'Grand-Pa's Whim' by Robert Service
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While for me gapes the greedy grave
It don't make sense
That I should have a crazy crave
To paint our fence.
Yet that is what I aim to do,
Though dim my sight:
Jest paint them aged pickets blue,
Or green or white.
Jest squat serenely in the sun
Wi' brush an' paint,
An' gay them pickets one by one,
--A chore! It ain't.
The job is joy. Although I'm slow
I save expense:
So folks, let me before I go,
Smart that ol' fence.
Them pickets with my hands I made,
When young and spry;
I coloured them a gleeful shade
To glad the eye.
So now as chirpy as a boy,
'Ere I go hence,
Once more let me jest bright to joy
Our picket fence.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Grand-Pa's Whim: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that will take you on a journey down memory lane, and leave you with a heart full of warmth and nostalgia? Then look no further than Robert Service's Grand-Pa's Whim. This classic poem, written in Service's signature style, tells the story of a grandpa's playful indulgence of his grandchildren's whimsical requests. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Service to create this beautiful work of art.
Background
Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon and Alaska gold rushes, such as "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." However, "Grand-Pa's Whim" is a departure from his typical subject matter. This poem was published in Service's 1926 collection Rhymes of a Roughneck, which included poems about everyday life and human emotions.
Summary
"Grand-Pa's Whim" tells the story of a grandfather who indulges his grandchildren's whimsical requests. The poem starts with the grandfather sitting in his chair, smoking his pipe, and reading his paper. His grandchildren approach him with a request to go fishing, and he agrees, even though he has other things to do. They then ask him for a picnic, and he agrees again. The grandchildren continue to make increasingly ridiculous requests, such as riding on a rocking-horse and going to the moon, and the grandfather agrees to all of them. The poem ends with the grandfather reflecting on how much he loves his grandchildren and how happy he is to spend time with them.
Themes
One of the primary themes of "Grand-Pa's Whim" is the importance of family and the joy of spending time with loved ones. The grandfather in the poem is willing to drop everything and indulge his grandchildren's whimsical requests because he loves them so much. He values their happiness and the time they spend together more than anything else.
Another theme of the poem is the joy of childhood and the power of imagination. The grandchildren in the poem have wild imaginations and come up with increasingly fantastical requests. The grandfather indulges these requests because he wants to encourage their creativity and sense of wonder. He remembers what it was like to be a child and wants his grandchildren to experience the same joy he did.
Symbols
The rocking-horse in the poem is a symbol of childhood and innocence. The grandfather agrees to let his grandchildren ride on it, even though it's not a real horse and can't take them anywhere. This symbolizes his willingness to indulge their innocent fantasies and play along with their imagination.
The moon in the poem is a symbol of the impossible. The grandchildren ask the grandfather to take them to the moon, which is obviously impossible. However, the grandfather indulges their request anyway, symbolizing his willingness to let them dream big and imagine the impossible.
Literary Devices
Service uses several literary devices in "Grand-Pa's Whim" to create a lively and engaging poem. One of these is repetition. The phrase "Grand-pa's whim" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the central theme of the grandfather indulging his grandchildren's requests.
Another literary device used in the poem is alliteration. Service uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, in the line "They solemnly sat at his knee," the repeated "s" sound creates a smooth and flowing rhythm.
Service also uses rhyme and meter to create a sing-song quality to the poem. The rhyme scheme is AABB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This creates a light and playful rhythm that reflects the whimsical nature of the poem.
Interpretation
"Grand-Pa's Whim" is a beautiful and heartwarming poem that celebrates the importance of family, childhood, and imagination. The grandfather in the poem represents the ideal of a loving and indulgent grandparent who values time spent with his grandchildren above all else. The poem encourages us to embrace our inner child and indulge in the power of imagination, even if it means indulging in some ridiculous requests from time to time.
In conclusion, "Grand-Pa's Whim" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes of family, childhood, and imagination are timeless, and its use of literary devices creates a lively and engaging reading experience. Whether you're a grandparent, a parent, or just someone who loves a good poem, "Grand-Pa's Whim" is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Grand-Pa's Whim: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's the man behind some of the most iconic poems of the 20th century, including "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." But one of his lesser-known works, "Grand-Pa's Whim," is just as powerful and poignant as his more famous pieces.
"Grand-Pa's Whim" tells the story of an old man who decides to take a trip to the city, despite the protests of his family. The poem is written in Service's signature style, with a simple rhyme scheme and a straightforward narrative. But beneath the surface, there's a deeper message about the importance of living life to the fullest, no matter how old you are.
The poem begins with the old man announcing his plan to visit the city:
"I'm going to visit the Grand-Pa's Whim, And take my famous trip; I'm going to see the city sights, And watch the people skip."
Right away, we can see that the old man is determined to go on this adventure, even if it means going against the wishes of his family. He's excited to see the sights and sounds of the city, and he's not going to let anyone stop him.
As the old man sets off on his journey, he encounters a series of obstacles and challenges. He gets lost in the city, he's nearly run over by a car, and he's even robbed by a group of street urchins. But through it all, he remains determined to see everything the city has to offer.
At the end of the poem, the old man returns home, exhausted but exhilarated by his adventure. He tells his family about all the things he saw and experienced, and they're amazed by his bravery and resilience.
So what's the message behind "Grand-Pa's Whim"? On the surface, it's a simple story about an old man who goes on a trip. But if we look deeper, we can see that the poem is really about the importance of living life to the fullest, no matter how old you are.
The old man in the poem is a perfect example of this. Despite his age and the objections of his family, he's determined to go on this adventure and see the city for himself. He's not content to sit at home and let life pass him by. Instead, he's willing to take risks and face challenges in order to experience all that life has to offer.
This message is especially relevant in today's world, where many people feel trapped by their circumstances. Whether it's a dead-end job, a difficult relationship, or a health problem, it's easy to feel like we're stuck in a rut and there's no way out. But "Grand-Pa's Whim" reminds us that we always have the power to make a change and take control of our lives.
Of course, this isn't always easy. Like the old man in the poem, we may encounter obstacles and challenges along the way. But if we stay determined and keep pushing forward, we can achieve our goals and live life to the fullest.
In conclusion, "Grand-Pa's Whim" is a classic poem that still resonates with readers today. Through its simple narrative and powerful message, it reminds us of the importance of living life to the fullest, no matter how old we are or what challenges we face. So the next time you're feeling stuck or trapped, remember the old man in the poem and take a page from his book. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself with what you're capable of.
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