'Book Borrower' by Robert Service
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I am a mild man, you'll agree,
But red my rage is,
When folks who borrow books from me
Turn down their pages.
Or when a chap a book I lend,
And find he's loaned it
Without permission to a friend -
As if he owned it.
But worst of all I hate those crooks
(May hell-fires burn them!)
Who beg the loan of cherished books
And don't return them.
My books are tendrils of myself
No shears can sever . . .
May he who rapes one from its shelf
Be damned forever.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Book Borrower: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you a book lover? Do you find yourself lost in the pages of a novel or a verse of a poem? If yes, then you must have heard of Robert Service, a renowned poet who has written some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking works of literature. One of his most famous pieces is the poem "Book Borrower," which has captured the hearts of readers across the globe.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and imagery used in "Book Borrower" to understand the essence of this masterpiece.
Summary of Book Borrower
"Book Borrower" is a poem about a man who loves books and cannot resist borrowing them from the library. The narrator of the poem, who is the librarian, observes the man's behavior of borrowing a book every day and returning it the next morning. However, one day, the man stops coming to the library, and the narrator realizes that the man has passed away.
The poem explores the idea of the power of literature and how it can impact people's lives. The man in the poem found solace and comfort in the books he borrowed, and they became an integral part of his life.
Themes in Book Borrower
The Power of Literature
One of the central themes in "Book Borrower" is the power of literature. The man in the poem finds comfort and solace in the books he borrows from the library. He reads them every day and returns them the next morning, only to borrow another one. This behavior shows how the man is addicted to the power of literature and how it has impacted his life.
The poem also highlights how literature can be a form of escapism for people. The man in the poem may have had a difficult life, and the books he borrowed provided him with a temporary escape from his problems. This idea is evident in the following lines from the poem:
"He lived alone, and seldom spoke to any; His soul was in his books - books were his all."
Mortality
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is mortality. The man in the poem passes away, and the librarian realizes that the books he borrowed were the only company he had in his last days. This realization highlights the idea that life is fleeting and that we should cherish the moments we have.
The following lines from the poem capture this theme:
"...The books he read and loved so hurt him sore That death seemed kinder than to read no more."
The Power of Addiction
"Book Borrower" also explores the idea of addiction. The man in the poem is addicted to the power of literature and cannot resist borrowing books from the library. He reads them every day and returns them the next morning, only to borrow another one. This behavior shows how addiction can take over a person's life and become all-consuming.
The following lines from the poem highlight this theme:
"He read when e'er he could, and oft he'd borrow A book at morn, and bring it back at night."
Symbols in Book Borrower
Books
Books are the primary symbol used in "Book Borrower." They represent the power of literature and how it can impact people's lives. The man in the poem finds solace and comfort in the books he borrows, and they become an integral part of his life.
Books are also a form of escapism in the poem. The man may have had a difficult life, and the books he borrowed provided him with a temporary escape from his problems.
The Library
The library is another symbol used in the poem. It represents a place of knowledge and learning. The man in the poem frequents the library to borrow books, and it becomes a significant part of his life.
However, the library is also a symbol of the man's isolation. He lives alone and seldom speaks to anyone, and the library becomes the only place where he can connect with the world.
Imagery in Book Borrower
Personification
One of the most striking examples of imagery in "Book Borrower" is the personification of the books. The books are personified, and they become the only company the man has in his last days. The following lines from the poem highlight this imagery:
"His soul was in his books - books were his all. And as a miser hugs his precious pelf, He hugged the books he loved, and hugged himself."
Descriptive Imagery
The poem is full of descriptive imagery that paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The following lines from the poem are an excellent example of this:
"He read when e'er he could, and oft he'd borrow A book at morn, and bring it back at night. His joy it was to read - his pride to know The varied treasures of the printed row."
The imagery in these lines captures the man's love for books and how they are an integral part of his life.
Conclusion
"Book Borrower" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the power of literature, mortality, addiction, and isolation. The poem uses symbols and imagery to convey its themes and paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The poem's strength lies in its ability to make the reader reflect on their own relationship with literature and how it impacts their lives. Robert Service has created a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Book Borrower: A Poem of Love for Literature
Robert Service's "Book Borrower" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the love for literature. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every book lover, every reader who has ever felt the thrill of discovering a new book, the joy of losing oneself in its pages, and the sorrow of having to return it to the library or to its rightful owner. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem, and understand why it has stood the test of time as a beloved piece of literature.
The poem begins with the speaker describing himself as a "book borrower," someone who loves to read and borrow books from others. He talks about the joy of discovering a new book, the excitement of holding it in his hands, and the anticipation of what lies within its pages. He describes the feeling of being transported to another world, of losing himself in the story, and of feeling a sense of connection with the author and the characters.
The theme of love for literature is evident from the very first line of the poem. The speaker identifies himself as a "book borrower," someone who is passionate about reading and who seeks out books wherever he can find them. This theme is reinforced throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the joy of discovering new books, the thrill of losing himself in their pages, and the sorrow of having to return them. The poem celebrates the power of literature to transport us to other worlds, to connect us with other people, and to enrich our lives in countless ways.
The imagery in the poem is rich and evocative. The speaker describes the books he borrows as "friends," and talks about how they "beckon and invite" him to read them. He describes the feeling of holding a book in his hands as "a thrill that can't be told," and talks about how he feels as though he is "in a magic boat" when he reads. These images create a sense of wonder and enchantment, and convey the idea that reading is a magical experience that can transport us to other worlds.
The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also poetic and lyrical. The speaker uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, he describes the books he borrows as "friends that wait with patience kind," and talks about how they "beckon and invite" him to read them. These phrases are both poetic and evocative, and they help to create a sense of wonder and enchantment that is central to the poem's theme.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of metaphor. The speaker compares the books he borrows to "friends," "boats," and "treasures," and he describes the act of reading as a journey or a voyage. These metaphors create a sense of connection between the reader and the book, and they help to convey the idea that reading is a transformative experience that can take us to new places and introduce us to new ideas.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of loss. The speaker talks about the sorrow of having to return the books he borrows, and he describes the feeling of emptiness that he experiences when he no longer has them. This theme of loss is central to the poem's message, which is that the love of literature is a bittersweet experience that involves both joy and sorrow. The speaker acknowledges that the books he borrows are not his own, and that he must eventually return them, but he also celebrates the fact that he has had the opportunity to read them and to experience their magic.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Book Borrower" is a classic poem that celebrates the love of literature. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every book lover, every reader who has ever felt the thrill of discovering a new book, the joy of losing oneself in its pages, and the sorrow of having to return it. The poem's themes of love, loss, and transformation are conveyed through rich imagery and poetic language, and its message is one of celebration and gratitude for the power of literature to enrich our lives. As readers, we can all relate to the speaker's love of books, and we can all appreciate the magic that he describes.
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