'The Wife' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 4)"Tell Annie I'll be home in time
To help her with her Christmas-tree."
That's what he wrote, and hark! the chime
Of Christmas bells, and where is he?
And how the house is dark and sad,
And Annie's sobbing on my knee!The page beside the candle-flame
With cruel type was overfilled;
I read and read until a name
Leapt at me and my heart was stilled:
My eye crept up the column -- up
Unto its hateful heading:
Editor 1 Interpretation
"The Wife" by Robert Service: A Feminist Perspective
Oh my! "The Wife" by Robert Service is a poem that can be read in so many ways. At its surface, it is a humorous and satirical piece about a husband's lamentations over his wife's constant nagging. But as I dove deeper into the poem, I found myself questioning the gender roles that were being reinforced and the societal expectations that were being perpetuated.
Without further ado, let's analyze this poem from a feminist perspective!
The Power Dynamic
Right from the start, we see a power dynamic in the relationship between the husband and wife. The husband is the one who is working hard to provide for the family, while the wife is at home, "waiting for the man to bring the pay". The husband's role is that of the breadwinner, while the wife's role is to take care of the household.
But then we see the wife's power dynamic in action as well. She is the one who has the final say in everything, from the curtains to the children's names. The husband is merely a "puppet" in her hands, and he has to "stay put" and take whatever she dishes out.
This power dynamic is further reinforced by the language used in the poem. The wife is referred to as "the boss", while the husband is referred to as "the man". The use of these titles implies that the wife is in a position of authority, while the husband is merely a subordinate.
The Gender Roles
The gender roles in this poem are very traditional. The husband is the one who goes out and earns a living, while the wife is the one who takes care of the home and children. The husband is expected to be the strong and silent type, while the wife is expected to be the emotional and vocal one.
The husband even complains that he is "not allowed to smoke or swear", which implies that these are things that are traditionally seen as masculine behaviors. The wife, on the other hand, is the one who is allowed to be emotional and vocal, which are traditionally seen as feminine behaviors.
The Satire
The satire in this poem is very cleverly done. The husband's complaints are made to sound ridiculous and petty, which makes the wife's power dynamic seem all the more justified. The husband complains about the color of the curtains and the children's names, which are trivial things in the grand scheme of things.
The satire is also used to poke fun at traditional gender roles. The husband complains that he is not allowed to smoke or swear, which are things that are traditionally seen as masculine behaviors. The wife, on the other hand, is the one who is allowed to be emotional and vocal, which are traditionally seen as feminine behaviors.
The Feminist Interpretation
From a feminist perspective, "The Wife" can be seen as a commentary on how gender roles are perpetuated and reinforced in society. The poem shows how men are expected to be the breadwinners and the silent, strong types, while women are expected to take care of the home and be emotional and vocal.
The wife's power dynamic can be seen as a subversion of traditional gender roles. She is the one who has the final say in everything, and she is the one who is in a position of authority. This challenges the traditional notion that men are supposed to be the ones in charge.
The satire in the poem can be seen as a critique of traditional gender roles as well. By making the husband's complaints sound petty and ridiculous, the poem shows how these traditional gender roles can be limiting and oppressive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Wife" by Robert Service is a poem that can be read in many different ways. From a feminist perspective, it can be seen as a commentary on how gender roles are perpetuated and reinforced in society. The power dynamic between the husband and wife challenges traditional notions of gender roles, and the satire in the poem critiques these traditional roles as well. This poem is a reminder that we need to constantly question and challenge the societal expectations that are placed upon us based on our gender.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Wife by Robert Service is a classic poem that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. This poem is a masterpiece of storytelling that captures the essence of love, marriage, and the complexities of human relationships. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall message of the poem.
The Wife is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is married to a woman who is not physically attractive. The man is ashamed of his wife's appearance and is embarrassed to be seen with her in public. He longs for a beautiful woman who will make him proud and enhance his social status. However, despite his feelings, the man loves his wife deeply and is torn between his desire for a beautiful woman and his love for his wife.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which makes it easy to read and understand. The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, which adds to the poem's accessibility.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character, the man who is married to an unattractive woman. The man is described as being "a man of substance" who is "well-to-do." He is also described as being "a man of taste," which suggests that he values beauty and aesthetics. The man's wife is described as being "plain and homely," which contrasts with the man's desire for a beautiful woman.
The second stanza explores the man's feelings towards his wife. The man is ashamed of his wife's appearance and is embarrassed to be seen with her in public. He longs for a beautiful woman who will make him proud and enhance his social status. However, despite his feelings, the man loves his wife deeply and is torn between his desire for a beautiful woman and his love for his wife.
The third stanza introduces the woman's perspective. The woman is aware of her husband's feelings towards her and is hurt by them. She is described as being "meek and mild" and as having "a heart of gold." The woman's love for her husband is unconditional, and she is willing to forgive him for his feelings towards her.
The fourth stanza is the climax of the poem. The man realizes that his wife's love for him is more important than her physical appearance. He realizes that his wife's love is unconditional and that he is lucky to have her. The man's love for his wife is rekindled, and he is filled with gratitude and appreciation for her. The poem ends with the man declaring his love for his wife and acknowledging that she is the most beautiful woman in the world.
The Wife is a poem that explores the themes of love, marriage, and the complexities of human relationships. The poem highlights the importance of unconditional love and the value of inner beauty. The poem also explores the theme of societal expectations and the pressure to conform to social norms. The man in the poem is torn between his desire for a beautiful woman and his love for his wife. He is influenced by societal expectations and the pressure to conform to social norms. However, in the end, he realizes that his wife's love is more important than her physical appearance.
The poem is also rich in literary devices. The use of imagery is particularly effective in the poem. The contrast between the man's desire for a beautiful woman and his wife's plain appearance is vividly portrayed. The use of metaphor is also effective in the poem. The man's wife is described as having "a heart of gold," which suggests that her inner beauty is more valuable than her physical appearance. The use of repetition is also effective in the poem. The phrase "my wife, my life" is repeated throughout the poem, which emphasizes the importance of the woman in the man's life.
In conclusion, The Wife by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, marriage, and the complexities of human relationships. The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is accessible, easy to read, and rich in literary devices. The poem's message is timeless and relevant, and it continues to resonate with readers today. The Wife is a poem that reminds us of the importance of unconditional love and the value of inner beauty. It is a poem that celebrates the human spirit and the power of love.
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