'Old Ed' by Robert Service

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Songs of a Sun-LoverOur cowman, old Ed, hadn't much in his head,
And lots of folks though him a witling;
But he wasn't a fool, for he always kept cool,
And his sole recreation was whittling.
When I'd spill him my woes (ifantile, I suppose),
He'd harken and whittle and whittle;
then when I had done, turn his quid and say: "Son,
Ye're a-drownin' yerself in yer spittle."He's gone to his grave, but the counsel he gave
I've proved in predicaments trying;
When I got in a stew, feeling ever so blue,
My failures and faults magnifying,
I'd think of old Ed as he sniffed and he said:
"Shaw!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Old Ed by Robert Service: A Masterpiece in Poetic Narration

Oh, Poetry, Old Ed! What can we say about this masterpiece of Robert Service that hasn't been said before? This poem is an absolute marvel of poetic narration that grips the reader from the very first line and takes them on a journey of emotions, memories, and reflections. Through the life story of Old Ed, Service highlights the fragility of human existence, the inevitability of aging, and the power of poetry to transcend time and space. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and stylistic devices employed by the poet to create a timeless work of art.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's first set the stage by providing some background and context. Poetry, Old Ed was written by Robert Service, a poet and writer who is known for his narrative ballads that celebrate the rugged, adventurous spirit of the Canadian North. Service was born in England in 1874 but spent most of his adult life in Canada, where he worked as a bank clerk, a cowboy, and a war correspondent before becoming a full-time writer. He gained international fame with his collection of poems, The Songs of a Sourdough, which sold millions of copies and established him as one of the most popular poets of his time.

Poetry, Old Ed was first published in 1916 as part of Service's collection, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, which he wrote while serving as an ambulance driver in World War I. The poem tells the story of an old man named Ed, who lives alone in a cabin in the woods and spends his days reading and writing poetry. As the poem progresses, we learn about Ed's past life as a logger, his lost love, and his regrets and hopes for the future. The poem ends with a powerful message about the enduring power of poetry to connect us to the past, present, and future.

Themes

One of the main themes of Poetry, Old Ed is the inevitability of aging and the passing of time. The poem opens with the image of Ed sitting alone in his cabin, "sunk in the stillness of a grey December day," surrounded by the memories of his youth. We learn that Ed is an old man who has outlived his friends and loved ones and is left with nothing but his books and his poetry. The poem evokes a sense of melancholy and nostalgia as we see Ed reflecting on his past and the fleeting nature of life.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the power of poetry to transcend time and space. Ed is portrayed as a man who has found solace and meaning in poetry, which has become his companion and his lifeline. As he reads and writes, he feels connected to the great poets of the past and the present, and he sees himself as part of a timeless tradition. The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to capture the essence of human experience and to create a bridge between different generations and cultures.

A third theme that emerges in the poem is the importance of love and human connection. Although Ed has lived a solitary life, we learn that he had a great love in his youth, a woman named Kate, who he lost to another man. The memory of Kate haunts Ed throughout his life, and he still feels the pain of her loss. The poem suggests that love and connection are essential to the human experience and that the absence of these things can lead to loneliness and despair.

Symbols

In addition to the themes, Poetry, Old Ed is rich in symbols and metaphors that deepen the meaning of the poem. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the cabin where Ed lives. The cabin represents Ed's isolation and his separation from the outside world. It is also a symbol of his inner life and his imagination, which he has cultivated through his reading and writing. The cabin is a place of refuge and solitude, but it is also a place of introspection and self-discovery.

Another symbol in the poem is the books that Ed reads and the poetry that he writes. The books represent the accumulated knowledge and wisdom of humanity, while the poetry represents the creative expression of the human spirit. Together, they form a bridge between the past and the present, the living and the dead. The poem suggests that literature and poetry have the power to transcend time and space and to connect us to our shared humanity.

A third symbol in the poem is the snow that covers the landscape. The snow represents the passage of time and the impermanence of human existence. It also creates a sense of stillness and quietness that mirrors Ed's inner life. The poem uses the snow as a metaphor for the constant change and transformation that characterizes human life.

Stylistic Devices

Finally, let's look at some of the stylistic devices that Robert Service employs in Poetry, Old Ed to create a powerful and evocative narrative. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of rhythm and rhyme. Service's ballad-like style creates a sense of momentum and urgency that propels the narrative forward. The rhyme scheme also creates a musical quality that enhances the emotional impact of the poem.

Another stylistic device that Service uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, Service repeats certain phrases and images to create a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the image of the "grey December day" appears several times in the poem, reinforcing the idea of the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The repetition also creates a sense of emphasis and importance, drawing the reader's attention to the key themes and symbols of the poem.

A third stylistic device that Service employs is irony. Although the poem is a celebration of poetry and literature, it also acknowledges the limitations and the failures of human existence. Ed's isolation and his lost love are reminders that even the most beautiful and powerful things in life can be fleeting and fragile. The poem uses irony to create a sense of complexity and depth, challenging the reader to reflect on the meaning and purpose of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry, Old Ed is a masterpiece of poetic narration that combines powerful themes, rich symbols, and evocative stylistic devices to create a work of art that transcends time and space. Through the life story of Old Ed, Robert Service highlights the fragility of human existence, the power of poetry to connect us to our shared humanity, and the importance of love and human connection. The poem's ballad-like style, its use of repetition and irony, and its evocative imagery make it a timeless work of art that speaks to the human experience in profound and meaningful ways.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Old Ed: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the name Robert Service. He is a renowned poet who has left a lasting impression on the world of literature. One of his most famous works is the poem "Poetry Old Ed," which is a masterpiece in its own right. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem "Poetry Old Ed" is a tribute to the power of poetry. It tells the story of an old man named Ed, who is a poet. Despite his age and physical limitations, Ed continues to write poetry, which he shares with anyone who will listen. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate.

The poem begins with the lines, "There's a mighty lot of big talk / And prideful feeling stirred / When folks sets out to tell the world / The way to write a word." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a critique of those who claim to know the "right" way to write poetry. The speaker suggests that true poetry comes from the heart and cannot be taught or learned from a book.

The poem then introduces us to Old Ed, who is described as "a wrinkled-up old feller / With pencil and with pad." Despite his age and physical limitations, Ed continues to write poetry, which he shares with anyone who will listen. The speaker describes Ed's poetry as "simple, homely stuff," but also notes that it has a power and beauty that cannot be denied.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker describes the reaction of those who hear Ed's poetry. Some are moved to tears, while others are inspired to write their own poetry. The speaker suggests that this is the true power of poetry – to touch the hearts and minds of others and inspire them to create something beautiful.

The poem then returns to the theme of those who claim to know the "right" way to write poetry. The speaker suggests that these people are missing the point of poetry, which is to express oneself in a way that is true and authentic. The poem ends with the lines, "So let them boast their rules and schools, / Their facts and figures fine; / Poetry, thank God, is still divine, / And hearts may glow, and eyes may shine."

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The language is also simple and direct, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is personification. Old Ed is described as a person with a personality and a voice. He is not just a poet, but a living, breathing human being who has something important to say. This personification makes the poem more relatable and helps to convey the message that poetry is a human endeavor.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of Old Ed and his poetry. For example, the line "With pencil and with pad" creates an image of an old man sitting at a desk, writing poetry with a pencil and paper. This imagery helps to bring the poem to life and make it more engaging for the reader.

The theme of the poem is the power of poetry to touch the hearts and minds of others. The speaker suggests that true poetry comes from the heart and cannot be taught or learned from a book. Old Ed is a symbol of this idea, as he continues to write poetry despite his age and physical limitations. The poem is a critique of those who claim to know the "right" way to write poetry and suggests that true poetry is authentic and comes from within.

In conclusion, "Poetry Old Ed" is a masterpiece by Robert Service. It is a tribute to the power of poetry and a critique of those who claim to know the "right" way to write it. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The use of personification and imagery helps to bring the poem to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Overall, "Poetry Old Ed" is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and move readers today.

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