'Contrast' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Roughneck"Carry your suitcase, Sir?" he said.
I turned away to hide a grin,
For he was shorter by a head
Than I and pitiably thin.
I could have made a pair of him,
So with my load I stoutly legged;
But his tenacity was grim:
"Please let me help you, sir," he begged.I could not shake the fellow off,
So let him shoulder my valise;
He tottered with a racking cough
That did not give him any peace.
He lagged so limply in my wake
I made him put the burden down,
Saying: "A taxi I will take,"
And grimly gave him half-a-crown.Poor devil! I am sure he had
Not eaten anything that day;
His eyes so hungrily were glad,
Although his lips were ashen grey.
He vanished in the callous crowd,
Then when he was no more around,
I lugged my bag and thought aloud:
"I wish I'd given him a pound."And strangely I felt sore ashamed,
As if somehow I had lost face;
And not only myself I blamed
But all the blasted human race;
And all this life of battle where
The poor are beaten to their knees,
And while the weak the burdens bear,
Fat fools like me can stroll at ease.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Contrast" by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Irony and Social Commentary
Have you ever read a poem that speaks to your soul, that reverberates with your deepest fears and desires? Or a poem that makes you laugh out loud, only to realize a moment later that what you thought was funny is actually a poignant commentary on the state of our society? That is what "Contrast" by Robert Service does for me.
At first glance, "Contrast" seems like a simple poem, a light-hearted romp through the lives of two very different men. But the more you read it, the more you realize that Service is using irony and satire to make a powerful statement about the human condition.
Let's start with the structure of the poem. "Contrast" is written in rhyming couplets, with a consistent rhythm that gives it a jaunty, almost musical quality. The poem is divided into two parts, each focusing on one of the two men. The first part is about Tom, a simple man who loves his wife and his farm. The second part is about Tim, a wealthy man who has everything he could want except for love.
But the real genius of the poem is in the way that Service uses irony and satire to comment on the lives of these two men. Tom, the simple farmer, is portrayed in glowing terms:
"Tom is loved by all the town, For gaiety and goodness he's renowned; He is the darling of the countryside, For there's no wish but what he will provide."
Tom is happy with his lot in life, and his contentment is portrayed as a virtue. But in the next stanza, we see that Tom's happiness is based on his ignorance:
"He has no knowledge of the world's unrest, Of the vast problems that disturb man's breast; He takes his life, as he finds it, day by day, And laughs his simple, unaffected way."
Tom's happiness is a product of his lack of knowledge, his ignorance of the troubles of the world. He is content because he doesn't know any better. And yet, we are supposed to admire him for this.
On the other hand, Tim, the wealthy man, is portrayed in much less flattering terms:
"Tim is rich, but Tim is sad; He lost the best friend that he ever had. His maids and butlers, and coach and four, Can't drive away his grief - nor mirth restore."
Tim has everything that money can buy, but he is miserable because he doesn't have love. He is portrayed as a victim of his own wealth, trapped in a life that is ultimately unfulfilling.
But here's the thing: Tim is actually the more sympathetic character. He is aware of the emptiness of his life, and he is trying to find something that will fill the void. Tom, on the other hand, is content with his ignorance, and has no desire to improve himself or his situation.
And this is where the true genius of "Contrast" lies. Service is using irony and satire to comment on the values of his society. Tom, the simple farmer, represents the ideal of contentment and ignorance that was so highly prized in rural communities at the time. Tim, the wealthy man, represents the emptiness and isolation that came with the rise of industrialization and urbanization.
Service is asking us to question these values. Is it really better to be ignorant and content than to be aware of the problems of the world and seek to improve them? Is wealth really worth it if it means being miserable and alone?
"Contrast" is a masterpiece of irony and social commentary. It uses humor and satire to make a serious point about the values of our society, and it does so in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Robert Service was a master of his craft, and "Contrast" is one of the finest examples of his art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Contrast: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences through his poetry. One of his most famous works, Poetry Contrast, is a masterpiece that explores the dichotomy between the beauty and the harsh realities of life. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the beauty of nature. Service paints a picture of a serene landscape, where the sky is blue, the grass is green, and the birds are singing. The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze on their skin. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, establishing the contrast between the beauty of nature and the harsh realities of life.
In the second stanza, Service introduces the theme of death. He describes a graveyard, where the dead lie in their eternal slumber. The imagery is haunting, and the reader can almost feel the chill of the grave. Service uses the contrast between life and death to highlight the fragility of human existence. He reminds us that life is fleeting, and death is inevitable.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn. Service introduces the theme of poetry and its ability to capture the beauty of life. He describes how poetry can transport us to a world of wonder and enchantment, where we can escape the harsh realities of life. The imagery is powerful, and the reader can almost feel the magic of poetry.
In the fourth stanza, Service contrasts the beauty of poetry with the harsh realities of life. He describes the struggles of the working class, who toil day and night to make ends meet. The imagery is bleak, and the reader can almost feel the weight of their burden. Service uses this contrast to highlight the disparity between the rich and the poor, and the struggles of the working class.
The fifth stanza is where Service brings the poem full circle. He reminds us that poetry is not just about beauty, but also about truth. He describes how poetry can capture the harsh realities of life, and how it can inspire us to make a change. The imagery is powerful, and the reader can almost feel the passion of the poet.
The structure of the poem is simple, yet effective. Service uses a consistent rhyme scheme and meter to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of repetition and contrast adds depth and complexity to the poem. The imagery is vivid and powerful, and the reader can almost feel the emotions that Service is trying to convey.
Service also employs several literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. The use of metaphor, simile, and personification adds depth and complexity to the imagery. The use of alliteration and assonance creates a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of repetition and contrast adds emphasis and highlights the poem's themes.
In conclusion, Poetry Contrast is a masterpiece that explores the dichotomy between the beauty and the harsh realities of life. Service uses vivid imagery, consistent rhyme scheme, and literary devices to create a powerful and emotional poem. The poem reminds us of the fragility of human existence, the struggles of the working class, and the power of poetry to inspire change. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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