'The Smoking Frog' by Robert Service
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Three men I saw beside a bar,
Regarding o'er their bottle,
A frog who smoked a rank cigar
They'd jammed within its throttle.
A Pasha frog it must have been
So big it as and bloated;
And from its lips the nicotine
In graceful festoon floated.
And while the trio jeered and joked,
As if it quite enjoyed it,
Impassively it smoked and smoked,
(It could now well avoid it).
A ring of fire its lips were nigh
Yet it seemed all unwitting;
It could not spit, like you and I,
Who've learned the art of spitting.
It did not wink, it did not shrink,
As there serene it squatted'
Its eyes were clear, it did not fear
The fate the Gods allotted.
It squatted there with calm sublime,
Amid their cruel guying;
Grave as a god, and all the time
It knew that it was dying.
And somehow then it seemed to me
These men expectorating,
Were infinitely less than he,
The dumb thing they were baiting.
It seemed to say, despite their jokes:
"This is my hour of glory.
It isn't every frog that smokes:
My name will live in story."
Before its nose the smoke arose;
The flame grew nigher, nigher;
And then I saw its bright eyes close
Beside that ring of fire.
They turned it on its warty back,
From off its bloated belly;
It legs jerked out, then dangled slack;
It quivered like a jelly.
And then the fellows went away,
Contented with their joking;
But even as in death it lay,
The frog continued smoking.
Life's like a lighted fag, thought I;
We smoke it stale; then after
Death turns our belly to the sky:
The Gods must have their laughter.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Smoking Frog by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever heard of Robert Service? If you haven't, then you're in for a treat. He's a poet from the early 1900s, known for his ballads of the Yukon Gold Rush. His works are humorous, insightful, and often filled with vivid imagery. And one of his most famous poems is "The Smoking Frog."
At first glance, "The Smoking Frog" may seem like a silly poem. It tells the story of a frog who, after eating a cigar, becomes addicted to smoking. He tries to quit, but the cravings are too strong. In the end, the frog's smoking habit leads to his demise. But if you look closer, you'll see that the poem is much more than just a humorous tale.
The Theme of Addiction
At its core, "The Smoking Frog" is a cautionary tale about addiction. Service uses the frog's smoking habit to explore the dangers of becoming addicted to something. The frog knows that smoking is bad for him, but he can't stop. He tells himself that he'll quit tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes.
Service writes:
He said: "I'll smoke my life away In this here lonely bog, And though with each smoke I decay, I'll smoke a bit more fog."
This passage shows how the frog is aware of the negative consequences of smoking, but he chooses to continue smoking anyway. It's a powerful statement about the nature of addiction and how it can take over a person's life.
The Use of Humor
Despite the serious subject matter, "The Smoking Frog" is a humorous poem. Service uses the absurdity of a smoking frog to poke fun at human behavior. The frog's addiction is treated as a joke, and the poem is filled with playful language and imagery.
For example, Service writes:
And so he sat, and smoked and smoked Until his final breath, And then they found him, till they choked, A-smokin' in his death.
This passage is both funny and sad. It's funny because it's absurd to imagine a frog smoking a cigar until he dies. But it's also sad because it's a reminder of the dangers of addiction.
The Power of Imagery
One of the things that makes "The Smoking Frog" such a memorable poem is its use of vivid imagery. Service paints a picture of a lonely bog where the frog spends his days smoking. He describes the smoke rising from the frog's cigar, the frog's yellow eyes, and the way the smoke hangs in the air.
Service writes:
And all alone, with pipe alight, He'd sit and smoke and smoke, And watch the moonbeams pale and white Across the ripples broke.
This passage is a beautiful description of the frog's solitary life. It's easy to picture the frog sitting on a log, smoking his cigar, and watching the moonlight dance across the water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Smoking Frog" by Robert Service is a powerful poem about addiction, told through the lens of a humorous story about a smoking frog. It's a cautionary tale about the dangers of becoming addicted to something, and it's a reminder that addiction can take over a person's life. But it's also a funny and playful poem that uses vivid imagery to create a memorable picture of the frog's lonely bog. If you haven't read "The Smoking Frog" before, I highly recommend it. It's a classic poem that's still relevant today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Smoking Frog: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
The Smoking Frog is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet known for his works that capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. This particular poem is a humorous take on the idea of a frog smoking a cigar, and it has become a favorite among readers of all ages.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a frog that he has encountered, who is smoking a cigar. The speaker is amazed by this sight and cannot believe what he is seeing. He describes the frog as being "fat and jolly" and "puffing away" on his cigar. The speaker is so taken aback by this sight that he cannot help but laugh.
As the poem continues, the speaker begins to question how the frog came to be smoking a cigar. He wonders if the frog stole the cigar from a human, or if he found it on his own. The speaker also wonders if the frog is aware of the dangers of smoking, and if he will suffer any ill effects from his habit.
Despite these concerns, the speaker cannot help but be amused by the sight of the smoking frog. He describes the frog as being "so contented" and "so serene," and he marvels at the fact that the frog seems to be enjoying his cigar just as much as any human would.
As the poem comes to a close, the speaker reflects on the lesson that can be learned from the smoking frog. He suggests that perhaps we should all take a lesson from the frog and learn to enjoy life's simple pleasures. He encourages us to "take a lesson from the frog" and to "smoke a cigar and be jolly."
The Smoking Frog is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a humorous and lighthearted take on the idea of a frog smoking a cigar, but it also contains a deeper message about the importance of enjoying life's simple pleasures. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery and playful language make this poem a joy to read, and it is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who encounters it.
One of the most striking aspects of The Smoking Frog is the way in which Service uses language to create a vivid picture of the frog and his cigar. He describes the frog as being "fat and jolly," which immediately conjures up an image of a happy, contented creature. He also uses phrases like "puffing away" and "clouds of smoke" to create a sense of the smoke swirling around the frog as he enjoys his cigar.
Service's use of language is not only descriptive, but also playful. He uses alliteration and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, he writes, "And there he sat, and there he smoked, / And there he sat and smoked and smoked." This repetition of sounds creates a sense of movement and energy in the poem, which adds to its overall sense of playfulness.
Another notable aspect of The Smoking Frog is the way in which it blends humor with a deeper message. On the surface, the poem is simply a humorous take on the idea of a frog smoking a cigar. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the deeper meaning behind the frog's behavior.
The speaker suggests that perhaps we should all take a lesson from the frog and learn to enjoy life's simple pleasures. He encourages us to "smoke a cigar and be jolly," which is a reminder that sometimes it is the small things in life that bring us the most joy.
Overall, The Smoking Frog is a classic poem that has endured for generations. It is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a poet, and his ability to capture the essence of human experience in his writing. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a lighthearted read, The Smoking Frog is sure to delight and entertain.
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