'Secretary' by Robert Service
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My Master is a man of might
With manners like a hog;
He makes me slave from morn to night
And treats me like a dog.
He thinks there's nothing on this earth
His money cannot buy,
And claims to get full wages worth
From hirelings such as I.
But does he? Though a Man of State,
And fabulously rich,
He little guesses that his mate
Is just a bonny bitch.
For he is grey and gross and fat,
While I am tall and slim,
And when he's gone it happens that
I take the place of him.
Oh God! The beauty of the blow
When I will blast his life;
When I will laugh and let him know
My mistress is his wife.
Today a doormat for his feet,
He loves to see me squirm . . .
Tomorrow,--how revenge is sweet!
The turning of the worm.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Secretary by Robert Service: A Poem Full of Irony and Disillusionment
Have you ever felt that your job is draining your soul? That you're just a cog in a machine, a mere functionary in a bureaucratic nightmare? If so, then you'll certainly identify with the protagonist of Robert Service's ironic poem "Secretary." In fact, you might even find some comfort in his witty and cynical observations, as he navigates the absurdity of modern office life.
The Poem's Structure and Style
"Secretary" is a fairly short and simple poem, consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives it a familiar and catchy rhythm. The tone is sarcastic and humorous, but also bitter and resigned. The voice is that of a first-person narrator, presumably the titular secretary, who tells his story in a matter-of-fact way, without any sentimental or melodramatic embellishments.
The style of the poem is characterized by its use of repetition, puns, allusions, and paradoxes. For example, the word "file" is repeated several times, both as a verb and a noun, to emphasize the tediousness and futility of the secretary's task. The pun on "key" and "quay" in the first stanza illustrates the ambiguous and arbitrary nature of language and power. The allusion to "The Wreck of the Hesperus" in the last stanza adds a touch of irony and fatalism to the otherwise mundane and trivial story. The paradox of "I'm just a fake / Who sits at a desk" reflects the identity crisis and self-deception of the secretary, who feels both important and worthless at the same time.
The Poem's Themes and Meanings
At the surface level, "Secretary" is a satire of office politics and bureaucracy, and a critique of the dehumanizing and soul-crushing effects of modern work. The secretary is portrayed as a hapless and helpless victim of his own job, which he hates but cannot escape. He is trapped in a cycle of repetition and routine, as he files and sorts papers all day long, without any sense of purpose or accomplishment. He is also at the mercy of his boss, who is both his source of income and his source of stress. He has to obey his orders, even when they are unreasonable or illogical, and he has to pretend to be attentive and respectful, even when he is bored or insulted.
However, the poem also has deeper and more universal themes and meanings, which resonate with the human condition in general. One of these themes is the theme of identity and self-esteem. The secretary, despite his sarcastic and self-deprecating tone, reveals his inner thoughts and feelings, which are often conflicting and uncertain. He wonders whether he is a "man or a mouse," whether he is a "clerk or a king," whether he is a "nobody or somebody." He is aware of his limitations and weaknesses, but he is also proud of his skills and knowledge. He tries to find a balance between his humility and his ambition, his resignation and his rebellion. He also tries to maintain his dignity and integrity, even in the face of humiliation and disrespect.
Another theme of the poem is the theme of language and communication. The secretary, as a person who deals with words and symbols all day long, is acutely aware of the arbitrariness and ambiguity of language. He knows that words can mean different things to different people, and that they can be used to manipulate and deceive. He also knows that communication is not always effective or sincere, and that silence or evasion can be as powerful as speech or action. He tries to use language as a tool of persuasion and negotiation, but he also recognizes its limitations and pitfalls. He is sometimes at a loss for words, or he is overwhelmed by the flood of words that bombard him from all sides.
Finally, the poem touches upon the theme of mortality and fate. The allusion to "The Wreck of the Hesperus" suggests that the secretary is not in control of his destiny, but is at the mercy of external forces, such as nature, society, or God. He may think that he is indispensable or irreplaceable, but in reality, he is just a temporary player in the eternal drama of life and death. He may leave behind some files or some memories, but he will eventually be forgotten, just like the sailors of the Hesperus.
The Poem's Evaluation and Significance
"Secretary" is a poem that is both amusing and poignant, both satirical and serious. It has a universal appeal, because it speaks to the experience of anyone who has ever worked in an office, or in any other kind of job that involves routine and repetition. It also has a philosophical depth, because it raises questions about the nature of identity, language, and fate, that are relevant to all human beings, regardless of their social or cultural background.
The poem's ironic tone and clever wordplay make it a pleasure to read and re-read, and its concise and precise language make it a model of poetic craftsmanship. The poem's message, however, is not just about the art of poetry, but about the art of living. It reminds us that even in the most mundane and monotonous situations, we can find some meaning and some humor, if we look at them from a different perspective. It also reminds us that even when we feel powerless and insignificant, we still have some control over our attitude and our values. We can choose to be cynical or optimistic, bitter or grateful, selfish or compassionate, depending on our own judgment and our own conscience.
In conclusion, "Secretary" is a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated not only for its wit and its irony, but also for its wisdom and its humanity. It is a poem that captures the paradoxical and perplexing nature of modern life, and that offers a glimpse of hope and humor in the midst of despair and drudgery. It is a poem that speaks to our minds, our hearts, and our souls, and that reminds us that even when we are just cogs in a machine, we can still be human beings.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Secretary: A Poem of Love and Longing
Robert Service’s poem “Secretary” is a timeless classic that captures the essence of love and longing. The poem tells the story of a secretary who falls in love with her boss, but is unable to express her feelings. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the secretary describing her boss in glowing terms. She speaks of his charm, his wit, and his intelligence. She is clearly smitten with him, but she is also aware of the social and professional barriers that prevent her from expressing her feelings. She says, “I’m just a secretary, / He’s the boss of the firm; / And though I love him dearly / I know it can’t be term.”
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It establishes the central conflict of the poem – the secretary’s love for her boss and the impossibility of that love being reciprocated. The language used in this stanza is simple and straightforward, but it conveys a depth of emotion that is palpable.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of distance. The secretary speaks of the physical distance between her and her boss, as well as the emotional distance that exists between them. She says, “He’s always in his office, / And I’m always at my desk; / And though we work together, / It seems we’re miles apart.”
This stanza is significant because it highlights the isolation that the secretary feels. She is physically close to her boss, but emotionally distant from him. This distance is a metaphor for the social and professional barriers that prevent her from expressing her love.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of time. The secretary speaks of the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. She says, “The days go by so quickly, / And the years are passing fast; / And though I dream of him each night, / I know it cannot last.”
This stanza is significant because it highlights the impermanence of life. The secretary is aware that her love for her boss cannot last forever, and this knowledge adds to her sense of longing and sadness.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of hope. The secretary speaks of her hope that one day her boss will notice her and return her love. She says, “But still I keep on hoping / That someday he will see / The love that’s in my heart for him, / And he’ll come to love me.”
This stanza is significant because it shows that the secretary has not given up hope. Despite the obstacles in her way, she still believes that her love for her boss can be reciprocated. This hope is what keeps her going and gives her the strength to continue working for him.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a beautiful conclusion to the secretary’s story. She speaks of her love for her boss and the pain that it brings her. She says, “I love him more than ever, / But I know it’s all in vain; / For he will never know the love / That causes all my pain.”
This stanza is significant because it brings the poem full circle. The secretary’s love for her boss is still strong, but she is resigned to the fact that it will never be returned. The pain that she feels is palpable, but she accepts it as a part of her life.
The imagery used in the poem is simple but effective. The secretary speaks of her boss as a “prince” and a “king,” which conveys his power and authority. She also speaks of herself as a “lowly” secretary, which highlights the social and professional barriers that prevent her from expressing her love.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it conveys a depth of emotion that is palpable. The use of repetition in the poem, particularly in the first and fifth stanzas, adds to the sense of longing and sadness that the secretary feels.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s poem “Secretary” is a beautiful portrayal of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The poem explores themes of distance, time, hope, and love, and uses simple but effective imagery and language to convey the secretary’s story. The poem is a timeless classic that speaks to the human experience of love and longing, and it will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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