'The Mystery Of Mister Smith' by Robert Service
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For supper we had curried tripe.
I washed the dishes, wound the clock;
Then for awhile I smoked my pipe -
Puff! Puff! We had no word of talk.
The Misses sewed - a sober pair;
Says I at last: "I need some air."
A don't know why I acted so;
I had no thought, no plot, no plan.
I did not really mean to go -
I'm such a docile little man;
But suddenly I felt that I
Must change my life or I would die.
A sign I saw: A ROOM TO LET.
It had a musty, dusty smell;
It gloated gloom, it growled and yet
Somehow I felt I liked it well.
I paid the rent a month ahead:
That night I smoked my pipe in bed.
From out my world I disappeared;
My walk and talk changed over-night.
I bought black glasses, grew a beard -
Abysmally I dropped from sight;
Old Tax Collector, Mister Smith
Became a memory, a myth.
I see my wife in widow's weeds;
She's gained in weight since I have gone.
My pension serves her modest needs,
She keeps the old apartment on;
And living just a block away
I meet her nearly every day.
I hope she doesn't mourn too much;
She has a sad and worried look.
One day we passed and chanced to touch,
But as with sudden fear I shook,
So blankly in my face she peered,
I had to chuckle in my beard.
Oh, comfort is a blessed thing,
But forty years of it I had.
I never drank the wine of Spring,
No moon has ever made me mad.
I never clutched the skirts of Chance
Nor daftly dallied with Romance.
And that is why I seek to save
My soul before it is too late,
To put between me and the grave
A few years of fantastic fate:
I've won to happiness because
I've killed the man that once I was.
I've murdered Income Taxer Smith,
And now I'm Johnny Jones to you.
I have no home, no kin, no kith,
I do the things I want to do.
No matter though I've not a friend,
I've won to freedom in the end.
Bohemian born, I guess, was I;
And should my wife her widowhood
By wedlock end I will not sigh,
But pack my grip and go for good,
To live in lands where laws are lax,
And innocent of Income Tax.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mystery of Mister Smith: A Literary Journey
As I sit down to write about Robert Service's classic poem "The Mystery of Mister Smith," I can't help but feel a sense of excitement. The poem is a masterpiece in its own right, with its vivid imagery, captivating storyline, and unforgettable characters. The poem has captured the hearts of readers for decades and continues to do so even today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I aim to explore the various themes that the poem touches upon, the techniques that the poet employs, and the overall significance of the work.
The Plot
The poem is about a mysterious traveler who arrives in a small town and captures the imagination of the townsfolk. The traveler, who goes by the name of Mister Smith, is an enigmatic figure who keeps to himself and is rarely seen in public. The townsfolk are curious about him and want to know more about his past and his reasons for being in the town. However, Mister Smith remains tight-lipped and doesn't reveal anything about himself.
The mystery surrounding Mister Smith deepens when a murder takes place in the town. The victim is a wealthy man who was known for his unscrupulous ways. The townsfolk immediately suspect Mister Smith, but there is no evidence to prove his guilt. The local sheriff tries to solve the case, but he is stumped by the lack of evidence.
As time passes, the townsfolk start to warm up to Mister Smith. They begin to see him as an outsider who is trying to make a new life for himself. Mister Smith, too, seems to enjoy the company of the townsfolk and even helps out in their various endeavors. However, the mystery surrounding him never dissipates, and the murder case remains unsolved.
The poem ends on a poignant note, with the townsfolk bidding farewell to Mister Smith as he leaves the town. The mystery surrounding him remains unsolved, but the impact that he had on the town and its people is evident.
Themes
One of the primary themes that the poem touches upon is the idea of mystery and how it can capture the imagination of people. Mister Smith is a mysterious figure who intrigues the townsfolk, and they can't help but want to know more about him. The poem shows how the human mind is naturally drawn towards the unknown and how the allure of mystery can be both fascinating and dangerous.
Another theme that the poem explores is the idea of judgment and prejudice. The townsfolk are quick to judge Mister Smith based on his appearance and his mysterious ways. They suspect him of being involved in the murder, even though there is no evidence to prove it. The poem highlights how easy it is for people to make assumptions and how these assumptions can have serious consequences.
The poem also touches upon the theme of community and how it can be both supportive and suffocating. The townsfolk are a close-knit community who look out for each other, but they can also be judgmental and gossipy. Mister Smith is an outsider who is initially viewed with suspicion, but he eventually becomes a part of the community. The poem explores the idea of how communities can be both welcoming and hostile to outsiders.
Techniques
One of the key techniques that Robert Service employs in the poem is the use of vivid imagery. The descriptions of the town and its people are so vivid that the reader can almost picture the scene in their mind's eye. The use of sensory details such as smells, sights, and sounds help to create a vivid and immersive world.
Another technique that Service uses is the use of repetition. The phrase "Who is Mister Smith?" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the mystery surrounding the character. The repetition also helps to create a sense of tension and anticipation, as the reader is eager to find out more about Mister Smith.
The poem also employs the use of irony. The townsfolk suspect Mister Smith of being involved in the murder, but it is later revealed that he had nothing to do with it. The poem highlights how easy it is for people to make assumptions and how these assumptions can be completely wrong.
Significance
"The Mystery of Mister Smith" is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem explores themes that are still relevant in today's society, such as judgment, prejudice, and community. The poem also serves as a reminder of the power of mystery and how it can captivate the human mind.
The poem is also significant because of its memorable characters. Mister Smith is an enigmatic figure who captures the imagination of the townsfolk and the reader alike. The townsfolk themselves are also memorable characters, each with their own quirks and personalities.
In conclusion, "The Mystery of Mister Smith" is a masterpiece of a poem that has captured the hearts of readers for decades. The poem explores themes that are still relevant today, and its vivid imagery and memorable characters make it a joy to read. The poem serves as a reminder of the power of mystery and how it can both fascinate and terrify the human mind.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mystery of Mister Smith: A Poem of Intrigue and Suspense
Robert Service’s “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is a classic poem that has captivated readers for generations. This thrilling tale of a mysterious stranger who arrives in a small town and sets off a chain of events that leaves the townspeople bewildered and frightened is a masterful work of poetry that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and drama to create a truly unforgettable experience.
At its core, “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is a story about the power of fear and the way it can consume us if we let it. The poem begins with the arrival of Mister Smith, a stranger who comes to town with no explanation of who he is or why he is there. The townspeople are immediately suspicious of him, and rumors begin to spread about his true intentions.
As the poem progresses, the tension builds as Mister Smith’s actions become increasingly strange and unsettling. He is seen wandering the streets at night, muttering to himself and staring at the moon. He is also rumored to be involved in a series of mysterious disappearances that have left the townspeople terrified.
Despite their fear, the townspeople are unable to confront Mister Smith directly, and instead resort to whispering behind closed doors and speculating about his true identity. This sense of helplessness and uncertainty only adds to the growing sense of dread that permeates the poem.
One of the most striking aspects of “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is the way that Service uses language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. His descriptions of the town and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a place that is both familiar and yet somehow otherworldly.
For example, in the opening stanza, Service writes:
There was a murder, they said, in the town,
But no one knew who had struck him down;
The doctor said that he died of fright,
And nobody guessed who had caused the fright.
These lines immediately set the tone for the poem, establishing a sense of unease and uncertainty that will only grow as the story unfolds. The use of the word “murder” suggests violence and danger, while the fact that no one knows who committed the crime creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Service’s use of imagery is also particularly effective in creating a sense of atmosphere. For example, in the following stanza, he describes the moon as “a great white skull”:
And then came Mister Smith to town,
With his derby hat and his hair cut down,
And his coat of black, and his eyes of grey,
And he looked like a man who was used to sway.
He walked in the night with his head held high,
And he looked at the moon in the midnight sky,
And the moon looked down with a great white skull,
And the wind blew cold, and the air was dull.
This description of the moon as a “great white skull” is both eerie and evocative, suggesting that something sinister is at work in the town. The fact that Mister Smith is seen staring at the moon only adds to the sense of foreboding.
As the poem reaches its climax, the tension becomes almost unbearable. The townspeople are consumed by fear and paranoia, and Mister Smith’s true intentions remain a mystery. In the final stanza, Service writes:
And then one night there was heard a cry,
And the people woke to a house near by,
And there was Mister Smith in the street,
With his face all white, and his hands and feet
All bloody and torn, and he cried aloud,
And he fell in a heap, and he died in a shroud.
This shocking conclusion to the poem is both unexpected and deeply unsettling. The fact that Mister Smith is found dead and covered in blood only adds to the sense of horror and confusion. The townspeople are left to wonder what really happened, and whether they will ever know the truth.
In conclusion, “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its powerful themes of fear, mystery, and suspense. Robert Service’s masterful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative world that is both familiar and yet somehow otherworldly. The poem’s shocking conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and serves as a reminder of the power of fear to consume us if we let it.
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