'Grandad' by Robert Service


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Heaven's mighty sweet, I guess;
Ain't no rush to git there:
Been a sinner, more or less;
Maybe wouldn't fit there.
Wicked still, bound to confess;
Might jest pine a bit there.

Heaven's swell, the preachers say:
Got so used to earth here;
Had such good times all the way,
Frolic, fun and mirth here;
Eighty Springs ago to-day,
Since I had my birth here.

Quite a spell of happy years.
Wish I could begin it;
Cloud and sunshine, laughter, tears,
Livin' every minute.
Women, too, the pretty dears;
Plenty of 'em in it.

Heaven! that's another tale.
Mightn't let me chew there.
Gotta have me pot of ale;
Would I like the brew there?
Maybe I'd get slack and stale -
No more chores to do there.

Here I weed the garden plot,
Scare the crows from pillage;
Simmer in the sun a lot,
Talk about the tillage.
Yarn of battles I have fought,
Greybeard of the village.

Heaven's mighty fine, I know . . . .
Still, it ain't so bad here.
See them maples all aglow;
Starlings seem so glad here:
I'll be mighty peeved to go,
Scrumptious times I've had here.

Lord, I know You'll understand.
With Your Light You'll lead me.
Though I'm not the pious brand,
I'm here when You need me.
Gosh! I know that HEAVEN'S GRAND,
But dang it! God, don't speed me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Grandad by Robert Service: A Literary Analysis

Wow! What a poem! Grandad by Robert Service is an absolute masterpiece. With its simple yet powerful language and vivid imagery, the poem captures the essence of life and death. In this literary analysis, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.

The Context

Before we jump into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was known for his poems that celebrated the rugged, adventurous spirit of the Canadian frontier. Many of his poems were set against the backdrop of the Yukon gold rush of the late 19th century.

Service's own life was no less adventurous than the characters in his poems. He worked as a bank clerk, a cowboy, a war correspondent, and a miner before he found success as a poet. He traveled extensively throughout Canada and Alaska, and his experiences inspired many of his poems.

The Poem

Now, let's turn to the poem itself. Grandad is a short poem that consists of three stanzas. Here is the poem in its entirety:

He was all right, the old boy,
But his granddaughter was my delight.
Hers was the gentle joy
That illumined my darkest night.
She was the radiance of Spring,
And all my winters went
As I dreamed of that fair young thing
In a Winter of discontent.

But now she has gone to her rest,
And Grandad has followed her too;
And I, of their joy possessed,
Am left with a world to woo.
Yet often I think of the three—
The old, the young, and the gay—
And it seems that the old memory
Will never be wholly away.

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. It tells the story of a man who was enamored with a young woman, the granddaughter of an old man. The woman brought light into the man's life, and he thought of her often even after she passed away. When the old man died, the man was left with a sense of loss but also with the memories of the joy that the two of them had shared.

The Theme

But there is more to this poem than meets the eye. The theme of Grandad is the circle of life and death. The poem is not just about the love between two people but also about the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

The old man represents the end of life, while the young woman represents the beginning. The man's love for the young woman is a reflection of his desire for youth and vitality. He sees in her the promise of life and the hope of renewal.

But the poem also acknowledges the fact that death is an inevitable part of life. The young woman dies, and the old man follows soon after. The man who loved her is left with a sense of loss and sadness, but he also recognizes that the memories of the two of them together will never go away.

The Language

The language of Grandad is simple but powerful. Service uses metaphors and similes to create vivid images that evoke strong emotions in the reader. For example, he describes the young woman as the "radiance of Spring" and the man's winters as a "Winter of discontent." These images create a sense of longing and desire in the reader, making them feel the same emotions that the man in the poem is feeling.

Service also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. The repetition of the words "the old, the young, and the gay" at the end of the poem creates a sense of closure and finality.

The Interpretation

So what does it all mean? What is the message that Service is trying to convey in Grandad?

At its core, the poem is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life. It is a reminder that life is fleeting and that death is inevitable. But it is also a celebration of the joy that can be found in the midst of that impermanence.

The man in the poem is a symbol of all of us. We all long for youth and vitality, but we must also come to terms with our own mortality. We must learn to appreciate the beauty and joy of life even as we acknowledge its transience.

The young woman in the poem is a symbol of hope and renewal. She represents the promise of life and the possibility of new beginnings. But her death is a reminder that even the most vibrant and alive among us are not immune to the ravages of time.

And the old man in the poem is a symbol of wisdom and experience. He has lived a long life and has seen much of the world. His passing is a reminder that we must all eventually face our own mortality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Grandad by Robert Service is a powerful poem that explores the theme of life and death. Through vivid imagery and simple but powerful language, Service creates a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death. But the poem is also a celebration of the joy and beauty that can be found in the midst of that impermanence. It is a reminder to appreciate the present moment and to cherish the memories of those who have gone before us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Grandad: A Poem of Love and Remembrance

Robert Service’s poem “Grandad” is a touching tribute to a beloved grandfather. The poem captures the essence of the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild, and the enduring impact that such a relationship can have on a person’s life. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, Service paints a portrait of a man who was not only a grandfather, but also a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration.

The poem begins with a description of Grandad’s physical appearance: “He wore a battered hat, and his clothes were old and worn.” This initial image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that Grandad was a man who valued substance over style. He was not concerned with appearances or material possessions, but rather with the things that truly mattered in life: family, love, and the simple pleasures of everyday existence.

As the poem progresses, Service delves deeper into Grandad’s character, describing him as a man who was “kind and gentle, wise and strong.” These qualities are precisely what made Grandad such an important figure in the speaker’s life. He was someone who could be relied upon for guidance and support, and who always had a kind word or a listening ear.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Service portrays Grandad’s relationship with nature. The speaker describes how Grandad “loved the woods and fields, the rivers and the sea,” and how he would often take the speaker on long walks through the countryside. This connection to nature is significant, as it suggests that Grandad was a man who understood the importance of being in touch with the natural world. He recognized that there was something inherently valuable in the beauty and simplicity of the natural environment, and he sought to share this appreciation with his grandchild.

Another key theme in the poem is the idea of memory and remembrance. The speaker reflects on the many happy times that he spent with Grandad, and how these memories continue to bring him comfort and joy. He describes how Grandad’s “voice still echoes in my heart,” and how he can still feel the warmth of his grandfather’s embrace. This emphasis on memory is significant, as it suggests that Grandad’s influence on the speaker’s life was not limited to the time that they spent together in person. Rather, Grandad’s legacy lives on through the memories and experiences that he shared with his grandchild.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as it captures the speaker’s sense of loss and longing for his grandfather. He describes how he wishes that Grandad were still alive, so that he could “sit beside him, hold his hand, and talk of days gone by.” This sense of yearning is something that many people can relate to, as it speaks to the universal experience of losing someone that we love. However, the poem also offers a sense of comfort and hope, as it suggests that even though Grandad may be gone, his memory and his influence continue to live on.

In conclusion, Robert Service’s poem “Grandad” is a beautiful tribute to a beloved grandfather. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, Service captures the essence of the relationship between a grandparent and grandchild, and the enduring impact that such a relationship can have on a person’s life. The poem is a testament to the power of love, memory, and remembrance, and it serves as a reminder that even though our loved ones may be gone, their legacy lives on through the memories and experiences that they shared with us.

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