'Her Toys' by Robert Service


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Carols of an Old CodgerI sat her in her baby chair,And set upon its tray
Her kewpie doll and teddy bear,But no, she would not play.
Although they looked so wistfullyHer favour to implore,
She laughed at me with elfin gleeAnd dashed them to the floor.I brought her lamb and circus clown,But it was just the same:
With shrill of joy she threw them downAs if it were a game.
Maybe it was, for she would lookTo see where they were lain
And act pathetic till I tookHer toys to her again.To-day there's just an empty chair,And 'mid a mist of pain
I'd give my life if she were thereTo toss her toys again.
A tiny ghost is all I see,Who laughs the while I cry,
And lifts her little hands with glee--Unto the sky.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Her Toys: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Robert Service’s “Poetry, Her Toys” is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of readers all over the world. It is a poem that explores the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, language, structure, and meaning.

Themes

At its core, “Poetry, Her Toys” is a poem about the power of art and the creative imagination. The speaker of the poem describes poetry as a toy that can transport us to other worlds and allow us to experience things in a new way. He compares it to other toys, such as marbles and kites, but suggests that poetry is the most powerful of them all.

Another key theme of the poem is the importance of imagination and play. Service suggests that poetry is not just a tool for expressing emotions or ideas, but also a way to engage with the world and explore our own inner selves. He describes the act of reading or writing poetry as a kind of play, where we can experiment with language and ideas in a safe and creative space.

Finally, the poem also explores the relationship between poetry and reality. Service suggests that poetry has the power to transform the world around us, making it more beautiful and meaningful. He argues that poetry can help us see the world in a new light, and that it can inspire us to take action in our lives.

Language

Service’s use of language in “Poetry, Her Toys” is both playful and serious. He uses simple, childlike language to describe the toys of childhood, such as marbles and kites. However, he also uses more complex language to describe the power of poetry, using metaphors and allusions to suggest its transformative potential.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of rhyme and rhythm. Service employs a regular ABAB rhyme scheme and a simple, sing-song rhythm that echoes the playful nature of the poem’s subject matter. However, he also uses variations in this pattern, such as internal rhymes and half-rhymes, to create a sense of complexity and depth.

Structure

The structure of “Poetry, Her Toys” is simple and straightforward. It consists of three stanzas, each with four lines. The regularity of the structure reinforces the poem’s playful and childlike tone, but also allows Service to build a sense of momentum and energy as the poem progresses.

The first two stanzas of the poem introduce the theme of poetry as a toy, using simple language and playful imagery to create a sense of wonder and excitement. The third stanza, however, shifts the focus of the poem, suggesting that poetry is not just a toy, but a powerful tool for changing the world. This shift in tone and focus creates a sense of depth and complexity that elevates the poem beyond mere whimsy.

Interpretation

“Poetry, Her Toys” is a poem that celebrates the power of imagination and creativity. It suggests that poetry is not just a tool for self-expression or entertainment, but a way to engage with the world in a deeper and more meaningful way.

The poem invites us to view poetry as a kind of toy, something that we can play with and experiment with in order to explore our own inner selves. Like a child playing with marbles or kites, we can explore different ideas and emotions through the medium of poetry, finding new ways to express ourselves and make sense of the world around us.

At the same time, the poem also suggests that poetry is a serious and powerful tool for change. It can transform the way we see the world, inspiring us to take action and make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of others. It can help us to see the beauty and meaning in the world, even in the midst of suffering and chaos.

In conclusion, “Poetry, Her Toys” is a poem that celebrates the power of creativity and imagination. It reminds us that there is something magical and transformative about the act of writing or reading poetry, something that can transport us to other worlds and help us to see the world in a new light. Whether we view poetry as a toy or a serious tool for change, this poem reminds us of its enduring power and importance in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and transport us to different worlds. Robert Service's "Her Toys" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of childhood and the innocence that comes with it. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem "Her Toys" is a nostalgic look back at childhood and the simple pleasures that come with it. The speaker describes a young girl playing with her toys, and the joy and wonder that she experiences. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct imagery and tone.

In the first stanza, the speaker sets the scene by describing the girl's toys. He uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the toys and their surroundings. The toys are described as "dolls with staring eyes" and "tin soldiers on parade." The use of personification in "staring eyes" gives the dolls a sense of life and personality, while the "tin soldiers on parade" conjure up images of a miniature army marching in formation. The speaker also describes the girl's surroundings, with "the sunbeams dancing on the floor" and "the shadows on the wall." These details create a sense of warmth and comfort, as if the girl is playing in a cozy and familiar space.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the girl herself. The speaker describes her as "a little angel" with "golden hair" and "eyes of blue." This description creates a sense of innocence and purity, as if the girl is untouched by the harsh realities of the world. The speaker also notes that the girl is "lost in play," which suggests that she is fully immersed in her own world and unaware of anything else around her. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word "dreaming" in the next line, which implies that the girl is in a state of reverie.

The third stanza brings the poem to a close by reflecting on the fleeting nature of childhood. The speaker notes that "the years have flown" and that the girl is now grown up and "gone away." This realization creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, as if the speaker wishes he could go back to that simpler time. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker notes that "the dolls are broken" and "the soldiers rusted red." This imagery suggests that the passage of time has taken its toll on the girl's toys, just as it has on the girl herself.

One of the key themes of "Her Toys" is the idea of innocence and childhood wonder. The poem celebrates the joy and simplicity of childhood, and the sense of wonder that comes with it. The girl's toys are described in a way that suggests they are magical and alive, and the girl herself is portrayed as a little angel lost in her own world. This theme is reinforced by the use of imagery, such as the sunbeams dancing on the floor and the shadows on the wall, which create a sense of warmth and comfort.

Another theme of the poem is the passage of time and the fleeting nature of childhood. The speaker notes that "the years have flown" and that the girl is now grown up and gone away. This realization creates a sense of nostalgia and longing, as if the speaker wishes he could go back to that simpler time. The final lines of the poem, which describe the broken dolls and rusted soldiers, serve as a reminder that nothing lasts forever and that even the most cherished memories can fade with time.

The language used in "Her Toys" is simple and straightforward, which adds to the sense of innocence and simplicity that permeates the poem. The use of vivid imagery, such as the "staring eyes" of the dolls and the "tin soldiers on parade," creates a sense of magic and wonder that is associated with childhood. The repetition of the phrase "lost in play" in the second stanza reinforces the idea that the girl is fully immersed in her own world and unaware of anything else around her.

In conclusion, "Her Toys" is a classic poem that captures the essence of childhood and the innocence that comes with it. The poem celebrates the joy and wonder of childhood, while also acknowledging the fleeting nature of time and the passage of years. The use of vivid imagery and simple language creates a sense of warmth and comfort, while also evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. Overall, "Her Toys" is a timeless poem that speaks to the child in all of us and reminds us of the magic and wonder of our own childhoods.

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