'The Boola-Boola Maid' by Robert Service
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Bar-Room BalladsIn the wilds of Madagascar, Dwelt a Boola-boola maid;
For her hand young men would ask her, But she always was afraid.
Oh that Boola-boola maid She was living in the shade Of a spreading Yum-yum tree;
And - when the day was done At the setting of the sun, She would make this melodee:As this ditty she was cooing, Came a Boola-boola man;
And he lost no time in wooing; For he punched her on the pan.
Oh that Boola-boola maid She was terribly afraid So he punched her on the eye;
And - then he laugh'd with glee As beneath the Yum-yum tree He - heard that maiden cry:Then with shrieks of ribald laughter, Said the Boola-boola man;
"If it's only socks you're after, I will do the best I can.
I have handed you a pair, And I've plenty more to spare," So he socked her on the nose;
And a woeful maid was she, As beneath the Yum-yum tree, This - lamentation 'rose:Now the wedding tom-tom's over, for this Boola-boola maid;
And when ev'ning shadows hover, She no longer is afraid.
For she weasrs a palm-leaf pinny And she rocks a pickaninny In the shade of the Yum-yum tree,
And she's happy with her he-man, Though she still dreams of a She-man, As she sings this song with glee:Chorus:Oh - I don't want my cave-man to caress me,Oh I don't want no coal-black heads to press me.All I want is a fellow who wears suspenders,That'll be the coon to whom this babe surenders.For the man I wed must have a proper trouseau.On none of your fig-leaf dudes will make me do so.For it's funny how I feel, But I'm crazy for socks appealAnd my dream is to marry a man with a pair of socks.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Boola-Boola Maid by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
The Boola-Boola Maid is an epic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet and writer known for his vivid imagery and storytelling abilities. The poem tells the story of a young woman from the South Pacific, who travels to the United States in search of a better life.
At its core, the poem is a reflection on the nature of human relationships and the quest for freedom and happiness. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Service to convey the story's message.
Overview of the Poem
The Boola-Boola Maid is divided into four parts, each with its own unique tone and narrative structure. The first part introduces us to the main character, a young woman named Tiare, who lives on a small island in the South Pacific. Tiare longs for a better life and decides to leave her home and travel to the United States.
In the second part, Tiare arrives in San Francisco and struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. She meets a man named Jack, who takes her under his wing and helps her navigate the city. Jack and Tiare fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by Jack's commitment to his job and his fear of commitment.
The third part of the poem sees Tiare struggling to find her place in American society. She is forced to work long hours in a factory and faces discrimination from her colleagues. She also discovers that Jack is engaged to another woman and is heartbroken.
In the final part of the poem, Tiare decides to return to her homeland. She realizes that the American dream is not what she thought it was and that true happiness lies in being true to oneself. She returns home with a newfound sense of purpose and self-awareness.
Themes
The Boola-Boola Maid explores several themes, including the pursuit of happiness, the nature of love, and the clash of cultures. Service uses Tiare's journey to explore these themes and provide insights into the human condition.
The theme of the pursuit of happiness is central to the poem. Tiare leaves her home in search of a better life, only to discover that the American dream is not what it seems. She learns that true happiness lies in being true to oneself and finding one's place in the world.
The theme of love is also explored in the poem. Tiare and Jack's relationship is complicated by their cultural differences and Jack's fear of commitment. The poem suggests that love is not always easy, and that cultural barriers can make it even more challenging.
Finally, the clash of cultures is another theme explored in the poem. Tiare struggles to adapt to American society and faces discrimination from her colleagues. The poem suggests that cultural differences can create barriers and lead to misunderstandings.
Symbols
Service uses several symbols in The Boola-Boola Maid to convey the story's message. These symbols add depth and meaning to the poem and help to create a sense of atmosphere and tone.
One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the ocean. The ocean represents Tiare's journey and her search for freedom and happiness. The ocean is an ever-present force in the poem, and its vastness and power are used to evoke a sense of awe and wonder.
Another symbol used in the poem is the factory where Tiare works. The factory represents the harsh realities of American society and the challenges faced by immigrants trying to build a new life. The factory is depicted as an oppressive and dehumanizing environment, where workers are treated as machines.
Finally, the symbol of Jack's engagement ring is also significant. The ring represents Jack's commitment to another woman and his fear of commitment to Tiare. The ring is a physical manifestation of Jack's emotional conflict and serves as a reminder of the cultural barriers that stand in the way of their relationship.
Literary Devices
Service uses several literary devices in The Boola-Boola Maid to enhance the poem's impact and create a sense of rhythm and flow. These devices include rhyme, meter, and imagery.
The poem is written in a rhyming meter, which gives it a sense of musicality and rhythm. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem, which helps to create a sense of unity and coherence.
Service also uses imagery to create vivid and memorable descriptions of the poem's setting and characters. The use of vivid imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and tone and enhances the poem's emotional impact.
Finally, Service uses repetition to create a sense of emphasis and intensity. The repetition of certain phrases and words helps to create an emotional resonance and reinforces the poem's themes and message.
Conclusion
The Boola-Boola Maid is a masterful work of poetry that explores the human condition with depth and sensitivity. Service uses his unique storytelling abilities to create a vivid and compelling narrative that resonates with readers.
The poem's themes of the pursuit of happiness, the nature of love, and the clash of cultures are universal and timeless. The use of powerful symbols and literary devices enhances the poem's emotional impact and helps to create a sense of unity and coherence.
Overall, The Boola-Boola Maid is a classic work of poetry that continues to inspire and enlighten readers today. Its message of self-discovery and the search for true happiness is as relevant now as it was when it was written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Boola-Boola Maid: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He was a Scottish-Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable and beloved poems of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is "The Boola-Boola Maid," a poem that tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a sailor. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.
The Story of the Boola-Boola Maid
The poem begins with a description of the Boola-Boola Maid, a beautiful young woman who lives on a tropical island. She spends her days singing and dancing, and her nights dreaming of the world beyond her island. One day, a sailor arrives on the island, and the Maid falls in love with him at first sight. She sings to him and dances for him, and he is captivated by her beauty and charm.
The sailor and the Maid spend a few blissful days together, but then the sailor must leave to continue his journey. The Maid is heartbroken, but she knows that she will never forget him. She continues to sing and dance, hoping that he will one day return to her.
Years pass, and the Maid grows old. She still sings and dances, but her beauty has faded, and her voice is no longer as sweet as it once was. One day, a ship arrives on the island, and the sailor returns to see the Maid. He is shocked to see how much she has aged, but he still remembers her beauty and her love. He tells her that he has never forgotten her, and that he has come back to take her away with him.
The Maid is overjoyed, and she agrees to go with him. They set sail together, and the Maid sings and dances once again, happy to be with the man she loves. As they sail away, the poem ends with the sailor thinking about the Maid's beauty and her love, and how he will never forget her.
Themes and Analysis
"The Boola-Boola Maid" is a poem that explores themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. The Maid is a symbol of beauty and youth, and her love for the sailor is pure and true. She is willing to wait for him, even though she knows that he may never return. Her singing and dancing are a way for her to express her love and her longing for him, and they also represent the joy and vitality of youth.
The sailor, on the other hand, represents the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. He is initially drawn to the Maid because of her beauty, but he also sees her inner beauty and falls in love with her. When he returns years later, he is shocked to see how much she has aged, but he still remembers her beauty and her love. His love for her transcends her physical appearance, and he is willing to take her away with him, even though she is no longer young and beautiful.
The poem also explores the idea of the exotic and the unknown. The Boola-Boola Maid lives on a tropical island, far away from the sailor's world. Her singing and dancing are unfamiliar to him, but they also represent the beauty and mystery of the unknown. The sailor is drawn to the Maid because she represents something different and exotic, and he is willing to take her away with him, even though he knows that their worlds are very different.
Structure and Style
"The Boola-Boola Maid" is written in rhyming couplets, with a regular meter and a simple, straightforward style. The poem is easy to read and understand, and it has a musical quality that reflects the Maid's singing and dancing. The use of repetition and alliteration also adds to the poem's musicality, and it helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow.
The poem is also notable for its use of imagery and symbolism. The Maid's singing and dancing are symbols of youth and vitality, while the sailor represents the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The tropical island and the exotic setting are symbols of the unknown and the mysterious, while the ship represents the journey of life and the possibility of new beginnings.
Conclusion
"The Boola-Boola Maid" is a classic poem that explores themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time. It tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a sailor, and how their love transcends the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. The poem is notable for its use of imagery and symbolism, as well as its musicality and straightforward style. If you're a fan of classic poetry, then "The Boola-Boola Maid" is definitely worth reading and exploring.
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