'The Absinthe Drinkers' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 1)He's yonder, on the terrace of the Cafe de la Paix,
The little wizened Spanish man, I see him every day.
He's sitting with his Pernod on his customary chair;
He's staring at the passers with his customary stare.
He never takes his piercing eyes from off that moving throng,
That current cosmopolitan meandering along:
Dark diplomats from Martinique, pale Rastas from Peru,
An Englishman from Bloomsbury, a Yank from Kalamazoo;
A poet from Montmartre's heights, a dapper little Jap,
Exotic citizens of all the countries on the map;
A tourist horde from every land that's underneath the sun --
That little wizened Spanish man, he misses never one.
Oh, foul or fair he's always there, and many a drink he buys,
And there's a fire of red desire within his hollow eyes.
And sipping of my Pernod, and a-knowing what I know,
Sometimes I want to shriek aloud and give away the show.
I've lost my nerve; he's haunting me; he's like a beast of prey,
That Spanish man that's watching at the Cafe de la Paix.Say! Listen and I'll tell you all . . . the day was growing dim,
And I was with my Pernod at the table next to him;
And he was sitting soberly as if he were asleep,
When suddenly he seemed to tense, like tiger for a leap.
And then he swung around to me, his hand went to his hip,
My heart was beating like a gong -- my arm was in his grip;
His eyes were glaring into mine; aye, though I shrank with fear,
His fetid breath was on my face, his voice was in my ear:
"Excuse my
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Absinthe Drinkers by Robert Service: A Critique and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that has transported you to a different time and place, where you feel like you are living the words on the page? That is exactly what Robert Service's masterpiece, "The Absinthe Drinkers", does. In this 4000 word critique and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this classic poem.
Background
First, let's set the scene. Robert Service was a poet who lived from 1874 to 1958, and is considered to be one of the most popular poets of the 20th century. He was born in England, but spent most of his life in Canada, where he worked as a banker by day and a poet by night.
Service was known for his narrative poems, which told stories of life in the Yukon during the gold rush. However, "The Absinthe Drinkers" is quite different from his usual style. It is a more introspective poem, exploring the darker side of human nature.
Themes
The central theme of "The Absinthe Drinkers" is the destructive nature of addiction. The poem depicts a group of men who are consumed by their love of absinthe, an alcoholic beverage that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The men in the poem are unable to control their drinking, and their addiction leads them down a path of self-destruction.
Service explores this theme through the use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. For example, he compares the absinthe to a "green flame", which "licks with ecstasy" at the men's souls. This metaphor highlights the addictive nature of the drink, and suggests that it is capable of consuming the men's very being.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of escapism. The men in the poem are trying to escape from their problems and the harsh realities of life. They use absinthe as a way to numb their pain and forget about their troubles. However, this escapism is ultimately self-destructive, as it leads the men further down the path of addiction and despair.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "The Absinthe Drinkers" is its use of vivid imagery. Service paints a picture of a group of men who are lost in a world of their own making, consumed by their addiction to absinthe.
The poem opens with the line, "In an old café in a desolate square," which immediately sets the scene. We can imagine a dimly lit café, perhaps with peeling wallpaper and dusty tables. The use of the word "desolate" suggests that this is a place that has been abandoned by the rest of the world, and that the men who gather here are similarly lost.
Service also uses imagery to describe the men themselves. He writes that their faces are "hollow-eyed and gaunt", and that they have "lips that curl in a snarl of pain". These descriptions create a sense of physical decay and suggest that the men's addiction is taking a toll on their bodies.
Perhaps the most striking image in the poem is the description of the absinthe itself. Service writes that it is a "green fire" that "licks with ecstasy" at the men's souls. This image is both beautiful and terrifying, suggesting that the drink is capable of consuming the men's very being.
Literary Devices
In addition to its powerful imagery, "The Absinthe Drinkers" also makes use of several literary devices.
One of the most prominent of these is repetition. Throughout the poem, Service repeats the phrase "The green hour", which is a reference to the time of day when absinthe was traditionally consumed. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and consistency, and reinforces the idea that the men are trapped in a cycle of addiction.
Service also uses alliteration to create a sense of musicality in the poem. For example, he writes that the men's "hearts are high in a gusty choir". The repetition of the "h" sound creates a sense of movement and energy, and suggests that the men are caught up in a frenzy of emotion.
Finally, the poem makes use of metaphor to convey its central themes. For example, Service compares the absinthe to a "green flame", highlighting the addictive and destructive nature of the drink. He also compares the men to "ghouls", suggesting that their addiction has turned them into monstrous versions of themselves.
Interpretation
So, what is the deeper meaning of "The Absinthe Drinkers"? At its core, the poem is a warning about the dangers of addiction and escapism. It suggests that when we try to escape from our problems, we often end up creating new ones. The men in the poem are trying to forget about their troubles, but in doing so, they have become trapped in a cycle of addiction that is slowly destroying them.
However, there is also a sense of empathy and compassion in the poem. Service does not condemn the men for their addiction, but rather portrays them as tragic figures who have lost their way. He writes, "In vain they seek forgetfulness in the cup", suggesting that the men are aware of their own weakness and are struggling to overcome it.
In this way, "The Absinthe Drinkers" is a deeply humanistic poem that encourages us to have empathy for those who are struggling with addiction. It reminds us that addiction is not a moral failing, but rather a complex and multifaceted issue that requires understanding and support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Absinthe Drinkers" is a masterful poem that explores the themes of addiction and escapism with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. Through its use of repetition, alliteration, and metaphor, it creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that draws the reader in.
At its core, the poem is a warning about the dangers of addiction, but it is also a deeply humanistic work that encourages empathy and understanding. In this way, it is a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Absinthe Drinkers: A Poetic Ode to the Green Fairy
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems, The Absinthe Drinkers, is a masterpiece that explores the world of the green fairy and the people who indulge in it.
The poem is set in a Parisian café, where a group of men is gathered around a table, drinking absinthe. The green fairy, also known as the muse of creativity, is a potent drink that is said to inspire artists and writers. The poem captures the essence of the drink and the people who consume it, painting a vivid picture of the scene.
The poem begins with the line, "In an old café in a dismal street." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the setting is described as dark and dreary. The men in the café are described as "gaunt and ashen-faced," suggesting that they are not in the best of health. The use of the word "gaunt" also suggests that they are suffering from some kind of illness or addiction.
The men are described as "huddled" around the table, suggesting that they are seeking comfort and companionship in each other's company. The use of the word "huddled" also suggests that they are trying to keep warm, as the café is described as "chilly."
The poem then goes on to describe the absinthe itself, calling it the "green muse." The use of the word "muse" suggests that the drink is a source of inspiration for the men, and that they are seeking to tap into their creative energies by consuming it.
The poem then describes the effects of the absinthe on the men, saying that it "fired their brains with visions strange." This suggests that the drink is having a hallucinogenic effect on the men, causing them to see things that are not there. The use of the word "fired" also suggests that the drink is having a powerful effect on their minds.
The men are then described as "rapt," suggesting that they are completely absorbed in their own thoughts and experiences. The use of the word "rapt" also suggests that they are experiencing a kind of ecstasy or trance-like state.
The poem then goes on to describe the men as "lost to life and time and place." This suggests that they are completely disconnected from the world around them, and that they are living in their own private worlds. The use of the word "lost" also suggests that they are in danger of losing themselves completely to the effects of the absinthe.
The poem then describes the men as "dreaming dreams of other days." This suggests that they are nostalgic for a time when life was simpler and more innocent. The use of the word "dreaming" also suggests that they are living in a kind of fantasy world, where their dreams and desires are more real than the world around them.
The poem then ends with the line, "And still they drank, and still the world went round." This suggests that the men are trapped in a cycle of addiction and despair, unable to break free from the grip of the green fairy. The use of the word "still" also suggests that nothing has changed, and that the men are doomed to repeat the same patterns of behavior over and over again.
In conclusion, The Absinthe Drinkers is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the green fairy and the people who consume it. The poem is a warning about the dangers of addiction and the destructive power of the human mind. Robert Service's masterful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and haunting portrait of a world that is both beautiful and terrifying.
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