'Weary' by Robert Service


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Some praise the Lord for Light,
The living spark;
I thank God for the Night
The healing dark.
When wearily I lie,
With aching sight,
With what thanksgiving I
Turn out the light!

When to night's drowsy deep
Serene I sink,
How glad am I to sleep,
To cease to think!
From care and fret set free,
In sweet respite,
With joy I peacefully
Turn out the light.

Lie down thou weary one,
And sink to rest;
Nay, grieve not for the sun,
The dark is best.
So greet with grateful breath
Eternal Night,
When soft the hand of Death
Turns out the light.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Weary by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow! What a poem! Robert Service's "Weary" is undoubtedly one of the most captivating and thought-provoking works of poetry I've ever read. From the very first line, the poem draws you in and keeps you hooked until the very end. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll be delving deeper into the themes, structure, and language used in this timeless masterpiece.

Background Information

Robert Service was a British-Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was known for his romantic and adventurous poems that often reflected his own experiences as a traveler and adventurer. "Weary" was written in 1907 and was published in his book "Ballads of a Cheechako" in 1909. The poem takes place in the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush, a period when many people were flocking to the area in search of riches.

Analysis

Themes

One of the major themes in "Weary" is the idea of perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity. The speaker in the poem describes the harsh conditions of the Yukon, where the "grim grey dawn" brings "frost and fire" and the "bitter cold of night". However, despite these challenges, the speaker keeps going, trudging through the snow and ice with "grim determination". This theme is particularly relevant to the context of the Klondike Gold Rush, where many people faced extreme difficulties and had to endure great hardship in their search for gold.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of the natural world as a powerful and uncontrollable force. The speaker describes the landscape of the Yukon as "wild and weird and wan", a place where the "silence is unbroken, and the darkness is complete". This description creates a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world, suggesting that it is something to be respected and feared.

Structure

The structure of "Weary" is relatively simple, consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a consistent AABB rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of consistency and stability throughout the poem, which contrasts with the harsh and unpredictable landscape of the Yukon. The regular rhythm and rhyme scheme also give the poem a musical quality, making it pleasing to read aloud.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of "Weary" is the vivid and evocative language used by the speaker. The descriptions of the Yukon landscape are particularly powerful, conjuring up images of a harsh and unforgiving environment. For example, the speaker describes the snow as "sifting through the pines" and the frost as "fingers cold and lean". These descriptions create a sense of atmosphere and help the reader to imagine what it would be like to be in the speaker's shoes.

The language used in the poem also contributes to the themes of perseverance and endurance. The speaker uses phrases such as "grim determination" and "dogged plodding" to describe their journey through the Yukon. These words create a sense of resilience and determination, suggesting that the speaker is willing to endure whatever hardships come their way in order to reach their goal.

Interpretation

There are a number of different ways to interpret "Weary", depending on your perspective and the context in which you read the poem. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of the human spirit and our ability to persevere in the face of adversity. The speaker's journey through the Yukon can be seen as a metaphor for the challenges that we all face in life, and their determination to keep going despite the difficult conditions is inspiring.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a warning about the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth at all costs. The Klondike Gold Rush was a period of intense greed and competition, with many people risking their lives in the search for gold. The speaker's journey through the Yukon can be seen as a cautionary tale, showing the dangers of becoming too fixated on material wealth and losing sight of what really matters in life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Weary" is a truly remarkable poem that captures the essence of the human experience in a powerful and evocative way. The themes of perseverance and endurance, the structure and language used, and the various possible interpretations of the poem all contribute to its enduring appeal. Robert Service was truly a master of his craft, and "Weary" is a testament to his skill as a poet. Whether you're a fan of poetry or not, this is a poem that is well worth reading and contemplating.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Weary, a classic poem written by Robert Service, is a powerful and emotional piece that explores the themes of exhaustion, despair, and the struggle to find meaning in life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem, examining its structure, language, and imagery to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and raw emotion, as if the words are pouring out of the speaker in a moment of intense feeling. The lack of structure also reflects the speaker's state of mind, which is chaotic and disordered.

The poem begins with the line "Life is a privilege. Its youthful days," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker acknowledges that life is a gift, but then goes on to describe the weariness and exhaustion that comes with it. The use of the word "weary" in the title and throughout the poem emphasizes this feeling of exhaustion, as if the speaker is physically and emotionally drained.

The first stanza describes the beauty of youth and the joy that comes with it. The speaker reminisces about the days when they were young and carefree, when life was full of promise and possibility. However, this nostalgia is quickly replaced by a sense of despair and hopelessness. The second stanza begins with the line "But life is just a progress toward the grave," which is a stark contrast to the optimism of the first stanza. The speaker seems to be saying that life is nothing more than a slow march towards death, and that all the joys and pleasures of youth are ultimately meaningless.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as it describes the speaker's overwhelming sense of weariness and exhaustion. The line "And weariness, disease, and want, and woe," captures the many hardships and struggles that the speaker has faced in life. The use of alliteration in this line also adds to the sense of heaviness and burden that the speaker feels.

The fourth stanza continues this theme of weariness and despair, with the speaker describing how they have lost their sense of purpose and direction in life. The line "And all we know or dream or guess or fear" suggests that the speaker has lost their sense of identity and is adrift in a sea of uncertainty and doubt.

The fifth stanza is a turning point in the poem, as the speaker begins to reflect on the beauty and wonder of the natural world. The line "The beauty of the world hath made me sad" suggests that the speaker is moved by the beauty of nature, but also feels a sense of sadness and longing. This is a common theme in Romantic poetry, which often celebrates the beauty of nature while also acknowledging the pain and suffering of human existence.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The line "And life is veiled and darkened and impure" suggests that the speaker sees life as a kind of illusion or deception, and that the true nature of existence is hidden from us. However, the final line of the poem offers a glimmer of hope, as the speaker declares that they will "find peace" in death.

Overall, Weary is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of human existence. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful language, which captures the speaker's sense of weariness, despair, and longing. While the poem is certainly bleak and pessimistic, it also offers a glimmer of hope in the final line, suggesting that even in the face of death, there is still the possibility of finding peace and meaning in life.

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