'Local Lad' by Robert Service


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Rhymes for My RagsI never saw a face so brightWith brilliant blood and joy,
As was the grinning mug last nightOf Dick, our local boy,
When with a clumsy, lucky cloutHe knocked the champion out.A week ago he swung a pickAnd sweated in a ditch.
Tonight he's togged up mighty slick,And fancies himself rich.
With floozies, fine food, bubbly drinkHe'll go to hell I think.Unless they make another match;And if they do I guess
The champion won't have a scratch,But Dick will be a mess;
His map will be a muck of goreAs he sprawls on the floor.Then he'll go back his pick to swing,And sweat deep in the mud . . .
Yet still I see him in the ring,So gay with glee and blood,
Dancing a jig and holding highHis gloves to climb the sky.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Interpreting Local Lad: A Literary Criticism

Robert Service's poem, Local Lad, captures a unique perspective on the theme of identity, specifically the tension between individual and communal identities. The poem reveals the struggles of a young man as he grapples with his desire for independence and his sense of obligation to his community. In this interpretation, I will examine how Service employs various literary techniques to convey the poem's central themes and how these themes resonate with the present.

Background

Before delving into the poem, it’s essential to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Service was born in England in 1874 but spent most of his life in Canada, where he worked as a bank clerk and a cowboy before becoming a poet. His poems were known for their simple language, narrative style, and focus on the Canadian frontier, which earned him the title of "The Bard of the Yukon." He published numerous books of poetry, including The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses, which included the poem Local Lad.

Analysis

Local Lad is a narrative poem that follows the story of a young man who decides to leave his rural hometown to seek his fortune in the city. The poem is written in the first person, which creates an intimate connection between the reader and the narrator. The poem is also written in a conversational tone, which enhances the sense of intimacy and immediacy.

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the narrator's voice. The narrator describes his hometown as a place where "everybody knows his neighbor / And everybody calls him friend." This line highlights the close-knit nature of the community and the importance of social bonds. However, the narrator also reveals his desire to "bust away" from this community and explore the wider world. This tension between the desire for independence and the sense of obligation to one's community is a central theme of the poem.

The second stanza introduces the narrator's parents, who are described as "proud and loving." This line highlights the emotional bond between the narrator and his family and emphasizes the weight of their expectations. The narrator reveals that he has decided to leave home, despite his parents' wishes, to "try his luck" in the city. This decision is significant because it reflects the narrator's desire for personal fulfillment and independence.

The third stanza describes the narrator's journey to the city. The line "The railway track went clickety-clack" creates a sense of motion and momentum, which reflects the narrator's excitement and anticipation. However, the line "I felt as lonely as a cricket" also highlights the narrator's sense of isolation and vulnerability.

The fourth stanza introduces the narrator's experiences in the city. The line "The city was a roaring lion" creates a vivid image of the city as a powerful and intimidating force. The narrator describes how he "drifted with the tide" and "lost [his] way," which highlights the sense of disorientation and confusion that comes with exploring a new environment. The line "I felt as lost as a leaf in a gale" reinforces this sense of vulnerability and uncertainty.

The fifth stanza describes the narrator's return to his hometown. The line "The same old faces greeted me" highlights the continuity of the community and the sense of familiarity. However, the narrator also feels a sense of disconnection from his community. The line "I felt as though I were a stranger" highlights the tension between the narrator's desire for independence and his sense of obligation to his community.

The sixth stanza concludes the poem with the narrator's realization that he can never fully leave his community behind. The line "I learned that though I travel far / My heart is still at home" highlights the power of emotional ties and the sense of rootedness. The poem ends with the line "I am a local lad," which reinforces the narrator's sense of belonging to his community.

Interpretation

Local Lad is a poem that explores the tension between individual and communal identities. The narrator desires independence and personal fulfillment but is also aware of his obligations to his community. This tension is reflected in the structure of the poem, which alternates between the narrator's experiences in the city and his return to his hometown. The poem is also rich in imagery, which creates a vivid sense of place and emotion.

The theme of the tension between individual and communal identities is one that resonates with the present. In our increasingly globalized world, there is a growing sense of individualism and a corresponding loss of community. Local Lad reminds us of the importance of social bonds and emotional ties, and the ways in which these ties shape our identities.

The poem also highlights the power of place and the importance of rootedness. The narrator's journey to the city is one of exploration and self-discovery, but it is also one of disorientation and vulnerability. The return to his hometown is one of familiarity and comfort, but it is also one of disconnection and alienation. This tension reflects the complexity of our relationship to place and the ways in which it shapes our sense of self.

Conclusion

Local Lad is a powerful poem that captures the tension between individual and communal identities. Service employs various literary techniques to convey the poem's central themes, including the use of narrative, imagery, and structure. The poem resonates with the present, reminding us of the importance of social bonds, emotional ties, and rootedness. Local Lad is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity of the human experience and to illuminate the ways in which we shape and are shaped by our environment.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Local Lad: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Robert Service, the famous poet who is known for his unique style of writing. Among his many works, Poetry Local Lad stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of life in a small town. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a young man who is known as the "local lad." This lad is a familiar figure in the town, and everyone knows him by name. He is described as a "jolly rogue" who is always up for a good time. The speaker goes on to describe the lad's physical appearance, saying that he is "tall and strong and brown" with a "laughing face."

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the local lad's life. The speaker admires the lad's carefree attitude and his ability to enjoy life to the fullest. The lad is not burdened by the worries and responsibilities of adulthood, and he lives in the moment, enjoying every minute of his youth.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the lad's love of music. He is a skilled musician who can play the fiddle and the guitar. He is often seen playing his instruments in the town square, entertaining the locals with his music. The speaker notes that the lad's music is not just for entertainment, but it also has a deeper meaning. His music is a reflection of his soul, and it expresses his joy and his pain.

The third stanza is a tribute to the lad's courage. The speaker describes how the lad once saved a drowning child from the river. He risked his own life to save the child, and he did it without hesitation. The lad's bravery is a testament to his character, and it earns him the respect and admiration of the town.

The fourth stanza is a reflection on the lad's future. The speaker acknowledges that the lad's carefree days will soon come to an end. He will have to leave the town and face the challenges of adulthood. The speaker hopes that the lad will carry with him the memories of his youth and the lessons he has learned. He encourages the lad to stay true to himself and to never forget the values that have made him who he is.

The final stanza is a farewell to the lad. The speaker bids him goodbye and wishes him well on his journey. He reminds the lad that he will always be remembered in the town, and that his legacy will live on through his music and his bravery.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of repetition, such as the phrase "local lad," adds to the poem's rhythm and reinforces the central theme.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is personification. The lad is personified as a living, breathing entity with a personality and a soul. He is not just a character in the poem, but a symbol of youth, courage, and joy. The use of imagery, such as the description of the lad's physical appearance and his music, also adds to the poem's vividness and emotional impact.

Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The lad's music represents his soul, and his bravery represents his character. These symbols are used to convey the central theme of the poem, which is the celebration of life and the importance of staying true to oneself.

In conclusion, Poetry Local Lad is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of life in a small town. Robert Service's use of personification, imagery, and symbolism creates a vivid and emotional portrait of a young man who embodies the values of youth, courage, and joy. The poem's simple structure and musical quality make it accessible to readers of all ages, while its central theme resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the joys and challenges of growing up. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it. It is a true gem of poetry that will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

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