'Wonder' by Robert Service
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For failure I was well equipped
And should have come to grief,
By atavism grimly gripped,
A fool beyond belief.
But lo! the Lord was good to me,
And with a heart to sing,
He gave me to a rare degree
The Gift of Wondering.
I could not play a stalwart part
My shoddy soul to save,
And should have gone with broken heart
A begger to the grave;
But praise to my anointed sight
As wandering I went,
I sang of living with delight
In terms of Wonderment.
Aye, starry-eyed did I rejoice
With marvel of a child,
And there were those who heard my voice
Although my words were wild:
So as I go my wistful way,
With worship let me sing,
A treasure to my farewell day
God's Gift of Wondering.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Wonder by Robert Service: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to embark on a journey through the mind of Robert Service and his classic poem, Wonder? This piece of literature, written in 1907, takes us through an exploration of the universe and humanity's place within it. With its vivid imagery and thought-provoking language, Wonder is a timeless work that continues to inspire readers today.
Form and Structure
Before we dive into the themes and symbolism of the poem, let's first examine its form and structure. Wonder is a free verse poem, meaning it has no set rhyme or meter. Instead, Service relies on the power of language and imagery to convey his message. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with varying line lengths and structure.
Service's decision to use free verse is significant in that it allows him to break free from the constraints of traditional poetic forms. It gives him the freedom to explore the universe and express his thoughts and feelings in a more organic way. The structure of the poem, with its varying line lengths and stanzas, also adds to the sense of wonder and exploration.
Themes and Symbolism
At its core, Wonder is a poem about our place in the universe and the vastness of space. Service explores the idea that humanity is just a small part of a much larger whole. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey this sense of awe and wonder.
One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the "candle-flame" that Service describes in the first stanza. He compares the flame to the light of human consciousness, which flickers and dances in the face of the vastness of space. This symbol sets the tone for the rest of the poem and underscores the idea that humanity is just a small part of the universe.
Service also uses the imagery of the "star-dust" in the second stanza to further explore this theme. He describes the vastness of space and the billions of stars that make up the universe. The star-dust symbolizes the infinite nature of space and the fact that humanity is just a tiny speck in a much larger whole.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of exploration and discovery. Service uses language that evokes a sense of adventure and excitement. In the fourth stanza, he describes the "outward bound" journey of the human race, as we explore and discover the mysteries of the universe.
This theme is further explored in the final stanza, where Service describes the sense of wonder and amazement that comes with the discovery of new worlds. He writes, "And oh, the wonder of it, / That whether we are near or far, / We still can gaze and ponder / On the majesty of a star."
Language and Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of Wonder is its use of language and imagery. Service's descriptions of the universe and humanity's place within it are vivid and powerful. He uses metaphors and similes to create a sense of awe and wonder.
In the second stanza, Service writes, "We are as transient as the dew / That slips from off the rose; / As brief as fading sunset hues, / Or pages no one knows." This language conveys the idea that humanity is just a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of the universe.
Service's use of imagery is also powerful. In the third stanza, he describes the "tide of life that flows and ebbs, / And ebbs and flows again." This image of the tide emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the fact that everything is in a constant state of flux.
In the final stanza, Service uses the image of the star to convey a sense of wonder and amazement. He describes the star as a "gleaming jewel" that inspires us to gaze in wonder and contemplate the mysteries of the universe.
Conclusion
Wonder by Robert Service is a timeless work of literature that explores the vastness of space and humanity's place within it. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, Service conveys a sense of awe and wonder that continues to inspire readers today.
The poem's themes of exploration, discovery, and our place in the universe are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written. Wonder is a reminder of the infinite possibilities that exist in the universe and the importance of exploring and discovering the mysteries that surround us.
As readers, we are left with a sense of wonder and amazement as we contemplate our place in the grand scheme of things. Service's vision of the universe is both humbling and inspiring, reminding us of the limitless potential of human curiosity and imagination.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Wonder by Robert Service: A Poem of Exploration and Discovery
Robert Service’s poem, Wonder, is a masterpiece of exploration and discovery. It is a poem that captures the essence of human curiosity and the desire to explore the unknown. The poem is a celebration of the human spirit and the quest for knowledge. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to explore the world. He talks about how he wants to see the world and experience all the wonders it has to offer. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:
"I wonder what it would be like to wander in the wild, To scale the tangled mountain peak and view the world defiled, To glimpse the grizzly in his wrath, or hear the panther scream, And track the sly coyote's path beside the sullen stream."
The speaker’s desire to explore the world is evident in these lines. He wants to experience the wild and see the world from a different perspective. The use of the word “wonder” in the title of the poem is significant. It suggests that the speaker is in awe of the world and wants to explore it to satisfy his curiosity.
The poem is full of vivid imagery that captures the beauty and danger of the natural world. The speaker talks about scaling a mountain peak and seeing the world “defiled.” This word choice suggests that the world is not perfect, but it is still beautiful. The speaker also talks about seeing a grizzly in its wrath and hearing a panther scream. These images are powerful and evoke a sense of danger and excitement.
The use of imagery in the poem is not limited to the natural world. The speaker also talks about exploring the human world. He talks about wanting to see “the city’s teeming street” and “the haunts of men.” This suggests that the speaker is interested in exploring not just the natural world but also the human world.
The poem is also full of language that captures the sense of wonder and excitement that the speaker feels. The use of words like “wonder,” “thrill,” and “adventure” all suggest that the speaker is excited about the prospect of exploring the world. The use of alliteration in lines like “track the sly coyote’s path” and “the city’s teeming street” adds to the sense of excitement and adventure.
The poem is not just about exploration and discovery, however. It is also about the human spirit and the desire to push beyond our limits. The speaker talks about wanting to “scale the tangled mountain peak” and “plunge into the foaming sea.” These lines suggest that the speaker is not content with staying in one place. He wants to push himself to his limits and see what he is capable of.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The speaker talks about wanting to “live a thousand lives” and “die a thousand deaths.” These lines suggest that the speaker is aware of his mortality and wants to make the most of his time on earth. He wants to experience as much as he can before his time is up.
The poem ends with the speaker expressing his desire to explore the world with someone else. He talks about wanting to share the wonders of the world with someone he loves. This suggests that the speaker is not just interested in exploring the world for his own sake but also for the sake of others.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s poem, Wonder, is a celebration of the human spirit and the quest for knowledge. It is a poem that captures the essence of human curiosity and the desire to explore the unknown. The poem is full of vivid imagery and language that captures the sense of wonder and excitement that the speaker feels. The poem is not just about exploration and discovery, however. It is also about the human spirit and the desire to push beyond our limits. The poem is a reminder that there is a whole world out there waiting to be explored, and it is up to us to take the first step.
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