'Child Lover' by Robert Service
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Carols of an Old CodgerDrunk or sober Uncle JimPlayed the boy;
Never glum or sour or grim,Oozin' joy.
Most folks thought he was no good,Blamin' him;
But where kiddies were, you couldBank on Jim.Sure he allus hated work,Lovin' play.
"Jest a good fer nuthin' jerk,"Lots would say.
Yet how the children fell for him,Whooped with glee:
Guys so popular as JimSeldom be.How old songs, sweet as a bell,He would sing!
What grand stories he would tell,Gesturin'!
Elders reckoned him a sot,Sighin' sad;
But with tiny toddlers whatSport he had!Might have had a brood, they said,Of his own;
Lost his wife in childbirth bed,Left him lone . . .
Well, now he is cold an' still,Here's to him:
Kids an' mothers always willBless old Jim.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Child Lover: A Critical Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling a mixture of emotions? Robert Service's "Poetry, Child Lover" is one such poem. This poem is not for the faint-hearted, as it challenges conventional notions of love and morality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, literary devices, and the overall impact of "Poetry, Child Lover."
About the Poem
"Poetry, Child Lover" was written by Robert Service in the early 1900s. It was included in his first collection of poetry titled "The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses" published in 1907. Service was a British-Canadian poet who was famous for his poems about life in the Yukon during the Gold Rush.
The poem is written in the first person and is narrated by a man who is in love with a child. The speaker describes his love for the child and how he finds solace in writing poetry about her. The poem has a dark tone and has been the subject of controversy due to its theme.
Themes
One of the major themes in "Poetry, Child Lover" is forbidden love. The speaker is in love with a child who is too young to reciprocate his feelings. This kind of love is considered taboo in most societies, and the poem challenges the reader's moral compass.
Another theme in the poem is the power of poetry. The speaker finds solace in writing poetry about the child he loves. Poetry becomes a way for him to express his love and desires, albeit in a socially unacceptable way.
The poem also explores the theme of loneliness. The speaker is isolated because he knows that his love for the child is wrong. He cannot share his feelings with anyone and is forced to keep them to himself.
Literary Devices
Service makes use of several literary devices to convey the themes in the poem. The most prominent is imagery. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:
Oh, I'm in love with a child of air
And she's my soul and my spirit rare,
And she's my life and my universe,
And I'm her lover and her hearse.
The speaker describes his love for the child as being intangible, like air. This creates an ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere that is both beautiful and unsettling.
Service also makes use of repetition. The last two lines of each stanza are repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasizing the speaker's obsessive love for the child.
The poem also has a strong use of metaphor. The child is described as being the speaker's "soul and spirit rare" and his "life and universe." The use of metaphor adds depth to the poem and creates a sense of universality.
Impact
"Poetry, Child Lover" has had a controversial impact since its publication. The poem challenges societal norms and raises questions about the nature of love and morality. The speaker's love for the child is morally wrong, but Service's use of language creates empathy for the speaker's plight.
The poem also shows the power of poetry. Writing becomes a way for the speaker to express his love and desires. Service's use of language creates a sense of longing and desire that is palpable throughout the poem.
"Poetry, Child Lover" is a poem that is both beautiful and unsettling. Its themes and literary devices make it a complex and thought-provoking piece of literature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, Child Lover" is a powerful piece of poetry that challenges conventional notions of love and morality. The use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor create a sense of longing and desire that is both beautiful and unsettling. The poem raises questions about the nature of love and the power of poetry. It is a poem that will stay with the reader long after it has been read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Child Lover: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Child Lover stands out as a remarkable piece of art that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the innocence and purity of childhood, and the love that a child can inspire in the heart of a poet.
The poem begins with the poet's description of a child, who is "a little elfin girl, with hair of gold and eyes of pearl." The poet is immediately captivated by the child's beauty and innocence, and he feels a deep sense of love and affection for her. He describes her as "a fairy sprite, with laughter in her eyes so bright," and he is enchanted by her playful and carefree nature.
As the poem progresses, the poet's love for the child becomes more intense, and he begins to see her as a source of inspiration for his poetry. He writes, "I love to watch her as she plays, and weave her laughter into lays." The child's innocence and purity inspire the poet to create beautiful poetry that captures the essence of childhood and the joy of life.
The poet's love for the child is not romantic or sexual in nature, but rather a pure and innocent love that is born out of admiration and respect for the child's beauty and innocence. He writes, "I love her as a poet may, for all her beauty, bright and gay." The poet's love for the child is a reflection of his own appreciation for the beauty and wonder of life, and his desire to capture that beauty in his poetry.
The poem also explores the theme of the fleeting nature of childhood, and the poet's desire to preserve the child's innocence and beauty in his poetry. He writes, "I fear the day when she shall grow, and lose the charm she has, I know." The poet is aware that the child's innocence and beauty are temporary, and he wants to capture that beauty in his poetry before it fades away.
The poem is also a reflection of the poet's own childhood, and his desire to recapture the joy and wonder of his own youth. He writes, "For in her laughter I can see, the child that once was part of me." The poet sees himself in the child, and he wants to recapture the joy and wonder of his own childhood through his poetry.
The language and imagery used in the poem are simple yet powerful, and they evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the innocence and beauty of childhood. The poet uses metaphors and similes to describe the child's beauty and innocence, such as "her hair of gold, her eyes of pearl," and "her laughter like a silver bell." The use of these metaphors and similes creates a vivid and enchanting image of the child in the reader's mind, and it captures the essence of childhood in a beautiful and poetic way.
In conclusion, Poetry Child Lover is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty and innocence of childhood in a powerful and enchanting way. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own appreciation for the wonder and joy of life, and his desire to capture that beauty in his poetry. The language and imagery used in the poem are simple yet powerful, and they evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for the innocence and beauty of childhood. Robert Service has created a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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