'Segregation' by Robert Service

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I stood beside the silken rope,
Five dollars in my hand,
And waited in my patient hope
To sit anear the Band,
And hear the famous Louie play
The best hot trumpet of today.

And then a waiter loafing near
Says in a nasty tone:
"Old coon, we don't want darkies here,
Beat it before you're thrown."
So knowin' nothin' I could do
I turned to go and--there was Lou.

I think he slapped that Dago's face;
His voice was big an' loud;
An' then he leads me from my place
Through all that tony crowd.
World-famous Louie by the hand
Took me to meet his famous Band.

"Listen, you folks," I heard him say.
"Here's Grand-papa what's come.
Savin' he teached me how to play,
I mighta been a bum.
Come on, Grand-pop, git up an' show
How you kin trumpet Ol' Black Joe."

Tremblin' I played before his Band:
You should have heard the cheers.
Them swell folks gave me such a hand
My cheeks was wet wi' tears . . .
An' now I'm off to tell the wife
The proudest night o' all ma life.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Segregation: A Critical Analysis of Robert Service's Poem

Introduction

Robert Service, the famous Scottish author and poet, is known for his enchanting poems that capture the beauty and harshness of life in a simple yet powerful way. One of his most thought-provoking poems is Segregation, which explores the theme of racial discrimination and prejudice. Written in 1912, the poem highlights the plight of African Americans and their struggle for equality in a society that was deeply divided along racial lines.

Summary

Segregation is a powerful and moving poem that depicts the struggles of African Americans in a society that is divided along racial lines. The poem begins with an evocative description of the "old plantation days" when "the pickaninnies played" and "the darkies danced and sang." However, as the poem progresses, the mood changes and we are confronted with the harsh reality of life for African Americans in the "New South."

The poem describes how African Americans are forced to live in ghettos and are denied access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, and political representation. They are subjected to violence and discrimination on a daily basis and are forced to live in fear of the white man.

Analysis

Segregation is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of racial discrimination and prejudice. The poem is written in simple yet powerful language that evokes a strong emotional response from the reader. The use of imagery and symbolism is particularly effective in conveying the harsh reality of life for African Americans in the South.

The opening lines of the poem, "In the old plantation days, / The pickaninnies played," provide a stark contrast to the reality of life for African Americans in the South at the time the poem was written. The idyllic image of children playing is quickly replaced by the harsh reality of segregation and discrimination.

The use of the word "pickaninnies" is particularly significant. This term was commonly used to refer to African American children in a derogatory manner. By using this term, Service highlights the dehumanizing effect of racism and the way in which African Americans were reduced to mere objects in the eyes of white people.

The poem also highlights the way in which African Americans were denied access to basic human rights such as education, healthcare, and political representation. This is captured in the lines, "Our schools are few, our churches bare / And bleak and sad our homes appear." The use of the word "few" emphasizes the way in which resources were deliberately withheld from African American communities, while the word "bleak" highlights the sense of hopelessness and despair that characterized life in these communities.

The poem also explores the psychological impact of segregation on African Americans. They are made to feel inferior and are taught to believe that they are not worthy of the same rights and privileges as white people. This leads to a sense of hopelessness and despair, which is captured in the lines, "We knelt in prayer to Him above / And wept aloud in hopeless love." The use of religious imagery here is significant as it highlights the way in which African Americans turned to faith in order to find hope and solace in a society that offered them no other options.

Interpretation

Segregation is a powerful and moving poem that captures the harsh reality of life for African Americans in the South during the early 20th century. It highlights the dehumanizing effect of racism and the way in which African Americans were denied access to basic human rights and opportunities.

The poem is particularly significant in light of the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. Although segregation is no longer legal, the legacy of racism and discrimination continues to impact African American communities to this day. The poem serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve true equality and justice for all.

In conclusion, Segregation is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that highlights the harsh reality of life for African Americans in the South during the early 20th century. The poem is written in simple yet powerful language that evokes a strong emotional response from the reader. The use of imagery and symbolism is particularly effective in conveying the dehumanizing effect of racism and the way in which African Americans were denied access to basic human rights and opportunities. The poem serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve true equality and justice for all.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Segregation by Robert Service is a classic poem that delves into the theme of racial segregation. The poem is a powerful commentary on the injustices and prejudices that were prevalent in society during the time it was written. Robert Service, a renowned poet, has used his poetic prowess to bring to light the harsh realities of segregation and the impact it had on the lives of people.

The poem is set in the southern United States during the time of segregation. The speaker of the poem is a black man who is reflecting on the segregation that he and his people have to endure. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which makes it easy to understand and relate to.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker begins by saying, "I was born where cotton grew." This line immediately establishes the speaker's identity as a black man who was born and raised in the south. The speaker then goes on to describe the segregation that he and his people have to endure. He says, "White folks tell me that I'm free, but it don't seem so to me." This line highlights the irony of the situation. Even though the speaker is technically free, he is still subjected to segregation and discrimination.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker says, "I can't go where white folks go, I can't do what white folks do." This line highlights the restrictions that were placed on black people during the time of segregation. Black people were not allowed to go to certain places or do certain things that white people could. The speaker then goes on to say, "I'm segregated, separated, and it's all because of you." This line is a direct accusation towards the white people who were responsible for the segregation and discrimination that black people had to endure.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the impact that segregation had on the speaker's life. The speaker says, "I've been hurt and I've been scarred, I've been treated like a dog." This line highlights the emotional toll that segregation had on black people. They were not only physically restricted but were also subjected to emotional abuse and mistreatment. The speaker then goes on to say, "I've been whipped and I've been beaten, I've been left out in the fog." This line is a reference to the physical abuse that black people had to endure. They were often subjected to violence and brutality at the hands of white people.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker says, "It's time for us to rise up, it's time for us to fight." This line is a call for black people to stand up against the injustices and prejudices that they were facing. The speaker then goes on to say, "We've got to break down these barriers, we've got to make things right." This line highlights the need for change and the importance of breaking down the barriers that were separating black people from white people.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the future. The speaker says, "I hope someday we'll all be free, I hope someday we'll all be one." This line is a hopeful message that one day, the segregation and discrimination that black people had to endure would come to an end. The speaker then ends the poem by saying, "But until that day comes, I'll keep on singing this song." This line is a reminder that even though change may not happen overnight, it is important to keep fighting for what is right.

In conclusion, Segregation by Robert Service is a powerful poem that highlights the injustices and prejudices that were prevalent during the time of segregation. The poem is a call to action for black people to stand up against the discrimination and mistreatment that they were facing. The poem is a reminder that even though change may not happen overnight, it is important to keep fighting for what is right. Robert Service has used his poetic prowess to bring to light the harsh realities of segregation and the impact it had on the lives of people. The poem is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with people today.

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