'Lost Kitten' by Robert Service


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Two men I saw reel from a bar
And stumble down the street;
Coarse and uncouth as workmen are,
They walked with wobbly feet.
I watched them, thinking sadly as
I heard their hobnails clink,
The only joy a toiler has
Is to get drowned in drink.

A kitten on a wall,
A skinny, starving stray;
It looked so pitifully small,
A fluff of silver grey.
One of the men came to a stand,
A kindly chap was he,
For with a huge and horny hand
He stroked it tenderly.

With wistful hope it gazed at him
And arched a spine of fur;
It licked his hand so grimy grim
And feebly tried to purr.
And then it climbed upon his chest,
And to his drunken glee,
Upon his shoulder came to rest,
Contented as could be.

The other fellow with a jeer
Made feint to dash it down,
but as it shrank with sudden fear
I saw the first one frown;
And then I heard him coarsely cry:
"Have care for what you do;
Just harm a hair of it and I
Will twist my knife in you."

So there they stood like brutes at bay,
Their blood at fighting heat;
And snarling at each other they
Went weaving down the street,
Leaving the kitten all alone
Upon its stony shelf . . .
And as I haven't heart of stone
I took it home myself.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lost Kitten: An Interpretation

Introduction

Have you ever lost something important to you? Maybe a piece of jewelry, a wallet, or even a pet? The feeling of desperation, fear, and helplessness that comes with losing something or someone you care about is almost indescribable. In his poem, "Lost Kitten," Robert Service captures the emotions and experiences that come with losing a beloved pet.

Summary

"Lost Kitten" tells the story of a young girl who loses her kitten. The poem opens with the girl describing her kitten as "her only toy and friend," emphasizing the importance of the animal to her. She searches everywhere for the kitten, asking each person she meets along the way if they have seen it. But no one has any information.

As night falls, the girl becomes more and more desperate, wondering where her kitten could be and if it is safe. She imagines all sorts of terrible scenarios, such as the kitten being eaten by a dog or drowning in the river. Eventually, she resigns herself to the fact that the kitten is gone and begins to mourn its loss.

But just as she is about to give up hope, she hears a faint meowing in the distance. Following the sound, she discovers her kitten, dirty and hungry but alive. Overjoyed, she takes her kitten home and cares for it, grateful for its safe return.

Literary Devices

Throughout the poem, Service employs several literary devices to convey the girl's emotions and experiences. One of the most notable is imagery. The girl's vivid descriptions of the kitten, such as it being "soft as silk and white as snow," create a clear mental image of the animal in the reader's mind. Additionally, the girl's imagined scenarios of the kitten's fate, such as the image of the kitten drowning in the river, evoke a strong emotional response from the reader.

Another literary device used by Service is repetition. The phrase "Have you seen my kitten?" is repeated multiple times throughout the poem, emphasizing the girl's desperation and increasing the tension of the story. The repetition of the phrase "lost kitten" also serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem - the loss of something precious and the joy of its return.

Finally, the poem makes use of symbolism. The kitten, as the girl's "only toy and friend," represents the innocence and vulnerability of youth. Its loss and subsequent return symbolize the fragility of life and the importance of caring for those we love.

Interpretation

At its core, "Lost Kitten" is a poem about loss and the emotions that come with it. The girl's desperation and fear upon losing her kitten are relatable to anyone who has lost something or someone important to them. Furthermore, the poem emphasizes the power of hope and perseverance in the face of loss. Even when the girl is at her lowest point, about to give up hope, she hears the faint meowing of her kitten and finds it. This message of hope is reinforced by the poem's final lines: "But oh, the joy to have it back!/ The gift of tears that grief can lack."

In a larger sense, "Lost Kitten" can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of love and loss. The girl's love for her kitten is deep and unconditional, mirroring the love that we often feel for the people and animals in our lives. When the kitten is lost, the girl experiences a profound sense of loss and grief. But when the kitten is found, that grief is transformed into overwhelming joy. This transformation underscores the idea that love and loss are two sides of the same coin - we cannot have one without the other.

Conclusion

In "Lost Kitten," Robert Service tells a simple yet powerful story about the loss of a beloved pet. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, Service conveys the emotions and experiences that come with losing something or someone important to us. At the same time, the poem emphasizes the power of hope and perseverance in the face of loss, as well as the transformative power of love. Whether you are a pet lover or not, "Lost Kitten" is a moving and poignant work that is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced loss in their life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lost Kitten: A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Compassion

Robert Service’s Lost Kitten is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This heartwarming tale of love and compassion tells the story of a lost kitten and the lengths that a young girl goes to in order to find and rescue it. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in this poem, and how they contribute to its enduring appeal.

The poem begins with the introduction of the lost kitten, who is described as “a wee, little, sleekit thing” that has strayed from its home. The use of the word “sleekit” is significant, as it suggests that the kitten is not only small and vulnerable, but also sly and cunning. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with moments of tension and suspense as the young girl searches for the kitten.

The first stanza also introduces the young girl, who is described as “a lassie fair and sweet”. The use of the word “lassie” is significant, as it suggests that she is young and innocent, and perhaps not yet fully aware of the dangers of the world. This is reinforced by the description of her as “fair and sweet”, which suggests that she is kind-hearted and compassionate.

As the poem progresses, the young girl sets out on her mission to find the lost kitten. She searches high and low, through fields and forests, and even through the dark of night. The use of imagery in this section is particularly effective, as it creates a vivid picture of the young girl’s journey. For example, the line “She searched the woods with eager eyes” conjures up an image of a determined young girl, scanning the trees for any sign of the lost kitten.

As the young girl continues her search, she encounters a number of obstacles and challenges. She is chased by a dog, caught in a rainstorm, and even falls into a ditch. However, she never gives up, and her determination to find the lost kitten is unwavering. This is reflected in the repetition of the phrase “she sought and sought”, which emphasizes the young girl’s persistence.

The climax of the poem comes when the young girl finally finds the lost kitten. It is trapped in a tree, and the young girl must climb up to rescue it. This scene is particularly powerful, as it shows the young girl’s bravery and compassion in action. The use of the word “climbed” is significant, as it suggests that the young girl is willing to take risks in order to save the kitten.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The young girl takes the lost kitten home, and it is welcomed back with open arms. The use of the word “home” is significant, as it suggests that the young girl has not only rescued the kitten, but also brought it back to a place of safety and security. The final line of the poem, “And that’s the way the story goes”, is a simple but effective way of bringing the poem to a close.

Overall, Lost Kitten is a powerful and moving poem that explores themes of love, compassion, and determination. The use of imagery, symbolism, and literary devices such as repetition and alliteration all contribute to its enduring appeal. The poem is a testament to the power of kindness and the importance of never giving up, even in the face of adversity. It is a timeless classic that will continue to capture the hearts of readers for generations to come.

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