'The Sum-Up' by Robert Service
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It is not power and fame
That make success;
It is not rank or name
Rate happiness.
It is not honour due
Nor pile of pelf:
The pay-off is: Did you
Enjoy yourself?
A pal of days gone by
I reckon more
Of a success than I
Who've gold in store
His life, though none too long,
Was never dull:
Of woman, wine and song
Bill had his full.
Friend, you are a success
If you can say:
"A heap of happiness
Has come my way.
No cheers have made me glad,
No wealth I've won;
But oh how I have had
A heap of FUN!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sum-Up: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry
When it comes to narrative poetry, Robert Service is a name that cannot be ignored. The Sum-Up is one of his most celebrated works, and for good reason. This 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation aims to delve into the themes, imagery, and structure of this classic poem and to demonstrate why it is a masterpiece of narrative poetry.
Overview of The Sum-Up
The Sum-Up is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man named Bill, who is a typical rough and tumble cowboy. The poem begins with Bill's death and his journey to the afterlife. From there, the poem takes a nostalgic turn and recounts Bill's life story, starting from his childhood and upbringing to his adventurous cowboy life. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a steady rhythm that mimics the galloping of a horse. The language is simple and straightforward, but the imagery is vivid and evocative.
Themes in The Sum-Up
The Sum-Up explores several themes that are central to the human experience. One of the main themes of the poem is the inevitability of death. The poem begins with Bill's death and his journey to the afterlife, where he is met by Saint Peter. The poem shows how death is an inevitable part of life, and that eventually, we will all meet our end.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of living life to the fullest. Bill is portrayed as someone who lived life on his own terms, taking risks and enjoying all that life had to offer. The poem suggests that life is short, and we should make the most of every moment.
The poem also explores the theme of nostalgia. As Bill's life story is recounted, the poem takes on a nostalgic tone, evoking a sense of longing for a simpler time. The poem suggests that there is something special about the past, and that we should cherish our memories.
Imagery in The Sum-Up
One of the most striking aspects of The Sum-Up is its use of vivid imagery. The poem is full of evocative descriptions that bring the story to life. For example, when Bill is first introduced, the poem describes him as "a dust-brown cowboy with a leathery face". This description immediately conjures up an image of a rugged, weathered cowboy.
The poem is also full of imagery related to the natural world. There are several references to horses, cattle, and the open prairie. This imagery helps to create a sense of the wild and untamed nature of Bill's life.
Another striking use of imagery in the poem is the portrayal of Saint Peter. Instead of being portrayed as a traditional religious figure, Saint Peter is depicted as a cowboy, complete with boots and spurs. This image adds a touch of humor to the poem and helps to make it more accessible to a wider audience.
Structure of The Sum-Up
The Sum-Up is structured as a narrative poem, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The poem starts with Bill's death and his journey to the afterlife, and then moves on to recount his life story. The narrative is presented in a linear fashion, with each stanza building on the last to tell a cohesive story.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a steady rhythm that mimics the galloping of a horse. This structure helps to create a sense of momentum and movement, as the story progresses from one stanza to the next.
Interpretation of The Sum-Up
At its core, The Sum-Up is a poem about the human experience. It explores universal themes like life, death, and the passage of time, and does so in a way that is both accessible and relatable.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the cowboy lifestyle. Bill is portrayed as someone who lives life on his own terms, taking risks and enjoying all that life has to offer. The poem suggests that there is something special about the cowboy way of life, and that we should all strive to live with the same level of freedom and courage.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the passage of time. The poem takes on a nostalgic tone as it recounts Bill's life story, suggesting that there is something special about the past. The poem suggests that we should cherish our memories and hold onto the things that make life worth living.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Sum-Up is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that explores universal themes like life, death, and the passage of time. The poem's use of vivid imagery and clear narrative structure help to bring the story to life, while its simple language and accessible tone make it a poem that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply someone who loves a good story, The Sum-Up is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sum-Up: A Poem of Life's Lessons
Robert Service's poem, The Sum-Up, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of life's lessons in a few short stanzas. The poem is a reflection on the journey of life, the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, and the ultimate realization that all that matters in the end is how we lived our lives. 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 speaker reflecting on his life and the lessons he has learned along the way. He says, "I have studied many times / The marble which was chiseled for me-- / A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor." The marble represents the speaker's life, and the boat with a furled sail represents the end of his journey. The harbor is a place of rest and reflection, where the speaker can look back on his life and take stock of what he has learned.
The first lesson the speaker learned is that life is short and fleeting. He says, "In truth it pictures not my destination / But my life's voyage." The speaker realizes that the journey is more important than the destination. It is not where we end up that matters, but how we got there. The journey is what shapes us and makes us who we are.
The second lesson the speaker learned is that life is full of surprises. He says, "For love was offered me and I shrank from its disillusionment; / Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid." The speaker realizes that he missed out on love and the opportunity to experience sorrow because he was afraid of being hurt. He understands that life is full of risks and that we must be willing to take them if we want to truly live.
The third lesson the speaker learned is that life is a journey of self-discovery. He says, "Now I know / That we must lift the sail / And catch the winds of destiny / Wherever they drive the boat." The speaker understands that we must be open to new experiences and be willing to take risks if we want to discover who we truly are. We must be willing to let go of our fears and embrace the unknown.
The fourth lesson the speaker learned is that life is about making choices. He says, "But life without meaning is the torture / Of restlessness and vague desire-- / It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid." The speaker understands that we must make choices in life, and that those choices will shape our destiny. We must choose to live a life of meaning and purpose, or we will be left with a sense of restlessness and longing.
The fifth and final lesson the speaker learned is that life is about living in the moment. He says, "It is the strife of life forevermore, / Forevermore the weeping and the laughter, / Forevermore the struggle and the bore, / But I must sail and sail." The speaker understands that life is full of struggles and challenges, but that we must embrace them and live in the moment. We must enjoy the laughter and the tears, the struggles and the joys, and make the most of every moment.
The imagery used in the poem is powerful and evocative. The boat with a furled sail represents the end of the speaker's journey, while the harbor represents a place of rest and reflection. The winds of destiny represent the unknown and the risks we must take in life. The sea represents the journey of life, with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows.
The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also poetic and lyrical. The use of repetition, such as "forevermore," creates a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in. The use of metaphors, such as the boat and the sea, creates a sense of depth and meaning that resonates with the reader.
In conclusion, The Sum-Up is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of life's lessons. The poem reminds us that life is short and fleeting, and that we must make the most of every moment. It reminds us that life is full of surprises, and that we must be willing to take risks if we want to truly live. It reminds us that life is a journey of self-discovery, and that we must be open to new experiences if we want to discover who we truly are. And it reminds us that life is about living in the moment, and that we must embrace the struggles and joys of life and make the most of every moment.
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