'The Healer' by Robert Service


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"Tuberculosis should not be,"
The old professor said.
"If folks would hearken unto me
'Twould save a million dead.
Nay, no consumptive needs to die,
--A cure have I.

"From blood of turtle I've distilled
An elixir of worth;
Let every sufferer be thrilled
And sing for joy of earth;
Yet every doctor turns his back
And calls me quack.

"Alas! They do not want to cure,
For sickness is their meat;
So persecution I endure,
And die in dark defeat:
Ye lungers, listen to my call!
--I'll save you all."

The old Professor now is dead,
And turtles of the sea,
Knowing their blood they need not shed,
Are festive in their glee:
While sanitoriums are crammed
With legions dammed.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Healer by Robert Service: A Deep Dive into its Themes and Literary Devices

Wow. Just wow. Reading Robert Service's "The Healer" was like going on an emotional roller coaster ride. It's a short poem, but it packs a punch. From the very first line, I felt like I was in the presence of something profound. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the poem's themes, literary devices, and my personal interpretation.

The Themes of "The Healer"

At its core, "The Healer" is a poem about the transformative power of love. The speaker of the poem is a man who is deeply troubled. He is haunted by his past mistakes and consumed by regret. He wanders through the night, searching for some kind of solace. But he cannot find it. He is lost and alone.

That is until he meets the Healer. The Healer is a woman who is able to see through the speaker's pain and offer him comfort. She listens to him, she understands him, and she loves him. Through her love, the speaker is able to find redemption. He is able to let go of his past and move forward.

But the poem is not just about romantic love. It's also about the power of compassion and kindness. The Healer is not just a lover, she is also a healer in the literal sense. She tends to the wounds of the speaker, both physical and emotional. Through her kindness, she is able to help him heal.

Finally, the poem is about the human need for connection. The speaker is searching for someone who can understand him and accept him, flaws and all. He finds that connection with the Healer. Through her, he is able to feel less alone in the world.

The Literary Devices of "The Healer"

One of the most striking things about "The Healer" is its use of vivid imagery. Service is a master of creating powerful images that stick with the reader long after the poem is finished. For example, consider the following lines:

And so I wandered like a soul in pain, Seeking and finding neither sleep nor rest, Until at last I saw a countryside, Soft with the silver of a summer night.

These lines paint a picture of a man who is lost and desperate. We can almost feel his pain and his exhaustion. And then, when he sees the "silver" countryside, we can almost see the beauty that he is seeing.

But it's not just the imagery that is powerful. Service also uses repetition to great effect. Consider the following lines:

She healed me with her eyes, And with her voice she stilled my heart's wild strife; And with her body pressed to mine, She taught me the great healing miracle of life.

These lines repeat the phrase "she healed me" in different ways, reinforcing the idea that the Healer is able to transform the speaker's life. The repetition also creates a kind of rhythm that makes the poem more memorable.

Finally, the poem is full of symbolism. For example, consider the following lines:

And all around us, as we lay, The summer night was calm and still; Then with a lingering kiss we rose, And went our way renewed, and strong, and whole.

The summer night represents a kind of peace and tranquility that the speaker has not been able to find. When he finally finds it with the Healer, he is able to feel "renewed, and strong, and whole." The rising after the kiss symbolizes a kind of rebirth, a new beginning for the speaker.

My Personal Interpretation of "The Healer"

Reading "The Healer" was a deeply emotional experience for me. As someone who has struggled with mental health issues, I could relate to the speaker's sense of hopelessness and desperation. But I also felt a sense of hope when he meets the Healer. Her presence in his life is transformative, and it reminded me that there are people in our lives who can help us heal.

But beyond that, I also appreciated the poem's message about the power of compassion and kindness. As someone who works in a helping profession, I know firsthand how important it is to be able to offer comfort and support to those in need. The Healer represents the kind of person we should all aspire to be: someone who is able to see past the pain and offer love and healing.

In conclusion, "The Healer" is a stunning poem that explores themes of love, connection, and healing. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism create a powerful emotional experience for the reader. But beyond its literary merits, the poem also has a powerful message about the human need for compassion and kindness. It's a message that we could all stand to hear more often.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Healer: A Poem of Hope and Redemption

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his powerful and evocative works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Healer, is a stirring tale of a man who has lost everything but finds redemption through his ability to heal others. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the themes and motifs of this classic poem and explore its relevance in today's world.

The Healer is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who has lost his family, his home, and his livelihood. He wanders aimlessly, searching for a purpose in life, until he discovers that he has the gift of healing. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which represents a different stage in the protagonist's journey.

In the first part, we are introduced to the protagonist, who is described as a "broken man" with "eyes that were dull and dead." He has lost everything he held dear and is now a mere shell of his former self. He wanders through the countryside, searching for a place to rest, but finds none. He is a man without hope, without purpose, and without direction.

However, his fortunes change when he comes across a sick child. The child's mother begs him to help her son, and he reluctantly agrees. To his surprise, he discovers that he has the power to heal the child. This realization marks the beginning of his transformation.

In the second part of the poem, the protagonist begins to heal others. He travels from village to village, healing the sick and the wounded. He becomes known as the "Healer" and gains a reputation for his powers. People come from far and wide to seek his help, and he becomes a revered figure in the community.

However, the Healer is not content with merely healing others. He wants to understand the source of his power and the purpose of his existence. He seeks out wise men and sages, hoping to find answers to his questions. But no one can give him the answers he seeks.

In the third and final part of the poem, the Healer comes to a realization. He understands that his power to heal is not just a gift but a responsibility. He realizes that he has been given a second chance at life, and he must use it to help others. He decides to dedicate his life to healing, and in doing so, he finds redemption.

The Healer is a poem of hope and redemption. It shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. The protagonist's journey from despair to redemption is a powerful reminder that no matter how lost we may feel, we can always find our way back.

The poem also explores the theme of purpose. The protagonist's search for purpose is a universal human experience. We all want to know why we are here and what our purpose in life is. The Healer's realization that his purpose is to heal others is a powerful message that we can all learn from. It reminds us that our purpose in life may not be obvious, but it is always there, waiting for us to discover it.

Another theme that the poem explores is the power of human connection. The Healer's ability to heal others is not just a result of his gift but also his connection to others. He is able to heal because he cares for others and is willing to help them. The poem reminds us that we are all connected and that our actions can have a profound impact on others.

The Healer is also a poem of self-discovery. The protagonist's journey is not just about healing others but also about discovering himself. He learns that he is not defined by his past but by his actions in the present. He learns that he has the power to change his life and the lives of others.

In conclusion, The Healer is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. It shows us that our purpose in life may not be obvious, but it is always there, waiting for us to discover it. It reminds us of the power of human connection and the importance of caring for others. The Healer is a poem that will continue to inspire and uplift readers for generations to come.

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