'Unforgotten' by Robert Service
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I know a garden where the lilies gleam,
And one who lingers in the sunshine there;
She is than white-stoled lily far more fair,
And oh, her eyes are heaven-lit with dream!
I know a garret, cold and dark and drear,
And one who toils and toils with tireless pen,
Until his brave, sad eyes grow weary -- then
He seeks the stars, pale, silent as a seer.
And ah, it's strange; for, desolate and dim,
Between these two there rolls an ocean wide;
Yet he is in the garden by her side
And she is in the garret there with him.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Unforgotten by Robert Service: A Poem of Love and Memory
Have you ever loved someone so deeply that even after they're gone, their memory lingers on and on? That's what Robert Service's "Unforgotten" is all about. It's a beautiful and haunting poem about a love that endures beyond death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in the poem to understand why it has become a classic.
Background
Robert Service was a Scottish poet and novelist who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon gold rush, which he experienced firsthand while working as a bank clerk in Canada. However, "Unforgotten" is not about the gold rush but about love and loss. It was first published in his book, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," which was inspired by his experiences serving as an ambulance driver in World War I.
Themes
The main theme of "Unforgotten" is the enduring power of love. The speaker of the poem has lost his beloved, but her memory remains alive and vibrant in his mind. He describes her as "a flame that cannot die," even though she has passed away. This theme is reinforced by the poem's title, "Unforgotten," which suggests that the speaker will never forget his love.
Another theme is the passage of time. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each one representing a different phase in the speaker's life. In the first stanza, he is young and full of hope, in love with a woman who is "fair and frail." In the second stanza, he has grown older, and his love has passed away. In the third stanza, he is an old man, but his memories of his love are as vivid as ever. This progression of time underscores the poem's theme of the enduring power of love, even in the face of death and the passage of time.
Imagery
The imagery in "Unforgotten" is rich and vivid, painting a picture of the speaker's love and his memories of her. In the first stanza, the woman is described as "fair and frail," with "eyes that shone like stars." This image of her as a delicate beauty is contrasted with the speaker's own youth and strength, as he describes himself as "rugged as a son of Mars."
In the second stanza, the imagery shifts to the speaker's memories of his love. He describes her as a "flame that cannot die," and his memories of her as "a treasure that will grow." These images convey the depth of his feelings for her and the enduring nature of their love.
In the final stanza, the imagery takes on a more melancholy tone. The speaker describes himself as an "old, gray-bearded man," with memories that are "faint and few." This image of the speaker as an old man underscores the passage of time and the idea that memories, like people, fade away with age.
Literary Devices
Service uses several literary devices in "Unforgotten" to enhance the poem's meaning and impact. One of the most notable is repetition. The phrase "unforgotten love" appears several times throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea that the speaker's love will never be forgotten.
Another device is symbolism. The flame that the speaker describes in the second stanza can be seen as a symbol of his love, as it is something that cannot be extinguished. The treasure that the speaker refers to can also be seen as a symbol of his memories of his love, which are precious and valuable.
Finally, Service uses rhyme and meter to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. The poem is written in quatrains, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The meter is predominantly iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a regular and flowing rhythm.
Interpretation
"Unforgotten" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the enduring nature of love. The speaker's memories of his beloved are vivid and poignant, and the imagery that Service uses brings their love to life. The poem is a testament to the power of memory and the human capacity for love, even in the face of death and the passage of time.
At its core, "Unforgotten" is a poem about the human experience. We all experience love and loss, and we all have memories that we hold dear. The poem reminds us that these memories are valuable and important, and that they can sustain us through even the darkest of times.
Conclusion
"Unforgotten" is a classic poem that has endured for over a century. Its themes of love and memory are timeless, and its imagery and literary devices are powerful and evocative. Robert Service was a master poet, and "Unforgotten" is a masterpiece of his craft. If you have ever loved and lost someone, this poem will resonate with you in a profound way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Unforgotten: A Poem That Will Stay with You Forever
Robert Service is a name that is synonymous with poetry. His works have been read and loved by millions of people around the world. One of his most famous poems is Unforgotten. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life, death, and the memories that we leave behind. In this article, we will take a closer look at Unforgotten and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
Unforgotten is a poem that tells the story of a man who has passed away. The poem begins with the line, "He who is gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It tells us that even though the man is no longer with us, his memory is still alive and powerful.
The poem then goes on to describe the man's life. We learn that he was a simple man who lived a simple life. He was not famous or wealthy, but he was loved by those who knew him. The poem describes him as "one of the plainest, simplest men I know." This line is significant because it shows that even though the man was not extraordinary, he still had an impact on those around him.
The poem then moves on to describe the man's death. We learn that he died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. The poem describes his death as "a passing that was sweet and calm and clean." This line is significant because it shows that even though death is often seen as a tragic and painful event, it can also be peaceful and beautiful.
The poem then shifts its focus to the memories that the man left behind. We learn that even though the man is gone, his memory lives on. The poem describes his memory as "a presence to be felt and known." This line is significant because it shows that even though the man is no longer with us, his memory is still alive and powerful.
The poem then goes on to describe the impact that the man had on those around him. We learn that he was loved and respected by all who knew him. The poem describes him as "a man who lived and died for those he loved." This line is significant because it shows that even though the man was not famous or wealthy, he still had a profound impact on those around him.
The poem then ends with the line, "He is not dead, he is just away." This line is significant because it shows that even though the man is no longer with us, he is still alive in our memories. It also suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a different state of being.
The themes of Unforgotten are universal and timeless. The poem explores the themes of life, death, memory, and legacy. It shows us that even though we may not be famous or wealthy, we can still have a profound impact on those around us. It also shows us that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a different state of being.
The imagery in Unforgotten is vivid and powerful. The poem uses imagery to create a sense of peace and tranquility. The line, "a passing that was sweet and calm and clean," creates an image of a peaceful and beautiful death. The line, "a presence to be felt and known," creates an image of a powerful and alive memory. The imagery in the poem helps to reinforce its themes and create a sense of emotional resonance.
The symbolism in Unforgotten is also significant. The man in the poem represents all of us. He is not famous or wealthy, but he still has an impact on those around him. His memory represents the legacy that we leave behind. The poem suggests that even though we may not be remembered by the world at large, we can still be remembered by those who knew and loved us.
In conclusion, Unforgotten is a masterpiece of poetry. It explores universal themes and uses vivid imagery and symbolism to create a sense of emotional resonance. The poem reminds us that even though we may not be famous or wealthy, we can still have a profound impact on those around us. It also reminds us that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a different state of being. Unforgotten is a poem that will stay with you forever.
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