'Bed Sitter' by Robert Service
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He stared at me with sad, hurt eyes,
That drab, untidy man;
And though my clients I despise
I do the best I can
To comfort them with cheerful chat;
(Quite comme il faut, of course)
And furnish evidence so that
Their wives may claim divorce.
But as this chap sobbed out his woes
I thought: How it's a shame!
His wife's a bitch and so he goes
And takes himself the blame.
And me behaving like a heel
To earn a filthy fee . . .
Said I: "You've had a dirty deal."
"What of yourself? said he.
And so I told him how I was
A widow of the war,
And doing what I did because
Two sons I struggled for.
As I sat knitting through the night
He eyed me from the bed,
And in the rosy morning light
Impulsively he said:
"Through in this sordid game we play,
To cheat the law we plan,
i do believe you when you say
You hold aloof from man;
Unto the dead you have been true,
And on the day I'm free,
To prove how I have faith in you -
Please, will you marry me?"
That's how it was. Now we are wed,
And life's a list of joys.
The old unhappy past is dead;
He's father to my boys.
And I have told him just to-day,
(Though forty, I confess,)
A little sister's on the way
To crown our happiness.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bed Sitter: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Robert Service’s Classic Poem
Oh, how I love this poem! Bed Sitter by Robert Service is a masterful piece of literature that captures the essence of the solitary life of a young man in a small flat in London. It’s a beautiful reflection of the loneliness and despair that many people experience when they’re far away from home, struggling to make ends meet, and trying to find meaning in their lives.
Background
Written in 1936, Bed Sitter is one of Robert Service’s most celebrated poems. The poem is about a young man who is living in a small flat in London. He’s alone, broke, and struggling to cope with the harsh realities of life in a big city. The flat is small, cramped, and dingy, and the young man spends most of his days lying on his bed, smoking cigarettes, and dreaming about his past and his future.
Analysis
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each one reflecting a different aspect of the young man’s life. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the reader to the young man’s small flat. The second stanza is more introspective, as the young man reflects on his past and his present. The third stanza is the most optimistic, as the young man looks to the future and finds hope in the prospect of a new day.
Stanza One
The first stanza begins with a vivid description of the young man’s bed-sitter. We can feel the claustrophobia of the room as Service describes the “yellowing” walls, “cobwebbed” ceilings, and the “soot-blackened” fireplace. The language is evocative, and we can almost smell the stale air and feel the dust on our skin. The young man’s bed is the center of the room, and he spends most of his time lying on it, staring at the ceiling.
But it’s not just the physical space that’s oppressive. The young man is also trapped in a cycle of poverty and loneliness. He has no money and no friends, and he’s forced to spend most of his time in his small flat. He’s become a “prisoner,” and the only company he has is his own thoughts.
Stanza Two
The second stanza is more introspective, and the young man reflects on his past and his present. He thinks about his youth, and how he used to dream of a better life. He remembers the “laughing girls” and the “sunny seas” of his childhood, and he longs for those days again.
But he’s also aware of the harsh reality of his present. He’s alone and broke, and he’s caught in a cycle of despair. He feels like he’s “lost the race,” and he wonders if there’s any hope for him.
Stanza Three
The third stanza is the most optimistic, as the young man looks to the future and finds hope in the prospect of a new day. He hears the “dawn-wind” blowing, and he feels a sense of renewal. He’s determined to break free from his cycle of despair and start anew.
He thinks about the possibilities of the future, and he imagines himself “racing to a star.” He’s no longer resigned to his fate, and he’s ready to take control of his life.
Interpretation
Bed Sitter is a powerful reflection on the human condition, and it speaks to anyone who has ever felt alone and isolated. The young man in the poem is a symbol of the human struggle, and his journey from despair to hope is a universal one.
Service captures the feeling of being trapped in a small flat, and he creates a vivid picture of the young man’s surroundings. But he also delves deeper into the young man’s psyche, exploring his thoughts and emotions.
The poem is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope. The young man in the poem is able to find hope in the prospect of a new day, and he’s determined to make the most of his life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bed Sitter is a beautiful poem that captures the human struggle for meaning and purpose. It’s a powerful reflection on the loneliness and despair that many people experience in their lives, and it’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope.
Service’s use of language is evocative, and his ability to create a vivid picture of the young man’s surroundings is impressive. But it’s his exploration of the young man’s psyche that really sets the poem apart.
Bed Sitter is a masterpiece of literature, and it’s a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bed Sitter: A Poem of Loneliness and Despair
Robert Service’s poem Bed Sitter is a hauntingly beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of loneliness and despair. The poem is a vivid portrayal of a man who is trapped in a small, dingy room, with nothing but his thoughts and memories to keep him company. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal experience of isolation and alienation.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the man’s surroundings. He is in a small, cramped room, with a bed, a table, and a chair. The room is dark and dingy, with peeling wallpaper and a musty smell. The man is alone, and the silence is deafening. The imagery in this opening stanza is powerful, and it immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza of the poem is where the man’s thoughts and memories come into play. He thinks back to happier times, when he was surrounded by friends and loved ones. He remembers the laughter and the joy, and he longs for those days to return. But as he looks around his small, dingy room, he realizes that those days are gone forever. The imagery in this stanza is particularly poignant, as the man’s memories are contrasted with his current reality.
The third stanza of the poem is where the man’s despair really comes to the fore. He realizes that he is trapped in his small, dingy room, with no way out. He is alone, and he is consumed by his own thoughts and memories. He longs for someone to talk to, someone to share his pain with, but there is no one there. The imagery in this stanza is particularly powerful, as the man’s sense of isolation and despair is palpable.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the man’s thoughts turn to death. He realizes that he is trapped in his small, dingy room, with no hope of escape. He thinks about the end of his life, and he wonders what it will be like. Will he die alone, in this small, dingy room, with no one to mourn his passing? The imagery in this stanza is particularly haunting, as the man’s thoughts turn to his own mortality.
The final stanza of the poem is where the man’s thoughts turn to hope. He realizes that even though he is trapped in his small, dingy room, there is still hope. He thinks about the future, and he wonders what it will bring. Will he find love again? Will he find happiness? The imagery in this stanza is particularly powerful, as the man’s sense of hope is contrasted with his sense of despair.
Overall, Bed Sitter is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal experience of loneliness and despair. The imagery in the poem is vivid and haunting, and it captures the essence of the human condition. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human experience, and it speaks to the universal desire for connection and meaning.
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