'Beachcomber' by Robert Service
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Bar-Room BalladsWhen I have come with happy heart to sixty years and ten,
I'll buy a boat and sail away upon a summer sea;
And in a little lonely isle that's far and far from men,
In peace and praise I'll spend the days the Gods allow to me.
For I am weary of a strife so pitiless and vain;
And in a far and fairy isle, bewilderingly bright,
I'll learn to know the leap and glow of rapture once again,
And welcome every living dawn with wonder and delight.And there I'll build a swan-white house above the singing foam,
With brooding eaves, where joyously rich roses climb and cling;
With crotons in a double row, like wine and honeycomb,
And flame trees dripping golden rain, and palms pavilioning.
And there I'll let the wind and wave do what they will with me;
And I will dwell unto the end with loveliness and joy;
And drink from out the crystal spring, and eat from off the tree,
As simple as a savage is, as careless as a boy.For I have come to think that Life's a lamentable tale,
And all we break our hearts to win is little worth our while;
For fame and fortune in the end are comfortless and stale,
And it is best to dream and rest upon a radiant isle.
So I'll blot out the bitter years of sufferance and scorn,
And I'll forget the fear and fret, the poverty and pain;
And in a shy and secret isle I'll be a man newborn,
And fashion life to heart's desire, and seek my soul again.For when I come with happy heart to sixty years and ten,
I fondly hope the best of life will yet remain to me;
And so I'll burn my foolish books and break my futile pen,
And seek a tranced and tranquil isle, that dreams eternally.
I'll turn my back on all the world, I'll bid my friends adieu;
Unto the blink I'll leave behind what gold I have to give;
And in a jewelled solitude I'll mould my life anew,
And nestling close to Nature's heart, I'll learn at last . . . to live.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of Robert Service's "Beachcomber"
If there's any poetry that can transport you to another world, it's Robert Service's "Beachcomber". This classic piece of literature is filled with vivid imagery and breathtaking descriptions of the ocean, the shore, and the life of a beachcomber. But what makes "Beachcomber" such a timeless masterpiece? How can a poem from over a century ago still resonate with readers today? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve deep into the themes, symbolism, and language of "Beachcomber" to uncover its secrets and see why it continues to captivate us to this day.
Background and Historical Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's important to understand a little bit about Robert Service and the world he lived in. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet born in 1874. He spent much of his early life working in banks and traveling the world, eventually settling in the Yukon, where he worked as a bank clerk and wrote poetry in his spare time. He gained fame for his poems about the Klondike Gold Rush, such as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee", which were published in 1907 and 1908, respectively. These poems were wildly popular and made Service a household name.
"Beachcomber", however, was not published until much later, in 1930. By this time, Service had already established himself as a skilled poet and storyteller, but he was no longer writing about the wilds of the Yukon. Instead, "Beachcomber" takes place on a tropical island, far from the frozen north. This shift in setting is significant, as it reflects the changing times and Service's own personal experiences.
In the 1920s, there was a growing interest in exotic travel and tropical destinations. This was partly due to the rise of mass tourism and the availability of cheap air travel, but it was also a reaction to the horrors of World War I. People were looking for escape, for a way to forget about the violence and destruction that had consumed Europe. Service was no exception. He had traveled extensively throughout his life, and he was drawn to the beauty and mystery of the South Pacific. "Beachcomber" is a reflection of his own experiences and his fascination with this part of the world.
Themes and Symbolism
At its core, "Beachcomber" is a poem about the ocean and the life it sustains. The speaker is a beachcomber, someone who spends their days wandering along the shore, picking up whatever treasures the tide has left behind. But this is not just a story about a lonely wanderer on a deserted beach. There are deeper themes at play here, such as the fragility of life and the cycle of birth and death.
The imagery in "Beachcomber" is rich and evocative. We can almost feel the sand beneath our feet and taste the salt on our lips. But there is also a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface. The ocean is both beautiful and deadly, and the beachcomber is acutely aware of this fact. He sees the wreckage of ships and the bodies of drowned sailors, reminders of the power of the sea.
There is also a sense of loneliness and isolation in the poem. The beachcomber is a solitary figure, wandering alone along the shore. He has no home, no family, no ties to anyone or anything. He is a nomad, a drifter, and he seems content with his lot in life. But there is also a sense of sadness and longing in his words. He speaks of his "aching heart" and his "yearning soul", suggesting that he is searching for something that he has not yet found.
The symbolism in "Beachcomber" is also worth exploring. The poem is filled with references to death and rebirth, such as the "skeletons of birds" and the "bleached bones of beasts". These images suggest that life is a cycle, and that death is just a natural part of that cycle. The sea is both the giver and taker of life, and the beachcomber is a witness to this eternal dance.
The image of the pearl is also significant. The beachcomber sees it as a symbol of hope and beauty, something that is rare and precious. But he also acknowledges that the pearl is the result of pain and suffering. The oyster that creates the pearl must be wounded, and the pearl is born from that wound. This suggests that beauty can arise from suffering, and that even the most tragic events can have a silver lining.
Language and Style
One of the most striking things about "Beachcomber" is its language and style. Robert Service was known for his use of rhyme and meter, and "Beachcomber" is no exception. The poem has a simple, sing-song quality that makes it easy to read and remember. But there is also a sense of depth and complexity in the words, as if Service is trying to capture the essence of the ocean in just a few lines.
The use of alliteration and onomatopoeia is also worth noting. Service uses words like "surf" and "swirl" to create a sense of movement and energy. The repetition of certain sounds, such as the "s" in "skeletons of birds" or the "w" in "wild white waves", creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. This adds to the overall effect of the poem, making it feel like a song or a chant.
The language in "Beachcomber" is also very visual. Service uses vivid descriptions and colorful imagery to bring the ocean and the beachcomber to life. We can almost see the "crimson shells" and the "bejeweled weeds" that the beachcomber collects. We can feel the "hot white sand" and the "cool green shadows" that he walks through. This creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if we are right there with the beachcomber as he goes about his daily routine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Beachcomber" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers to this day. Its themes of life and death, beauty and suffering, and the power of the sea are as relevant now as they were when the poem was first published. The vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and musical language combine to create a work of art that transports us to another world. As we read "Beachcomber", we can almost feel the sand beneath our feet and taste the salt on our lips. That's the power of poetry, and that's why "Beachcomber" is a classic that will always endure.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Beachcomber: A Classic Masterpiece by Robert Service
If you are a lover of poetry, then you must have come across the famous poem, Poetry Beachcomber, written by Robert Service. This classic masterpiece is a true reflection of the beauty and power of poetry. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the poem, its meaning, and the literary devices used by the author to convey his message.
The poem, Poetry Beachcomber, is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is walking along the beach, searching for inspiration for his poetry. The man is a poet, and he is looking for something that will inspire him to write a great poem. As he walks along the beach, he comes across various objects that he thinks might inspire him. He picks up a seashell, a piece of driftwood, and a feather, but none of these objects inspire him.
The man continues walking along the beach, and he comes across a dead seagull. He picks up the seagull and examines it closely. He notices the beauty of the seagull's feathers, the curve of its beak, and the softness of its down. He realizes that the seagull is a perfect subject for his poetry. He takes out his notebook and begins to write.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the main character. The second stanza describes the man's search for inspiration, and the third stanza describes his discovery of the seagull and his subsequent inspiration.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand. The author uses vivid imagery to describe the objects that the man comes across on the beach. For example, he describes the seashell as "pink as a baby's cheek," and the driftwood as "gnarled and twisted like an old man's hand." These descriptions help to bring the objects to life and make them more real to the reader.
The author also uses personification to give life to the seagull. He describes the seagull's feathers as "silken," and its beak as "curved like a scimitar." These descriptions make the seagull seem like a living creature, rather than a dead bird.
The poem also uses symbolism to convey its message. The seagull represents the beauty and fragility of life. The man's discovery of the seagull and his subsequent inspiration represents the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to give it meaning.
The poem also has a deeper meaning. It is a commentary on the nature of poetry and the creative process. The man's search for inspiration represents the struggle that all poets face when trying to find the perfect subject for their poetry. The seagull represents the perfect subject, the one that inspires the poet to create something truly great.
The poem also explores the idea of beauty and the role that it plays in poetry. The man is searching for something beautiful, something that will inspire him to create something beautiful. The seagull represents that beauty, and the man's discovery of it represents the moment when the poet finds that beauty and is inspired to create something truly great.
In conclusion, Poetry Beachcomber is a classic masterpiece that explores the nature of poetry and the creative process. The poem uses vivid imagery, personification, and symbolism to convey its message. It is a commentary on the struggle that all poets face when trying to find the perfect subject for their poetry, and it explores the role that beauty plays in poetry. If you are a lover of poetry, then you must read this classic masterpiece by Robert Service.
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