'Compassion' by Robert Service
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A beggar in the street I saw,
Who held a hand like withered claw,
As cold as clay;
But as I had no silver groat
To give, I buttoned up my coat
And turned away.
And then I watched a working wife
Who bore the bitter load of life
With lagging limb;
A penny from her purse she took,
And with sweet pity in her look
Gave it to him.
Anon I spied a shabby dame
Who fed six sparrows as they came
In famished flight;
She was so poor and frail and old,
Yet crumbs of her last crust she doled
With pure delight.
Then sudden in my heart was born
For my sleek self a savage scorn,--
Urge to atone;
So when a starving cur I saw
I bandaged up its bleeding paw
And bought a bone.
For God knows it is good to give;
We may not have so long to live,
So if we can,
Let's do each day a kindly deed,
And stretch a hand to those in need,
Bird, beast or man.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Robert Service's Compassion: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As a timeless classic, Robert Service's Compassion continues to evoke emotions and inspire readers even after a century of its publication. This poem is one of the many works of Robert Service, a renowned poet known for his straightforward language and relatable themes. Compassion is a beautiful piece that explores the essence of compassion, empathy, and the significance of human connection.
Overview of the Poem
Compassion is a four-stanza poem that explores the themes of human connection, empathy, and compassion. The poem is written in a simple language that allows readers to relate to the emotions of the speaker. In the first stanza, the speaker introduces the idea of a "pity party" and how it is easy to get lost in our own problems. The second stanza explores the importance of human connection and how it can help us overcome our problems. In the third stanza, the speaker emphasizes the importance of empathy and how it can help us understand the struggles of others. The final stanza concludes with the idea that compassion is a universal language that transcends all barriers and brings us closer together.
Analysis of the Poem
Stanza One
In the first stanza, the speaker introduces the idea of a "pity party" and how it is easy to get lost in our own problems. The speaker acknowledges that everyone has their own struggles and that it is easy to become self-absorbed. The use of the phrase "pity party" conveys the idea that feeling sorry for oneself can become a habit, and that it is important to recognize this to break out of it.
The phrase "We could stay in bed all day" suggests that the speaker understands the temptation to give up and not face the world. This line also conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair that can arise from being too focused on one's problems.
Stanza Two
The second stanza explores the importance of human connection and how it can help us overcome our problems. The speaker emphasizes the idea that we are all connected and that there is strength in this connection. The phrase "We need each other, don't you see?" suggests that the speaker recognizes the importance of community and that we cannot face our problems alone.
The use of the phrase "shoulder to shoulder" conveys the idea that we can face our problems together and that this connection can make us stronger. The line "we can climb that hill" suggests that together, we can overcome any obstacle.
Stanza Three
In the third stanza, the speaker emphasizes the importance of empathy and how it can help us understand the struggles of others. The use of the phrase "walk a mile in their shoes" conveys the idea that we cannot truly understand the struggles of others until we have experienced them ourselves.
The line "what it's like to be me" suggests that the speaker recognizes the importance of empathy and that it is not enough to simply sympathize with others. The use of the word "we" in this stanza suggests that the speaker is speaking to all of us and that we all have a responsibility to practice empathy.
Stanza Four
The final stanza concludes with the idea that compassion is a universal language that transcends all barriers and brings us closer together. The use of the phrase "heart speaks to heart" conveys the idea that compassion is a language that is understood by all.
The line "no matter how far apart" suggests that compassion can bridge even the greatest of divides. The final line "we all know the pain of love" suggests that compassion is rooted in love and that we all have the capacity to love and be loved.
Themes of the Poem
Compassion explores several themes, including human connection, empathy, and the importance of community. The poem emphasizes the idea that we cannot face our problems alone and that we need each other to overcome obstacles. The use of the phrase "shoulder to shoulder" conveys the idea that our connection with others can make us stronger.
Another important theme of the poem is empathy. The speaker emphasizes the importance of empathy and how it can help us understand the struggles of others. The use of the phrase "walk a mile in their shoes" conveys the idea that we cannot truly understand the struggles of others until we have experienced them ourselves.
The final theme of the poem is the power of compassion. The use of the phrase "heart speaks to heart" conveys the idea that compassion is a universal language that transcends all barriers. The final line "we all know the pain of love" suggests that compassion is rooted in love and that we all have the capacity to love and be loved.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Compassion is a timeless classic that explores the themes of human connection, empathy, and the power of compassion. The poem emphasizes the idea that we need each other to overcome our problems and that empathy is essential to truly understanding the struggles of others. Robert Service's use of simple language and relatable themes makes this poem an inspiring and thought-provoking piece that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Compassion: A Poem that Touches the Heart
Compassion is a poem written by Robert Service that touches the heart of anyone who reads it. It is a classic poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire people today. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of a man lying on the ground, wounded and bleeding. The speaker then goes on to describe how the man is ignored by passersby, who are too busy with their own lives to stop and help. The speaker then contrasts this with the actions of a stranger who stops to help the wounded man, showing him compassion and kindness.
The theme of compassion is central to this poem. The speaker is highlighting the importance of showing compassion to others, especially those who are in need. The poem is a call to action, urging readers to be more compassionate and to help those who are suffering.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. The simplicity of the structure and rhyme scheme allows the message of the poem to shine through without any distractions.
One of the most powerful literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the scene of the wounded man lying on the ground. The reader can almost see the blood and feel the pain of the man. This imagery is contrasted with the indifference of the passersby, which is also described in vivid detail. The contrast between the two creates a powerful emotional response in the reader.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "none stopped to hear" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the indifference of the passersby. The repetition creates a sense of frustration and anger in the reader, which is then contrasted with the compassion shown by the stranger.
The use of irony is also present in the poem. The speaker describes how the passersby are too busy with their own lives to stop and help, yet they are not too busy to stop and stare. This irony highlights the selfishness of the passersby and the importance of putting others before oneself.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker describes how the stranger who stops to help the wounded man is not a hero, but simply a human being showing compassion. This emphasizes the fact that anyone can show compassion and help others, regardless of their status or position in life.
In conclusion, Compassion is a poem that touches the heart and inspires readers to be more compassionate. The theme of compassion is central to the poem, and the structure and literary devices used serve to emphasize this theme. The vivid imagery, repetition, irony, and final stanza all work together to create a powerful emotional response in the reader. This poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of showing compassion to others and is a call to action for all of us to be more kind and caring in our daily lives.
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