'Contrast' by Robert Service
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"Carry your suitcase, Sir?" he said.
I turned away to hide a grin,
For he was shorter by a head
Than I and pitiably thin.
I could have made a pair of him,
So with my load I stoutly legged;
But his tenacity was grim:
"Please let me help you, sir," he begged.
I could not shake the fellow off,
So let him shoulder my valise;
He tottered with a racking cough
That did not give him any peace.
He lagged so limply in my wake
I made him put the burden down,
Saying: "A taxi I will take,"
And grimly gave him half-a-crown.
Poor devil! I am sure he had
Not eaten anything that day;
His eyes so hungrily were glad,
Although his lips were ashen grey.
He vanished in the callous crowd,
Then when he was no more around,
I lugged my bag and thought aloud:
"I wish I'd given him a pound."
And strangely I felt sore ashamed,
As if somehow I had lost face;
And not only myself I blamed
But all the blasted human race;
And all this life of battle where
The poor are beaten to their knees,
And while the weak the burdens bear,
Fat fools like me can stroll at ease.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Contrast by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Irony and Paradoxes
Wow! What a hauntingly beautiful poem! Robert Service's Contrast is a masterpiece of irony, paradoxes, and vivid imagery that captures the essence of love, pain, and the human condition. It's no wonder why this poem has endured the test of time and remains a classic piece of literature that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes, motifs, and literary devices used in Contrast and how they contribute to its enduring appeal and relevance.
The Plot and Structure of Contrast
At first glance, Contrast may seem like a simple love poem that compares and contrasts two women, one who is beautiful but heartless, and another who is plain but kind-hearted. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye. The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The first three stanzas describe the beautiful woman, while the last three stanzas describe the plain woman. The contrast between the two women is stark and striking, as one represents all that is superficial and fleeting, while the other embodies all that is genuine and enduring.
The Use of Imagery and Figurative Language
One of the most striking aspects of Contrast is the author's use of vivid imagery and figurative language to evoke powerful emotions and convey complex ideas. For example, in the first stanza, the author describes the beautiful woman's eyes as "Deep as the depth of infinite skies." This metaphor not only captures the depth and mystery of the woman's eyes, but it also suggests that they are vast and endless, like the universe. This creates a sense of awe and wonder, but also a sense of distance and detachment, as if the woman is beyond human reach or understanding.
Similarly, in the second stanza, the author compares the beautiful woman's lips to "A curling serpent, venomous sweet." This simile not only suggests that the woman's lips are seductive and alluring, but it also implies that they are dangerous and deadly, like a serpent's venom. This creates a sense of tension and danger, but also a sense of attraction and fascination, as if the woman's beauty is a trap that one can't resist.
On the other hand, in the fourth stanza, the author describes the plain woman's eyes as "Grey as a cloud in the dawning." This simile not only suggests that the woman's eyes are unremarkable, but it also implies that they are humble and unassuming, like a cloud in the sky. This creates a sense of simplicity and honesty, but also a sense of invisibility and insignificance, as if the woman is overlooked and underestimated.
Similarly, in the fifth stanza, the author compares the plain woman's lips to "The quivering reed by the river." This simile not only suggests that the woman's lips are gentle and soft, but it also implies that they are vulnerable and fragile, like a reed swaying in the wind. This creates a sense of tenderness and vulnerability, but also a sense of resilience and adaptability, as if the woman's kindness is her strength.
The Use of Irony and Paradoxes
Another intriguing aspect of Contrast is the author's use of irony and paradoxes to subvert our expectations and challenge our assumptions. For example, in the first stanza, the author describes the beautiful woman as having "A breast as snow on the mountain peak." This simile not only suggests that the woman's breast is pure and pristine, but it also implies that it is cold and unfeeling, like a mountain peak covered in snow. This creates a sense of beauty and purity, but also a sense of aloofness and detachment, as if the woman is more like a statue than a living being.
Similarly, in the third stanza, the author describes the beautiful woman's heart as "Ice in the sun beholden." This metaphor not only suggests that the woman's heart is cold and unfeeling, but it also implies that it is fragile and fleeting, like ice melting in the sun. This creates a sense of contrast and contradiction, as if the woman's beauty is a mask that hides her inner emptiness and sadness.
On the other hand, in the sixth stanza, the author describes the plain woman's heart as "A heart that is humble and lowly." This metaphor not only suggests that the woman's heart is kind and compassionate, but it also implies that it is simple and unassuming, like a commoner's heart. This creates a sense of paradox and irony, as if the woman's plainness is a disguise that hides her inner richness and depth.
The Theme of Love and Beauty
At its core, Contrast is a poem about love and beauty, and how they are often at odds with each other. The author suggests that beauty is not enough to sustain love, and that true love requires more than just physical attraction or superficial qualities. The beautiful woman may have all the external trappings of beauty, but she lacks the inner qualities that make for a meaningful relationship. On the other hand, the plain woman may not be conventionally attractive, but she possesses the qualities that matter most in a relationship, such as kindness, compassion, and humility.
This theme is relevant today as it was when Contrast was first published, as our culture is often obsessed with external beauty and physical perfection, to the point where we forget the importance of inner beauty and character. The poem challenges us to rethink our values and priorities, and to seek love and happiness in ways that are more meaningful and fulfilling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Contrast is a masterpiece of literature that continues to captivate and inspire readers with its hauntingly beautiful imagery, its ironic and paradoxical twists, and its timeless message about love and beauty. Robert Service's poetic genius shines through in every line, as he weaves a tapestry of words that touches our hearts and minds in profound ways. This poem is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, literature, or the human condition, as it speaks to the universal truths that unite us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Contrast by Robert Service is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and the different experiences that come with it. The poem is a reflection of the author's own experiences and observations of life, and it is written in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in Contrast and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with the lines, "I think if you had loved me when I wanted; If I'd looked up one day, and seen your eyes, And found my wild sick blasphemous prayer granted, And your brown face, that's full of pity and wise." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on lost opportunities and the regret that comes with them. The speaker is lamenting the fact that they did not seize the opportunity to be with someone they loved when they had the chance.
The theme of lost opportunities is a recurring one throughout the poem. The speaker reflects on the different paths their life could have taken if they had made different choices. They wonder what their life would have been like if they had taken a chance on love or pursued a different career. The poem is a reminder that life is full of choices, and the choices we make can have a profound impact on our lives.
One of the most striking literary devices used in Contrast is the contrast between the speaker's present situation and the life they could have had. The speaker describes their current life as "a grey, bleak, bitter, babbling street," which stands in stark contrast to the life they could have had if they had made different choices. The poem is a reminder that life is full of contrasts, and the choices we make can lead us down very different paths.
Another literary device used in Contrast is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the different paths their life could have taken. They describe a life of love and happiness, where "the sun would make your hair a shining glory, And every one would stare to see your face." This imagery is in stark contrast to the bleak and bitter reality of the speaker's current life. The use of imagery in the poem helps to create a vivid picture of the different paths our lives can take.
The poem also explores the theme of regret. The speaker is filled with regret for the choices they did not make and the opportunities they missed. They wonder what their life would have been like if they had taken a chance on love or pursued a different career. The poem is a reminder that we should seize the opportunities that come our way, as we may never get another chance.
The use of repetition in the poem is also notable. The phrase "if I had" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's regret and the different paths their life could have taken. The repetition of this phrase helps to create a sense of longing and regret, and it emphasizes the importance of making the most of the opportunities that come our way.
In conclusion, Contrast by Robert Service is a powerful poem that explores the themes of lost opportunities, regret, and the different paths our lives can take. The use of literary devices such as contrast, imagery, and repetition helps to create a vivid picture of the speaker's life and the different choices they could have made. The poem is a reminder that life is full of choices, and the choices we make can have a profound impact on our lives. It is a powerful reminder to seize the opportunities that come our way and to make the most of the time we have.
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