'The Fool' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Red Cross Man"But it isn't playing the game," he said,And he slammed his books away;
"The Latin and Greek I've got in my headWill do for a duller day."
"Rubbish!" I cried; "The bugle's callIsn't for lads from school."
D'ye think he'd listen? Oh, not at all:So I called him a fool, a fool.Now there's his dog by his empty bed,And the flute he used to play,
And his favourite bat . . . but Dick he's dead,Somewhere in France, they say:
Dick with his rapture of song and sun,Dick of the yellow hair,
Dicky whose life had but begun,Carrion-cold out there.Look at his prizes all in a row:Surely a hint of fame.
Now he's finished with, -- nothing to show:Doesn't it seem a shame?
Look from the window! All you seeWas to be his one day:
Forest and furrow, lawn and lea,And he goes and chucks it away.Chucks it away to die in the dark:Somebody saw him fall,
Part of him mud, part of him blood,The rest of him -- not at all.
And yet I'll bet he was never afraid,And he went as the best of 'em go,
For his hand was clenched on his broken blade,And his face was turned to the foe.And I called him a fool . . . oh how blind was I!And the cup of my grief's abrim.
Will Glory o' England ever dieSo long as we've lads like him?
So long as we've fond and fearless fools,Who, spurning fortune and fame,
Turn out with the rallying cry of their schools,Just bent on playing the game.A fool! Ah no! He was more than wise.His was the proudest part.
He died with the glory of faith in his eyes,And the glory of love in his heart.
And though there's never a grave to tell,Nor a cross to mark his fall,
Thank God! we know that he "batted well"In the last great Game of all.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fool by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
As soon as you start reading Robert Service's "The Fool" you get a sense of its tone, which is of irony and satire. The poem tells the story of a fool, who is supposed to be the happiest man in town, but who is actually quite miserable. The poem is full of paradoxes and contradictions, which are used to convey the theme of disillusionment.
The Structure of the Poem
The poem is structured in four stanzas of eight lines each, with the rhyme scheme ABABCCDD. Each stanza tells a different episode in the life of the fool, and the last two stanzas are a reflection on the fool's fate.
The first stanza introduces the fool and his supposed happiness, which is based on his ignorance of the world's troubles. The second stanza shows the fool's encounter with a wise man, who tells him the truth about the world's suffering. The third stanza depicts the fool's attempt to change the world and his eventual failure. The fourth stanza concludes the poem with a reflection on the foolishness of trying to change the world.
The Irony of the Fool's Happiness
The irony of the fool's happiness is that it is based on his ignorance of the world's troubles. He is described as "the happiest man in town", "with his grinning and his dancing", and "he laughed at all adversity". However, the reader is immediately made aware that this happiness is superficial and shallow. The repetition of the word "fool" in the opening lines of the poem, and the description of the fool as "the one who never knew" and "the one who had no care" create a sense of irony and prepare the reader for the revelation of the truth.
The Satire of the Wise Man's Wisdom
The satire of the wise man's wisdom is that it is based on his pessimism and cynicism. He tells the fool that "the world is full of sorrow" and that "the poor are always with us". He advises the fool to "laugh a little less, and work a little more", implying that happiness is a luxury that only the rich can afford. The wise man's attitude is contrasted with the fool's innocence and optimism, which are portrayed as foolish and naive.
The Paradox of the Fool's Attempt to Change the World
The paradox of the fool's attempt to change the world is that it is based on his desire to alleviate the suffering of others, but that it leads to his own suffering. He "sold his cap and bought a flute" and "played it with a smile", but his music was not enough to change the world. He then "sold his flute and bought a drum" and "beat it with a will", but his drumming was not enough to change the world either. Finally, he "sold his drum and bought a spade" and "dug the ground with care", but his digging was not enough to change the world either. The paradox is that the more the fool tries to change the world, the more he becomes disillusioned and unhappy.
The Reflection on the Fool's Fate
The reflection on the fool's fate is a meditation on the limits of human agency and the inevitability of suffering. The poem concludes with the lines:
And so the fool, when he grew old,
His grave dug deep at eventide,
Would tell the children, shy and cold,
That he was once the town's gay pride.
The fool's fate is to be remembered as a fool, despite his best efforts to change the world. The children are described as "shy and cold", suggesting that they are not interested in his story, and that his legacy is one of failure and futility.
Conclusion
"The Fool" is a masterpiece of irony and satire, which uses paradoxes and contradictions to convey the theme of disillusionment. The poem is structured in four stanzas that tell the story of a fool's attempt to change the world and his eventual failure. The poem is a meditation on the limits of human agency and the inevitability of suffering, and it concludes with a reflection on the fool's fate as a forgotten and misunderstood figure. Robert Service's poem is a timeless classic that continues to speak to readers today, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport us to another world. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Fool" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the human condition. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in "The Fool" and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a fool who is dancing in the rain. The fool is carefree and happy, oblivious to the world around him. He is not concerned with the opinions of others and is content to live in the moment. The speaker observes the fool and wonders why he is so happy. He asks, "What is the meaning of life, O wise men? / Can you tell me that?" The speaker is searching for answers, and the fool seems to have found them.
The theme of the poem is the search for meaning in life. The speaker is questioning the purpose of life, and the fool seems to have found it. The fool represents the idea that happiness is not found in material possessions or societal status but in living in the moment and enjoying life. The speaker is envious of the fool's happiness and wishes he could be as carefree as the fool.
The imagery used in the poem is vivid and powerful. The rain represents the hardships and struggles of life. The fool is dancing in the rain, which symbolizes his ability to find joy in the midst of adversity. The speaker is standing under a tree, which represents his desire for stability and security. The tree is a symbol of strength and protection, but it also represents the speaker's fear of taking risks and stepping out of his comfort zone.
The symbolism used in the poem is also significant. The fool represents the idea of living in the moment and enjoying life. He is not concerned with the opinions of others and is content to be himself. The speaker represents the idea of conformity and societal expectations. He is afraid to be himself and is more concerned with what others think of him. The rain represents the hardships and struggles of life, and the tree represents stability and security.
The poem's structure is also significant. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to express his ideas without the constraints of rhyme and meter. The lack of rhyme and meter also reflects the idea of living in the moment and being free from societal expectations. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and mood. The first stanza is light and carefree, reflecting the fool's happiness. The second stanza is more serious and reflective, reflecting the speaker's search for meaning. The third stanza is hopeful and optimistic, reflecting the speaker's realization that happiness is found in living in the moment.
In conclusion, "The Fool" by Robert Service is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the human condition. The poem explores the themes of the search for meaning in life, the imagery of the rain and the tree, and the symbolism of the fool and the speaker. The poem's structure is also significant, with its free verse and three stanzas. "The Fool" is a timeless poem that reminds us of the importance of living in the moment and finding joy in the midst of adversity.
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