'The Wee Shop' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 2)She risked her all, they told me, bravely sinking
The pinched economies of thirty years;
And there the little shop was, meek and shrinking,
The sum of all her dreams and hopes and fears.
Ere it was opened I would see them in it,
The gray-haired dame, the daughter with her crutch;
So fond, so happy, hoarding every minute,
Like artists, for the final tender touch.The opening day! I'm sure that to their seeming
Was never shop so wonderful as theirs;
With pyramids of jam-jars rubbed to gleaming;
Such vivid cans of peaches, prunes and pears;
And chocolate, and biscuits in glass cases,
And bon-bon bottles, many-hued and bright;
Yet nothing half so radiant as their faces,
Their eyes of hope, excitement and delight.I entered: how they waited all a-flutter!
How awkwardly they weighed my acid-drops!
And then with all the thanks a tongue could utter
They bowed me from the kindliest of shops.
I'm sure that night their customers they numbered;
Discussed them all in happy, breathless speech;
And though quite worn and weary, ere they slumbered,
Sent heavenward a little prayer for each.And so I watched with interest redoubled
That little shop, spent in it all I had;
And when I saw it empty I was troubled,
And when I saw them busy I was glad.
And when I dared to ask how things were going,
They told me, with a fine and gallant smile:
"Not badly . . . slow at first . . . There's never knowing . . .
'Twill surely pick up in a little while."I'd often see them through the winter weather,
Behind the shutters by a light's faint speck,
Poring o'er books, their faces close together,
The lame girl's arm around her mother's neck.
They dressed their windows not one time but twenty,
Each change more pinched, more desperately neat;
Alas! I wondered if behind that plenty
The two who owned it had enough to eat.Ah, who would dare to sing of tea and coffee?
The sadness of a stock unsold and dead;
The petty tragedy of melting toffee,
The sordid pathos of stale gingerbread.
Ignoble themes! And yet -- those haggard faces!
Within that little shop. . . . Oh, here I say
One does not need to look in lofty places
For tragic themes, they're round us every day.And so I saw their agony, their fighting,
Their eyes of fear, their heartbreak, their despair;
And there the little shop is, black and blighting,
And all the world goes by and does not care.
They say she sought her old employer's pity,
Content to take the pittance he would give.
The lame girl? yes, she's working in the city;
She coughs a lot -- she hasn't long to live.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Wee Shop: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion
Are you looking for a poem that will take your breath away? Look no further than Robert Service's "The Wee Shop." This masterpiece of imagery and emotion will transport you to the streets of Glasgow, Scotland, where you will witness the struggles of a poor but proud shopkeeper.
In this 32-line poem, Service manages to pack in more emotion and vivid detail than many writers can accomplish in an entire novel. Through his use of rhyme, meter, and stunning imagery, he brings to life a world that is both rough and tender, bleak and beautiful.
The Story
The poem tells the story of an unnamed "wee shop" in Glasgow that is run by a "wee man" who is "thin and wan." Despite his poverty, the shopkeeper is proud of his "wee shop" and the goods he sells, which include "sweeties, scones, and tea."
But the shopkeeper's pride is tested when a group of "rough lads" come into the shop and begin to mock him. They taunt him about the size of his shop and the poverty of his wares, calling him a "wee man" and a "poor man's peddler."
At first, the shopkeeper stands up to the bullies, telling them to "go to hell." But when one of them grabs a jar of sweets and smashes it on the floor, the shopkeeper's resolve crumbles. He "bursts into tears" and runs out of the shop, leaving the rough lads to loot and destroy his beloved "wee shop."
The Imagery
What makes "The Wee Shop" such a powerful poem is its use of vivid imagery to create a world that is both gritty and beautiful. Service's descriptions of the shopkeeper's wares are so rich that you can almost taste the "sweeties, scones, and tea." His use of sound imagery, such as the "jangle of pennies" and the "smash of a jar," brings the scene to life in your mind's eye.
But it is the contrast between the beauty of the shopkeeper's wares and the ugliness of the rough lads' behavior that really makes the poem come alive. The shopkeeper's shop is a haven of sweetness and light in a world that is otherwise rough and bleak. The rough lads, on the other hand, are like a storm cloud that descends on the shop and destroys everything in its path.
The Emotion
Of course, the real heart of "The Wee Shop" is the emotion that Service manages to convey through his words. The shopkeeper's pride in his shop is palpable, as is his despair when it is destroyed. His tears are like a punch to the gut, and you feel his pain as if it were your own.
But it is not just the shopkeeper's emotions that Service captures so well. The rough lads are also fleshed out as real people with real motivations. They are not just cardboard cutouts of bullies; they are young men who are struggling to find their place in the world. They are angry and frustrated, and their behavior reflects that.
The Rhyme and Meter
Of course, no discussion of "The Wee Shop" would be complete without mentioning the poem's flawless rhyme and meter. Service was a master of both, and it shows in this poem. The rhyme scheme is AABBCC, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that is fitting for a poem about sweets and tea. The meter is mostly iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a steady, rhythmic beat that propels the story forward.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Wee Shop" is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Service's use of vivid imagery, sound imagery, and contrast create a world that is both beautiful and ugly, and his characters are so real that you can almost hear their voices. The poem's flawless rhyme and meter add to its sing-song quality, making it a pleasure to read aloud. If you haven't read "The Wee Shop" yet, do yourself a favor and read it now. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Wee Shop by Robert Service is a classic poem that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. It is a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the essence of small-town life and the importance of community. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem is set in a small Scottish town, where the narrator describes a little shop that sells everything from sweets to tobacco. The shop is run by an old woman who is kind and welcoming to everyone who enters. The poem begins with the narrator describing the shop and its surroundings, painting a vivid picture of the quaint little town. The imagery used is simple yet effective, with descriptions of the cobbled streets, the old stone houses, and the smell of peat smoke in the air.
As the poem progresses, the narrator begins to describe the people who frequent the shop. They are all characters in their own right, each with their own unique story to tell. There is the old man who comes in every day for his newspaper, the young couple who buy sweets for their children, and the soldier who stops by for a smoke. The narrator describes them all with affection and respect, highlighting the importance of community and the bonds that are formed between people in small towns.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, yet it is also incredibly powerful. Service uses words and phrases that evoke strong emotions and create vivid images in the reader's mind. For example, when describing the old woman who runs the shop, he writes, "Her smile was like a benediction, her voice a soothing balm." These words create a sense of warmth and comfort, making the reader feel as though they too are part of the community.
Another example of the powerful language used in the poem is when the narrator describes the soldier who stops by for a smoke. He writes, "He'd fought in France, he'd fought in Flanders, and he'd seen the devil's face." These words create a sense of sadness and loss, reminding the reader of the sacrifices that were made during the war.
The themes of the poem are also incredibly powerful. One of the main themes is the importance of community and the bonds that are formed between people in small towns. The poem highlights the fact that even in the smallest of communities, people can come together and form strong relationships that last a lifetime. This is seen in the way that the old woman who runs the shop is able to connect with everyone who enters, regardless of their background or social status.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of nostalgia and the longing for a simpler time. The narrator describes the town and the shop with a sense of longing, as though he wishes he could go back to that time and experience it all over again. This is seen in the way that he describes the cobbled streets, the old stone houses, and the smell of peat smoke in the air. These descriptions create a sense of nostalgia and longing, reminding the reader of a time that has long since passed.
Overall, The Wee Shop by Robert Service is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of small-town life and the importance of community. The imagery, language, and themes used in the poem all work together to create a powerful and emotional piece that has stood the test of time. Whether you are from a small town or a big city, this poem is sure to resonate with you and remind you of the importance of community and the bonds that are formed between people.
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