'Room 6: The Little Workgirl' by Robert Service
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Three gentlemen live close beside me --
A painter of pictures bizarre,
A poet whose virtues might guide me,
A singer who plays the guitar;
And there on my lintel is Cupid;
I leave my door open, and yet
These gentlemen, aren't they stupid!
They never make love to Babette.
I go to the shop every morning;
I work with my needle and thread;
Silk, satin and velvet adorning,
Then luncheon on coffee and bread.
Then sewing and sewing till seven;
Or else, if the order I get,
I toil and I toil till eleven --
And such is the day of Babette.
It doesn't seem cheerful, I fancy;
The wage is unthinkably small;
And yet there is one thing I can say:
I keep a bright face through it all.
I chaff though my head may be aching;
I sing a gay song to forget;
I laugh though my heart may be breaking --
It's all in the life of Babette.
That gown, O my lady of leisure,
You begged to be "finished in haste."
It gives you an exquisite pleasure,
Your lovers remark on its taste.
Yet . . . oh, the poor little white faces,
The tense midnight toil and the fret . . .
I fear that the foam of its laces
Is salt with the tears of Babette.
It takes a brave heart to be cheery
With no gleam of hope in the sky;
The future's so utterly dreary,
I'm laughing -- in case I should cry.
And if, where the gay lights are glowing,
I dine with a man I have met,
And snatch a bright moment -- who's going
To blame a poor little Babette?
And you, Friend beyond all the telling,
Although you're an ocean away,
Your pictures, they tell me, are selling,
You're married and settled, they say.
Such happiness one wouldn't barter;
Yet, oh, do you never regret
The Springtide, the roses, Montmartre,
Youth, poverty, love and -- Babette?
That blond-haired chap across the way
With sunny smile and voice so mellow,
He sings in some cheap cabaret,
Yet what a gay and charming fellow!
His breath with garlic may be strong,
What matters it? his laugh is jolly;
His day he gives to sleep and song:
His night's made up of song and folly.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Room 6: The Little Workgirl - Robert Service
Oh, what a joy to be alive,
And be a kick-the-world-about;
Oh, what a wonder to contrive,
And turn the universe about;
To seek adventure, court delight,
And all the joys of freedom know -
Ah, that's the life, the life for me,
Beneath the sky's unbounded glow.
These lines from the first stanza of Robert Service's "Room 6: The Little Workgirl" set the tone for the entire poem - one of adventure, joy, and freedom, but also of hardship and struggle. Service, a Canadian poet known for his ballads and narrative poems, wrote this piece in 1913.
Synopsis
The poem tells the story of a young girl named Mary who lives in Room 6, a small, dingy space in a run-down tenement building in a city. Mary works hard every day, cleaning offices and running errands for her boss, Mr. Brown. Despite her difficult circumstances, Mary maintains a positive attitude and a desire for adventure.
One day, while running an errand, Mary meets a man named Slim, who offers to take her away from her life of drudgery and show her the world. Mary, hesitant at first, eventually agrees and runs away with Slim. They travel across the country, exploring new places and having new experiences.
However, their journey is not without its challenges. Slim turns out to be a con artist, and they are eventually caught and thrown in jail. Mary is heartbroken and realizes that her desire for adventure has come at a steep price. She returns to Room 6, older and wiser, but still dreaming of the freedom and joy she once had.
Themes
The poem touches on several themes, including the pursuit of happiness, the cost of freedom, and the dangers of naivety. Mary's longing for adventure and her willingness to take risks in order to achieve it reflect the human desire for happiness and fulfillment. However, the consequences of her actions - losing her job, running away with a stranger, and ultimately ending up in jail - show that the pursuit of happiness can come with a high price.
The poem also explores the idea of freedom and its limitations. Mary's job and living situation are far from ideal, but they provide her with some level of stability and security. When she runs away with Slim, she gains a newfound sense of freedom, but at the cost of her safety and wellbeing. The poem suggests that true freedom is not always attainable, and that sometimes we must make sacrifices in order to achieve it.
Finally, the poem warns against naivety and the dangers of trusting others blindly. Mary's decision to run away with Slim is based on her desire for adventure and her belief that he has her best interests at heart. However, Slim's true intentions are revealed when they are caught and sent to jail. Mary's experience shows the importance of caution and critical thinking when making decisions that will impact our lives.
Literary Techniques
Service employs several literary techniques throughout the poem to convey its themes and evoke emotion in the reader. The use of rhyme and meter give the poem a musical quality that makes it enjoyable to read aloud. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "Room 6," "Mr. Brown," and "kick-the-world-about," helps to establish a sense of familiarity and routine in Mary's life, while also emphasizing the monotony of her situation.
Service also makes use of imagery and symbolism to convey deeper meanings. The dingy, cramped space of Room 6 symbolizes Mary's limited options and lack of opportunities, while the wide open spaces she encounters on her journey with Slim represent the possibilities and freedom she has been seeking. The arc of Mary's story - from the drudgery of Room 6 to the excitement of her adventures with Slim and back again - mirrors the classic hero's journey, in which the protagonist experiences a transformation and returns home with newfound wisdom.
Interpretation
"Room 6: The Little Workgirl" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the struggle for happiness and freedom. Mary's story is one that many of us can relate to - the desire for something more in life, the willingness to take risks to achieve it, and the eventual realization that the cost may be too high.
The poem also highlights the importance of caution and critical thinking in our decision-making. While it is important to pursue our dreams and seek adventure, we must also be aware of the risks and make informed choices that take into account our safety and wellbeing.
Finally, the poem reminds us that even in the face of hardship and struggle, there is always the possibility for transformation and growth. Mary returns to Room 6 older and wiser, but still dreaming of the freedom and joy she once had. Her journey has given her a new perspective on life, and she is better equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead.
In conclusion, "Room 6: The Little Workgirl" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience and the struggle for happiness, freedom, and self-discovery. Its themes and literary techniques are as relevant today as they were in 1913, and its message of caution, hope, and resilience is one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Room 6: The Little Workgirl by Robert Service is a classic poem that has been enjoyed by readers for decades. This poem tells the story of a young girl who works hard to make a living and support herself. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the description of a small room where the little workgirl lives. The room is described as "bare and bleak," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The workgirl is depicted as a hardworking individual who is always busy with her work. She is described as having "eyes that shine with a steady light" and "hands that never rest." These descriptions show that the workgirl is determined and focused on her work.
The poem then goes on to describe the work that the little workgirl does. She is a seamstress who works long hours to make ends meet. The poem describes her sewing machine as "clicking like a clock," which creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the workgirl's dedication to her craft. The workgirl is also described as having "fingers swift and deft," which shows her skill and expertise in her work.
The poem then takes a turn as it describes the workgirl's life outside of her work. She is described as having "no love, no joy, no rest," which shows the sacrifices she has made to support herself. The workgirl is also described as having "no friends, no kin, no home," which emphasizes her isolation and loneliness. These descriptions create a sense of sympathy for the workgirl and show the reader the harsh reality of her life.
The poem then shifts to a more hopeful tone as it describes the workgirl's dream. She dreams of a life where she is not alone and has someone to love. The poem describes her dream as "a vision bright and fair," which creates a sense of hope and optimism. The workgirl's dream is also described as "a star that beckons from afar," which symbolizes her desire for a better life.
The poem then ends with the workgirl returning to her work. She is described as "sewing on and on," which shows her dedication to her work despite her difficult circumstances. The poem ends with the line "Room 6 and life goes on," which emphasizes the cyclical nature of the workgirl's life.
One of the main themes of the poem is the struggle of the working class. The workgirl is depicted as a hardworking individual who is dedicated to her work, but she is also shown to be isolated and lonely. The poem shows the reader the harsh reality of the workgirl's life and the sacrifices she has made to support herself.
Another theme of the poem is the power of dreams. The workgirl's dream of a better life gives her hope and motivates her to keep working. The poem shows the reader the importance of having a dream and the impact it can have on a person's life.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The description of the workgirl's room as "bare and bleak" creates a sense of emptiness and isolation. The description of her sewing machine as "clicking like a clock" creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the workgirl's dedication to her craft. The description of her dream as "a star that beckons from afar" creates a sense of hope and optimism.
The symbolism used in the poem is also important. The workgirl's sewing machine symbolizes her dedication to her work and her skill as a seamstress. The star in her dream symbolizes her desire for a better life and her hope for the future.
In conclusion, Room 6: The Little Workgirl by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the themes of the struggle of the working class and the power of dreams. The imagery and symbolism used in the poem create a vivid picture of the workgirl's life and her dreams. The poem shows the reader the harsh reality of the workgirl's life, but also gives hope for a better future.
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