'Room Ghost' by Robert Service
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Though elegance I ill afford,
My living-room is green and gold;
The former tenant was a lord
Who died of drinking, I am told.
I fancy he was rather bored;
I don't think he was over old.
And where on books I dully browse,
And gaze in rapture at the sea,
My predecessor world carouse
In lavish infidelity
With ladies amoral as cows;
But interesting, you'll agree.
I'm dull as water in a ditch,
Making these silly bits of rhyme;
My Lord, I'm told, was passing rich
And must have has a lovely time;
With champagne and a pretty bitch
No need to heed the church-bell chime.
My living-room is marble floored,
And on its ceiling cherubs play;
But like my lord I'm often bored
And put my sullen books away;
And though my people say I snored,
I dream of indiscretions gay.
And often in the niggard night,
When sweet sleep I fail to drown,
I seem to see that noble sprite
In monocle and dressing-gown:
A glass of brandy to the light
He holds and winks and drinks it down.
When life's so beautifully planned,
Dear reader, can you understand
Why men should die be their own hand?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Room Ghost: A Haunting Poem by Robert Service
Are you ready for a thrill? Do you want to experience the chills and spine-tingling sensations of a classic ghost story? Look no further than Robert Service's "Room Ghost," a poem that delves into the haunted history of a forgotten room in a grand old house.
This 20-stanza poem is a tour de force of supernatural storytelling, filled with vivid imagery, eerie foreshadowing, and a chilling climax that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. But what makes "Room Ghost" such a compelling work of literature? Let's dive in and explore the themes, symbols, and literary techniques that Service employs to create such a haunting masterpiece.
The Setting
First, let's take a closer look at the setting of the poem. Service begins by describing a grand old house with "battered doors and paintless walls" that has seen better days. The house is filled with strange antiques and oddities, including a room that has been locked up and forgotten for decades. This room serves as the central focus of the poem, as it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who died there many years ago.
The setting of the poem is crucial to its overall effect. Service paints a picture of a decaying, forgotten mansion that is both fascinating and unsettling. The descriptions of the odd trinkets and forgotten rooms create a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the dilapidated state of the house evokes a feeling of unease and foreboding.
The Ghost
Of course, the most important element of the poem is the ghost herself. Service describes her as a "wraith-like woman" with "hair like silver" and "eyes of blight." She is said to be trapped in the forgotten room, unable to find peace in death.
The ghost serves as a symbol of the past, haunting the present and refusing to let go. She represents the regrets, traumas, and secrets that are often hidden away in forgotten corners of our lives. The fact that she is a woman adds another layer of meaning to the poem, as women have historically been silenced and marginalized in society. The ghost's inability to move on suggests the importance of acknowledging and confronting these hidden histories.
The Narrator
The narrator of the poem is never explicitly identified, but he is clearly fascinated by the ghost and the forgotten room. He describes himself as a "curious wight" who longs to explore the secrets of the old house. He is not afraid of the ghost, but rather is drawn to her and the mystery that surrounds her.
The narrator serves as the reader's guide through the world of the poem. His curiosity and sense of adventure mirror our own, as we too are drawn into the haunting world of the forgotten room. However, his lack of fear also underscores the danger of the situation. The fact that he is not afraid of the ghost suggests that he is either brave or foolish, and the reader is left unsure which is the case.
The Climax
The climax of the poem is when the ghost finally makes her presence known. The narrator unlocks the door to the forgotten room and enters, only to find the ghost waiting for him. She speaks to him in a haunting, otherworldly voice, telling him to "go and nevermore return."
This moment is the culmination of the tension that has been building throughout the poem. The reader, like the narrator, is left wondering what will happen when the forgotten room is finally opened. The fact that the ghost speaks in a voice that is not quite human adds to the sense of unease and otherness. The reader is left with the feeling that they have witnessed something truly supernatural.
Themes
So what are the themes of "Room Ghost?" At its core, the poem is about the power of the past to haunt the present. The forgotten room, with its ghostly inhabitant, represents the traumas and regrets that we try to bury and forget. However, just like the ghost, these things have a way of resurfacing, refusing to be silenced.
The poem also touches on the theme of curiosity and the danger that comes with it. The narrator's desire to explore the secrets of the old house leads him into a potentially dangerous situation. This suggests that there is a price to be paid for our desire to uncover the unknown.
Literary Techniques
Service employs a number of literary techniques to create the haunting atmosphere of "Room Ghost." First, there is the use of vivid imagery. The descriptions of the grand old house and its oddities create a sense of place and intrigue. The ghost herself is described in chilling detail, with her silver hair and blighted eyes.
There is also the use of foreshadowing. From the very beginning of the poem, the reader is given hints that something supernatural is at work. The descriptions of the forgotten room and the ghostly woman create a sense of unease that only grows as the poem progresses.
Finally, there is the use of symbolism. The forgotten room represents the hidden traumas and regrets of the past, while the ghost represents the power of those things to haunt us in the present. The fact that she is a woman adds another layer of meaning to the poem, suggesting the importance of acknowledging and confronting the hidden histories of marginalized groups.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Room Ghost" is a haunting and powerful work of poetry that explores the themes of the past, curiosity, and the supernatural. Through vivid imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism, Robert Service creates a world that is both fascinating and terrifying. The forgotten room and its ghostly inhabitant will stay with the reader long after the poem has ended, a testament to the enduring power of the supernatural in literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Room Ghost: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a renowned poet known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems, Room Ghost, is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and imagery to understand its deeper meaning.
Structure
Room Ghost is a free verse poem that consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple, yet effective, as it allows the reader to focus on the poem's content and message. The poem's brevity also adds to its impact, as each line is carefully crafted to convey a specific emotion or idea.
Language
Service's use of language in Room Ghost is both evocative and poignant. The poem's opening line, "I am the ghost of the room you never enter," immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "ghost" creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, while the phrase "the room you never enter" suggests a sense of loss and longing.
Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes how "The dust lies thick upon the chairs / And on the table's polished face." This image of dust and neglect creates a sense of abandonment and decay, which is further emphasized in the following lines: "The spider weaves her silver lace / And moth-wings flutter in the space."
The use of personification is also prevalent in the poem, as Service imbues inanimate objects with human qualities. For example, in the third stanza, the speaker describes how "The clock ticks on with steady beat / And seems to say, 'Too late, too late.'" The personification of the clock creates a sense of urgency and finality, as if time is running out for the speaker.
Imagery
Service's use of imagery in Room Ghost is both vivid and haunting. The poem's central image is that of the "ghost of the room," which represents the speaker's memories and emotions. The image of the ghost is both eerie and poignant, as it suggests that the speaker is haunted by the past.
Throughout the poem, Service uses imagery to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. For example, in the fourth stanza, the speaker describes how "The firelight flickers on the wall / And shadows dance upon the floor." This image of the firelight and shadows creates a sense of warmth and comfort, which is contrasted with the speaker's sense of loss and loneliness.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Service uses imagery to convey the speaker's acceptance of their situation. The lines "I am the ghost of the room you never enter / And yet I am content to stay / For in my heart there is a center / That cannot fade away" suggest that the speaker has found solace in their memories, even if they are painful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Room Ghost is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. Service's use of language and imagery is both evocative and poignant, as he creates a sense of nostalgia and longing that is both eerie and comforting. The poem's brevity and simplicity add to its impact, as each line is carefully crafted to convey a specific emotion or idea. Overall, Room Ghost is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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