'The Key Of The Street' by Robert Service
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"Miss Rosemary," I dourly said,
"Our balance verges on the red,
We must cut down our overhead.
One of the staff will have to go.
There's Mister Jones, he's mighty slow,
Although he does his best, I know.
"A deer old man; I like him well,
But age, alas! will always tell.
Miss Rosemary, please ring the bell
And tell old Jones to step this way . . .
Oh dear, oh dear, it isn't gay
To say the things I have to say.
"Come in and sit down, Mister Jones."
He thanks me in sepulchral tones.
Poor chap! I hear his creaking bones.
"Have a cigar? And how's your wife?
What's that! You're fearing for her life -
A cancer and the surgeon's knife. . . .
"Yes, operations are so dear,
But it's your comfort and your cheer
To know your job's so steady here."
These are his words; so meek and mild,
He looks just like a simple child . . .
Go! darn it! Suddenly I'm riled.
And so I say: "That's just too bad.
But Mister Jones. it's very sad,
You know what losses we have had.
We must cut down in times like these,
So here's a cheque, Oh take it please -
'Twill help to pay your doctor's fees.
"And just to show how I appraise
Your work - despite these doleful days
I'm giving you . . . a little raise."
Said Rosemary: "Old Jones is crying."
Thought I: "Yes, each week I'll be sighing,
When from my pocket I am prying
Ten bucks to keep his wife from dying."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Key Of The Street by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Brilliance
The Key Of The Street is a poem written by the legendary Robert Service, one of the most popular poets of the early 20th century. This poem is widely considered to be one of Service's greatest works, and it is an excellent example of his unique style of poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Service in this masterpiece of poetic brilliance.
Overview
The Key Of The Street is a poem that tells the story of a woman who is down on her luck and struggling to make ends meet. The woman is described as being "hard as nails" and "worn to the bone" as she walks the streets looking for a way to survive. Despite her tough exterior, the woman is vulnerable and in need of help. The poem explores themes of poverty, desperation, and the struggle for survival.
Structure and Form
The Key Of The Street is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a set rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with varying line lengths. The irregular form of the poem reflects the chaos and instability of the woman's life.
Service uses repetition throughout the poem, particularly in the refrain "The Key of the Street is the key of the heart." This repetition emphasizes the importance of the woman's struggle and reinforces the message of the poem.
Themes and Motifs
One of the central themes of The Key Of The Street is poverty. Service vividly portrays the woman's struggle to survive on the streets, describing her as "worn to the bone" and "thin as a rail." The poem highlights the harsh realities of poverty and the toll it takes on those who experience it.
Another important theme in the poem is desperation. The woman is described as being "hard as nails," but this toughness is a result of her desperation to survive. The poem explores the lengths people will go to in order to stay alive when they have nothing else to lose.
Service also uses the motif of keys throughout the poem. The title of the poem refers to the "key of the street," which is a metaphor for the woman's struggle to survive. The repetition of the phrase "key of the heart" reinforces the idea that the woman's struggle is not just physical, but emotional as well.
Literary Devices
Service employs several literary devices in The Key Of The Street to enhance the poem's meaning and impact.
One of the most notable devices is imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the woman's life on the streets. For example, he describes the "rags on her back" and the "mud on her feet," creating a clear image of the woman's appearance and surroundings.
The poem also features alliteration, particularly in the first stanza. Service uses repeated "s" sounds to create a sense of slowness and lethargy, reflecting the woman's exhaustion and weariness.
Service also uses metaphor throughout the poem. The "key of the street" is a metaphor for the woman's struggle to survive, and the "key of the heart" is a metaphor for the emotional toll of poverty and desperation.
Interpretation
The Key Of The Street is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. By portraying the struggle of a woman living in poverty, Service reminds us of the harsh realities faced by many people around the world.
The repetition of "The Key of the Street is the key of the heart" underscores the emotional toll of poverty and desperation. The woman's physical struggle is mirrored by her emotional struggle, as she tries to maintain her dignity and humanity in the face of adversity.
Service's use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and impactful portrait of the woman's life on the streets. We see her struggle, feel her pain, and understand her desperation.
Conclusion
The Key Of The Street is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance that explores themes of poverty, desperation, and the struggle for survival. Through vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors, Robert Service creates a portrait of a woman who is hard as nails on the outside, but vulnerable and emotional on the inside.
This poem serves as a reminder of the harsh realities faced by many people around the world, and it challenges us to consider our own privilege and responsibility to help those in need. The Key Of The Street is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Key of the Street: A Poem of Life's Lessons
Robert Service's "The Key of the Street" is a classic poem that speaks to the human experience of navigating life's challenges and learning from them. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service captures the essence of what it means to be alive and striving for success in a world that can be both beautiful and cruel.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his youth, when he was "a lad of twenty-two" with "a heart that was light and gay." He describes himself as "a dreamer and a rover," someone who was always looking for adventure and excitement. But as he grew older, he began to realize that life was not always easy, and that success was not guaranteed.
The turning point in the poem comes when the speaker encounters an old man who gives him a key. The key, the old man explains, is the key to the street, and it will unlock all the doors of opportunity in the world. The speaker is skeptical at first, but he decides to take the key and see what happens.
As he walks down the street, the speaker encounters a series of challenges and obstacles. He is tempted by wealth and power, but he resists these temptations and stays true to his values. He learns the importance of hard work and perseverance, and he discovers that success is not just about achieving one's goals, but about learning from one's failures and mistakes.
The poem is full of powerful imagery and metaphors that capture the essence of the human experience. For example, the key itself is a metaphor for the opportunities that are available to us in life. The street represents the path that we must follow in order to achieve our goals, and the obstacles and challenges that we encounter along the way.
The poem also explores the themes of temptation and morality. The speaker is tempted by the allure of wealth and power, but he ultimately chooses to stay true to his values and resist these temptations. This is a powerful message about the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising one's values for the sake of success.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the importance of hard work and perseverance. The speaker learns that success is not just about achieving one's goals, but about putting in the hard work and effort required to achieve those goals. This is a valuable lesson for anyone who is striving for success in their own life.
Overall, "The Key of the Street" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of navigating life's challenges and learning from them. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert Service captures the essence of what it means to be alive and striving for success in a world that can be both beautiful and cruel. This is a poem that will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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