'Lip-Stick Liz' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsOh Lip-Stick Liz was in the biz, That's the oldest known in history;
She had a lot of fancy rags, Of her form she made no myst'ry.
She had a man, a fancy man, His name was Alexander,
And he used to beat her up because he couldn't understand her.Now Lip-Stick Liz she loved her man And she couldn't love no other
So when she saw him with a Broadway Blonde, Her rage she could not smother.
She saw him once and she saw him twice But the third time nearly crazed her,
So she walked bang into a hardware store, And she bought a brand new razor.Now Lip-Stick Liz she trailed them two For she was tired of weeping;
She trailed them two, in a flash hotel And there she found them sleeping;
So she gashed them once and she gashed them twice Their ju'lar veins to sever,
And the bright blood flowed like a brook between. And their lives were gone forever.Now Lip-Stick Liz went to the p'lice And sez she: "Me hands are gory,
And you'll put me away in a deep dark cell When once you've heard me story."
So they've put her away in a deep dark cell, Until her life be over
And what is the moral of the whole damn show, I wish I could discover.Chorus:Oh Lip-Stick Liz! What a lousy life this is.It's a hell of a break for a girl on the make,Oh Lip-Stick Liz!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lip-Stick Liz: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Robert Service's poem "Lip-Stick Liz" was first published in his collection of poetry, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," in 1916. The poem tells the story of a woman who is adored by many men for her beauty and charm, but ultimately succumbs to her own vanity and vices. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the themes, symbolism, and language used in "Lip-Stick Liz," and explore the deeper meaning of the poem.

Themes

The central theme of "Lip-Stick Liz" is the destructive power of vanity and lust. Liz is described as a woman who "painted her face with a crimson stain" and "dazzled the eyes with her daring dress." She is a woman who lives for the attention and adoration of men, and she revels in her power over them. However, this power comes at a cost. She becomes consumed by her own vanity and loses sight of what is truly important in life.

Another theme in the poem is the danger of succumbing to societal pressures. Liz is a woman who is constantly bombarded with messages about what it means to be beautiful and desirable. She is told that she must look a certain way and act a certain way in order to be successful in life. Liz internalizes these messages and becomes obsessed with her appearance and the attention of men. In the end, she pays the price for her conformity to societal norms.

Symbolism

There are several symbols in "Lip-Stick Liz" that add depth to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols is Liz's lipstick. The red lipstick represents Liz's vanity and her desire for attention. It is a symbol of her identity as a seductive woman who uses her looks to manipulate men. However, the lipstick also represents the danger of obsession. Liz becomes so obsessed with her appearance that she loses sight of who she truly is.

Another symbol in the poem is the "dazzling dress" that Liz wears. The dress is a symbol of Liz's power over men. It is a symbol of her sexuality and her ability to attract and manipulate men. However, the dress also represents the danger of objectification. Liz becomes an object of desire for men, and she loses her humanity in the process. She becomes nothing more than a pretty face and a body to be used for the pleasure of others.

Language

The language used in "Lip-Stick Liz" is simple and straightforward, but it is also powerful and evocative. Service uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of Liz and her world. The descriptions of Liz's appearance are particularly striking. For example, he describes her as having "a face that was too, too fair" and "lips like a scarlet stain." These descriptions create a vivid image of a woman who is both beautiful and dangerous.

Service also uses repetition and rhyme to create a musical quality to the poem. The repetition of the phrase "Lip-stick Liz" creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the importance of Liz's obsession with her appearance. The rhyme scheme of the poem (ABAB) also adds to the musical quality and makes the poem easy to remember.

Interpretation

"Lip-Stick Liz" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity and the pressure to conform to societal norms. Liz is a woman who is consumed by her own vanity and desire for attention. She becomes so obsessed with her appearance that she loses sight of who she truly is. In the end, she pays the price for her obsession.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the objectification of women. Liz becomes an object of desire for men, and she loses her humanity in the process. She becomes nothing more than a pretty face and a body to be used for the pleasure of others. This is a stark reminder of the dangers of the male gaze and the ways in which women are often reduced to objects of desire.

In conclusion, "Lip-Stick Liz" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the destructive power of vanity and lust. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service creates a cautionary tale that warns against the dangers of succumbing to societal pressures and losing sight of what is truly important in life. The poem is a reminder that we must be careful not to become consumed by our own desires and obsessions, lest we lose ourselves in the process.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Lip-Stick Liz: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's one of the most famous poets of the 20th century, known for his vivid descriptions of the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush. But Service was also a master of humorous verse, and one of his most beloved poems is "Lip-Stick Liz."

"Lip-Stick Liz" tells the story of a woman who loves poetry and makeup in equal measure. She's a "poetry addict" who spends her days reading verse and her nights painting her lips with bright red lipstick. She's a character who's both funny and endearing, and Service's poem captures her spirit perfectly.

The poem begins with a description of Liz's appearance. She's "a dame who's smart to look at," with "eyes that sparkle and shine." But it's her lips that really catch the speaker's attention. They're "painted up like a circus," with "red that's loud and clear." This is a woman who wants to be noticed, and she's not afraid to use her makeup to make a statement.

But Liz's love of poetry is just as strong as her love of makeup. She's a "poetry addict" who reads "all the poets from A to Z." She's not content with just reading, either; she wants to live the poetry she loves. She wears "a rose in her hair" and "a lily at her breast," just like the heroines of the poems she reads.

The speaker of the poem is clearly smitten with Liz. He describes her as "a honey" and "a peach," and he's clearly charmed by her quirky personality. He's also impressed by her knowledge of poetry. When he asks her about a particular poet, she responds with a quote from one of his works. She's not just a pretty face; she's a woman with a deep appreciation for literature.

But Liz's love of poetry and makeup is not without its drawbacks. She's so obsessed with both that she neglects other aspects of her life. She's always late for work because she spends too much time getting ready in the morning. She's also a bit absent-minded; she forgets her purse and her umbrella, and she even forgets to pay her rent.

Despite her flaws, Liz is a lovable character. She's a woman who's unapologetically herself, and she's not afraid to pursue her passions. She's a reminder that it's okay to be a little bit quirky, and that it's important to follow your heart.

Service's poem is a testament to the power of humor in poetry. "Lip-Stick Liz" is a funny, lighthearted poem that's easy to read and enjoy. But it's also a poem with a deeper message. Liz is a character who's not afraid to be herself, and who's not afraid to pursue her passions. She's a reminder that we should all strive to be true to ourselves, no matter what others may think.

In conclusion, "Lip-Stick Liz" is a classic poem that's stood the test of time. It's a humorous, charming work that captures the spirit of a woman who loves poetry and makeup in equal measure. It's a poem that reminds us to be true to ourselves, and to pursue our passions with enthusiasm and joy. If you haven't read "Lip-Stick Liz" yet, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

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