and flow. For instance, the first stanza follows an ABAB CDCD pattern, with “heart” rhyming with “apart” and “start,” and “eyes” rhyming with “wise” and “Paradise.” This consistent rhyming creates a soothing, almost lullaby-like quality, drawing the reader into the poem’s intimate reflections.

The rhythm of the poem is largely consistent, often featuring a pattern where stressed syllables are followed by unstressed ones, creating a measured and deliberate pace. This rhythmic consistency, combined with the regular rhyme, makes the poem feel both grand and personal, like a timeless ode.

The Power of Repetition: Echoes of Emotion

A defining characteristic of “The Mother” is its masterful and deliberate use of repetition. The phrases “There will be” and “You will be” are repeated throughout the poem, acting as a powerful refrain that anchors its themes. This type of repetition at the beginning of successive clauses or lines is known as anaphora. It creates a strong sense of inevitability and emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and motherhood.

Consider the opening lines of each stanza:

There will be a singing in your heart,
There will be a rapture in your eyes.

There will be a moaning in your heart,
There will be an anguish in your eyes.

There will come a glory in your eyes,
There will come a peace within your heart.

This consistent opening introduces each emotional state—singing, moaning, glory—suggesting that these experiences are inherent and unavoidable parts of the maternal journey. The repetition is not merely a stylistic choice; it powerfully underscores the idea that both joy and sorrow are integral to a mother’s experience, making the poem’s message deeply resonant.

Exploring Poetic Devices in “The Mother”

Robert W. Service employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem’s emotional depth and impact:

Imagery: The poem is rich in evocative imagery, creating vivid emotional pictures in the reader’s mind.
- Lines like
  
  As of one that wakes in Paradise,
  
  conjure a sense of blissful serenity and wonder associated with new motherhood.
- In stark contrast,
  
  tears that scald and lonely sacrifice;
  
  vividly portray the intense pain and isolation of loss and hardship. These images help readers connect deeply with the mother’s experiences.
Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor to connect abstract emotions to tangible experiences, adding depth and resonance.
- The comparison of a mother’s heart to a source of “singing,” “moaning,” or “peace” is a powerful metaphor. The heart is not literally singing or moaning, but these words convey the overwhelming joy, sorrow, or tranquility felt within.
- Similarly, “rapture in your eyes” and “anguish in your eyes” use the eyes as a metaphor for the visible manifestation of profound internal feelings.
Assonance and Consonance: Service skillfully employs assonance (the repetition of vowel sounds) and consonance (the repetition of consonant sounds) to enhance the musicality and flow of the poem.
- Notice the repetition of the long “i” sound in
  
  singing in your heart,
  There will be a rapture in your eyes;
  
  and later in
  
  quiet evening skies,
  
  creating a sense of harmony and connection between lines.
- Consonance can be found in phrases like
  
  sorrow, tears that scald and lonely sacrifice;
  
  where the repeated “s” sound contributes to the somber mood, almost like a sigh.
Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds in close proximity also adds to the poem’s lyrical quality and memorability.
- Consider
  
  wonderful and wise.
  
  This alliteration emphasizes the special qualities attributed to a mother.
- Another example is
  
  quiet evening skies,
  
  where the “s” sound creates a gentle, hushed atmosphere.

A Stanza-by-Stanza Breakdown: The Mother’s Journey

Let us explore the emotional arc of the poem, stanza by stanza:

Stanza One: Joy and Promise
This opening stanza establishes a tone of blissful optimism and profound wonder. The repeated words “singing” and “rapture” evoke an overwhelming sense of joy and fulfillment that comes with new motherhood. Lines like

You will be a woman set apart,
You will be so wonderful and wise.

suggest that motherhood bestows a unique and special role, elevating a woman to a new level of understanding and importance. The imagery of waking

As of one that wakes in Paradise,

further enhances the idyllic portrayal of this initial, almost heavenly, maternal joy.
Stanza Two: Sorrow and Sacrifice
This stanza presents a stark and powerful contrast to the first, acknowledging the inevitable pain and sacrifice that often accompany motherhood. The dramatic shift in language from “singing” to “moaning” and “rapture” to “anguish” signals a profound change in emotional tone. Lines like

You will see your dearest ones depart,
You will hear their quivering good-byes.

poignantly capture the deep sorrow of loss and the burden of maternal responsibility. The phrase

Your heart-ache and the sorrow, tears that scald and lonely sacrifice;

vividly conveys the intense, burning pain and the solitary nature of a mother’s enduring grief and selflessness.
Stanza Three: Peace and Endurance
The final stanza offers a message of hope, resilience, and enduring love, providing a sense of resolution. The language shifts once again, emphasizing themes of peace, glory, and eternal connection. Lines like

Time will dry the tear and dull the sorrow.

suggest that while pain may linger, it will eventually subside, leaving behind a quiet strength. The mother understands that

You will know that you have played your part;

finding contentment in her contributions. The concluding lines,

Your love shall never die:
You, with Heaven’s peace within your heart,
You, with God’s own glory in your eyes.

affirm the enduring power of a mother’s love, suggesting it is a divine and eternal force that brings ultimate peace and spiritual reward.

Why “The Mother” Continues to Inspire

“The Mother” by Robert W. Service resonates deeply with readers across generations because it acknowledges the full, complex spectrum of emotions associated with motherhood. It bravely explores not only the boundless joy but also the profound sorrow, the selfless sacrifice, and the unwavering love that define this unique bond. The poem does not shy away from the painful aspects of maternal experience, yet it ultimately offers a powerful message of hope, resilience, and enduring spirit.

The poem’s simple yet profound language, its memorable rhythm, and its universal themes make it accessible and deeply moving. It stands as a timeless tribute to the strength, kindness, and unwavering love of mothers everywhere, a piece that continues to evoke empathy, appreciation, and understanding for one of the most significant relationships in human experience. It is a poem that reminds us of the extraordinary journey of motherhood, filled with both challenge and unparalleled reward.