'The Bohemian' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 2)Up in my garret bleak and bare
I tilted back on my broken chair,
And my three old pals were with me there,Hunger and Thirst and Cold;
Hunger scowled at his scurvy mate:
Cold cowered down by the hollow grate,
And I hated them with a deadly hateAs old as life is old.So up in my garret that's near the sky
I smiled a smile that was thin and dry:
"You've roomed with me twenty year," said I,"Hunger and Thirst and Cold;
But now, begone down the broken stair!
I've suffered enough of your spite . . . so there!"
Bang! Bang! I slapped on the table bareA glittering heap of gold."Red flames will jewel my wine to-night;
I'll loose my belt that you've lugged so tight;
Ha! Ha! Dame Fortune is smiling bright;The stuff of my brain I've sold;
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Bohemian: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever felt the urge to escape from the mundane and conventional? To live a life full of adventure, passion, and creativity? If you have, then you'll definitely relate to Robert Service's poem, "The Bohemian." This classic piece of literature explores the life of a free-spirited artist who rejects societal norms and embraces a life of spontaneity and self-expression. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices employed by Service and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning.
Themes
"The Bohemian" explores several themes that are timeless and universal. One of the most prominent themes is the tension between conformity and individuality. The speaker of the poem describes the bohemian lifestyle as "crazy, wild, and free," which stands in stark contrast to the "conventional" ways of society. The bohemian is someone who refuses to conform to societal expectations and instead chooses to live life on their own terms. In doing so, they often face criticism and ridicule from those who cannot understand or appreciate their unconventional ways.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is the relationship between art and society. Service's bohemian is someone who values creativity and self-expression above all else. They are driven by a deep passion for their art and are willing to sacrifice everything else in pursuit of it. However, this passion often comes at a cost - the bohemian is often poor, misunderstood, and rejected by society. Service suggests that society has a complicated relationship with art - it values creativity and originality, but only within certain boundaries. Anything that falls outside of these boundaries is often dismissed as "crazy" or "weird."
Finally, "The Bohemian" also explores the theme of mortality. The speaker describes the bohemian lifestyle as one that is full of vigor and vitality, but also fleeting and temporary. The bohemian is someone who lives life to the fullest, but also understands that their time on earth is limited. This understanding gives them a sense of urgency and purpose that is often lacking in those who lead more conventional lives.
Symbols
Service employs several symbols in "The Bohemian" that contribute to the poem's meaning. One of the most prominent symbols is the bohemian themselves. The bohemian is a symbol of individuality, creativity, and rebellion. They stand in opposition to the conventional ways of society and represent a different way of living and being. The bohemian is also a symbol of mortality - their wild and free lifestyle is a reminder that life is short and should be lived to the fullest.
Another symbol that is used in the poem is the "velvet cloak." The cloak is a symbol of the bohemian lifestyle - it represents luxury, extravagance, and a rejection of the mundane. The velvet cloak also represents the bohemian's desire for self-expression - they wear it as a way of announcing their individuality and uniqueness to the world.
Finally, the "midnight revel" is another symbol that is used in the poem. The revel is a symbol of the bohemian lifestyle - it represents the wild and uninhibited nature of the bohemian's existence. The revel is also a symbol of community - it brings together like-minded individuals who share a passion for creativity and freedom.
Literary Devices
Service employs several literary devices in "The Bohemian" that contribute to the poem's overall meaning. One of the most prominent literary devices is the use of imagery. Service describes the bohemian lifestyle in vivid and evocative language, using images of "velvet cloaks," "midnight revels," and "wild and crazy days." These images help to create a sense of the bohemian lifestyle as something exotic and exciting, something that is beyond the mundane and ordinary.
Another literary device that is used in the poem is repetition. Service repeats the phrase "crazy, wild, and free" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the bohemian's rejection of societal norms and their embrace of a different way of living. This repetition also helps to create a sense of the bohemian lifestyle as something that is both desirable and unattainable.
Finally, Service employs the use of irony in the poem. The bohemian is someone who values creativity and self-expression above all else, yet their very existence is often dismissed as "crazy" or "weird." This irony highlights the tension between art and society and emphasizes the bohemian's role as an outsider.
Conclusion
"The Bohemian" is a classic piece of literature that explores the tension between conformity and individuality, the relationship between art and society, and the fleeting nature of life itself. Service employs several symbols and literary devices to create a vivid and evocative picture of the bohemian lifestyle, and in doing so, he challenges us to question our own assumptions and values. Ultimately, "The Bohemian" is a celebration of creativity, passion, and self-expression, and a reminder that life is too short to be lived according to anyone else's rules.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Bohemian: A Poetic Journey into the Life of a Free-Spirited Artist
Robert Service, the renowned poet and writer, is known for his vivid and evocative descriptions of life in the wilds of the Yukon. However, in his poem "The Bohemian," he takes us on a journey into the life of a free-spirited artist who rejects the conventions of society and lives life on his own terms. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this classic poem and understand why it continues to resonate with readers even today.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the bohemian's appearance. He is "gaunt and bearded, bronzed and thin," with "eyes that glittered with a fierce unrest." This description immediately sets the tone for the poem and establishes the bohemian as a character who is different from the rest of society. He is not concerned with his appearance or conforming to societal norms. Instead, he is focused on his art and living a life that is true to himself.
The bohemian's rejection of societal norms is further emphasized in the second stanza, where Service writes, "He scorned the gold men sought to win, / And all the things that gold can buy." This rejection of material wealth and status is a common theme in bohemianism, which emphasizes the importance of creativity, individuality, and freedom. The bohemian is not interested in accumulating wealth or status symbols. Instead, he values his artistic expression and the freedom to live life on his own terms.
The bohemian's rejection of societal norms is also reflected in his lifestyle. He lives in a "hut of logs and mosses made," which is a stark contrast to the luxurious homes of the wealthy. However, the bohemian is content with his simple life, as he is "rich in dreams that ne'er take flight." This line is particularly poignant, as it highlights the importance of imagination and creativity in the bohemian lifestyle. The bohemian may not have material wealth, but he is rich in his ability to dream and create.
The bohemian's rejection of societal norms is further emphasized in the third stanza, where Service writes, "He loved the sun and stars and rain, / And wild winds singing in the trees." This line highlights the bohemian's connection to nature and his rejection of the artificiality of modern society. The bohemian finds beauty in the natural world and is content to live a life that is in harmony with nature.
The bohemian's rejection of societal norms is also reflected in his relationships. He is not interested in conforming to traditional gender roles or societal expectations of marriage and family. Instead, he is content to "love and wander, free as air." This line highlights the bohemian's rejection of traditional societal expectations and his desire for freedom and independence.
The bohemian's rejection of societal norms is further emphasized in the fourth stanza, where Service writes, "He sang the songs that poets sing, / And dreamed the dreams that poets know." This line highlights the bohemian's connection to the world of art and literature. The bohemian is not interested in the practicalities of life or conforming to societal expectations. Instead, he is focused on his art and the world of imagination and creativity.
The bohemian's connection to the world of art and literature is further emphasized in the fifth stanza, where Service writes, "He lived his life with laughter gay, / And loved the things that make men free." This line highlights the bohemian's joy and enthusiasm for life. He is not weighed down by the burdens of society or the expectations of others. Instead, he is free to live life on his own terms and find joy in the things that make him happy.
The bohemian's joy and enthusiasm for life are also reflected in his relationship with death. In the final stanza, Service writes, "And when he died, as poets do, / They brought him flowers instead of tears." This line highlights the bohemian's acceptance of death as a natural part of life. He is not afraid of death or weighed down by the fear of mortality. Instead, he is content to live life to the fullest and accept death as a natural part of the cycle of life.
The imagery and symbolism in "The Bohemian" are also significant. The bohemian's hut of logs and mosses represents his rejection of material wealth and his connection to nature. The sun, stars, rain, and wild winds represent the natural world and the bohemian's connection to it. The flowers that are brought to him after his death represent the beauty and joy that he brought to the world through his art and his life.
In conclusion, "The Bohemian" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of individuality, creativity, and freedom. Through the character of the bohemian, Robert Service takes us on a journey into the life of a free-spirited artist who rejects the conventions of society and lives life on his own terms. The poem's vivid imagery and symbolism highlight the bohemian's connection to nature and the world of art and literature. Even today, "The Bohemian" continues to resonate with readers and inspire us to live life on our own terms and find joy in the things that make us happy.
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