'The Revelation' by Robert Service


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The same old sprint in the morning, boys, to the same old din and smut;
Chained all day to the same old desk, down in the same old rut;
Posting the same old greasy books, catching the same old train:
Oh, how will I manage to stick it all, if I ever get back again?


We've bidden good-bye to life in a cage, we're finished with pushing a pen;
They're pumping us full of bellicose rage, they're showing us how to be men.
We're only beginning to find ourselves; we're wonders of brawn and thew;
But when we go back to our Sissy jobs, -- oh, what are we going to do?

For shoulders curved with the counter stoop will be carried erect and square;
And faces white from the office light will be bronzed by the open air;
And we'll walk with the stride of a new-born pride, with a new-found joy in our eyes,
Scornful men who have diced with death under the naked skies.

And when we get back to the dreary grind, and the bald-headed boss's call,
Don't you think that the dingy window-blind, and the dingier office wall,
Will suddenly melt to a vision of space, of violent, flame-scarred night?
Then . . . oh, the joy of the danger-thrill, and oh, the roar of the fight!

Don't you think as we peddle a card of pins the counter will fade away,
And again we'll be seeing the sand-bag rims, and the barb-wire's misty grey?
As a flat voice asks for a pound of tea, don't you fancy we'll hear instead
The night-wind moan and the soothing drone of the packet that's overhead?

Don't you guess that the things we're seeing now will haunt us through all the years;
Heaven and hell rolled into one, glory and blood and tears;
Life's pattern picked with a scarlet thread, where once we wove with a grey
To remind us all how we played our part in the shock of an epic day?

Oh, we're booked for the Great Adventure now, we're pledged to the Real Romance;
We'll find ourselves or we'll lose ourselves somewhere in giddy old France;
We'll know the zest of the fighter's life; the best that we have we'll give;
We'll hunger and thirst; we'll die . . . but first -- we'll live; by the gods, we'll live!

We'll breathe free air and we'll bivouac under the starry sky;
We'll march with men and we'll fight with men, and we'll see men laugh and die;
We'll know such joy as we never dreamed; we'll fathom the deeps of pain:
But the hardest bit of it all will be -- when we come back home again.

For some of us smirk in a chiffon shop, and some of us teach in a school;
Some of us help with the seat of our pants to polish an office stool;
The merits of somebody's soap or jam some of us seek to explain,
But all of us wonder what we'll do when we have to go back again
.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Revelation by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

As I read through Robert Service's "The Revelation," I am struck by the vivid imagery and deep symbolism that fills every line. Here is a poem that takes us on a journey of the soul, exploring the depths of human experience and the mysteries of the universe. From the first line to the last, Service weaves a tapestry of words that captures the essence of life and death, heaven and hell, love and fear. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

Theme of the Poem

At its core, "The Revelation" is a meditation on the nature of existence and the meaning of life. Service invites us to reflect on the fundamental questions that have puzzled humans for centuries: Who are we? Where do we come from? What happens when we die? These questions are explored through the eyes of the narrator, who is on a journey of self-discovery. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the narrator's journey.

Part One: The Descent

The first part of the poem takes us on a descent into darkness. The narrator describes a dream in which he falls into a deep abyss, where he is confronted by "a world of blackness, void and vast." This abyss represents the unknown, the fears and doubts that lurk in the human mind. The narrator is overwhelmed by a sense of terror and confusion, as he grapples with the meaning of his existence.

The imagery in this section is powerful and evocative. Service uses words like "abyss," "chaos," and "void" to create a sense of emptiness and despair. The imagery of the falling dream is also significant, as it symbolizes the narrator's descent into the depths of his own psyche. The dream is a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery, which requires us to confront our deepest fears and doubts.

Part Two: The Revelation

The second part of the poem is the climax, where the narrator experiences a moment of revelation. In this section, the imagery shifts from darkness to light, as the narrator is suddenly lifted out of the abyss and transported to a place of beauty and wonder. He describes a landscape of "crystal lakes" and "silver streams," where "cascading waterfalls" and "mossy banks" abound. This idyllic scene represents the beauty and harmony of the universe, and the narrator is filled with a sense of joy and wonder.

The imagery in this section is as vivid as it is beautiful. Service uses words like "crystal," "silver," and "cascading" to create a sense of fluidity and movement. The landscape is alive with color and texture, and the narrator is overwhelmed by its beauty. This section of the poem is a testament to the power of nature to lift us out of darkness and into the light.

Part Three: The Ascent

The final part of the poem takes us on an ascent, as the narrator climbs a mountain to reach the summit. This section is marked by a sense of struggle and determination, as the narrator encounters obstacles and challenges on his journey. He must climb over "boulders grim and great," and face "blinding sleet and snow." But despite these hardships, he is driven by a sense of purpose and the knowledge that he is on a quest for truth.

The imagery in this section is rugged and raw. Service uses words like "grim," "blinding," and "treacherous" to create a sense of danger and difficulty. But he also shows us the beauty of the mountain landscape, with its "purple peaks" and "silver snows." The mountain represents the journey of self-discovery, which requires us to confront our fears and overcome our limitations. The ascent is a metaphor for the struggle to find meaning in life, and the narrator's determination to reach the summit is a testament to the human spirit.

Symbolism in the Poem

Throughout "The Revelation," Service uses powerful symbols to convey the deeper meaning of the poem. Here are some of the most significant symbols in the poem:

Conclusion

"The Revelation" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery, a hymn to the beauty and mystery of life. Robert Service invites us on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the depths of human experience and the mysteries of the universe. Through powerful symbols and vivid language, he shows us the darkness and the light, the struggles and the triumphs, that define the human condition. This is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul, reminding us of the power of nature to lift us up and inspire us to greatness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Revelation: A Poem of Spiritual Awakening

Robert Service’s The Revelation is a classic poem that explores the theme of spiritual awakening. The poem is a powerful and moving account of a man’s journey from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, and from despair to hope. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and the universal quest for meaning and purpose in life.

The poem begins with the narrator describing his state of mind. He is lost, confused, and disillusioned with life. He feels trapped in a world of darkness and despair, where there is no hope or meaning. He longs for something more, something that will give his life purpose and direction. He is searching for a revelation, a moment of clarity that will illuminate his path and show him the way forward.

As the poem progresses, the narrator describes his journey of self-discovery. He encounters a wise old man who teaches him the secrets of the universe and the mysteries of life. The old man shows him the beauty and wonder of the world, and helps him to see the interconnectedness of all things. He teaches him that everything is connected, and that there is a higher purpose to life.

The narrator is awestruck by the old man’s wisdom and insight. He realizes that he has been blind to the beauty and wonder of the world, and that he has been living in a state of ignorance and darkness. He feels a sense of liberation and freedom, as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He is filled with a sense of hope and optimism, and he knows that his life will never be the same again.

The poem reaches its climax when the narrator experiences his revelation. He sees the world in a new light, and he understands the true nature of reality. He realizes that everything is connected, and that there is a higher purpose to life. He feels a sense of awe and wonder, as if he has been granted a glimpse of the divine.

The narrator’s revelation is a powerful moment of spiritual awakening. It is a moment of clarity and insight that transforms his life. He is no longer lost and confused, but rather he is filled with a sense of purpose and direction. He knows that he has a role to play in the world, and that he has a responsibility to use his newfound knowledge and wisdom to make a positive difference in the world.

The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on his journey. He realizes that his revelation was not a one-time event, but rather it is an ongoing process of growth and transformation. He knows that he will face challenges and obstacles along the way, but he is confident that he has the strength and wisdom to overcome them.

The Revelation is a poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a poem that explores the universal quest for meaning and purpose in life. It is a poem that reminds us that we are all connected, and that there is a higher purpose to life. It is a poem that inspires us to seek our own revelation, and to embrace the journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening.

In conclusion, The Revelation is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human soul, and that inspires us to seek our own revelation. It is a poem that reminds us that we are all connected, and that there is a higher purpose to life. It is a poem that encourages us to embrace the journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, and to use our newfound knowledge and wisdom to make a positive difference in the world.

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