'Death Of A Cockroach' by Robert Service
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I opened wide the bath-room door,
And all at once switched on the light,
When moving swift across the floor
I saw a streak of ebon bright:
Then quick, with slipper in my hand,
Before it could escape,--I slammed.
I missed it once, I missed it twice,
But got it ere it gained its lair.
I fear my words were far from nice,
Though d----s with me are rather rare:
Then lo! I thought that dying roach
Regarded me with some reproach.
Said I: "Don't think I grudge you breath;
I hate to spill your greenish gore,
But why did you invite your death
By straying on my bath-room floor?"
"It is because," said he (or she),
"Adventure is my destiny.
"By evolution I was planned,
And marvellously made as you;
And I am led to understand
The selfsame God conceived us two:
Sire, though the coup de grâce you give,
Even a roach has right to live."
Said I: "Of course you have a right,--
But not to blot my bath-room floor.
Yet though with slipper I may smite,
Your doom I morally deplore . . .
From cellar gloom to stellar space
Let bards and beetles have their place.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Death of a Cockroach: A Critical Interpretation
When it comes to the world of literature, it is rare to come across a work that can evoke strong emotions from the readers. However, Robert Service's poem "The Death of a Cockroach" has managed to achieve this feat effortlessly. Even though it is a short and simple poem, it has the power to make the readers feel a range of emotions from disgust to empathy. In this literary criticism, we will dive deep into the poem and explore its various themes and interpretations.
Background
Before we delve into the poem, it is essential to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Service was a British-Canadian poet and writer who was born in 1874. He is best known for his ballads and poems that were inspired by the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush. Service was a prolific writer who wrote over 1,000 poems in his lifetime, and many of his works have become classics.
"The Death of a Cockroach" is one of Service's lesser-known works, but it is still a powerful poem that has managed to stand the test of time. The poem was published in Service's book "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," which was released in 1916. The book was a collection of poems that were inspired by Service's experiences as an ambulance driver during World War I.
Summary
"The Death of a Cockroach" is a short poem that consists of four stanzas. The poem is written from the perspective of a man who is watching a cockroach die. The poem starts by describing the cockroach as a "hybrid breed" that is "dull and dirty." The man then goes on to describe how the cockroach is struggling to breathe and is slowly dying. The man watches as the cockroach's legs twitch and its antennae droop. In the final stanza, the man reflects on the cockroach's death and wonders if it was a mercy killing or a cruel act.
Themes
The poem explores several themes that are relevant even today. One of the primary themes of the poem is the value of life. The man in the poem is watching a cockroach die, and he is forced to confront the concept of life and death. The cockroach may be a small and insignificant creature, but its death still has an impact on the man. The poem makes the readers question the value we place on life and what it means to be alive.
Another theme that the poem explores is empathy. The man in the poem is watching a cockroach die, and he is able to empathize with the creature. He describes how the cockroach is struggling to breathe, and he feels sorry for it. The poem highlights the importance of empathy and how it can help us connect with other living beings.
The poem also touches upon the concept of mercy killing. The man in the poem wonders if the cockroach's death was a mercy killing or a cruel act. He is not sure if he did the right thing by killing the cockroach. The poem raises questions about the morality of mercy killing and the ethics of taking a life.
Interpretation
"The Death of a Cockroach" is a deceptively simple poem that can be interpreted in many ways. On the surface, it is a poem about a man watching a cockroach die. However, there are deeper meanings hidden beneath the surface.
The poem can be interpreted as an allegory for the fragility of life. The cockroach represents life, and the man represents death. The man is watching life struggle and eventually succumb to death. The poem makes us question the nature of life and how fragile it can be.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the human condition. The man in the poem represents humanity, and the cockroach represents the struggles that we face in our lives. The struggles may be small and insignificant, but they still have an impact on us. The poem makes us reflect on the struggles that we face in our lives and how we deal with them.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on mercy killing. The man in the poem kills the cockroach, but he is not sure if he did the right thing. The poem raises questions about the morality of mercy killing and whether it is ever justified.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Death of a Cockroach" is a powerful poem that explores several themes and interpretations. The poem raises questions about the value of life, empathy, and mercy killing. The poem may be short and simple, but it has the power to evoke strong emotions from the readers. Robert Service was a master at writing poetry that could connect with people on a deep and emotional level, and "The Death of a Cockroach" is a prime example of his talent.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Death of a Cockroach: A Poem That Will Leave You Speechless
Robert Service's poem, "Death of a Cockroach," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and death in a unique and thought-provoking way. The poem is a powerful commentary on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It is a poem that will leave you speechless and make you reflect on the meaning of life.
The poem begins with the narrator observing a cockroach crawling across the floor. The cockroach is described as "a little black speck" that is "scuttling along." The narrator watches as the cockroach makes its way across the room, seemingly unaware of the danger that lies ahead.
As the cockroach approaches a trap, the narrator describes the scene in vivid detail. The trap is described as "a little wooden box" with "a piece of cheese inside." The cockroach is drawn to the cheese, and the narrator watches as it crawls inside the trap.
The poem then takes a dark turn as the narrator describes the cockroach's struggle to escape from the trap. The cockroach is described as "a frantic thing" that is "twisting and turning." The narrator watches as the cockroach tries to free itself from the trap, but to no avail.
As the cockroach struggles, the narrator reflects on the meaning of life. The narrator wonders if the cockroach is aware of its impending death, or if it is simply acting on instinct. The narrator also reflects on the fragility of life, and how easily it can be snuffed out.
The poem then takes another dark turn as the narrator describes the cockroach's final moments. The cockroach is described as "a little black corpse" that is "lying on its back." The narrator watches as the cockroach takes its last breath, and then reflects on the finality of death.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the meaning of the cockroach's life. The narrator wonders if the cockroach had any purpose in life, or if it was simply a meaningless creature. The narrator also reflects on the inevitability of death, and how it comes for all creatures, no matter how small or insignificant.
Overall, "Death of a Cockroach" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that will leave you speechless. The poem is a commentary on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, and it is a reminder that all creatures, no matter how small or insignificant, have a purpose in life. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it.
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