'The Pencil Seller' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 2)A pencil, sir; a penny -- won't you buy?
I'm cold and wet and tired, a sorry plight;
Don't turn your back, sir; take one just to try;
I haven't made a single sale to-night.
Oh, thank you, sir; but take the pencil too;
I'm not a beggar, I'm a business man.
Pencils I deal in, red and black and blue;
It's hard, but still I do the best I can.
Most days I make enough to pay for bread,
A cup o' coffee, stretching room at night.
One needs so little -- to be warm and fed,
A hole to kennel in -- oh, one's all right . . .Excuse me, you're a painter, are you not?
I saw you looking at that dealer's show,
The
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Pencil Seller by Robert Service: A Literary Analysis
Introduction
When it comes to poetry, Robert Service is one of the most celebrated poets of his time. His works are known for their simplicity and directness, which make them accessible to a wide audience. The Pencil Seller is one of his most popular poems, mainly because of its relatable and nostalgic themes. In this literary analysis, we are going to examine the themes, tone, imagery, and figurative language used in the poem to understand its deeper meanings and interpretations.
Themes
The Pencil Seller is a poem that carries several themes that are still relevant in today's world. One of the central themes of the poem is nostalgia. The poem is set in a time when pencils were still a novelty, and the narrator describes the excitement and joy that came with buying a new pencil. The poem takes us back to a time when things were simpler and less complicated. The nostalgia in the poem is not just about the era but also about the narrator's childhood, where he first encountered the pencil seller.
Another significant theme in the poem is the value of money. The narrator describes the pencil seller as a man who sold pencils for a penny each. The penny was a lot of money back then, and buying a pencil was a significant decision. The poem shows how people appreciated and valued the little things in life, and how they made the most out of what they had.
Tone
The tone of the poem is nostalgic and wistful. The narrator uses a first-person point of view, which helps to create an intimate and personal tone. The narrator is looking back at his childhood memories with fondness, and this creates a tone that is both sentimental and reflective. The tone of the poem is also conversational, and the narrator's use of colloquial language helps to create a sense of familiarity and comfort for the reader.
Imagery
The poem is rich in imagery, and the poet uses descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, in the first stanza, the poet describes the pencil seller as a "wizened man with pocketed face." This description helps to create an image of an old man who has been selling pencils for a long time. The poet also uses imagery to describe the pencils themselves, describing them as "pointed, polished, of perfect length." This description helps to create an image of a brand new pencil, which is exciting and thrilling to behold.
Figurative Language
The Pencil Seller also employs several forms of figurative language, which help to convey deeper meanings and emotions. One of the most prominent forms of figurative language in the poem is personification. The poet personifies the pencils, describing them as having a "personality." This personification helps to create an image of the pencils as living beings, which are waiting to be used and brought to life.
Another form of figurative language used in the poem is metaphor. The poet uses the metaphor of a "magic wand" to describe the pencil. This metaphor helps to create an image of the pencil as a tool of creation, which can be used to bring ideas to life.
Interpretation
The Pencil Seller is a poem that carries several meanings and interpretations. At its core, the poem is about nostalgia and the value of small things. The poem takes us back to a time when pencils were a novelty, and buying one was a significant decision. The poem shows how people appreciated and valued the little things in life, and how they made the most out of what they had.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the value of money. The fact that the pencils cost a penny each shows how people had to be very careful about how they spent their money. The poem shows how people had to work hard to earn a penny, and how they had to make careful decisions about what they bought.
Finally, the poem can also be interpreted as a celebration of creativity. The use of the metaphor of a "magic wand" helps to create an image of the pencil as a tool of creation. The poem shows how people used pencils to bring their ideas to life, and how pencils were the catalyst for many creative endeavors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Pencil Seller is a poem that carries several themes, tones, and forms of figurative language. The poem is a celebration of nostalgia, the value of small things, the importance of money, and the power of creativity. The poem is still relevant today, as it reminds us to appreciate the little things in life and to make the most out of what we have. The Pencil Seller is a testament to Robert Service's skills as a poet, and it is no surprise that it has become one of his most beloved works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Pencil Seller: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his exceptional ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences through his words. His poem, The Pencil Seller, is a masterpiece that reflects the struggles of a man trying to make a living by selling pencils on the streets. This poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and evoke strong emotions through his words.
The poem begins with the description of the pencil seller, who is standing on the street corner, trying to sell his pencils to the passersby. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it describes the pencil seller's physical appearance and his desperate attempts to sell his wares. The lines "His hat was old, his coat was worn, / His trousers ragged, torn, / His shoes were cracked, his socks were thin, / Barefooted he stood on the stone" paint a picture of a man who is struggling to make ends meet and is barely surviving.
The second stanza of the poem describes the pencil seller's interaction with the people passing by. The lines "With vacant stare he stood and there, / A bundle in his hand, / His wistful gaze, so full of care, / Was fixed upon the land" show the pencil seller's desperation and his longing for a better life. The people passing by ignore him, and he is left with his bundle of pencils, hoping that someone will buy them.
The third stanza of the poem is where the real emotion of the poem comes to the forefront. The lines "He saw the world go whirling by, / In motor, bus, and tram; / With wistful gaze and hopeless sigh / He watched them as they ran" show the pencil seller's despair and his realization that he is stuck in his current situation. He sees the world moving forward, but he is unable to move with it. This stanza is a powerful commentary on the struggles of the working class and their inability to break free from their circumstances.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the pencil seller's hopelessness turns into determination. The lines "And then he raised his head on high, / And in his eyes a gleam; / A sudden radiance from the sky / Lit up his ragged seam" show the pencil seller's resilience and his refusal to give up. He may be poor and struggling, but he still has a spark of hope within him.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the pencil seller's determination turns into action. The lines "He spread his pencils on the ground, / And cried with all his might, / 'Who'll buy my pencils, all around? / Come buy them, buy them right!'" show the pencil seller's willingness to fight for his survival. He is no longer waiting for someone to come to him; he is actively seeking out customers.
The final stanza of the poem is where the pencil seller's story comes to a close. The lines "And then there came a kindly man, / And bought them every one; / The pencil seller smiled and ran, / His little job was done" show the pencil seller's triumph over his circumstances. He may have been poor and struggling, but he was able to sell his pencils and make a living. This stanza is a testament to the power of determination and hard work.
In conclusion, The Pencil Seller is a powerful poem that reflects the struggles of the working class and their determination to survive. Robert Service's ability to create a vivid image in the reader's mind and evoke strong emotions through his words is unparalleled. The poem is a commentary on the human condition and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a reminder that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can always find a way to overcome them. The Pencil Seller is a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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