'The Widow' by Robert Service
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I don't think men of eighty odd
Should let a surgeon operate;
Better to pray for peace with God,
And reconcile oneself to Fate:
At four-score years we really should
Be quite prepared to go for good.
That's what I told my husband but
He had a hearty lust for life,
And so he let a surgeon cut
Into his innards with a knife.
The sawbones swore: "The man's so fat
His kidneys take some getting at."
And then (according to a nurse),
They heard him petulantly say:
"Adipose tissue is curse:
It's hard to pack them tripes away."
At last he did; sewed up the skin,
But left, some say, a swab within.
I do not doubt it could be so,
For Lester did not long survive.
But for mishap, I think with woe
My hubby might still be alive.
And while they praise the surgeon's skill,
My home I've sold--to pay his bill.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Widow: An In-Depth Analysis of Robert Service's Classic Poem
Introduction
In the vast world of literature, poetry has always had a special place in the hearts of readers. And when it comes to classic poems, Robert Service's "The Widow" stands out as a timeless masterpiece. The poem has captured the hearts of readers for over a century, with its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and powerful themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the world of "The Widow" and explore the intricacies of this classic poem.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand a little bit about the poet behind it. Robert Service was a British-Canadian poet and novelist, born in 1874. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush, which he witnessed firsthand. Service's writing style is known for its simplicity, directness, and accessibility, which made his poems popular among the masses.
"The Widow" was first published in 1907 in the collection "Ballads of a Cheechako." The collection is a mix of poems about the Yukon and Service's travels around the world. "The Widow" is one of the most popular poems in the collection and has been anthologized many times since its initial publication.
Interpretation
"The Widow" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young woman who has just lost her husband. The poem is divided into three parts, each describing a different stage of the widow's grief.
Part One: Shock and Denial
The first part of the poem describes the widow's initial reaction to her husband's death. "The shock of it stuns you" (line 1), the poem begins. The widow is in a state of shock and disbelief, unable to comprehend the reality of her husband's passing. The imagery in this section is vivid and unsettling; the widow is described as "white and drawn" (line 3) and her hands are "clenched in a cruel way" (line 4).
As the poem progresses, the widow begins to deny the reality of her situation. She refuses to believe that her husband is truly gone and clings to the hope that he will return. "You dream that he's just away" (line 8), the poem states. The repetition of the word "just" emphasizes the widow's desperation and denial.
Part Two: Anger and Bargaining
The second part of the poem describes the widow's emotional turmoil as she begins to process her grief. The poem states that "sorrow has made you wild" (line 13), and the widow's emotions are depicted as a storm. The imagery in this section is powerful, with the widow's anger being compared to lightning and thunder.
As the widow's anger subsides, she begins to bargain with her grief. She tries to rationalize her husband's death and make sense of her loss. She thinks about the good times they shared and tries to find comfort in their memories. "And you're counting the good times over / And you're thinking they're well worth the pain" (lines 23-24), the poem states.
Part Three: Acceptance and Resolution
The final part of the poem describes the widow's journey towards acceptance and resolution. She begins to accept that her husband is truly gone and that she must move on with her life. The imagery in this section is hopeful, with the widow's tears being compared to rain that will "wash your heart again" (line 31).
As the poem concludes, the widow finds a sense of resolution and purpose. She realizes that she must live her life to the fullest and carry on her husband's legacy. "You'll carry his babies and teach 'em / The things he'd have wanted to say" (lines 37-38), the poem states.
Themes
At its core, "The Widow" is a poem about grief and loss. It explores the various stages of grief and the emotional journey that one goes through after losing a loved one. However, the poem also touches on several other themes, including:
Love and Connection
Throughout the poem, the widow's love for her husband is a constant presence. Even after his death, she still feels a deep connection to him and tries to keep his memory alive. The poem emphasizes the importance of love and connection in our lives and how they can help us cope with loss.
Resilience and Strength
Although "The Widow" is a poem about grief, it is ultimately a message of hope and resilience. The poem shows how the widow is able to find strength in the midst of her pain and how she is able to move forward with her life. It is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.
Legacy and Purpose
Towards the end of the poem, the widow finds a sense of purpose in carrying on her husband's legacy. This theme highlights the importance of having a sense of purpose and meaning in our lives, even in the face of loss and tragedy.
Conclusion
"The Widow" is a timeless classic that has touched the hearts of readers for over a century. It is a poem that explores the depths of human emotion and the journey of grief and loss. Through vivid imagery and powerful themes, Robert Service has created a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Widow: A Poem of Love and Loss
Robert Service's "The Widow" is a classic poem that tells the story of a woman who has lost her husband and is left to mourn his passing. The poem is a powerful exploration of grief, love, and the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as the literary devices used by Service to convey his message.
The poem begins with the line "I don't think men of eighty odd," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is an older man who is reflecting on the life of the widow. He goes on to describe her as "a little wisp of a woman," which emphasizes her fragility and vulnerability. The use of the word "wisp" also suggests that she is barely there, as if she is fading away into nothingness.
The first stanza of the poem sets up the central theme of loss. The speaker describes how the widow's husband died and how she was left alone to mourn his passing. He notes that "she never cried," which suggests that she is stoic and strong in the face of her grief. However, the speaker also notes that "her heart was broken," which suggests that she is deeply affected by her loss, even if she doesn't show it outwardly.
The second stanza of the poem explores the theme of love. The speaker notes that the widow and her husband were "sweethearts long ago," which suggests that they had a deep and abiding love for each other. He also notes that "they loved each other true," which emphasizes the strength and depth of their love. The use of the word "true" suggests that their love was pure and honest, without any pretense or falsehood.
The third stanza of the poem explores the theme of memory. The speaker notes that the widow keeps a picture of her husband on the wall, which suggests that she is holding onto his memory. He also notes that she talks to the picture, which suggests that she is trying to keep his memory alive. The use of the word "talks" suggests that she is having a conversation with her husband, even though he is no longer there.
The fourth stanza of the poem explores the theme of time. The speaker notes that the widow has been alone for many years, which suggests that time has passed since her husband's death. He also notes that "the years have flown," which suggests that time has passed quickly. The use of the word "flown" suggests that time has passed without the widow really noticing it.
The fifth stanza of the poem explores the theme of death. The speaker notes that the widow is "waiting for the call," which suggests that she is ready to die. He also notes that "she'll soon be gone," which suggests that her death is imminent. The use of the word "soon" suggests that her death is coming quickly.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem explores the theme of acceptance. The speaker notes that the widow is "ready for the end," which suggests that she has come to accept her own death. He also notes that "she's had her share of joy and woe," which suggests that she has lived a full life. The use of the phrase "share of joy and woe" suggests that the widow has experienced both happiness and sadness in her life, and that she has come to accept both as part of the human experience.
Throughout the poem, Service uses a number of literary devices to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions to create a picture of the widow and her surroundings. For example, he describes the widow as a "little wisp of a woman," which creates a clear image of her physical appearance. He also describes the picture of the widow's husband as "faded and old," which creates a clear image of the object itself.
Service also uses repetition to emphasize certain themes and motifs. For example, he repeats the phrase "she never cried" several times throughout the poem, which emphasizes the widow's stoicism in the face of her grief. He also repeats the phrase "waiting for the call" several times, which emphasizes the theme of death.
In conclusion, "The Widow" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of loss, love, memory, time, death, and acceptance. Service uses vivid imagery and repetition to convey his message, and the result is a poem that is both poignant and thought-provoking. The poem reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the people we love while they are still with us.
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