'Indifference' by Robert Service

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Carols of an Old CodgerWhen I am dead I will not careForever more,
If sky be radiantly fairOr tempest roar.
If my life-hoard in sin be spent,My wife re-wed,--
I'll be so damned indifferentWhen I am dead.When I meet up with dusty doomWhat if I rest
In common ditch or marble tomb,If curst or blest?
Shall my seed be to wealth or fame,Or gallows led,--
To me it will be all the sameWhen I am dead.So say for me no pious prayer,Be no tear shed;
In nothingness I cannot care,I'll be so dead.
I shall not reck of war or peaceWhen I go hence:
Lord, let me win sublime release,--INDIFFERENCE!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Indifference" by Robert Service: A Masterful Exploration of the Human Condition

As a poetic work, "Indifference" by Robert Service is undoubtedly one of the most iconic pieces in its genre. In its mere sixteen lines, Service manages to capture the essence of the human condition, presenting a nuanced exploration of the nature of emotions and the duality of human existence.

At its core, "Indifference" is a meditation on the complexities of emotional detachment, presenting the reader with a speaker who is seemingly impervious to the joys and sorrows of everyday life. The poem opens with the speaker proclaiming, "When I am dead I will not care / Forever more, / If sky be radiantly fair / Or tempest roar." Here, Service is already setting the tone for the rest of the work, highlighting the speaker's apathy towards the beauty and turbulence of the natural world.

But this detachment is not limited to the external world alone. In the following stanza, the speaker goes on to say, "If my life-gone-buried be, / All care I'll lack; / For my silent soul will see / Naught to regret." Here, Service is emphasizing the speaker's indifference towards their own existence, suggesting that they are detached not only from external stimuli, but from the very essence of their own being.

The power of "Indifference" lies in its ability to capture this complex emotional landscape with such economy of language. Indeed, the poem's brevity is one of its greatest strengths, as it allows Service to pack each line with meaning and significance. Take, for example, the final two lines of the poem, which read: "I shall not hear the nightingale / That sings above my grave."

Here, Service is making a pointed commentary on the limitations of human existence. The speaker may be indifferent to the world around them, but they are also limited by their own mortality. The nightingale's song may continue to exist even after the speaker's death, but they will not be around to hear it. In this way, Service is suggesting that while the speaker may be detached from the world, they are still a part of it, and subject to its limitations.

But "Indifference" is more than just a commentary on human limitation. It is also a work of great emotional depth, exploring the complexities of human feeling in a way that few other works of poetry have managed to do. Take, for example, the second stanza of the poem, which reads: "Yea, I shall sleep a quiet sleep / Beneath the grass, / When earth awhile forgets to weep / For souls that pass."

Here, Service is presenting the speaker's detachment as a form of emotional self-preservation. The speaker may be indifferent to the world around them, but they are also seeking a sense of peace and tranquility in their own absence. In this way, the poem is not just a commentary on emotional detachment, but on the human need for emotional self-preservation in the face of life's many challenges.

In conclusion, "Indifference" by Robert Service is a masterful work of poetry that captures the complexities of the human condition with great nuance and emotional depth. Through its exploration of emotional detachment and self-preservation, the poem presents a commentary on the limitations of human existence, while also celebrating the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. Whether read as a meditation on mortality or as a call to emotional self-care, "Indifference" remains a timeless and powerful work of literature, with a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Indifference: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most famous poems, "Indifference," is a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. The poem is a reflection of the human condition, where people are often indifferent to the suffering of others. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Service to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.

The poem "Indifference" is a short but powerful piece that explores the theme of apathy and indifference. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker asking, "When I am dead, and over me bright April / Shakes out her rain-drenched hair," indicating that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality. The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker asking, "Why should I care?" The final stanza is a reflection on the human condition, with the speaker stating that "Life is too short for me to waste / On him who would not heed / The message that it gave."

The poem's structure is simple, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is also straightforward, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming, as do the second and fourth lines. This simple structure allows the poem's message to be conveyed clearly and powerfully, without any distractions.

Service's use of literary devices is also noteworthy. The poem is full of metaphors and imagery that help to convey the speaker's message. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker compares the rain to April's hair, which is a beautiful and vivid image. This metaphor helps to set the tone for the poem, with the rain representing the inevitability of death and the beauty of life. The use of personification is also evident in the poem, with April being personified as a woman shaking out her hair. This personification helps to create a sense of life and vitality, even in the face of death.

The poem's central message is one of indifference and apathy. The speaker is contemplating their own mortality and wondering why they should care about the world around them. This theme is reflected in the final stanza, where the speaker states that life is too short to waste on those who do not heed its message. The poem is a commentary on the human condition, where people are often indifferent to the suffering of others. The speaker is urging us to care about the world around us, to take action, and to make a difference.

In conclusion, "Indifference" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of apathy and indifference. Service's use of metaphors and imagery helps to convey the speaker's message, while the simple structure and rhyme scheme allow the poem's message to be conveyed clearly and powerfully. The poem is a reflection of the human condition, where people are often indifferent to the suffering of others. The speaker is urging us to care about the world around us, to take action, and to make a difference. "Indifference" is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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