'My Favourite Fan' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckBeing a writer I receive
Sweet screeds from folk of every land;
Some are so weird you'd scarce believe,
And some quite hard to understand:
But as a conscientious man
I type my thanks to all I can.So when I got a foreign scrawl
That spider-webbed across the page,
Said I: "This is the worst of all;
No doubt a child of tender age
Has written it, so I'll be kind,
And send an answer to her mind.Promptly I typed a nice reply
And thought that it would be the end,
But in due course confused was I
To get a letter signed: Your Friend;
And with it, full of girlish grace,
A snapshot of a winsome face."I am afraid," she wrote to me,
"That you must have bees sure surprised
At my poor penmanship . . . You see,
My arms and legs are paralyzed:
With pen held in a sort of sheath
I do my writing with my teeth."Though sadness followed my amaze,
And pity too, I must confess
The look that lit her laughing gaze
Was one of sunny happiness. . . .
Oh spirit of a heroine!
Your smile so tender, so divine,
I pray, may never cease to shine.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Favourite Fan: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Wow, what a ride! Robert Service's "My Favourite Fan" is a poem that takes the reader on a wild journey through the mind of a fanatical sports fan. With its rhythmic cadences and vivid imagery, this poem is a masterful work of poetry that captures the intensity and passion of the sports fan.
Overview
At its core, "My Favourite Fan" is a poem about the power of sports fandom. The speaker of the poem is a die-hard fan who lives and breathes his favorite team. He describes the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, and the way that his emotions are tied up in the performance of his team.
The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the fan's relationship to his team. Service uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of momentum and energy, from the fast-paced rhythm of the lines to the vivid metaphors and similes that bring the fan's emotions to life.
Analysis
One of the most striking things about "My Favourite Fan" is the way that Service uses language to create a sense of excitement and urgency. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, from the "sizzling sun" that beats down on the fan as he watches his team play to the "wicked whip" of the referee's whistle.
The language is also full of rhythm and musicality, with lines that are packed with alliteration and assonance to create a sense of momentum and energy. For example, in the second stanza, Service writes:
I've seen a game with a hailstone crack,
And a fumbling fool give the ball right back,
And a brawny boy, with a bulldog pack,
Plow through the line like a battering ram.
The repetition of the "b" sound in "brawny boy," "bulldog pack," and "battering ram" creates a sense of force and power that mirrors the action of the game itself.
Another key element of the poem is the way that it captures the emotional intensity of sports fandom. The fan in the poem is not merely a spectator; he is fully invested in the performance of his team, and his emotions rise and fall with every play. Service vividly describes the joy of victory and the despair of defeat, as in the following lines:
I've seen a team come from twenty back,
And score and score till they won the sack,
And the bleachers rocked with a wild attack
Of cheers for that wonderful team.
I've seen them miss by a single score,
And I've felt my heart just bruised and sore,
And I've cursed and sworn and called them more
Names than I care to confess.
Through these lines, Service captures the way that sports fandom can be both exhilarating and emotionally draining, as the fan invests his heart and soul in the fortunes of his team.
Interpretation
On a deeper level, "My Favourite Fan" can be read as a commentary on the nature of fandom itself. The poem explores the way that sports can inspire a sense of community and shared passion, even among strangers who might otherwise have little in common.
At the same time, however, the poem also suggests the dangers of excessive fandom, and the way that it can lead to a kind of myopic obsession that blinds us to the wider world around us. The fan in the poem is so fixated on his team that he seems almost oblivious to everything else, from the beauty of the natural world to the struggles and hardships of his fellow human beings.
Overall, "My Favourite Fan" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of poetry that captures the intensity and passion of sports fandom. It is a poem that celebrates the joy and exhilaration of the game, while also reminding us of its potential pitfalls and limitations. Whether you are a sports fan or not, this poem is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt a deep and powerful attachment to something outside of themselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for people to convey their emotions and thoughts. It is a form of art that has the power to move people, to make them feel and think. Robert Service's "My Favourite Fan" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a person's life and make it immortal.
The poem is a tribute to a fan that Service had, who was a young girl named Mary. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Service starts by saying that Mary was his favourite fan and that she was always there to cheer him up. He describes her as a "little maid" who was "sweet and shy." He also mentions that she had a "smile that lit the way."
The second stanza of the poem is where Service talks about how Mary would come to his shows and sit in the front row. He describes how she would clap and cheer for him, and how her enthusiasm would infect the rest of the audience. He also mentions that she would bring him flowers and that he would always wear them on stage.
The third stanza of the poem is where Service talks about how Mary would write him letters. He describes how her letters would be full of praise and how they would always make him feel better. He also mentions that he would write back to her and that he would always sign his letters with a kiss.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is where Service talks about how Mary died. He describes how he was devastated when he heard the news and how he felt like he had lost a part of himself. He also mentions that he wrote a poem for her and that he hopes that she can hear it from wherever she is.
The poem is a beautiful tribute to Mary, who was clearly a very special person to Service. The poem captures the essence of their relationship and how much she meant to him. The poem is also a testament to the power of poetry to immortalize people and their lives.
One of the things that makes this poem so special is its simplicity. Service does not use complex language or metaphors to convey his message. Instead, he uses simple words and phrases that are easy to understand. This makes the poem accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of education or literary knowledge.
Another thing that makes this poem special is its emotional impact. Service's love for Mary is palpable in every line of the poem. He describes her with such tenderness and affection that it is impossible not to feel moved by his words. The poem is a reminder of the power of love and how it can transcend death.
The poem is also a reminder of the importance of fans. Service acknowledges that without his fans, he would not be where he is today. Mary was a special fan who went above and beyond to show her support for him. Her enthusiasm and love for his work were a source of inspiration for him, and he acknowledges that in the poem.
In conclusion, "My Favourite Fan" is a beautiful tribute to a special person. It is a reminder of the power of love, the importance of fans, and the ability of poetry to capture the essence of a person's life. Robert Service's simple yet powerful words have immortalized Mary and their relationship, and the poem will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.
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