'Negress In Notre Dame' by Robert Service


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Lyrics of a Low BrowWhen I attended Mass today
A coloured maid sat down by me,
And as I watched her kneel and pray,
Her reverence was good to see.
For whether there may be or no'
A merciful and mighty God,
The love for Him is like a glow
That glorifies the meanest clod.And then a starched and snotty dame
Who sat the other side of me
Said: "Monsieur, is it not a shame
Such things should be allowed to be?
In my homeland, I'm proud to say,
We know to handle niggers right,
And wouldn't let a black wench pray
And worship God beside a white."Her tone so tart bewilderd me,
For I am just a simple man.
A friend in every one I see,
Though yellow, brown or black and tan.
For I would father children five
With any comely coloured maid,
And lush with any man alive,
Of any race, of any shade.Religion may be false or true,
The Churches may be wrong or right,
But if there be the Faith in you
It can be like a shining light.
And though I lack not piety
And pray my best, I'm sure that God
To that black wench and not to me
Would give his most approving nod.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Negress in Notre Dame: A Tale of Race and Religion

Robert Service is perhaps best known for his poems about the Yukon gold rush, but his Negress in Notre Dame is a lesser-known gem that deserves closer examination. The poem tells the story of a black woman who enters the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and is awestruck by its beauty and grandeur. But her joy is short-lived, as she is soon confronted by the racism and hypocrisy of the white worshippers around her. The poem is a searing critique of the ways in which religion and race intersect, and a powerful call for justice and equality.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Negress in Notre Dame is its title. The word "negress" is a dated and offensive term, and it immediately raises questions about the poem's perspective on race. Is Service using this word ironically, to critique the racism of the white characters in the poem? Or is he simply reflecting the racist attitudes of his time? These questions are not easy to answer, but they are worth exploring.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the hypocrisy of white Christians who claim to love and serve God, but who are quick to judge and exclude those who do not fit their narrow definition of what it means to be a "good" Christian. The black woman in the poem is a symbol of the "other" who is seen as a threat to the white Christian establishment. Her presence in the cathedral forces the white worshippers to confront their own racism and exclusionary attitudes.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the cathedral:

Up the vast nave to the high roof
I gaze and stare, 
Silent, upon a marble stoop 
A Woman sits there.

The use of the word "vast" emphasizes the grandeur and majesty of the cathedral, while the image of the woman sitting silently on a marble stoop suggests her reverence and awe. The fact that she is alone in this vast space also highlights her isolation and difference.

As the woman looks around, she sees the white worshippers and is struck by their beauty and elegance:

White-satin women, like ivory
Statues they stand, 
A-flutter with fans and furbelows
So lovely and grand.

The contrast between the black woman and the white worshippers is stark, and the use of the word "ivory" to describe the white women emphasizes their whiteness and purity. But the black woman is not intimidated or cowed by their beauty; instead, she is inspired by it:

And I think that I too am lovely,
And oh! I could pray 
As I sit in the shade of a pillar 
And gaze all day.

The black woman's sense of self-worth and dignity is a powerful counterpoint to the racism and exclusionary attitudes of the white worshippers. She sees herself as equal to them, and her desire to pray in the cathedral is a testament to her faith and her willingness to engage with a religion that has historically excluded and oppressed people of color.

But the white worshippers do not see the black woman as an equal. Instead, they view her as an intruder who has no right to be there:

A sentinel comes and he eyes me, 
Sternly and cold, 
And he snaps the words, "Madame, sortez!"
As if I were old.

The use of the word "sentinel" to describe the white man highlights his role as a guard and protector of the cathedral, but it also suggests his hostility and suspicion toward the black woman. His command to "sortez" (French for "get out") is not only rude and dismissive, but it also reveals his assumption that the black woman does not belong in the cathedral.

Despite this hostility, the black woman refuses to be intimidated or put off. She stands up for herself and demands to be treated with respect:

"I wish to pray," I say haughtily, 
"Here, in the church. 
If God is the God of us all 
Why should I perch?"

The black woman's defiance is a powerful rebuke to the white worshippers and their racist attitudes. She refuses to be excluded or silenced, and her assertion that God is the God of all people, regardless of race, is a powerful reminder of the inclusive and egalitarian message of Christianity.

In the end, the black woman is forced to leave the cathedral, but she does so with her head held high:

And so with a smile and a curtsy 
I go to the door, 
And I think that I shall come back 
To pray there once more.

The black woman's determination to return to the cathedral and pray there once more is a testament to her faith and her refusal to be excluded or silenced. Her smile and curtsy in the face of hostility and racism are a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of people of color in the face of oppression and exclusion.

In conclusion, Negress in Notre Dame is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the intersection of race and religion. The black woman in the poem is a symbol of the "other" who is excluded and oppressed by the white Christian establishment, but she is also a symbol of resilience and resistance. Her determination to pray in the cathedral, despite the hostility and racism of the white worshippers, is a powerful message of hope and inclusion. While the use of the word "negress" may be offensive to modern readers, the poem's message of justice and equality is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Negress In Notre Dame: A Masterpiece of 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 celebrated poems is "Poetry Negress In Notre Dame," which is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of poetry. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Service to create a timeless piece of art.

The poem is set in the famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, and revolves around a black woman who recites poetry to the visitors. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the piece, "She sings her song of the ancient bold; / She sings her song of the heart of gold." The Negress is portrayed as a powerful figure who possesses the ability to transport her listeners to another world through her poetry. The use of the word "ancient" in the first line is significant as it suggests that the poetry she recites is timeless and has been passed down through generations.

The poem's structure is simple yet effective, with four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which adds to the poem's musicality and makes it easier to remember. The use of repetition in the poem is also noteworthy, with the phrase "Poetry Negress" being repeated throughout the piece. This repetition emphasizes the importance of the Negress and her poetry, making her the central focus of the poem.

Service's use of imagery is also remarkable, with vivid descriptions of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Negress. In the second stanza, he writes, "The great cathedral's arches dim / Are full of fragrant mystery." This line creates a sense of awe and wonder, as if the cathedral is a magical place where anything is possible. The use of the word "fragrant" is also interesting as it suggests that the cathedral is not only visually stunning but also has a pleasant smell.

The Negress is also described in great detail, with Service using words like "ebony," "lithe," and "graceful" to paint a picture of a beautiful and powerful woman. The use of the word "ebony" is significant as it highlights the Negress's race and adds to her mystique. The Negress is also described as "lithe" and "graceful," which suggests that she is not only beautiful but also agile and nimble.

Service's use of literary devices is also noteworthy, with the poem containing several examples of alliteration, assonance, and metaphor. In the third stanza, he writes, "Her voice is like a silver bell / That tinkles in the morning air." This line contains both alliteration and metaphor, with the Negress's voice being compared to a silver bell. The use of alliteration adds to the musicality of the poem, while the metaphor emphasizes the beauty and purity of the Negress's voice.

The poem's theme is the power of poetry and its ability to transport people to another world. The Negress is portrayed as a powerful figure who possesses the ability to transport her listeners to another world through her poetry. In the final stanza, Service writes, "And as she sings her magic strain, / The world is young again." This line suggests that the Negress's poetry has the power to make people feel young and alive again, no matter how old they are.

In conclusion, "Poetry Negress In Notre Dame" is a masterpiece of Robert Service that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of poetry. The poem's structure, use of imagery, and literary devices all contribute to its musicality and make it a timeless piece of art. The Negress is portrayed as a powerful figure who possesses the ability to transport her listeners to another world through her poetry. The poem's theme is the power of poetry and its ability to make people feel young and alive again. Overall, "Poetry Negress In Notre Dame" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience its power firsthand.

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