'Death Of A Cockroach' by Robert Service
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Carols of an Old CodgerI opened wide the bath-room door,
And all at once switched on the light,
When moving swift across the floor
I saw a streak of ebon bright:
Then quick, with slipper in my hand,
Before it could escape,--I slammed.
I missed it once, I missed it twice,
But got it ere it gained its lair.
I fear my words were far from nice,
Though d----s with me are rather rare:
Then lo! I thought that dying roach
Regarded me with some reproach.Said I: "Don't think I grudge you breath;
I hate to spill your greenish gore,
But why did you invite your death
By straying on my bath-room floor?"
"It is because," said he (or she),
"Adventure is my destiny."By evolution I was planned,
And marvellously made as you;
And I am led to understand
The selfsame God conceived us two:
Sire, though the
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: "Death of a Cockroach" by Robert Service
Are you ready for some poetic interpretation that will blow your mind? Well, buckle up, because we're about to dive into "Death of a Cockroach" by Robert Service.
First off, let's talk about the title. "Death of a Cockroach" is a pretty straightforward title, but it's also a bit ominous. It immediately sets the tone that this poem is going to be about death, and not just any death, but the death of a cockroach. Why a cockroach, you may ask? Well, let's keep reading and find out.
The first stanza starts off with a bit of a surprise. We're introduced to the cockroach, but it's not just any cockroach. This cockroach is "big as a mouse." Wow, that's a pretty big cockroach. Right away, Service is playing with our expectations and setting up a bit of a paradox. Cockroaches are usually associated with being small and creepy, but this one is big and almost mouse-like.
The next few lines describe the cockroach in more detail. We learn that it's "ugly as sin" and that it's crawling across the kitchen floor. This imagery is pretty vivid and almost makes me feel like I'm in the kitchen with the cockroach. I can almost hear the sound of its legs skittering across the linoleum.
The second stanza is where things really start to get interesting. We're introduced to the protagonist of the poem: the narrator. The narrator is described as "mad with rage," and we soon learn why. The narrator hates cockroaches and wants nothing more than to kill them all.
This is where the poem really starts to take on a deeper meaning. On the surface, it's just a poem about a cockroach and a person who hates cockroaches. But if we dig a little deeper, we can see that the poem is really about something much larger: the human desire to control and dominate nature.
The narrator's hatred of cockroaches is a reflection of our own society's tendency to want to control and eliminate anything that we deem to be "undesirable." We see this in the way we treat animals, plants, and even other people. We want to control everything, and anything that doesn't fit into our vision of the world is seen as a threat.
The third stanza is where things really start to get intense. The narrator grabs a shoe and prepares to kill the cockroach. But before he can do so, something strange happens. The cockroach stops and turns around to face the narrator.
This is where the poem takes a bit of a surreal turn. The cockroach starts to speak, and it's not just any speech. It's beautiful, poetic, and almost otherworldly. The cockroach talks about the beauty of life and how even the smallest creatures are important.
This is where the real message of the poem comes through. The cockroach is a symbol of all the things that we want to control and eliminate. It represents the parts of nature and ourselves that we see as ugly or undesirable. But the cockroach's speech reminds us that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things have value and beauty.
The final stanza is where the poem comes full circle. The narrator, realizing the error of his ways, puts down the shoe and lets the cockroach go free. He realizes that the cockroach is just as important as he is, and that all life is precious.
In conclusion, "Death of a Cockroach" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores our society's desire to control and dominate nature. Through the character of the cockroach, Robert Service reminds us that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things have value and beauty. The poem is a call to embrace all of life, even the parts that we might find ugly or undesirable.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The poem "Death of a Cockroach" by Robert Service is a classic piece of literature that has been enjoyed by readers for generations. This poem is a perfect example of how a simple subject matter can be transformed into a work of art through the use of poetic devices and clever wordplay.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a cockroach that has made its way into his home. The speaker is immediately disgusted by the presence of the cockroach and begins to plot its demise. The speaker's hatred for the cockroach is evident in the way he describes it, calling it a "loathsome beast" and a "scaly horror."
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more obsessed with killing the cockroach. He tries various methods, including drowning it in water and crushing it with a shoe, but the cockroach continues to elude him. The speaker's frustration is palpable as he describes his failed attempts to kill the cockroach.
The turning point of the poem comes when the speaker realizes that the cockroach is not just a mindless insect, but a living creature with its own will to survive. The speaker begins to see the cockroach in a different light, describing it as a "plucky little chap" and a "brave survivor." The speaker even begins to feel a sense of admiration for the cockroach, despite his earlier disgust.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker finally succeeds in killing the cockroach. However, instead of feeling triumphant, the speaker is filled with a sense of regret and sadness. He realizes that he has taken the life of a living creature, and that his hatred for the cockroach was misplaced.
The poem "Death of a Cockroach" is a powerful commentary on the human tendency to dehumanize and vilify those who are different from us. The speaker's initial disgust for the cockroach is a reflection of our own prejudices and biases. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's perspective shifts, and he begins to see the cockroach as a fellow creature with its own right to life.
The poem is also a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of treating all living creatures with respect and compassion. The speaker's regret at the end of the poem is a poignant reminder that every life is valuable, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
In terms of poetic devices, "Death of a Cockroach" is a masterclass in the use of imagery and metaphor. The speaker's descriptions of the cockroach as a "scaly horror" and a "plucky little chap" create vivid images in the reader's mind. The use of metaphor is also evident in the way the speaker compares the cockroach to a "brave survivor," highlighting the insect's resilience and determination.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase "death of a cockroach" appearing multiple times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the importance of the cockroach's life, even as the speaker is trying to end it.
In conclusion, "Death of a Cockroach" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of prejudice, compassion, and the value of life. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Robert Service creates a work of art that is both entertaining and meaningful. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to transform even the most mundane subject matter into a work of beauty and significance.
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