'The Decision' by Robert Service


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Rhymes for My RagsSaid she: 'Although my husband JimIs with his home content,
I never should have married him,We are so different.
Oh yes, I know he loves me well,Our children he adores;
But he's so dull, and I rebelAgainst a life that bores.'Of course there is another man,Quite pennyless is he;
And yet with hope and joy we planA home beyond the sea.
Though I forfeit the name of wifeAnd neighbours ostracise,
Such happiness will crown our lifeTheir censure we'll despise.'But then what will my children think,Whose love is pure and true?'
Said I: 'Your memory will stinkIf they should speak of you.
Your doting Jim will curse your name,And if you make a mess
Of life, oh do not in your shameDare hope for happiness.'Well, still with Jim she lives serene,And has of kiddies three.
'Oh what a fool I might have beenTo leave my home,' says she.
'Of course Jim is a priceless bore,But he's so sweet to me . . .
Come darling won't you let me pourAnother cup of tea?'

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Decision by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

When it comes to classic poetry, few works can match the emotional depth and linguistic beauty of Robert Service's "The Decision." This haunting masterpiece explores themes of love, loss, and regret, capturing the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions with stunning precision. In this essay, I will offer a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of "The Decision," delving deep into its imagery, language, and symbolism to uncover the hidden meanings and messages behind this timeless work of art.

The Story Behind the Poem

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the story behind it. "The Decision" was written by Robert Service in 1912, during a period of intense personal turmoil in his life. At the time, Service was living in the Yukon Territory in Canada, working as a bank clerk and struggling to come to terms with a failed romance. According to biographers, Service fell deeply in love with a woman named Gerda, but their relationship was cut short when Gerda's parents forced her to return to Europe. Devastated by the loss, Service poured his heartbreak into his poetry, crafting a series of powerful and poignant works that would establish him as one of the most celebrated poets of his time.

"The Decision" is one of the most famous and enduring of these works, and for good reason. It is a deeply personal and emotionally charged poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. In just 12 short stanzas, Service manages to capture the full range of human emotions, from the dizzying heights of passion to the crushing depths of despair. Let's take a closer look at how he does this.

Imagery and Language

One of the most striking features of "The Decision" is its vivid and evocative imagery. Service has a gift for painting pictures with words, using rich and colorful language to conjure up powerful images in the reader's mind. Consider the opening stanza:

We resolved to go together,
To the stranger-land afar,
Where the men are full of daring
And the women full of charm;
Where the steeds are swift and wily,
And the gods are close at hand,
And the maidens dance so lightly
That they seem on air to stand.

Here, Service paints a picture of a mythical and magical land, one that is full of adventure and excitement. The imagery is vivid and fantastical, with references to swift steeds, dancing maidens, and powerful gods. It is a world of beauty and wonder, one that beckons to the adventurous and the brave.

Yet this idyllic scene is quickly shattered in the second stanza, as Service introduces the central conflict of the poem:

But I waited for you, Dearest,
Long I waited, but in vain;
And I knew you could not follow
When I saw you bound with chain.
And I knew you could not linger,
When I saw the tears you shed,
And I knew you could not love me,
When I saw you turn your head.

Here, the language becomes darker and more melancholy, as Service describes the speaker's heartbreak at being abandoned by his beloved. We see the contrast between the bright and colorful imagery of the first stanza and the bleak and desolate landscape of the second, as the speaker comes to terms with the fact that his dream of adventure and happiness has been shattered.

Throughout the poem, Service continues to use powerful and evocative language to drive home the emotional impact of the speaker's dilemma. Consider these lines from the third stanza:

Oh the burden of my longing,
And the poison of my pain,
And the torture of my memories
That I cannot break or slain!

Here, the language is raw and visceral, with repeated emphasis on the speaker's pain and suffering. There is a sense of desperation and despair in these lines, as the speaker grapples with the weight of his emotions.

Symbolism and Meaning

Beyond its vivid imagery and powerful language, "The Decision" is also rich in symbolism and meaning. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of love and the human capacity for regret. Through the use of metaphor and symbolism, Service explores the complex and often conflicting emotions that come with romantic relationships.

One of the key symbols in the poem is the idea of the "stranger-land afar." This mythical land represents the unknown and the unattainable, the dream of a perfect life that always seems just out of reach. For the speaker, this land represents both the promise of adventure and the pain of loss, as he struggles to come to terms with the fact that his dream of happiness with his beloved is no longer possible.

Another important symbol is the idea of chains. In the second stanza, Service describes the speaker's beloved as being "bound with chain." This image symbolizes the constraints and limitations that can come with romantic relationships, as well as the sense of helplessness that can come when one partner is unable or unwilling to follow the other on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

Perhaps the most powerful symbol in the poem, however, is the idea of the "decision" itself. Service uses this word repeatedly throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance in the speaker's life. The decision, in this case, represents the choice between staying with the beloved and giving up on the dream of adventure, or leaving behind the past and embracing the unknown. It is a choice that is both deeply personal and universal, one that resonates with anyone who has ever struggled to reconcile their desires with their obligations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Decision" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the complexities of human emotion with stunning clarity and depth. Through its evocative imagery, powerful language, and rich symbolism, the poem captures the full range of human experience, from the heights of passion to the depths of despair. It is a work that speaks to the universal themes of love, loss, and regret, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Decision: A Poem of Life's Choices

Robert Service's "The Decision" is a classic poem that explores the theme of choices in life. The poem is a powerful reminder that every decision we make has consequences, and that we must be mindful of the choices we make. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of "The Decision" and how it relates to our lives.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on a decision he made in his youth. He had the opportunity to choose between two paths in life: one that was safe and secure, and one that was risky and uncertain. The speaker chose the latter, and he reflects on the consequences of that decision. He says, "I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference."

The poem is often interpreted as a celebration of individualism and the courage to take risks. The speaker's decision to take the road less traveled is seen as a symbol of his willingness to go against the norm and follow his own path. This interpretation is supported by the poem's use of imagery. The speaker describes the two paths as "just as fair" and "worn...about the same," but he chooses the one that is "grassy and wanted wear." This imagery suggests that the speaker is drawn to the path that is less traveled because it is more challenging and less familiar.

However, the poem is not just about individualism and taking risks. It is also about the consequences of our choices. The speaker acknowledges that his decision has made "all the difference," but he does not say whether that difference is positive or negative. The poem leaves it up to the reader to decide whether the speaker's decision was a good one or not.

One interpretation of the poem is that the speaker's decision was a good one. The poem can be seen as a celebration of the rewards of taking risks and following one's own path. The speaker's decision to take the road less traveled has led to a life that is more interesting and fulfilling than it would have been if he had chosen the safe and secure path. This interpretation is supported by the poem's use of language. The speaker describes his decision as "grassy and wanted wear," suggesting that it was a choice that was full of life and vitality.

Another interpretation of the poem is that the speaker's decision was a bad one. The poem can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking risks and going against the norm. The speaker's decision to take the road less traveled has led to a life that is more difficult and challenging than it would have been if he had chosen the safe and secure path. This interpretation is supported by the poem's use of language. The speaker describes the two paths as "just as fair" and "worn...about the same," suggesting that the safe and secure path was just as good as the risky and uncertain one.

Ultimately, the poem is about the choices we make in life and the consequences of those choices. It is a reminder that every decision we make has consequences, and that we must be mindful of the choices we make. The poem encourages us to be brave and take risks, but it also reminds us to be cautious and consider the consequences of our actions.

In conclusion, Robert Service's "The Decision" is a classic poem that explores the theme of choices in life. The poem is a powerful reminder that every decision we make has consequences, and that we must be mindful of the choices we make. The poem can be interpreted as a celebration of individualism and the courage to take risks, or as a cautionary tale about the dangers of going against the norm. Ultimately, the poem is about the choices we make in life and the consequences of those choices. It encourages us to be brave and take risks, but it also reminds us to be cautious and consider the consequences of our actions.

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