'The Front Tooth' by Robert Service
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A-sittin' in the Bull and Pump
With double gins to keep us cheery
Says she to me, says Polly Crump"
"What makes ye look so sweet. me dearie?
As if ye'd gotten back yer youth . . . ."
Says I: "It's just me new front tooth."
Says Polly Crump: "A gummy grin
Don't help to make one's business active;
We gels wot gains our bread by sin
Have got to make ourselves attractive.
I hope yer dentist was no rook?"
Says I: "A quid is what he took."
Says Polly Crump: "The shoes you wear
Are down at heel and need new soleing;
Why doncher buy a better pair?
The rain goes in and out the holeing.
They're squelchin' as ye walk yer beat. . . ."
Says I: "blokes don't look at me feet."
Says Polly Crump: "You cough all day;
It just don't do in our profession;
A girl's got to be pert and gay
To give a guy a good impression;
For if ye cough he's shy of you. . . ."
Says I: "An' wots a gel to do?"
Says Polly Crump: "I'm pink an' fat,
But you are bones an' pale as plaster;
At this dam' rate you're goin' at
You'll never live to be a laster.
You'll have the daisy roots for door. . . ."
Says I: "It's 'ell to be a 'ore.
"But I don't care now I can smile,
Smile, smile and not that gap-toothed grinning;
I'm wet and cold, but it's worth while
To once again look fairly winning.
And send ten bob or so to Mother. . . ."
Said Polly Crump: "Gwad! Have another?"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Front Tooth: An Analysis of Robert Service’s Masterpiece
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling nostalgic, yet entertained at the same time? If not, then you might want to check out Robert Service’s “The Front Tooth.” This classic poem is a masterpiece that brings out a range of emotions within the reader. From humor to sadness, the poem masterfully weaves its way into the reader’s heart. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, metaphors, and literary devices used by Robert Service in the poem.
The Poem
Robert Service’s “The Front Tooth” is a narrative poem about a young boy who loses his front tooth while playing. The poem describes the boy’s experience, and how his perception of himself changes after losing his tooth. It is an emotional journey that explores the themes of loss, identity, and growth.
The Themes
The theme of loss is evident throughout the poem. The young boy is seen mourning the loss of his tooth when he says:
“My tooth came out, and that was bad, I couldn't talk a bit like dad, And so I thought I'd have to die, Unless I got another by.”
The loss of the tooth is not just a physical loss, but an emotional one as well. The young boy’s perception of himself changes as he loses his tooth. He feels incomplete and unable to communicate like his father. This loss is a universal theme that we can all relate to. Whether it is losing a loved one or a cherished possession, loss is a part of the human experience.
Another theme that the poem explores is identity. The young boy’s perception of himself changes as he loses his tooth. He feels incomplete and not like himself. His perception of himself is linked to his physical appearance. This is evident when he says:
“I tried to hide my toothless smile, Beneath my hand I blushed the while, But little girls and boys would say, Oh, look at Ted, he's lost his way.”
The young boy’s identity is linked to his physical appearance. He feels inadequate and not like himself without his front tooth. This is a theme that is relevant to all of us. Our physical appearance plays a significant role in how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. This theme is one that many of us can relate to.
The theme of growth is also seen in the poem. The young boy grows emotionally and physically when he loses his tooth. He learns to adapt to his new reality and accept himself. This is seen when he says:
“But now I've grown another tooth, And I can talk a bit like truth, And though I miss my old front friend, I'm quite myself again, in the end.”
The young boy learns to accept his new reality and adapts to it. He grows emotionally by learning to accept himself despite his physical appearance. This theme is relevant to all of us. We all go through periods of growth and adaptation, and this poem reminds us of the importance of accepting ourselves and adapting to change.
The Metaphors
The poem uses metaphors to convey its themes. The loss of the tooth is a metaphor for the loss of identity. The young boy’s perception of himself changes as he loses his tooth. He feels incomplete and not like himself. This is a metaphor for how we perceive ourselves when we lose something that is part of our identity. This loss can be a physical loss or an emotional one.
The tooth is also a metaphor for growth. The young boy grows emotionally and physically when he loses his tooth. He learns to adapt to his new reality and accept himself. This is a metaphor for the growth that we all experience throughout our lives. We learn to adapt to new situations and accept ourselves despite our flaws.
The Literary Devices
The poem uses literary devices to convey its themes and metaphors. The use of rhyme and rhythm creates a playful tone that adds to the humor of the poem. The use of repetition is also seen in the poem. The repetition of “I couldn’t talk a bit like dad” emphasizes the loss of identity that the young boy is experiencing. The repetition of “look at Ted, he’s lost his way” emphasizes the young boy’s feelings of inadequacy.
The use of imagery is also seen in the poem. The imagery of the young boy hiding his toothless smile under his hand creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind. This imagery emphasizes the young boy’s feelings of inadequacy and loss of identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service’s “The Front Tooth” is a masterpiece that explores the themes of loss, identity, and growth. The loss of the tooth is a metaphor for the loss of identity, and the tooth is also a metaphor for growth. The poem uses literary devices such as rhyme, repetition, and imagery to convey its themes and metaphors. This poem is a reminder of the importance of accepting ourselves and adapting to change. It is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Front Tooth: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's a Canadian poet who's known for his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing. One of his most famous poems is "The Front Tooth," which tells the story of a man who loses his front tooth and the impact it has on his life. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the moment when he lost his front tooth. He says, "I lost a front tooth, and my smile's not the same; / It's a small thing, but oh! it's a sorrowful shame." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of loss and regret. The speaker is mourning the loss of his tooth, which may seem like a small thing, but has a significant impact on his life.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the various ways in which his missing tooth affects him. He says, "I can't whistle or sing, and I lisp when I talk; / And I'm shy of my mouth when I smile or I gawk." These lines highlight the physical limitations that come with losing a tooth. The speaker can no longer do things that he used to take for granted, like whistling or singing. He's also self-conscious about his appearance, which affects his confidence and social interactions.
However, the poem is not just about the physical effects of losing a tooth. It's also about the emotional impact that it has on the speaker. He says, "It's a queer sort of loss, and it hurts more than most; / For it's human, and that's what I'm feeling, I s'pose." These lines suggest that the speaker's loss is not just about the tooth itself, but about what it represents. The tooth is a symbol of his humanity, and losing it makes him feel less human.
The poem also explores the theme of aging and mortality. The speaker says, "It's a sign that I'm old, and I'm going downhill; / And I'm sorry to say that I'm losing my skill." These lines suggest that the loss of the tooth is a sign of the speaker's aging and decline. He's no longer as skilled or capable as he used to be, and this realization is difficult for him to accept.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his emotions. For example, he says, "It's a gap in my grin, and it's more than that too; / It's a gap in my life, and I'm feeling it through." This metaphorical language helps to convey the depth of the speaker's loss and the impact it has on his life.
In addition to its themes and symbolism, "The Front Tooth" is also notable for its use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in a simple, sing-song style that makes it easy to read and remember. This style is characteristic of Robert Service's poetry, which is known for its accessibility and popularity.
In conclusion, "The Front Tooth" is a classic poem that explores the themes of loss, aging, and mortality. Through its vivid imagery and metaphorical language, it conveys the emotional impact that losing a tooth can have on a person's life. Whether you're a fan of poetry or not, this poem is sure to resonate with anyone who's experienced a loss or setback in their life. So the next time you're feeling down about something, remember the words of Robert Service: "It's a small thing, but oh! it's a sorrowful shame."
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