'My Twins' by Robert Service


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Rhymes of a RoughneckOf twin daughters I'm the mother -
Lord! how I was proud of them;
Each the image of the other,
Like two lilies on one stem;
But while May, my first-born daughter,
Was angelic from the first,
Different as wine and water,
Maude, my second, seemed accurst.I'm a tender-hearted dame,
Military is my bent;
Thus my pretty dears can claim
For their Pa the Regiment.
As they say: to err is human;
But though lots of love I've had,
I'm an ordinary women,
Just as good as I am bad.Good and bad should find their level,
So I often wonder why
May was angel, Maude was devil,
Yet between the two was I.
May, they say, has taken vows -
Sister Mary, pure and sweet;
Maudie's in a bawdy house,
Down in Mariposa Street.It's not natural I'm thinking,
One should pray, the other curse;
I'm so worried I am drinking,
Which is making matters worse.
Yet my daughters love each other,
And I love them equal well;
Saint and sinner call me mother . . .
Ain't heredity just hell?

Editor 1 Interpretation

"My Twins" by Robert Service: A Poem of Duality and the Self

Oh, what a masterpiece! "My Twins" by Robert Service is a poem that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the duality of the self and the struggle for self-acceptance. With its simple yet profound language, vivid imagery, and insightful message, this poem has become a classic in English literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, structure, and symbolism used by Service to convey his message.

Form and Structure

"My Twins" is a poem consisting of six stanzas of four lines each, with a regular rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem has a simple structure, but it is the content that makes it complex. Each stanza presents a duality or a pair of opposites that represent the two sides of the self. For example, the first stanza presents the duality of light and dark, the second stanza the duality of joy and sorrow, and so on. The poem follows a pattern of presenting the two opposites, then concluding with the speaker's acknowledgement and acceptance of both sides.

Themes and Symbolism

One of the key themes of "My Twins" is the duality of the self. Service presents the idea that every person has two sides, two personalities, two twins living within them. The poem suggests that these two sides are not always in harmony, but are in constant conflict with each other. For example, the speaker says, "One is a rascal, rogue, and knave, / And just the other side is grave." The two sides are presented as distinct and opposing, yet inseparable.

The poem also explores the theme of self-acceptance. The speaker acknowledges that both sides of the self are necessary for a complete and fulfilling life. He says, "I love them both with equal love, / And both I need for life to prove." The poem suggests that accepting both sides of the self is the key to inner peace and happiness. The symbolism of the twins reinforces this idea. Twins are often seen as a symbol of duality, but also of unity and harmony.

Another important symbol in the poem is the mirror. The speaker says, "I hold a mirror to my soul, / And both my twins therein I see." The mirror symbolizes self-reflection and introspection. The speaker is looking at himself honestly and accepting both sides of his personality. The mirror also suggests that the two sides of the self are reflections of each other, and that they are not truly separate, but interconnected.

Interpretation

"My Twins" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of duality and the struggle for self-acceptance. Service suggests that every person has two sides, two personalities, two twins living within them. These two sides are not always in harmony, but are in constant conflict with each other. The poem encourages the reader to accept both sides of their personality, acknowledging that both are necessary for a complete and fulfilling life.

The poem's structure and symbolism reinforce this message. The regular rhyme scheme and simple stanzas suggest that accepting both sides of the self is a simple and attainable goal. The use of twins and mirrors as symbols reinforces the idea of duality and self-reflection. The poem suggests that by looking at oneself honestly and accepting both sides of the self, one can find inner peace and happiness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "My Twins" by Robert Service is a powerful and insightful poem that explores the duality of the self and the struggle for self-acceptance. The poem's simple structure and vivid imagery make it accessible to all readers, while its themes and symbolism provide rich material for interpretation. Service's message is clear: by accepting both sides of the self, one can find inner peace and happiness. "My Twins" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry My Twins: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most famous poems, "My Twins," is a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to create vivid imagery and convey deep emotions through his words. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem "My Twins" is a narrative poem that tells the story of two identical twins who are born into the world. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different stage in the twins' lives. The first stanza describes their birth, the second their childhood, and the third their adulthood. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, making it easy to understand and appreciate.

The first stanza of the poem describes the twins' birth. Service uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scene, describing the "tiny fists" and "rosy lips" of the newborns. He also uses personification to describe the "little lungs" of the babies, which "puff and blow like little bellows." The use of personification in this stanza helps to create a sense of life and vitality, emphasizing the miracle of birth.

The second stanza of the poem describes the twins' childhood. Service uses a series of similes to describe the twins' behavior, comparing them to "two frisky colts" and "two playful kittens." He also uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and playfulness, describing how the twins "tumbled and tangled and teased." The use of similes and alliteration in this stanza helps to create a sense of joy and innocence, emphasizing the beauty of childhood.

The third stanza of the poem describes the twins' adulthood. Service uses a series of metaphors to describe the twins' lives, comparing them to "two ships that sailed the sea" and "two eagles that soared the sky." He also uses repetition to emphasize the twins' closeness, describing how they "lived and loved and labored together." The use of metaphors and repetition in this stanza helps to create a sense of unity and companionship, emphasizing the importance of family and friendship.

Throughout the poem, Service uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of rhythm and flow. He uses rhyme, alliteration, and repetition to create a musical quality to the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he uses rhyme to create a sense of harmony, describing how the twins are "born in the selfsame hour" and have "rosy lips and little fists of power." In the second stanza, he uses alliteration to create a sense of playfulness, describing how the twins "tumbled and tangled and teased." In the third stanza, he uses repetition to emphasize the twins' closeness, describing how they "lived and loved and labored together."

The poem also explores several themes, including the miracle of birth, the beauty of childhood, and the importance of family and friendship. The poem emphasizes the miracle of birth by describing the newborn twins as "tiny fists" and "rosy lips," emphasizing their vulnerability and innocence. The poem also emphasizes the beauty of childhood by describing the twins as "frisky colts" and "playful kittens," emphasizing their joy and innocence. Finally, the poem emphasizes the importance of family and friendship by describing how the twins "lived and loved and labored together," emphasizing their closeness and companionship.

In conclusion, "My Twins" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of birth, childhood, and family. Service's use of vivid imagery, literary devices, and themes creates a sense of beauty and wonder that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. This poem is a testament to Service's skill as a poet and his ability to convey deep emotions through his words.

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