'Dyspeptic Clerk' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowI think I'll buy a little field,
Though scant am I of pelf,
And hold the hope that it may yield
A living for myself;
For I have toiled ten thousand days
With ledger and with pen,
And I am sick of city ways
And soured with city men.So I will plant my little plot
With lettuce, beans and peas;
Potatoes too - oh quite a lot,
An pear and apple trees.
My carrots will be coral pink,
My turnips ivory;
And I'll forget my pen and ink,
And office slavery.My hut shall have a single room
Monastically bare;
A faggot fire for the winter gloom,
A table and a chair.
A Frugalist I call myself,
My needs are oh so small;
My luxury a classic shelf
Of poets on the wall.Here as I dream, how grey and cold
The City seems to me;
Another world of green and gold
Incessantly I see.
So I will fling my pen away,
And learn a how to wield;
A cashbook and a stool today . . .
Soon, soon a Little Field.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism
Oh my! Where do I even start with the masterpiece that is Robert Service's "Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk"? This poem is truly a gem of its time and has stood the test of time as a classic piece of literature. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I am going to delve deep into the poem, explore its themes, structure, and style, and offer my own interpretation of this brilliant work.
Synopsis
"Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk" is a poem by Robert Service that was first published in 1912. The poem is about a dyspeptic clerk who hates his job and longs for a life of adventure and excitement. He finds solace in writing poetry and dreams of becoming a famous poet. However, his dreams are crushed when he realizes that his poetry is terrible and that he has no talent for writing. The poem ends with the dyspeptic clerk accepting his fate and resigning himself to a life of drudgery.
Themes
The primary theme of "Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk" is the contrast between the mundane and the imaginative. The dyspeptic clerk's life is dull and monotonous, and he longs for something more exciting. He finds this excitement in his imagination, where he dreams of adventure and romance. However, he is frustrated by his inability to turn these dreams into reality, and he becomes increasingly disillusioned with his life.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of artistic talent. The dyspeptic clerk wants to be a poet, but he quickly realizes that he has no talent for writing. This realization is devastating for him, as he has invested so much of his time and energy in his poetry. The poem explores the idea that talent is not something that can be learned or acquired but is instead innate.
Structure and Style
"Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk" is written in the form of a narrative poem, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBCC, which gives the poem a sing-song quality.
The style of the poem is simple and straightforward, with a conversational tone. The dyspeptic clerk speaks directly to the reader, expressing his frustrations and desires. The language is plain and unadorned, which serves to emphasize the clerk's sense of drudgery and monotony.
Interpretation
"Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk" is a powerful commentary on the human desire for meaning and purpose. The dyspeptic clerk is trapped in a life that he finds meaningless and unsatisfying. He longs for something more, for adventure and romance, for a life that is full of purpose and excitement. However, he is unable to find this meaning in his daily life and turns to his imagination and his poetry as a way to escape.
The dyspeptic clerk's desire for meaning and purpose is something that many people can relate to. We all want to feel that our lives have meaning and that we are making a difference in the world. However, like the dyspeptic clerk, we often find ourselves trapped in lives that seem dull and unsatisfying.
The poem also explores the idea of artistic talent and the frustration that comes with the realization that one's talent is limited. The dyspeptic clerk dreams of becoming a famous poet, but he quickly learns that he has no talent for writing. This realization is devastating for him, as he has invested so much of his time and energy in his poetry. The poem suggests that talent is not something that can be learned or acquired but is instead innate.
In conclusion, "Poetry, Dyspeptic Clerk" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the human desire for meaning and purpose. Through the dyspeptic clerk's frustrations and desires, Robert Service has created a work that resonates with readers to this day. The poem's simple structure and style serve to emphasize the clerk's sense of drudgery and monotony, while its themes of artistic talent and the contrast between the mundane and the imaginative speak to the human experience in a profound way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Dyspeptic Clerk: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his satirical and humorous poems. Among his many works, the Poetry Dyspeptic Clerk stands out as a masterpiece of satirical poetry. This poem is a scathing critique of the literary world and the pretentiousness of the poets who inhabit it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall impact of this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker, a clerk in a bookstore, expressing his disdain for the poets who come to the store to read their works. He describes them as "a sorry lot of scribblers" who "come to read their verses." The speaker's tone is one of contempt and disgust, and he does not hide his disdain for these poets. He goes on to describe their works as "dreary, dull, and dry," and he mocks their attempts at creating art.
The theme of the poem is the pretentiousness of the literary world and the lack of originality in the works of many poets. The speaker is critical of the poets who come to the store, and he sees them as nothing more than "scribblers" who are trying to impress others with their mediocre works. The poem is a commentary on the state of the literary world, and it highlights the need for originality and creativity in poetry.
One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is the use of irony. The speaker, who is a clerk in a bookstore, is critical of the poets who come to the store to read their works. However, the irony lies in the fact that the speaker himself is a poet, and he is just as guilty of the same pretentiousness that he is criticizing. This irony adds depth to the poem and highlights the hypocrisy of the literary world.
Another literary device used in the poem is satire. The poem is a satirical critique of the literary world, and it uses humor to expose the flaws and shortcomings of the poets who inhabit it. The speaker's tone is sarcastic and mocking, and he uses humor to highlight the absurdity of the situation. For example, he describes the poets as "a sorry lot of scribblers" and mocks their attempts at creating art.
The use of imagery is also prominent in the poem. The speaker uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the poets who come to the store. He describes them as "pale and thin" and "with eyes that gleam like glass." These descriptions create a vivid image of the poets and add to the overall impact of the poem.
The poem's impact is significant, as it highlights the need for originality and creativity in poetry. The speaker's criticism of the poets who come to the store is a call to action for poets to strive for originality and creativity in their works. The poem is a reminder that poetry should be about expressing oneself and creating something unique, rather than trying to impress others with mediocre works.
In conclusion, the Poetry Dyspeptic Clerk is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that highlights the pretentiousness of the literary world and the need for originality and creativity in poetry. The poem's use of irony, satire, and imagery adds depth and impact to the overall message. Robert Service's poem is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
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