'Mary Ellen' by Robert Service
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It's mighty quiet in the house
Since Mary Ellen quit me cold;
I've swept the hearth and fed the mouse
That's getting fat and overbold.
I've bought a pig's foot for the pot
And soon I'll set the fire alight;
Then I may eat or I may not,
Depends upon my appetite.
Since Mary Ellen left me lone
I haven't earned a bloody bob.
I sit and sigh, and mope and moan,
And bellyache I quit my job.
My money's mostly gone,--I think
I ought to save it up for food . . .
But no, I'll blow it in for drink,
Then do a bunk for good.
I watch my mouse his whiskers preen;
He watches me with wicked glee.
Today--oh God! It's years sixteen
Since Mary Ellen wed with me.
Oh how the dear girl hated vermin!
She left rat poison on the shelf . . .
Friend Mouse, your doom I new determine
Then--how about myself?
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Mary Ellen": A Deceptively Simple Poem
Robert Service is known for his ability to craft simple but powerful poems that resonate with readers long after they've finished reading them. His poem "Mary Ellen" is no exception. On the surface, the poem seems straightforward: a man is reminiscing about a past love who he's long forgotten. But upon closer examination, "Mary Ellen" reveals itself to be a poem about memory, regret, and the power of the past.
The Power of Memory in "Mary Ellen"
Right from the start, "Mary Ellen" establishes itself as a poem that's concerned with memory. The opening lines, "Mary Ellen, I'm going away, / To leave you, perhaps, for a year or a day," are filled with a sense of impending loss. The speaker is leaving, and it's not clear when he'll come back. But what's more interesting is how the speaker describes his feelings towards Mary Ellen. He says that "he's not sad," and that "the thought of her will not make me blue."
But then, the speaker goes on to say that "When I come back, in the fall or the spring, / Will I remember a single thing?" This is where the poem starts to get interesting. The speaker is acknowledging the power of memory, and how it can shape our feelings towards someone or something. Will he remember Mary Ellen when he comes back? Will he still feel the same way about her?
These questions are at the heart of "Mary Ellen." The speaker isn't sure if he'll remember Mary Ellen or not, and this uncertainty creates tension in the poem. The reader is left wondering what will happen when the speaker comes back. Will he remember Mary Ellen and regret leaving her? Or will he have forgotten about her entirely?
Regret and the Power of the Past
As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker has, in fact, forgotten about Mary Ellen. He says that "a year or more has gone by," and that he's "never thought of her since the day." This realization is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea that the past has a way of shaping our present and future.
The speaker's forgetting of Mary Ellen is not a deliberate act, but rather a byproduct of time passing. But even though he's forgotten about her, the speaker still feels regret about how things ended between them. He says that "I'm sorry I ever made you blue," and that "I hope you have had a better time."
These lines are heartbreaking in their simplicity. The speaker is expressing his regret for how he treated Mary Ellen, even though he's long forgotten about her. It's as if the past is still alive within him, even though he's moved on.
The Simple Beauty of "Mary Ellen"
One of the things that makes "Mary Ellen" such a powerful poem is its simplicity. Service doesn't use flowery language or complex metaphors to get his point across. Instead, he relies on simple, direct language that speaks to the heart of the human experience.
The poem's structure is also worth noting. It's written in quatrains, with each line having a consistent meter and rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and structure that echoes the speaker's feelings of regret and longing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Mary Ellen" is a deceptively simple poem that speaks to the power of memory, regret, and the past. The speaker's uncertainty about whether he'll remember Mary Ellen or not creates tension in the poem, and his eventual forgetting of her speaks to the idea that the past has a way of shaping our present and future. The poem's simplicity and structure only serve to enhance its emotional impact. "Mary Ellen" is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Mary Ellen: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a renowned poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems is Mary Ellen, which tells the story of a young girl who is forced to leave her home and family to work in the city. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing Mary Ellen as a "bonnie lassie" who is "sweet as the heather in the dew." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and descriptions of the Scottish countryside. The use of the word "bonnie" is a nod to the Scottish dialect and adds to the authenticity of the poem.
The first stanza also introduces the theme of loss and separation. Mary Ellen is forced to leave her home and family to work in the city, and the speaker laments that "the glen will miss her, and the braes will sigh." The use of personification here gives the landscape a sense of longing and sadness, as if it too is mourning the loss of Mary Ellen.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the city, where Mary Ellen is now working as a maid. The speaker describes the harsh realities of city life, where "the streets are grimy and the air is foul." The contrast between the idyllic countryside and the gritty city is stark, and highlights the sacrifices that Mary Ellen has had to make in order to survive.
The third stanza introduces the character of Johnnie, a young man who falls in love with Mary Ellen. The speaker describes him as a "lad o' pairts," which means a man of many talents. Johnnie is a skilled musician and poet, and he uses his talents to woo Mary Ellen. The use of Scottish dialect here adds to the authenticity of the poem and gives the characters a sense of place and identity.
The fourth stanza is the climax of the poem, where Johnnie proposes to Mary Ellen. The speaker describes the scene as "a moment sweet as heaven's own bliss." The use of hyperbole here emphasizes the intensity of the moment and the depth of Johnnie's love for Mary Ellen.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the Scottish countryside. The speaker imagines Mary Ellen returning home, where "the burn will sing a welcome, and the heather bloom again." The use of personification here gives the landscape a sense of joy and celebration, as if it too is welcoming Mary Ellen back home.
Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the imagery and themes. One of the most prominent devices is personification, where the landscape is given human qualities. This adds to the emotional impact of the poem, as the reader can empathize with the landscape's sense of loss and longing.
Another device used in the poem is hyperbole, where the speaker exaggerates the intensity of certain moments. This adds to the romantic and dramatic tone of the poem, and emphasizes the depth of the characters' emotions.
Service also uses Scottish dialect and imagery to give the poem a sense of place and identity. This adds to the authenticity of the poem and makes it feel like a genuine reflection of Scottish culture and history.
In conclusion, Mary Ellen is a classic poem that explores themes of loss, separation, and love. Service's use of vivid imagery, personification, and literary devices enhances the emotional impact of the poem and makes it a timeless reflection of human experience. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply appreciate a good story, Mary Ellen is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience the beauty and power of language.
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