'The Three Voices' by Robert Service


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The waves have a story to tell me,
As I lie on the lonely beach;
Chanting aloft in the pine-tops,
The wind has a lesson to teach;
But the stars sing an anthem of glory
I cannot put into speech.

The waves tell of ocean spaces,
Of hearts that are wild and brave,
Of populous city places,
Of desolate shores they lave,
Of men who sally in quest of gold
To sink in an ocean grave.

The wind is a mighty roamer;
He bids me keep me free,
Clean from the taint of the gold-lust,
Hardy and pure as he;
Cling with my love to nature,
As a child to the mother-knee.

But the stars throng out in their glory,
And they sing of the God in man;
They sing of the Mighty Master,
Of the loom his fingers span,
Where a star or a soul is a part of the whole,
And weft in the wondrous plan.

Here by the camp-fire's flicker,
Deep in my blanket curled,
I long for the peace of the pine-gloom,
When the scroll of the Lord is unfurled,
And the wind and the wave are silent,
And world is singing to world.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Three Voices by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination

Have you ever read a poem that transported you to another world, a world of mystery, beauty, and profound meaning? The Three Voices by Robert Service is one such masterpiece that captures the essence of human existence in a powerful, evocative, and thought-provoking way. This 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes, symbols, imagery, and literary devices used by Service to create a timeless work of art that continues to inspire readers and poets around the world.

Overview of the Poem

The Three Voices is a poem that explores the three stages of human life: youth, middle age, and old age. The poem is divided into three parts, each corresponding to one of these stages. In each part, the speaker hears a voice that represents the challenges, fears, and aspirations of that particular stage. The first voice is that of Youth, who is full of hope, dreams, and enthusiasm. The second voice is that of Middle Age, who is filled with regret, disillusionment, and longing for the past. The third voice is that of Old Age, who is resigned to the inevitability of death and reflects on the meaning of life.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in The Three Voices is the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and death. Throughout the poem, the speaker is reminded that life is fleeting and that each stage of life has its own challenges and joys. The poem also explores the theme of memory and nostalgia, as the middle-aged speaker longs for the past while the old man reflects on his life and the choices he has made.

Another theme that is explored in The Three Voices is the human desire for meaning and purpose. The speaker is constantly searching for answers to life's big questions, such as why we are here, what our purpose is, and what happens after we die. The poem suggests that the search for meaning and purpose is a lifelong journey that continues until the end of our lives.

The theme of mortality is also central to the poem. The three voices represent the three stages of life, and each voice reflects on the inevitability of death. The poem suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that we must come to terms with it in order to live our lives to the fullest.

Symbols and Imagery

The Three Voices is rich in symbols and imagery that help to convey its themes and message. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the river, which represents the passage of time and the flow of life. The river is described as "a symbol of life's unending stream," and the speaker notes that "we are all swept onward to eternity."

The poem also uses the image of the tree to symbolize the various stages of life. The young tree represents youth, with its "wide branches" and "fresh green leaves." The middle-aged tree is described as "gnarled and twisted," while the old tree is "barren and bald." The tree is a powerful symbol of the passage of time and the changes that occur as we age.

Another powerful image in the poem is the image of the road. The road represents the journey of life, with all its twists and turns, and the choices we must make along the way. The speaker notes that "the road is open wide," and that we must choose our own path in life.

Literary Devices

The Three Voices is a masterful work of poetry that employs a wide range of literary devices to convey its themes and message. One of the most prominent literary devices in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I heard a voice" is repeated three times, once for each of the three voices. This repetition creates a sense of structure and rhythm in the poem, and reinforces the idea that the three voices are interconnected.

Another literary device used in the poem is personification. The three voices are personified, with Youth being described as "bright-eyed," Middle Age as "careworn," and Old Age as "wrinkled." This personification creates a sense of empathy and connection between the reader and the voices, and helps to convey the emotions and experiences of each stage of life.

The poem also uses metaphor to great effect. The image of the river as a symbol of life is a powerful metaphor that conveys the idea of the passage of time and the flow of life. The tree is also a metaphor for the various stages of life, with each stage represented by a different stage of the tree's growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Three Voices by Robert Service is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of aging, memory, mortality, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. The poem is rich in symbolism, imagery, and literary devices, which help to convey its message in a powerful and evocative way. The Three Voices continues to inspire readers and poets around the world, and is a testament to the enduring power of poetry as a form of artistic expression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Three Voices: A Poem That Resonates Through Time

Robert Service, the renowned Scottish-Canadian poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Three Voices, is a masterpiece that explores the themes of life, death, and the afterlife. Written in 1916, the poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers around the world.

The Three Voices is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is on his deathbed. As he lies there, he hears three voices that represent the different stages of his life. The first voice is that of his youth, the second is that of his middle age, and the third is that of his old age. Each voice speaks to him, reminding him of the joys and sorrows of his life and urging him to embrace his fate.

The poem begins with the first voice, which represents the man's youth. The voice speaks of the man's carefree days, when he was full of energy and ambition. It reminds him of the dreams he had and the adventures he embarked on. The voice tells him that he should not fear death, for he has lived a full life and has no regrets.

The second voice represents the man's middle age. It speaks of the man's responsibilities and the burdens he carried. The voice reminds him of the sacrifices he made for his family and the struggles he faced in his career. It tells him that he should be proud of his accomplishments and that his legacy will live on.

The third voice represents the man's old age. It speaks of the man's wisdom and the peace he has found in his later years. The voice tells him that death is not the end, but a new beginning. It urges him to let go of his fears and embrace the unknown.

Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the emotions of the man and the voices. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the man's youth as a "wild bird" that "sang of joy and pride." This image captures the exuberance and optimism of youth. In the second stanza, he describes the man's middle age as a "weary ox" that "plodded on and on." This image conveys the sense of duty and responsibility that comes with adulthood. In the third stanza, he describes the man's old age as a "wise old tree" that "bowed its head and smiled." This image captures the serenity and acceptance that comes with age.

Service also uses repetition and rhyme to create a musical quality to the poem. The repetition of the phrase "I heard" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of rhythm and continuity. The rhyme scheme, which follows an ABAB pattern, adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it easier to remember.

The Three Voices is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of mortality. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we should make the most of the time we have. It also reminds us that death is not something to be feared, but something to be embraced as a natural part of the cycle of life.

In conclusion, The Three Voices is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of life, death, and the afterlife are universal and speak to the human experience. Service's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, repetition, and rhyme create a musical quality to the poem that makes it both memorable and moving. Whether you are young or old, The Three Voices is a poem that will touch your heart and inspire you to live your life to the fullest.

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