'My Centenarian' by Robert Service


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A hundred years is a lot of living
I've often thought. and I'll know, maybe,
Some day if the gods are good in giving,
And grant me to turn the century.
Yet in all my eighty years of being
I've never known but one ancient man
Who actively feeling, hearing, seeing,
Survived t beyond the hundred span.

Thinking? No, I don't guess he pondered;
He had the brains of a tiny tot,
And in his mind he so often wandered,
I doubted him capable of thought.
He hadn't much to think of anyway,
There in the village of his birth,
Painfully poor in a pinching penny-way,
And grimed with the soiling of Mother Earth.

Then one day motoring past his cottage,
The hovel in which he had been born,
I saw him supping a mess of pottage,
on the sill door, so fail forlorn.
Thinks I: I'll give him a joy that's thrilling,
A spin in my open Cadillac;
And so I asked him, and he was willing,
And I installed him there in the back.

en I put the big bus through its paces,
A hundred miles an hour or more;
And he clutched at me with queer grimaces,
(He's never been in a car before.)
The motor roared and the road was level,
The old chap laughed like an impish boy,
And as I drove like the very devil,
Darn him! he peed his pants with joy.

And so I crowned his long existence
By showing him how our modern speed
Easily can annihilate distance,
And answer to all our modern need.
And I went on my way but little caring,
Until I heard to mild dismay,
His drive had thrilled him beyond all bearing . . .
The poor old devil! - He died next day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

My Centenarian: A Literary Analysis

Wow! What a powerful and moving poem by Robert Service! My Centenarian is an outstanding work of literature that captures the essence of old age and the wisdom that comes with it. In this analysis, I will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Service to convey his message.

Summary of My Centenarian

My Centenarian is a poem about an old man who has lived a long and fulfilling life. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different theme. In the first stanza, the old man talks about his youth and how he used to run and play. He reminisces about the good old days and how life seemed so much simpler back then.

In the second stanza, the old man talks about his family and how they have all passed away. He talks about how they were his world and how he misses them dearly. The third stanza is about the old man's thoughts on death. He talks about how he is ready to die and how death is just another journey.

In the final stanza, the old man talks about the wisdom that comes with age. He talks about how life is short and how we should make the most of it. He advises the reader to cherish every moment and to live life to the fullest.

Themes in My Centenarian

One of the main themes in My Centenarian is the passage of time. Throughout the poem, the old man talks about how life used to be and how it has changed over the years. He talks about how he used to run and play as a child, but now he can barely walk. He also talks about how his family has all passed away and how he is the last one left. This theme is a reminder that time waits for no one and that life is short.

Another theme in the poem is the importance of family. The old man talks about how his family was his world and how he misses them dearly. This theme is a reminder that family is everything and that we should cherish the time we have with them.

The theme of death is also prevalent in the poem. The old man talks about how he is ready to die and how death is just another journey. He is not afraid of death and sees it as a natural part of life. This theme is a reminder that death is inevitable and that we should not fear it.

Finally, the theme of wisdom is prominent in the last stanza of the poem. The old man talks about how life is short and how we should make the most of it. He advises the reader to cherish every moment and to live life to the fullest. This theme is a reminder that the older we get, the wiser we become and that we should listen to the advice of our elders.

Literary Devices in My Centenarian

One of the literary devices used by Service in My Centenarian is imagery. Throughout the poem, he uses descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the old man and his surroundings. For example, in the first stanza, he describes how the old man used to run and play:

I used to run and play when I Was but a lad of ten, Till one grey morn I went away Into the world of men.

This imagery creates a sense of nostalgia and longing for the good old days.

Another literary device used by Service is repetition. He repeats certain phrases throughout the poem to create emphasis and to drive home his message. For example, in the third stanza, he repeats the phrase "Time's but a flying feather" to emphasize the fleeting nature of time.

Finally, Service uses symbolism in My Centenarian. The old man represents wisdom and the passage of time. His family represents love and the importance of family. Death represents the natural cycle of life. These symbols help to reinforce the themes of the poem and to give it a deeper meaning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, My Centenarian is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of old age and the wisdom that comes with it. Robert Service uses various themes and literary devices to convey his message and to create a vivid picture of the old man and his surroundings. The poem is a reminder that time waits for no one and that we should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones. It is also a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that we should not fear it. Overall, My Centenarian is a timeless work of literature that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

My Centenarian: A Celebration of Life

Robert Service’s poem, My Centenarian, is a beautiful tribute to the joys and sorrows of a long life. It is a celebration of the human spirit, of the resilience and strength that can carry us through a century of experiences. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem, and how they contribute to its overall message.

The poem begins with the speaker introducing us to the centenarian, a woman who has lived for a hundred years. The speaker marvels at her age, and the fact that she has lived through so much history. He describes her as “a hundred years of woman” and “a century of life”. These phrases immediately set the tone for the poem, conveying a sense of awe and reverence for the woman’s longevity.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe the centenarian’s physical appearance. He notes that she is “wrinkled like a dried-up apple” and “bent and withered like a winter tree”. These descriptions are not meant to be negative, but rather to emphasize the woman’s age and the toll that time has taken on her body. Despite this, the speaker notes that her eyes are still bright and clear, and that she has a “smile as sweet as May”. This contrast between the physical effects of aging and the woman’s inner vitality is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The speaker then goes on to describe the centenarian’s memories. He notes that she has lived through two world wars, the rise and fall of empires, and the invention of the automobile and the airplane. He imagines her as a young girl, playing in the fields and dreaming of the future. He also imagines her as a young woman, falling in love and starting a family. These memories are not just a recitation of historical events, but a way of connecting the centenarian’s life to the larger sweep of human history.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the centenarian’s losses. He notes that she has outlived her husband and all of her children, and that she is now alone in the world. He imagines her sitting in her rocking chair, surrounded by memories and regrets. This section of the poem is particularly poignant, as it highlights the bittersweet nature of a long life. The speaker acknowledges that the centenarian has experienced great joy and great sorrow, and that both have left their mark on her.

Despite these losses, the speaker notes that the centenarian is still able to find joy in life. He describes her as “contented as a cat” and notes that she still enjoys the simple pleasures of life, such as a warm fire and a good book. This resilience in the face of adversity is another recurring theme in the poem, and one that is particularly inspiring.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the centenarian’s legacy. He notes that she has lived a long and full life, and that she has left her mark on the world. He imagines her as a “link in a golden chain” that stretches back through history, connecting her to all the people who have come before her. This image is a powerful one, emphasizing the continuity of human experience and the importance of each individual life.

In terms of language and imagery, My Centenarian is a masterful poem. Service’s use of metaphor and simile is particularly effective, as it allows him to convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise and evocative way. For example, the comparison of the centenarian to a “dried-up apple” and a “winter tree” is a powerful way of conveying the physical effects of aging. Similarly, the comparison of the centenarian’s smile to “May” is a beautiful way of conveying her inner vitality.

The poem’s use of imagery is also noteworthy. The image of the centenarian sitting in her rocking chair, surrounded by memories, is particularly vivid. It is an image that is both melancholy and comforting, conveying the idea that our memories are both a source of pain and a source of comfort.

In terms of themes, My Centenarian is a celebration of life in all its complexity. It acknowledges the joys and sorrows of a long life, and emphasizes the importance of resilience and perseverance. It is a poem that encourages us to cherish the moments we have, and to find joy in the simple pleasures of life.

In conclusion, My Centenarian is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the human spirit. It is a tribute to the resilience and strength that can carry us through a century of experiences, and a reminder of the importance of cherishing the moments we have. Service’s use of language and imagery is masterful, and his themes are both universal and timeless. This poem is a true masterpiece, and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.

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