'My Dentist' by Robert Service
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Sitting in the dentist's chair,
Wishing that I wasn't there,
To forget and pass the time
I have made this bit of rhyme.
I had a rendez-vous at ten;
I rushed to get in line,
But found a lot of dames and men
Had waited there since nine;
I stared at them, then in an hour
Was blandly ushered in;
But though my face was grim and sour
He met me with a grin.
He told me of his horse of blood,
And how it "also ran",
He plans to own a racing stud -
(He seems a wealthy man.)
And then he left me there until
I growled: "At any rate,
I hope he'll not charge in his bill
For all the time I wait."
His wife has sables on her back,
With jewels she's ablaze;
She drives a stately Cadillac,
And I'm the mug who pays:
At least I'm one of those who peer
With pessimistic gloom
At magazines of yester-year
In his damn waiting room.
I am a Christian Scientist;
I don't believe in pain;
My dentist had a powerful wrist,
He tries and tries in vain
To make me grunt or groan or squeal
With probe or rasp or drill. . . .
But oh, what agony I feel
When HE PRESENTS HIS BILL!
Sitting in the dental chair,
Don't you wish you weren't there:
Well, your cup of woe to fill,
Just think of his infernal bill.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Dentist: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, My Dentist! What a wonderful poem by Robert Service. From the title itself, readers can already guess what to expect in this work. But as we delve deeper into the lines, we will discover that there is a lot more than just a visit to a dentist's office.
The Poem's Setting
The poem is set in a dentist's office. Service starts with descriptions of the location, the waiting room, and the dental chair. He writes, "In the dentist's chair / We sat--a bored and woebegone pair." Such a powerful opening line that sets the tone of the poem, indicating that they are not looking forward to the procedure.
The Poem's Structure
The poem is divided into five stanzas, with four lines in each. The rhyme scheme is AABB, giving the poem a sing-song quality that makes it easy to read and remember. The structure also adds to the poem's lighthearted mood, making it less intimidating to read.
The Poem's Themes
The poem has several themes, including fear, pain, and the importance of dental hygiene. The author shows us the fear of the dentist through the use of imagery and descriptive language. For example, he describes the sound of the drill as a "devilish din." He also talks about the pain of the procedure, such as when the dentist "prodded and poked and scraped."
Service also emphasizes the importance of dental hygiene. He writes, "You'll pay the price if you neglect, / And when you're old and quite gray, / You'll grumble and sigh and reflect, / And wish you had acted today." This statement is a reminder that we should take care of our teeth, or else we will pay the price in the future.
The Poem's Tone
The poem's tone is lighthearted and humorous. Service takes a topic that is often associated with fear and anxiety and turns it into a poem that is easy to read and enjoyable. He uses humor to lighten the mood and make the reader feel more at ease with the procedure. For example, he writes, "Oh, the woe of the toothful hour! / Oh, the yawn and the droop and the cower!" The use of the word "woe" adds a touch of drama, but the overall tone of the poem is still light and humorous.
The Poem's Imagery
The imagery in the poem is vivid and descriptive. Service uses words that create visual images in the reader's mind. For example, he describes the dentist's tools as "a shining array of steel." He also uses sounds to create a sensory experience, such as when he writes, "The drill made a devilish din."
The Poem's Symbolism
The tooth is a symbol in the poem. It represents something that we often take for granted but that is essential to our well-being. The tooth also represents the consequences of neglect. If we do not take care of our teeth, we will pay the price in the future.
The Poem's Irony
The poem has a touch of irony. The two characters in the poem are described as being "bored and woebegone." This is ironic because they are in the dentist's office, which is supposed to be a place of healing. The author also writes, "And we said in a mournful tone, / `To think we were once full-grown!'" This statement is ironic because they are still full-grown, but they are acting like children in the dentist's office.
The Poem's Humor
The humor in the poem is what makes it so enjoyable to read. Service uses humorous descriptions of the characters' behavior and thoughts. For example, he writes, "And we thought with a deep regret / Of the days when our teeth were set / And the fates seemed kind, and yet / We were not grateful, I'll bet." The use of the word "bet" is humorous and adds a touch of lightheartedness to the poem.
The Poem's Message
The message of the poem is clear: take care of your teeth. Service uses humor to convey this message, making it easier to remember. The poem also serves as a reminder that the dentist's office is not as scary as we often think it is.
Conclusion
In conclusion, My Dentist by Robert Service is a humorous and lighthearted poem that takes a topic often associated with fear and anxiety and turns it into an enjoyable read. Service's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, irony, and humor all contribute to the poem's overall message of taking care of our teeth. So next time you visit your dentist, remember this poem and try to find the humor in the situation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Dentist: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you have ever had a fear of going to the dentist, then Robert Service’s classic poem, “My Dentist,” will definitely resonate with you. This humorous and relatable poem tells the story of a man who is terrified of going to the dentist, but eventually musters up the courage to face his fears. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his fear of the dentist, stating that he would rather face a charging bull or a raging fire than go to the dentist. This sets the tone for the poem and immediately establishes the speaker’s anxiety and trepidation. The use of hyperbole in this opening stanza emphasizes the speaker’s fear and adds a comedic element to the poem.
The second stanza introduces the dentist, who is described as a “tall, gaunt man” with a “cold, grey eye.” This description creates a sense of unease and discomfort, further adding to the speaker’s fear. The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly effective, as it allows the reader to visualize the dentist and feel the same sense of apprehension as the speaker.
The third stanza describes the speaker’s experience in the dentist’s chair, where he is subjected to a series of painful procedures. The use of onomatopoeia in this stanza, such as “grind” and “drill,” creates a sense of discomfort and adds to the overall tone of the poem. The repetition of the phrase “Oh, how it hurts!” emphasizes the speaker’s pain and reinforces his fear of the dentist.
The fourth stanza introduces a twist in the poem, as the speaker suddenly realizes that the dentist is in fact a kind and gentle man. This realization is brought about by the dentist’s soothing words and gentle touch, which calm the speaker’s nerves and alleviate his pain. The use of irony in this stanza is particularly effective, as it subverts the reader’s expectations and adds a surprising element to the poem.
The fifth and final stanza concludes the poem with the speaker expressing his newfound appreciation for the dentist. He states that he will no longer fear going to the dentist, as he now knows that the dentist is a kind and caring individual. This resolution provides a satisfying ending to the poem and reinforces the theme of overcoming fear.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. This structure creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which adds to the overall readability of the poem. The use of rhyme and repetition also adds to the poem’s musicality, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several techniques to convey its themes and emotions. The use of hyperbole, imagery, onomatopoeia, and irony have already been mentioned, but the poem also makes use of alliteration, assonance, and personification. These devices add depth and complexity to the poem, making it a rich and rewarding piece of literature.
Overall, “My Dentist” is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes of fear, courage, and overcoming adversity are universal and relatable, making it a poem that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The poem’s structure and literary devices add to its appeal, making it a pleasure to read and analyze. So, the next time you find yourself dreading a trip to the dentist, just remember the words of Robert Service: “The dentist’s done me good, I vow; / I’ll never fear him more.”
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