'My Library' by Robert Service


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Songs of a Sun-LoverLike prim Professor of a College
I primed my shelves with books of knowledge;
And now I stand before them dumb,
Just like a child that sucks its thumb,
And stares forlorn and turns away,
With dolls or painted bricks to play.They glour at me, my tomes of learning.
"You dolt!" they jibe; "you undiscerning
Moronic oaf, you make a fuss,
With highbrow swank selecting us;
Saying: "I'll read you all some day' -
And now you yawn and turn away."Unwanted wait we with our store
Of facts and philosophic lore;
The scholarship of all the ages
Snug packed within our uncut pages;
The mystery of

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, My Library by Robert Service: A Journey into the Human Psyche

If you want to delve into the deepest waters of human emotions, then Poetry, My Library by Robert Service is a must-read for you. Service, a Canadian poet, has crafted an exquisite collection of poems that pulsate with passion, wisdom, and insight. In this literary criticism, I will interpret and analyze the themes, motifs, symbols, and meanings of Service's work, and show how it reflects the human psyche.

Background

Robert Service was born in 1874 in Lancashire, England, and moved to Canada at the age of 21. He worked as a banker, but his true passion was writing poetry. His first book, Songs of a Sourdough, was published in 1907, and it became an instant success. He wrote in a simple, direct style that appealed to a wide audience, and his poems were often set in the rugged landscapes of the Canadian wilderness.

Poetry, My Library is a collection of Service's poems that he selected himself. It was published in 1949, when he was 75 years old, and it includes poems from all his previous collections, as well as some new ones. The book is divided into six sections: Love, Adventure, Nature, War, History, and Reflections. Each section explores a different aspect of the human experience and showcases Service's versatility as a poet.

Love

The first section of Poetry, My Library is dedicated to love, and it includes some of Service's most famous and beloved poems, such as "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." These poems are not love poems in the traditional sense, but they are about the power of love and the lengths that people will go to for it.

In "The Cremation of Sam McGee," a man named Sam McGee asks his friend to cremate him when he dies, because he cannot stand the cold of the Yukon. His friend fulfills his promise, but he finds that the fire never goes out, and he realizes that Sam's love for warmth was greater than his fear of death. This poem is a metaphor for the human desire for warmth and comfort, and the sacrifices we make to find them.

Similarly, in "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," a man named Dan McGrew is killed in a saloon brawl over a woman. The woman is not named or described, but she is the source of the conflict and the reason for Dan's death. This poem is a commentary on the destructive power of love and the way it can drive people to violence and self-destruction.

Adventure

The second section of Poetry, My Library is about adventure, and it includes poems about explorers, pioneers, and adventurers who risk everything to discover new lands and experiences. These poems are about the human desire for discovery and the courage it takes to pursue it.

In "The Spell of the Yukon," Service describes the beauty and danger of the Canadian wilderness and the allure it holds for those who are brave enough to venture into it. This poem is a celebration of the spirit of adventure and the thrill of the unknown.

Similarly, in "The Call of the Wild," Service describes the transformation of a domesticated dog named Buck into a wild animal as he adapts to life in the wild. This poem is a metaphor for the human desire to break free from the constraints of civilization and embrace our primal instincts.

Nature

The third section of Poetry, My Library is about nature, and it includes poems about the beauty, power, and mystery of the natural world. These poems are about the human need for connection with the natural world and the awe it inspires.

In "The Law of the Yukon," Service describes the harshness and beauty of the Canadian wilderness and the way it shapes the lives of those who live there. This poem is a meditation on the power of nature and the way it governs our lives.

Similarly, in "The Men that Don't Fit In," Service describes the wanderlust of those who are drawn to the wilderness and the isolation it provides. This poem is a commentary on the human need for solitude and the way it can transform us.

War

The fourth section of Poetry, My Library is about war, and it includes poems about the horror, futility, and heroism of war. These poems are about the human cost of conflict and the way it affects us all.

In "The Twins," Service describes the bond between two soldiers who are killed in battle and buried side by side. This poem is a tribute to the camaraderie and sacrifice of soldiers and the way war can forge deep bonds between people.

Similarly, in "The War Widow," Service describes the grief and loneliness of a woman who has lost her husband in war. This poem is a meditation on the human cost of war and the way it tears apart families and communities.

History

The fifth section of Poetry, My Library is about history, and it includes poems about the past and the way it shapes the present. These poems are about the human need for connection with our roots and the way history can inform our actions.

In "The Ballad of the Ice-Worm Cocktail," Service describes a legendary drink that was supposedly invented during the Klondike Gold Rush. This poem is a celebration of the history and folklore of the Canadian North and the way it has shaped the culture of the region.

Similarly, in "The Land God Forgot," Service describes the history and culture of Mexico and the way it has been shaped by conquest and colonization. This poem is a commentary on the human cost of imperialism and the way it can erase the histories and identities of the colonized.

Reflections

The sixth section of Poetry, My Library is about reflections, and it includes poems about aging, mortality, and the meaning of life. These poems are about the human need for introspection and the way reflection can lead to wisdom and understanding.

In "The Passing of the Year," Service describes the passage of time and the way it affects us all. This poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the way we can find meaning and purpose in the face of mortality.

Similarly, in "The Man from Eldorado," Service describes the life of a man who has found his fortune in gold but remains unfulfilled. This poem is a commentary on the human need for meaning and the way material wealth can never satisfy our deepest desires.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry, My Library by Robert Service is a masterful collection of poems that explores the human psyche with depth and insight. Service's poems are deceptively simple, but they reveal profound truths about love, adventure, nature, war, history, and reflection. If you want to understand the human condition and the mysteries of the human heart, then Poetry, My Library is a book you cannot afford to miss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry My Library: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a poetry lover, you must have come across Robert Service's Poetry My Library. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of what it means to be a lover of poetry. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices used by Service to create a timeless piece of art.

The poem begins with the speaker describing his library, which is filled with books of poetry. He talks about how he loves to spend his time surrounded by these books, reading and rereading them. The speaker's love for poetry is evident from the very beginning of the poem, and it sets the tone for the rest of the piece.

Service's use of imagery is one of the most striking aspects of this poem. He paints a vivid picture of the library, describing it as a "temple of the mind" and a "sanctuary of the soul." These metaphors create a sense of reverence and awe for the books of poetry that the speaker holds so dear. The library is not just a physical space but a sacred place where the speaker can connect with the great poets of the past.

The poem's structure is also noteworthy. It is written in free verse, which allows Service to experiment with the rhythm and flow of the poem. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a natural, conversational tone that makes it feel like the speaker is talking directly to the reader. This style of writing is perfect for a poem about the personal relationship between a reader and their books.

The poem's central theme is the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit. The speaker talks about how poetry has helped him through difficult times and has given him hope when he felt lost. He describes the books in his library as "friends" who have been with him through thick and thin. This idea of poetry as a friend is a common one, and Service captures it perfectly in this poem.

One of the most striking lines in the poem is "I have a rendezvous with life." This line encapsulates the idea that poetry is not just something to be enjoyed in isolation but is a way of engaging with the world around us. The speaker sees poetry as a way of connecting with the beauty and wonder of life, and this connection gives him a sense of purpose and meaning.

Service also uses repetition to great effect in this poem. The phrase "my library" is repeated throughout the piece, emphasizing the speaker's deep attachment to his books. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that propels the poem forward.

Another literary device used by Service is alliteration. He uses words like "soul," "sanctuary," and "serene" to create a sense of harmony and balance in the poem. These words all begin with the letter "s," which gives the poem a musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker talks about how he will one day leave his library behind, but the books will continue to inspire and uplift others. This idea of passing on the torch of inspiration is a beautiful one and speaks to the enduring power of poetry.

In conclusion, Poetry My Library is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Service's use of imagery, repetition, and alliteration creates a sense of reverence and awe for the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit. The poem's structure, written in free verse, gives it a natural, conversational tone that makes it feel like the speaker is talking directly to the reader. If you are a lover of poetry, this poem is a must-read. It will remind you of the beauty and wonder of the written word and inspire you to continue your own journey of discovery through the world of poetry.

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