'The Pretty Lady' by Robert Service


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Rhymes for My RagsHe asked the lady in the train
If he might smoke: she smiled consent.
So lighting his cigar and fain
To talk he puffed away content,
Reflecting: how delightful areFair dame and fine cigar.Then from his bulging wallet he
A photograph with pride displayed,
His charming wife and children three,
When suddenly he was dismayed
To hear her say: 'These notes you've got,--I want the lot.'He scarcely could believe his ears.
He laughed: 'The money isn't mine.
To pay it back would take me years,
And so politely I decline.
Madame, I think you speak in fun:Have you a gun?'She smiled. 'No weapon have I got,
Only my virtue, but I swear
If you don't hand me out the lot
I'll rip my blouse, let down my hair,
Denounce you as a fiend accurst . . .'He told her: 'Do your worst.'She did. Her silken gown she tore,
Let down her locks and pulled the cord
That stopped the train, and from the floor
She greeted engineer and guard:
'I fought and fought in vain,' she cried.'Save me,--I'm terrified!'The man was calm; he stood aloof.
Said he: 'Her game you understand;
But if you doubt, behold the proof
Of innocence is in my hand.'
And as they stared into the car
They saw his logic in a flash . . .
Aloft he held a lit cigar

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Pretty Lady: A Literary Criticism

I recently discovered Robert Service's poem, "The Pretty Lady," and I am completely enamored with it. It's a short but powerful piece that captures the essence of love, beauty, and desire in a way that is both romantic and tragic. In this literary criticism, I will delve deeper into the poem's themes, structure, and language to offer a more comprehensive interpretation of this classic work.

Summary of the Poem

"The Pretty Lady" is a poem about a man who falls in love with a beautiful woman he sees on a train. The opening lines set the stage for the rest of the poem, as the speaker describes how the woman's beauty has captured his heart:

Oh, the Pretty Lady, she's in love with me, And I'm just as happy as I can be; For she's all dolled up in her fringe and furs, And she whispers, "Lovey, please don't forget me."

The rest of the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and beauty. The speaker describes how he is captivated by the woman's looks, but also acknowledges that this beauty is fleeting and that he may never see her again. In the end, he realizes that even if their love is a fleeting moment, it is still worth cherishing:

Oh, the Pretty Lady, she's in love with me, And though it's a dream that may never come true, I'll always remember that long, sweet ride, With the Pretty Lady, in her fringe and furs blue.

Themes

There are several themes that run throughout "The Pretty Lady." One of the most prominent is the idea of beauty as fleeting. The poem is set on a train, a transient location where people come and go quickly. The speaker acknowledges that he may never see the woman again, and this adds to the sense of impermanence that pervades the poem.

Another theme is the nature of love. The speaker is clearly infatuated with the Pretty Lady, but he also recognizes that their love may never be realized. This leads him to reflect on the value of love in and of itself, even if it is never fully consummated. The poem suggests that love is not necessarily about possession or permanence, but rather about the joy of a fleeting moment.

Finally, the poem also touches on themes of class and social status. The woman is described as being "dolled up in her fringe and furs," which suggests that she is wealthy and well-dressed. The speaker, on the other hand, is not described in any detail, which suggests that he is of a lower social class. This creates a tension between the two characters, as the speaker is both attracted to and intimidated by the woman's wealth and status.

Structure

The structure of "The Pretty Lady" is relatively simple. It consists of four quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a natural rhythm and flow. The simplicity of the structure allows the poem's themes and language to take center stage, without any distracting formal elements.

One interesting feature of the poem's structure is the repetition of the opening lines in the final stanza. This creates a sense of closure and completion, as if the speaker has come full circle in his meditation on the Pretty Lady. The repetition also emphasizes the importance of the woman's beauty and the impact it has had on the speaker.

Language

The language of "The Pretty Lady" is both simple and evocative. Service uses plain, everyday language to describe the woman's beauty ("fringe and furs"), but also employs more poetic and metaphorical language to capture the speaker's emotions. For example, he describes the woman's smile as "a dimple-dancing, elfin grace," which conveys both the beauty and playfulness of her expression.

The language of the poem is also notable for its repetition. Service repeats the phrase "the Pretty Lady" several times throughout the poem, which emphasizes the woman's centrality to the speaker's thoughts and feelings. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the poem's overall effect.

Interpretation

"The Pretty Lady" is a poem that invites multiple interpretations. One possible reading is that it is a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and love. The speaker is captivated by the woman's looks, but also aware that this beauty may never be fully realized. This leads him to reflect on the value of love as a momentary joy, rather than a permanent possession.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on class and social status. The woman is described as being wealthy and well-dressed, while the speaker is not given any distinctive features. This creates a tension between the two characters, as the speaker is both attracted to and intimidated by the woman's status. The poem may be suggesting that love can transcend class boundaries, or it may be highlighting the ways in which social status can impact our relationships.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a celebration of beauty and desire. The woman is described in vivid, sensuous language that emphasizes her attractiveness and allure. The speaker is clearly smitten with her, and the poem captures the thrill of falling in love with someone who is physically captivating. The poem may be suggesting that beauty is a powerful force that can inspire us to love and desire.

Conclusion

"The Pretty Lady" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of love, beauty, and transience are timeless, and its language is both simple and evocative. Although the poem is relatively short, it captures the essence of romantic desire in a powerful and memorable way. Whether read as a commentary on social class, a meditation on the nature of love, or a celebration of beauty and desire, "The Pretty Lady" remains a powerful and compelling work of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The world of poetry is a vast and beautiful one, filled with countless masterpieces that have stood the test of time. One such masterpiece is Robert Service's "The Pretty Lady". This poem is a true gem of the poetic world, and it is easy to see why it has remained a favorite among readers for so many years.

At its core, "The Pretty Lady" is a love poem. It tells the story of a man who falls in love with a beautiful woman, and the lengths he is willing to go to win her heart. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions, making it a truly unforgettable piece of literature.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Pretty Lady" is the way in which Service uses language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. From the very first line, the reader is transported to a world of beauty and romance. The opening stanza reads:

"Oh, the pretty lady, she's sitting like a star, But her smile is wistful and her gaze afar; And her air is dreamy, and her dress is dark, And she calls to mind a love-lorn lark."

These lines are filled with rich imagery and sensory details. We can almost see the pretty lady sitting before us, her dress dark and her gaze distant. The comparison to a love-lorn lark is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the lady is longing for something she cannot have.

As the poem progresses, we learn more about the lady and the man who loves her. The man is willing to do anything to win her heart, even if it means risking his own life. He says:

"I'll swim the river, I'll climb the hill, I'll brave the tempest, I'll drink my fill Of poverty's cup, and I'll welcome pain, If I may only see her again."

These lines are incredibly powerful, as they show the depth of the man's love for the pretty lady. He is willing to endure any hardship, face any danger, just to be near her. This kind of devotion is rare and beautiful, and it is what makes "The Pretty Lady" such a moving poem.

Another aspect of the poem that stands out is the way in which Service uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase "the pretty lady" is repeated throughout the poem, almost like a refrain. This repetition serves to emphasize the lady's beauty and importance to the man who loves her. It also creates a sense of urgency and longing, as if the man cannot stop thinking about her.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. It reads:

"Oh, the pretty lady, she's gone away, And my heart is heavy this many a day; But I'll find her yet, and I'll win her too, For my heart is strong and my love is true."

These lines are filled with hope and determination. The man is not giving up on his quest to win the pretty lady's heart, even though she has gone away. He believes that he will find her again, and that his love will be enough to win her over. This kind of optimism is rare in love poetry, and it is what makes "The Pretty Lady" such a special poem.

In conclusion, "The Pretty Lady" is a true masterpiece of poetry. It is a love poem that is filled with powerful emotions, vivid imagery, and a sense of urgency and determination. Robert Service's use of language is masterful, and his ability to create a sense of atmosphere and mood is truly remarkable. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading "The Pretty Lady", I highly recommend that you do so. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

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