'Drifter' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
God gave you guts: don't let Him down;
Brace up, be worthy of His giving.
The road's a rut, the sky's a frown;
I know you're plumb fed up with living.
Fate birches you, and wry the rod . . .
Snap out, you fool! Don't let down God.
Oh, yes, you're on misfortune's shift,
And weary is the row your hoeing;
You have no home, you drift and drift,
Seems folks don't care the way you're going . . .
Well, make them care - you're not afraid:
Step on the gas - you'll make the grade.
Believe that God has faith in you,
In you His loving light is shining;
All of you that is fine and true
Is part of Him, so quit your whining . . .
buck up, son, for your Maker's sake:
Don't let Him down - give God a break.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Drifter: A Poem of Loneliness and Freedom
Oh my, what a timeless masterpiece The Drifter is! Robert Service, the renowned poet and writer of the early 20th century, created an enduring work of art that speaks to those who seek freedom and independence, yet struggle with the loneliness that comes with such a life.
The Drifter tells the story of a wanderer who roams the earth, from the Arctic to the tropics, seeking adventure and excitement. He has no real home, no family or friends, and no obligations to anyone or anything. He is free to do as he pleases, to follow his whims and fancies, without any constraints or limitations.
But as much as he enjoys his freedom, the drifter is also plagued by a sense of loneliness and isolation. He has no one to share his joys and sorrows with, no one to confide in or to care for. He is a solitary figure, wandering the earth like a ghost, seeking solace in the beauty of the world around him.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the drifter's lifestyle:
"Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul."
These lines evoke a sense of darkness and despair, as if the drifter is caught in a never-ending night, with no hope of dawn. But then the tone shifts, as the drifter expresses gratitude for his "unconquerable soul", which allows him to keep moving forward, to keep searching for something that he cannot name.
The drifter is a man of contradictions. He is both fearless and vulnerable, strong and weak, adventurous and cautious. He is a paradoxical figure, embodying the conflicting impulses of human nature.
service
"Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid."
These lines reveal the drifter's courage and determination, as he faces the "Horror of the shade", the unknown and the uncertain, with steadfast resolve. He is unafraid of death, of the darkness that surrounds him, of the challenges that lie ahead. He is a man who lives on the edge, who thrives on danger and risk.
Yet, at the same time, he is also aware of his own mortality, of the fragility of his existence. He knows that he cannot escape the "menace of the years", the inevitable march of time that will eventually catch up with him. He is a man who lives in the moment, who savors every experience, knowing that it may be his last.
The drifter's loneliness is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as he longs for the companionship of other human beings. He speaks of "the fellowship of the quinine pill", a reference to the medicine that he takes to ward off malaria, as if even the bitter taste of the pill is preferable to the emptiness of his solitary existence.
service
"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."
These lines are perhaps the most famous in the entire poem, and for good reason. They capture the essence of the drifter's philosophy, his belief in his own autonomy and self-determination. He is the "master of his fate", the one who controls his own destiny, who chooses his own path in life.
But even as he asserts his independence, the drifter is also aware of the limitations of his freedom. He knows that he cannot escape the consequences of his actions, that he must face the "punishments" that come with his choices. He is not invincible, not immune to the laws of the universe. He is a man who seeks to be free, but who also recognizes the price that comes with that freedom.
The poem ends with a powerful image, as the drifter looks out over the sea, watching the waves crash against the shore. It is a moment of contemplation, of reflection, as he ponders the meaning of his life, and the world around him.
service
"It matters not how far I go,
Nor into what the deeps I peer,
I am the lord of Tartary,
I am the prince of dreams."
These final lines are a fitting conclusion to the poem, as the drifter affirms his own identity, his own sense of self. He is the "lord of Tartary", the ruler of his own kingdom, a place that exists only in his imagination. He is also the "prince of dreams", the one who creates his own reality, who shapes his own destiny.
In the end, The Drifter is a poem about the human condition, about the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem cold and indifferent. It speaks to those who seek freedom and independence, yet also long for the warmth and companionship of other human beings. It is a poem that asks us to reflect on our own lives, and to consider the choices that we make as we journey through this world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Drifter: A Poem of Wanderlust and Freedom
Robert Service’s poem, Drifter, is a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of wanderlust and the desire for freedom. The poem tells the story of a man who is constantly on the move, drifting from place to place, and living life on his own terms. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the line, “My old friend the drifter comes drifting back to town.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it introduces the main character, the drifter. The use of the word “drifter” immediately creates a sense of movement and restlessness. The fact that the drifter is an “old friend” suggests that he has been around for a while, and that he is a familiar figure in the town.
The first stanza of the poem describes the drifter’s appearance. He is described as “lean and sinewy” with “eyes as sharp as a hawk.” The use of animal imagery here is significant, as it suggests that the drifter is a wild and untamed creature. The fact that he is “lean and sinewy” suggests that he is physically fit and capable of surviving in harsh conditions. The use of the word “sharp” to describe his eyes suggests that he is observant and aware of his surroundings.
The second stanza of the poem describes the drifter’s lifestyle. He is described as “living on the edge of the law” and “never settling down.” This suggests that the drifter is a free spirit who lives life on his own terms. He is not bound by the constraints of society and is free to do as he pleases. The fact that he is “living on the edge of the law” suggests that he is not afraid to take risks and that he is willing to break the rules if it means living life to the fullest.
The third stanza of the poem describes the drifter’s travels. He is described as “roaming the world like a gypsy.” This suggests that the drifter is a nomad who is constantly on the move. The use of the word “gypsy” is significant, as it suggests that the drifter is a member of a marginalized group who is often discriminated against. This reinforces the idea that the drifter is an outsider who does not conform to society’s norms.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the drifter’s attitude towards life. He is described as “laughing at fate” and “dancing with chance.” This suggests that the drifter is a carefree individual who does not take life too seriously. He is willing to take risks and is not afraid of the consequences. The fact that he is “laughing at fate” suggests that he is not afraid of death and that he is willing to embrace whatever life throws at him.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the drifter’s relationship with the narrator. The narrator describes the drifter as his “old friend” and suggests that he is happy to see him again. However, the narrator also expresses a sense of envy towards the drifter’s lifestyle. He describes the drifter as “free as a bird” and suggests that he wishes he could live life in the same way.
The final stanza of the poem describes the drifter’s departure. He is described as “drifting away on the wind.” This suggests that the drifter is a transient figure who is not bound by any physical or emotional ties. He is free to come and go as he pleases, and he is not afraid of leaving things behind. The fact that he is “drifting away on the wind” suggests that he is not afraid of death and that he is willing to embrace whatever comes next.
In terms of language, Service uses a number of literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. The use of animal imagery, as mentioned earlier, is significant. Service also uses alliteration, assonance, and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, the line “dancing with chance” uses alliteration to create a sense of movement and energy.
In conclusion, Drifter is a classic poem that captures the essence of wanderlust and the desire for freedom. The poem’s themes of movement, restlessness, and freedom are conveyed through the use of imagery, language, and literary devices. The drifter is a symbol of the human desire for adventure and the willingness to take risks. The poem’s message is clear: life is short, and we should embrace it with open arms, just like the drifter.
Editor Recommended Sites
Speed Math: Practice rapid math training for fast mental arithmetic. Speed mathematics training softwareSingle Pane of Glass: Centralized management of multi cloud resources and infrastructure software
Devops Automation: Software and tools for Devops automation across GCP and AWS
Flutter consulting - DFW flutter development & Southlake / Westlake Flutter Engineering: Flutter development agency for dallas Fort worth
Model Shop: Buy and sell machine learning models
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Wild Honey-Suckle by Philip Freneau analysisThe Barrel-Organ by Alfred Noyes analysis
To M.L.S. by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
The Gyres by William Butler Yeats analysis
Lost Mistress, The by Robert Browning analysis
Ask Me by William Stafford analysis
Song To Celia - I by Ben Jonson analysis
Elevation by Charles Baudelaire analysis
Behind Me-dips Eternity by Emily Dickinson analysis
Frederick Douglass by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysis