'My Garret' by Robert Service


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Here is my Garret up five flights of stairs;
Here's where I deal in dreams and ply in fancies,
Here is the wonder-shop of all my wares,
My sounding sonnets and my red romances.
Here's where I challenge Fate and ring my rhymes,
And grope at glory -- aye, and starve at times.

Here is my Stronghold: stout of heart am I,
Greeting each dawn as songful as a linnet;
And when at night on yon poor bed I lie
(Blessing the world and every soul that's in it),
Here's where I thank the Lord no shadow bars
My skylight's vision of the valiant stars.

Here is my Palace tapestried with dreams.
Ah! though to-night ten sous are all my treasure,
While in my gaze immortal beauty gleams,
Am I not dowered with wealth beyond all measure?
Though in my ragged coat my songs I sing,
King of my soul, I envy not the king.

Here is my Haven: it's so quiet here;
Only the scratch of pen, the candle's flutter;
Shabby and bare and small, but O how dear!
Mark you -- my table with my work a-clutter,
My shelf of tattered books along the wall,
My bed, my broken chair -- that's nearly all.

Only four faded walls, yet mine, all mine.
Oh, you fine folks, a pauper scorns your pity.
Look, where above me stars of rapture shine;
See, where below me gleams the siren city . . .
Am I not rich? -- a millionaire no less,
If wealth be told in terms of Happiness.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Garret: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, Robert Service! How could one not fall in love with your poems? Every word you write is like a sweet melody that lingers in the heart, and "My Garret" is no different. This classic poem by the renowned poet is a masterpiece that has been captivating readers for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of "My Garret" and explore its various literary devices.

The Poem

Let us begin by examining the poem itself.

I bought a little garret,
And I furnished it complete;
I said, "I'll write my billet-doux
And render verse so sweet,
That all the girls in Lydia's train
Will sigh when they have read,
And swear that I'm the cleverest
That ever yet was bred."

But as I wrote my love-lines,
It seemed as if I heard
A thousand critics snarling,
With a lingo so absurd;
And then I heard a whisper:
"Pray, who may you be?"
Whereat I looked around me
To see society.

Alas! there was no goddess
In diaphanous array;
No lyre was in my fingers,
No laurel on my bay.
No pen was in my digits,
No inkpot by my side;
I was a wretched scribbler,
And not a bard with pride.

My room was small and dingy,
My table old and scratched,
My easy-chair was shaky,
My desk was over-matched.
And yet I wrote and scribbled
With passion and with pain,
And dreamed my dreams of glory
Till I felt my heart grow vain.

Oh, poets young and wistful,
Oh, scribblers of the pen,
Take heed of what I tell you,
For I'm a man of men:
The world will have its poets,
But few will hear their lays,
And many a bard will starve to death
In this vile world of praise. 

The Theme

At first glance, "My Garret" may seem like a simple poem about a struggling poet trying to make a name for himself. However, a closer examination of the poem reveals that it is much more than that. The theme of the poem is the struggle of a poet to find his place in the world and the harsh reality that most poets will never achieve the fame and recognition they so desire.

The poet in the poem buys a little garret and furnishes it with the hope of writing beautiful love poems that will make him famous. However, as he writes, he hears the voices of critics snarling and realizes that he is not the great poet he thought he was. He looks around his small, dingy room and realizes that he is just a wretched scribbler with no hope of achieving the glory he dreams of.

The theme of the struggle of the poet to find his place in the world is further reinforced by the line "The world will have its poets, but few will hear their lays." This line speaks to the fact that there are countless poets out there who will never be recognized for their talent and will live their lives in obscurity.

The Literary Devices

Robert Service is a master at using literary devices to convey his message, and "My Garret" is no different. Let us examine some of the literary devices used in the poem.

Imagery

Service uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the poet's garret. He describes it as small and dingy, with an old and scratched table, a shaky easy-chair, and an over-matched desk. This imagery helps to reinforce the theme of the struggle of the poet and the harsh reality of the world he lives in.

Alliteration

Service also uses alliteration to create a musical quality in the poem. The line "But as I wrote my love-lines" is an excellent example of this. The repetition of the "w" sound in "wrote," "love-lines," and "seemed" creates a lyrical quality that draws the reader in.

Metaphor

Service uses metaphor to compare the poet to a wretched scribbler. This metaphor helps to convey the message that the poet is not the great artist he thought he was and is just another struggling writer.

Irony

There is a sense of irony in the poem. The poet has furnished his garret with the hope of writing beautiful love poems, but instead, he realizes that he is just a wretched scribbler. This irony underscores the theme of the poem and highlights the harsh reality of the world the poet lives in.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "My Garret" is a masterpiece that speaks to the struggle of the poet to find his place in the world. Robert Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message and create a vivid picture of the poet's garret. The theme of the struggle of the poet is reinforced by the line "The world will have its poets, but few will hear their lays." This line speaks to the harsh reality that most poets will never achieve the fame and recognition they so desire.

Oh, Robert Service! How could one not fall in love with your poems? "My Garret" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers to this day. It is a reminder that the world is not always kind to poets and that the struggle to find one's place in the world is real.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

My Garret: A Poem of Inspiration and Creativity

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his timeless works. Among his many poems, "My Garret" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of creativity and inspiration. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand its significance and relevance to our lives.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his humble abode, a garret, which is a small attic or loft. The garret is a place of solitude and seclusion, where the speaker can escape from the noise and distractions of the world. It is a place where he can be alone with his thoughts and ideas, and where he can let his imagination run wild. The speaker describes his garret as a "world apart," a place where he can "dream and dare" and "build castles in the air."

The theme of creativity and inspiration is central to the poem. The garret is not just a physical space, but a metaphor for the creative mind. It is a place where ideas are born and nurtured, where the imagination is free to roam and explore. The speaker describes his garret as a "magic cell," a place where he can "weave a web of rhyme" and "sing a song of love." The garret is a place where the speaker can express himself freely and creatively, without fear of judgment or criticism.

The poem's structure is simple yet effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The repetition of the phrase "my garret" at the beginning of each stanza reinforces the importance of this space to the speaker. The poem's brevity and simplicity make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Service's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid picture of the garret and its significance. The garret is described as a "nest of dreams," a "haven of rest," and a "sanctuary of peace." These images convey the idea that the garret is a place of comfort and safety, where the speaker can escape from the chaos of the world. The use of alliteration in phrases such as "weave a web of rhyme" and "sing a song of love" adds to the poem's musicality and reinforces the idea of creativity and expression.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its universal appeal. The garret may be a physical space, but it represents something much larger – the human desire for creativity and self-expression. We all have a garret within us, a place where we can be ourselves and let our imaginations run wild. The poem encourages us to find that space within ourselves and to embrace our creativity.

The poem also speaks to the importance of solitude and introspection. In today's fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with noise and distractions. The garret represents a retreat from this chaos, a place where we can be alone with our thoughts and ideas. It is only in solitude that we can truly connect with ourselves and our creativity.

In conclusion, "My Garret" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human desire for creativity and self-expression. Through its simple yet evocative language and imagery, the poem captures the essence of the garret as a physical and metaphorical space. It encourages us to embrace our creativity and to find our own garret within ourselves. In a world that is often noisy and chaotic, the poem reminds us of the importance of solitude and introspection. "My Garret" is a poem that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.

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