'Retired Shopman' by Robert Service


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He had the grocer's counter-stoop,
That little man so grey and neat;
His moustache had a doleful droop,
He hailed me in the slushy street.
"I've sold my shop," he said to me,
Cupping his hand behind his ear.
"My deafness got so bad, you see,
Folks had to shout to make me hear."

He sighed and sadly shook his head;
The hand he gave was chill as ice.
"I sold out far too soon," he said;
"To-day I'd get ten times the price.
But then how was a man to know,
(The War, the rising cost of life.)
We have to pinch to make things go:
It's tough - I'm sorry for the wife.

"She looks sometimes at me with tears.
'You worked so hard,' I hear her say.
'You had your shop for forty years,
And you were honest as the day.'
Ah yes, I loved my shop, it's true;
My customers I tried to please;
But when one's deaf and sixty-two
What can one do in times like these?

"My savings, that I fondly thought
Would keep me snug when we were old,
Are melting fast - what once I bought
For silver, now is sought with gold.
The cost of life goes up each day;
I wonder what will be the end?"
He sighed, I saw him drift away
And thought: Alas for you, my friend!

and every day I see him stop
And look and look with wistful eye
At what was once his little shop,
Whose goods he can no longer buy.
Then homeward wearily he goes
To where his wife bed-ridden lies,
A driblet dangling from his nose. . . .
But Oh the panic in his eyes!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Retired Shopman by Robert Service - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to a different era? A poem that made you feel nostalgic about a time you've never even experienced? That's what Robert Service's "Retired Shopman" does. This classic poem, written in 1937, is a beautiful tribute to the hardworking class of the early 20th century. It's a poem that celebrates the simple joys of life and the power of human connection.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's talk a little bit about Robert Service, the man behind the words. Service was a Scottish poet and novelist who became famous for his poems about the Canadian North. He was born in 1874 and spent most of his life traveling and writing. Service's work was incredibly popular during his lifetime, and he was even known as "the people's poet" for his ability to connect with a wide audience.

"Retired Shopman" was written towards the end of Service's life, and it's a departure from his earlier work about the rugged wilderness of Canada. Instead, this poem is a tribute to the everyday people who worked hard to make a living in the bustling cities of the early 20th century.

Analysis

The poem begins with a description of the titular "retired shopman." He's an old man who's spent his life working in a shop, selling goods to customers day in and day out. We learn that the shopman is now retired and spends his days sitting outside his old shop, watching the world go by.

Right away, Service establishes a sense of nostalgia and longing. The old shopman represents a bygone era, a time when life was simpler and people took pleasure in the small things. The fact that he's retired also suggests that he's no longer able to participate in this fast-paced world. He's an observer now, looking on as life passes him by.

Service then goes on to describe the shopman's daily routine. Every morning, he wakes up early, puts on his old coat, and heads down to the shop. He sits outside on a bench, smoking his pipe and greeting passersby. He's a familiar face in the neighborhood, and people stop to chat with him and ask about his health.

Here, Service captures the essence of community. The shopman may be retired, but he's still an important part of the neighborhood. He's a friendly face that people look forward to seeing every day. His presence brings a sense of comfort and familiarity to the hustle and bustle of city life.

As the poem goes on, Service delves deeper into the shopman's past. He describes how the shopman used to work long hours, standing on his feet all day, trying to make ends meet. But despite the hardships, the shopman never lost his sense of humor or his love for life.

This is where Service's talent as a storyteller really shines. He's able to take a simple character like the retired shopman and turn him into a symbol of perseverance and resilience. The shopman may have had a tough life, but he never let it get him down. He found joy in the small things, like a good joke or a warm smile.

The poem ends with a beautiful tribute to the shopman's legacy. Service writes:

So let us honor ere they die
The shopmen of the days gone by.
Stir up the kindly thought and deed
To help them in their hour of need.

These lines are a call to action. Service is asking us to remember the hardworking men and women who built our communities. He's asking us to show them kindness and respect, even in their old age. It's a reminder that we're all connected, and that the things we do today will have an impact on the world we leave behind.

Interpretation

So what does "Retired Shopman" really mean? On the surface, it's a poem about an old man who sits outside his shop all day. But if we look deeper, we can see that it's really a poem about the power of human connection.

The shopman may be retired, but he's still an important part of the community. He's a reminder that we're all connected, and that the relationships we build are what make life worth living. Service is asking us to remember the people who came before us, the ones who worked hard to build the world we live in today.

But the poem is also a warning. It's a reminder that time is fleeting, and that we need to cherish the moments we have with the people we love. The shopman may be retired, but he's still alive, still breathing. Service is asking us to honor him and others like him before it's too late.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Retired Shopman" is a beautiful tribute to the hardworking men and women who built our communities. It's a reminder that we're all connected, and that the relationships we build are what make life worth living. Service's ability to capture the essence of community and human connection is what makes this poem so timeless. It's a call to action, urging us to remember the people who came before us and to honor their legacy. It's a reminder that time is fleeting, and that we need to cherish the moments we have with the people we love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Retired Shopman: A Poem of Life's Simple Pleasures

Robert Service's Retired Shopman is a poem that celebrates the joys of a simple life. It tells the story of an old man who has retired from his job as a shopkeeper and now spends his days enjoying the simple pleasures of life. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the joys of retirement and the importance of finding happiness in the little things.

The poem begins with a description of the old man's daily routine. He wakes up early, takes a walk in the park, and then spends the rest of the day doing whatever he pleases. He has no responsibilities, no deadlines, and no worries. He is free to enjoy life on his own terms.

The old man's simple pleasures are described in vivid detail throughout the poem. He enjoys the beauty of nature, the company of his friends, and the taste of good food and drink. He takes pleasure in the small things in life, like the sound of birds singing or the feel of the sun on his face.

One of the most striking things about the poem is the way it celebrates the old man's independence. He is no longer tied to a job or a schedule. He is free to live life on his own terms, and he does so with joy and enthusiasm. He is a reminder that retirement can be a time of great freedom and happiness.

The poem also celebrates the importance of community and friendship. The old man has a group of friends who he spends time with every day. They share meals, stories, and laughter. They support each other through the ups and downs of life. They are a reminder that we all need human connection and companionship to truly enjoy life.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of living in the moment. The old man is not worried about the past or the future. He is fully present in each moment, enjoying the simple pleasures of life as they come. He is a reminder that we should all strive to live in the present and appreciate the beauty of each moment.

The poem also celebrates the importance of self-care. The old man takes care of himself by eating well, exercising, and spending time in nature. He is a reminder that we all need to take care of ourselves in order to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Overall, Retired Shopman is a beautiful poem that celebrates the joys of a simple life. It is a reminder that retirement can be a time of great freedom and happiness, and that we should all strive to find joy in the little things in life. It is a tribute to the importance of community, friendship, and self-care. It is a poem that will inspire readers to live life to the fullest and appreciate the beauty of each moment.

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