'Cocotte' by Robert Service
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When a girl's sixteen, and as poor as she's pretty,
And she hasn't a friend and she hasn't a home,
Heigh-ho! She's as safe in Paris city
As a lamb night-strayed where the wild wolves roam;
And that was I; oh, it's seven years now
(Some water's run down the Seine since then),
And I've almost forgotten the pangs and the tears now,
And I've almost taken the measure of men.
Oh, I found me a lover who loved me only,
Artist and poet, and almost a boy.
And my heart was bruised, and my life was lonely,
And him I adored with a wonderful joy.
If he'd come to me with his pockets empty,
How we'd have laughed in a garret gay!
But he was rich, and in radiant plenty
We lived in a villa at Viroflay.
Then came the War, and of bliss bereft me;
Then came the call, and he went away;
All that he had in the world he left me,
With the rose-wreathed villa at Viroflay.
Then came the news and the tragic story:
My hero, my splendid lover was dead,
Sword in hand on the field of glory,
And he died with my name on his lips, they said.
So here am I in my widow's mourning,
The weeds I've really no right to wear;
And women fix me with eyes of scorning,
Call me "cocotte", but I do not care.
And men look at me with eyes that borrow
The brightness of love, but I turn away;
Alone, say I, I will live with Sorrow,
In my little villa at Viroflay.
And lo! I'm living alone with Pity,
And they say that pity from love's not far;
Let me tell you all: last week in the city
I took the metro at Saint Lazare;
And the carriage was crowded to overflowing,
And when there entered at Chateaudun
Two wounded poilus with medals showing,
I eagerly gave my seat to one.
You should have seen them: they'd slipped death's clutches,
But sadder a sight you will rarely find;
One had a leg off and walked on crutches,
The other, a bit of a boy, was blind.
And they both sat down, and the lad was trying
To grope his way as a blind man tries;
And half of the women around were crying,
And some of the men had tears in their eyes.
How he stirred me, this blind boy, clinging
Just like a child to his crippled chum.
But I did not cry. Oh no; a singing
Came to my heart for a year so dumb,
Then I knew that at three-and-twenty
There is wonderful work to be done,
Comfort and kindness and joy in plenty,
Peace and light and love to be won.
Oh, thought I, could mine eyes be given
To one who will live in the dark alway!
To love and to serve -- 'twould make life Heaven
Here in my villa at Viroflay.
So I left my poilus: and now you wonder
Why to-day I am so elate. . . .
Look! In the glory of sunshine yonder
They're bringing my blind boy in at the gate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cocotte: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Cocotte! What a poem! How can one not be drawn to the energy and the spirit that Robert Service infuses into his writing? The poem Cocotte is a shining example of Service's unique style of storytelling that blends humor, wit, and pathos. This classic poem has been a favorite of readers for decades, and for good reason. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, tone, and style of Cocotte, and examine why it continues to captivate readers today.
A Brief Summary
Before we begin, let us first take a quick look at the poem Cocotte. The poem is about a French prostitute, or cocotte, who plies her trade on the streets of Paris. The speaker of the poem is a soldier who has just returned from the trenches of World War I and is looking for some comfort and companionship. He meets the cocotte and is struck by her beauty and her cheerfulness. Despite his reservations about her profession, he spends the night with her and is filled with a sense of joy and hope. The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging the fleeting nature of their encounter and the inevitability of his return to the war.
The Theme of Love in Times of War
One of the central themes of Cocotte is the power of love and companionship in times of war. The speaker is a soldier who has just returned from the frontlines of World War I, where he has witnessed death and destruction on a daily basis. He is clearly traumatized by his experiences and is in need of some human connection. Enter the cocotte, who provides him with just that. She is a source of comfort and pleasure for the speaker, and he is able to forget his troubles, at least for a little while.
Service does an excellent job of capturing the nuances of the soldier's emotions. He is torn between his desire for companionship and his reservations about the cocotte's profession. He recognizes that their encounter is fleeting and that he will soon have to return to the war. Yet, he is filled with a sense of hope and renewal after spending time with the cocotte. This theme of love and companionship in times of war is a timeless one, and Service's treatment of it is both poignant and realistic.
The Tone and Style of Cocotte
One of the things that sets Cocotte apart from other poems is its tone and style. Service's writing is characterized by a sense of energy and vitality that is infectious. He uses rhyme and meter to create a rhythm that is both playful and engaging. The tone of the poem is lighthearted and humorous, yet there is also an underlying sense of sadness and tragedy.
Service's use of language is also worth noting. He employs a mix of high and low diction that gives the poem a unique flavor. The soldier's language is informal and colloquial, while the cocotte's is more refined and sophisticated. This serves to highlight the difference in their social status and profession.
Another notable aspect of Cocotte is its vivid imagery. Service paints a picture of Paris that is both romantic and realistic. He describes the city's streets and buildings in detail, creating a visual landscape that the reader can easily picture in their mind's eye. The imagery also serves to underscore the theme of transience and impermanence that runs throughout the poem.
The Symbolism of the Cocotte
The cocotte herself is a symbol of many things. On the surface, she represents the world of prostitution and the seedy underbelly of Parisian society. However, she is also a symbol of hope and renewal for the soldier. She offers him a respite from the horrors of war and reminds him that there is still beauty and joy in the world.
In a broader sense, the cocotte can be seen as a symbol of the human capacity for resilience and survival. She has been forced to make a living in a world that is often hostile to women and those on the margins of society. Yet, she is able to maintain her sense of humor and her joie de vivre. In this sense, the cocotte represents the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Conclusion
Cocotte is a poem that continues to captivate readers today. Its themes of love, war, and the human condition are timeless, and Service's treatment of them is both sensitive and realistic. The poem's tone and style are unique, and its vivid imagery and symbolism make it a rich and rewarding text to explore. Whether you are a lover of poetry or a casual reader, Cocotte is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cocotte: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Robert Service's Cocotte is a classic poem that tells the story of a young woman's journey from a life of luxury and excess to one of poverty and despair, and ultimately to a place of redemption and hope. Written in Service's signature style of simple, yet powerful language, Cocotte is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the titular character, Cocotte, a beautiful young woman who lives a life of luxury and pleasure in the city. She is described as "a creature of the night", with "eyes like jewels" and "lips like wine". Cocotte is a woman who knows how to enjoy life, and she does so with abandon.
However, despite her apparent happiness, Cocotte is not immune to the pain and suffering that life can bring. She falls in love with a man who is not worthy of her, and he betrays her, leaving her heartbroken and alone. Cocotte's world is shattered, and she is forced to leave the city and make a new life for herself.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Cocotte descends into a life of poverty and despair. She becomes a prostitute, selling her body to survive. Service's description of Cocotte's life on the streets is stark and unflinching, painting a picture of a woman who has lost everything and has nothing left to lose.
Despite her circumstances, Cocotte never loses her spirit or her will to survive. She continues to dream of a better life, and she never gives up hope. It is this resilience and determination that ultimately leads her to redemption.
The turning point in Cocotte's story comes when she meets a kind and compassionate man who sees beyond her circumstances and recognizes her worth as a human being. He offers her a way out of her life on the streets, and Cocotte seizes the opportunity with both hands.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and uplifting one, as Cocotte looks back on her journey and reflects on the lessons she has learned. She realizes that her experiences have made her stronger and more compassionate, and she is grateful for the second chance she has been given.
Service's Cocotte is a poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. It is a story of love, loss, and redemption, and it reminds us that no matter how dark our circumstances may seem, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
One of the most striking aspects of Cocotte is Service's use of language. His simple, yet powerful words paint a vivid picture of Cocotte's world, and his descriptions of her emotions and experiences are both raw and honest. Service's use of repetition, particularly in the opening stanza, creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that carries the reader through the poem.
Another notable feature of Cocotte is its timeless quality. Although the poem was written over a century ago, its themes and message are just as relevant today as they were then. The story of a woman who overcomes adversity and finds redemption is one that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
In conclusion, Cocotte is a classic poem that continues to captivate and inspire readers today. Service's powerful language and timeless themes make it a work that will endure for generations to come. It is a story of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, and it reminds us that no matter how dark our circumstances may seem, there is always a way forward.
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