'Detachment' by Robert Service


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As I go forth from fair to mart
With racket ringing,
Who would divine that in my heart
Mad larks are singing.
As I sweet sympathy express,
Lest I should pain them,
The money-mongers cannot guess
How I disdain them.

As I sit at some silly tea
And flirt and flatter
How I abhor society
And female chatter.
As I with wonderment survey
Their peacock dresses,
My mind is wafted far away
To wildernesses.

As I sit in some raucous pub,
Taboo to women,
And treat myself to greasy grub
I feel quite human.
Yet there I dream, despite the din,
Of God's green spaces,
And sweetly dwell the peace within
Of sylvan graces.

And so I wear my daily mask
Of pleasant seeming,
And nobody takes me to task
For distant dreaming;
A happy hypocrite am I
Of ambiance inner,
Who smiling make the same reply
To saint and sinner.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Detachment by Robert Service: A Poem of Solitude and Self-Discovery

Have you ever felt the need to detach yourself from the world and retreat into your own thoughts? Have you ever questioned the purpose of your existence and sought to find meaning in your solitude? If so, then Robert Service's poem "Detachment" is a must-read for you.

This classic poem, first published in 1907, explores the theme of detachment and its impact on the human psyche. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the poem and how it reflects the author's views on life, death, and the human condition.

Analysis of Detachment

The poem "Detachment" consists of thirteen stanzas, each with four lines. The poem follows a simple AABB rhyme scheme, which gives it a musical quality and makes it easy to read and remember. The poem's structure is as follows:

I have no name,
I am but two days old--
What shall I call thee?
I happy am,
Joy is my name--
Sweet joy befall thee!
Pretty joy!
Sweet joy, but two days old.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to detach himself from the world and retreat into his own thoughts. He says that he has "no name," implying that he wants to strip himself of his identity and become anonymous. He then says that he is "but two days old," suggesting that he wants to start anew and forget about his past.

The speaker then asks a rhetorical question: "What shall I call thee?" This question can be interpreted in different ways. It could be a question directed at himself, asking what he should call his new self now that he has detached himself from the world. Alternatively, it could be a question directed at the reader, asking what the reader thinks the speaker should call himself.

The next stanza introduces the theme of joy, which runs throughout the poem. The speaker says that he is "happy" and that his name is "Joy." He wishes joy upon the reader, saying "Sweet joy befall thee!" The repetition of the word "joy" and the use of the word "sweet" creates a sense of happiness and positivity.

The poem then repeats the second and third stanzas, with the only difference being the addition of the word "pretty" to the fourth line of the second stanza. This repetition reinforces the theme of joy and emphasizes the importance of detaching oneself from the world to find happiness.

The fifth stanza shifts the tone of the poem from happiness to sadness. The speaker says that he is "Sadness" and that he is "old." This contrast between youth and age, happiness and sadness, reinforces the idea that detachment is necessary to find joy and avoid the pain of the world.

The sixth stanza introduces the theme of death. The speaker says that he is "Death" and that he is "near." This suggests that the speaker is aware of his mortality and that he is contemplating the meaning of life and death.

The seventh stanza repeats the second stanza again, with the only difference being the addition of the word "Pretty" to the fourth line. This repetition reinforces the theme of joy and suggests that detaching oneself from the world is a constant struggle.

The eighth stanza introduces the theme of love. The speaker says that he is "Love" and that he is "here." This suggests that love is present even in solitude and that detaching oneself from the world does not mean giving up on love.

The ninth stanza repeats the fifth stanza, with the only difference being the addition of the word "Pretty" to the fourth line. This repetition reinforces the idea that detachment is necessary to avoid the pain of the world.

The tenth stanza introduces the theme of fear. The speaker says that he is "Fear" and that he is "far." This suggests that fear is something that can be overcome by detaching oneself from the world and finding joy in solitude.

The eleventh stanza repeats the second and third stanzas again, with the only difference being the addition of the word "Pretty" to the fourth line of the third stanza. This repetition reinforces the theme of joy and suggests that detaching oneself from the world is a constant struggle.

The twelfth stanza introduces the theme of time. The speaker says that he is "Time" and that he is "long." This suggests that time is something that can be transcended by detaching oneself from the world and finding joy in the present moment.

The thirteenth and final stanza repeats the second stanza once again, with the only difference being the addition of the word "Sweet" to the fourth line. This repetition reinforces the theme of joy and suggests that detaching oneself from the world is a constant struggle that is worth it in the end.

Interpretation of Detachment

The poem "Detachment" can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see it as a celebration of solitude and self-discovery, while others may see it as a warning against the dangers of isolation and detachment.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that it reflects the author's views on the human condition. Robert Service was a Canadian poet who lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He witnessed many significant events during his lifetime, including the First and Second World Wars and the Great Depression. Service's poetry often reflects his experiences and his view of the world as a chaotic and unpredictable place.

In "Detachment," Service seems to be suggesting that detaching oneself from the world is necessary to find joy and avoid the pain of the world. The repetition of the theme of joy throughout the poem reinforces this idea and suggests that joy is something that can only be found in solitude.

At the same time, the poem also suggests that detachment can lead to sadness, fear, and even death. The repetition of the themes of sadness, fear, and death throughout the poem suggests that detaching oneself from the world is not a simple or easy process, and that it requires courage and perseverance.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it reflects Service's views on the nature of identity. The repeated question, "What shall I call thee?" suggests that the speaker is questioning his own identity and attempting to redefine himself. This theme of identity is reinforced by the repetition of the first stanza, in which the speaker says that he has "no name" and is "but two days old."

This theme of identity is also reflected in the various personas that the speaker assumes throughout the poem. The speaker becomes "Joy," "Sadness," "Death," "Love," and "Fear" at various points in the poem, suggesting that identity is not fixed or permanent, but rather something that can be constantly redefined and reinvented.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Detachment" by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the themes of detachment, identity, and the human condition. Through its simple yet musical structure and its repetition of themes and stanzas, the poem creates a powerful sense of introspection and self-discovery.

The poem suggests that detaching oneself from the world is necessary to find joy and avoid the pain of the world, but also warns against the dangers of isolation and detachment. It also reflects Service's views on the nature of identity and suggests that identity is something that can be constantly redefined and reinvented.

Overall, "Detachment" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of self-discovery and the search for meaning in solitude is as relevant today as it was over a century ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Detachment: A Poem of Self-Discovery

Robert Service's Detachment is a classic poem that explores the theme of self-discovery. The poem is a journey of the speaker's detachment from the material world and his realization of the true meaning of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and themes to understand its significance.

Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. The simplicity of the structure and rhyme scheme reflects the speaker's detachment from the complexities of the material world. The poem's brevity also emphasizes the speaker's realization that life is short and that he must detach himself from worldly possessions to find true meaning.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no flowery language or complex metaphors. The speaker uses everyday language to convey his message, which makes the poem accessible to all readers. The use of the first-person point of view also makes the poem more personal and relatable.

The poem's language is also reflective of the speaker's detachment from the material world. He no longer needs fancy words or material possessions to feel fulfilled. Instead, he finds joy in the simple things in life, such as the beauty of nature and the company of loved ones.

Themes

The main theme of the poem is detachment. The speaker realizes that the material world is fleeting and that true happiness comes from within. He detaches himself from the material world and finds joy in the simple things in life. The poem's message is that we should not be attached to material possessions because they do not bring lasting happiness.

Another theme of the poem is self-discovery. The speaker's detachment from the material world leads him to discover the true meaning of life. He realizes that life is short and that he must make the most of it. He finds joy in the present moment and in the company of loved ones. The poem's message is that we should take the time to discover ourselves and find our own path in life.

The poem also explores the theme of nature. The speaker finds solace in the beauty of nature and the simple pleasures it provides. He realizes that nature is a source of peace and tranquility and that we should take the time to appreciate it. The poem's message is that we should connect with nature and find joy in its beauty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Detachment is a classic poem that explores the themes of detachment, self-discovery, and nature. The poem's structure, language, and themes all work together to convey the speaker's message that true happiness comes from within and that we should detach ourselves from the material world to find it. The poem's simplicity and accessibility make it a timeless piece of literature that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

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