'The Other One' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 3)"Gather around me, children dear;
The wind is high and the night is cold;
Closer, little ones, snuggle near;
Let's seek a story of ages old;
A magic tale of a bygone day,
Of lovely ladies and dragons dread;
Come, for you're all so tired of play,
We'll read till it's time to go to bed."So they all are glad, and they nestle in,
And squat on the rough old nursery rug,
And they nudge and hush as I begin,
And the fire leaps up and all's so snug;
And there I sit in the big arm-chair,
And how they are eager and sweet and wise,
And they cup their chins in their hands and stare
At the heart of the flame with thoughtful eyes.And then, as I read by the ruddy glow
And the little ones sit entranced and still . . .
He's drawing near, ah! I know, I know
He's listening too, as he always will.
He's there -- he's standing beside my knee;
I see him so well, my wee, wee son. . . .
Oh, children dear, don't look at me --
I'm reading now for -- the Other One.For the firelight glints in his golden hair,
And his wondering eyes are fixed on my face,
And he rests on the arm of my easy-chair,
And the book's a blur and I lose my place:
And I touch my lips to his shining head,
And my voice breaks down and -- the story's done. . . .
Oh, children, kiss me and go to bed:
Leave me to think of the Other One.Of the One who will never grow up at all,
Who will always be just a child at play,
Tender and trusting and sweet and small,
Who will never leave me and go away;
Who will never hurt me and give me pain;
Who will comfort me when I'm all alone;
A heart of love that's without a stain,
Always and always my own, my own.Yet a thought shines out from the dark of pain,
And it gives me hope to be reconciled:
Editor 1 Interpretation
"The Other One" by Robert Service: A Critique and Analysis
Have you ever felt like there's another version of yourself, living a completely different life? A life of adventure, passion, and freedom? That's the central theme of Robert Service's poem "The Other One," a vivid and powerful portrayal of the human desire for something more.
The Poem's Structure and Style
At first glance, "The Other One" seems like a simple narrative poem, telling the story of a man who's torn between two worlds. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Service's use of structure and style are integral to the poem's effectiveness.
The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB). However, the length of the stanzas varies, with the first and last being the longest and the middle three being shorter. This creates a sense of progression, as if the narrator is moving towards a climax.
The language used in "The Other One" is also significant. Service employs a mix of colloquial and formal language, depending on the context. This serves to create a sense of realism and authenticity, as if the narrator is speaking directly to the reader. Furthermore, the use of repetition and parallelism (e.g. "I'm only a clerk in a second-hand store" and "I'm only a man with a heart that's sore") reinforces the duality of the narrator's identity.
The Theme of Escapism
At its core, "The Other One" is a poem about escapism. The narrator dreams of a life of adventure, of being a "sailor bold" or a "cowboy gay." He's tired of his mundane existence as a clerk in a second-hand store, and longs for something more fulfilling.
This theme of escapism is not unique to "The Other One." In fact, many of Robert Service's poems deal with similar themes, such as "The Spell of the Yukon" and "The Call of the Wild." However, what sets "The Other One" apart is the way in which it portrays the consequences of this desire for escape.
The Duality of Identity
One of the most striking aspects of "The Other One" is the way in which it portrays the duality of the narrator's identity. On the one hand, he's a clerk in a second-hand store, living a mundane life. On the other hand, he's a "sailor bold" or a "cowboy gay," living a life of adventure and excitement.
This duality is not just a matter of external circumstances, but of internal identity. The narrator feels like there's another version of himself, living a completely different life. This creates a sense of conflict and tension within the poem, as the narrator struggles to reconcile these two identities.
The Consequences of Escapism
While the poem initially portrays the desire for escape as something positive, it soon becomes clear that there are consequences to this desire. The narrator's longing for adventure and passion is not just a matter of personal preference, but is rooted in a dissatisfaction with his life.
This dissatisfaction is not easily resolved, and the narrator's attempts to escape only lead to further frustration and disillusionment. He finds himself "adrift on a sea of joy and pain," unable to fully commit to either world. This creates a sense of melancholy and sadness within the poem, as the narrator realizes that the life he longs for may never be attainable.
The Poem's Message
So, what is the message of "The Other One"? On the surface, it may seem like a simple cautionary tale about the dangers of escapism. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is much more complex than that.
At its core, "The Other One" is a poem about the human desire for something more. It's about the tension between the life we have and the life we want, and the difficulty of reconciling these two things. While the poem acknowledges the dangers of escapism, it also suggests that this desire is natural and understandable.
Ultimately, "The Other One" is a poem about the human condition. It's about the fact that we all have a longing for something more, even if we can't always articulate what that something is. It's a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, and for that reason, it has stood the test of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Other One" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the human desire for something more. Through its use of structure, style, and theme, the poem creates a vivid and authentic portrayal of the narrator's duality of identity and the consequences of his desire for escape.
While the poem may seem simple on the surface, it is actually quite complex and multi-layered. It speaks to the heart of what it means to be human, and offers a message that is universal and timeless. For these reasons, "The Other One" continues to be a classic work of poetry that resonates with readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. One such poem that captures the essence of poetry is "The Other One" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the theme of duality and the struggle between good and evil.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a man who is walking down a lonely road. The man is described as being "tall and thin and brown and old" and he is walking with a "stoop and a shuffle." The speaker then goes on to describe the man's face, which is "wrinkled and drawn and sad." The man is clearly a figure of sadness and despair, and the speaker wonders what has caused him to be so unhappy.
As the man walks down the road, he is suddenly confronted by another figure. This figure is described as being "tall and straight and fair and young" and he is walking with a "stride and a swing." The speaker describes the man's face as being "bright and bold and glad." This second figure is clearly the opposite of the first man, and the speaker wonders who he is and what he represents.
The two men then engage in a conversation, and it becomes clear that they are two sides of the same person. The first man represents the darker side of the person, while the second man represents the lighter side. The first man is filled with regret and sadness, while the second man is filled with hope and joy.
The poem then takes a philosophical turn, as the two men begin to discuss the nature of good and evil. The first man argues that evil is stronger than good, and that it is easier to do evil than it is to do good. The second man disagrees, arguing that good is stronger than evil, and that it is always possible to do good.
The two men then engage in a physical struggle, with the first man trying to overpower the second man. However, the second man is able to overcome the first man, and he emerges victorious. The poem ends with the second man walking away, leaving the first man behind.
"The Other One" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of duality and the struggle between good and evil. The two men in the poem represent the two sides of the human soul, and the struggle between them is a reflection of the struggle that we all face in our lives. The poem is also a meditation on the nature of good and evil, and it suggests that while evil may be strong, it is ultimately weaker than good.
The poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery. Robert Service was a master of poetic expression, and his use of language in this poem is both beautiful and powerful. The imagery in the poem is also striking, with the two men representing the light and dark sides of the human soul.
In conclusion, "The Other One" is a classic poem that explores the theme of duality and the struggle between good and evil. It is a powerful meditation on the nature of the human soul, and it suggests that while evil may be strong, it is ultimately weaker than good. The poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful.
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