'The Pretty Lady' by Robert Service
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He asked the lady in the train
If he might smoke: she smiled consent.
So lighting his cigar and fain
To talk he puffed away content,
Reflecting: how delightful are
Fair dame and fine cigar.
Then from his bulging wallet he
A photograph with pride displayed,
His charming wife and children three,
When suddenly he was dismayed
To hear her say: 'These notes you've got,--
I want the lot.'
He scarcely could believe his ears.
He laughed: 'The money isn't mine.
To pay it back would take me years,
And so politely I decline.
Madame, I think you speak in fun:
Have you a gun?'
She smiled. 'No weapon have I got,
Only my virtue, but I swear
If you don't hand me out the lot
I'll rip my blouse, let down my hair,
Denounce you as a fiend accurst . . .'
He told her: 'Do your worst.'
She did. Her silken gown she tore,
Let down her locks and pulled the cord
That stopped the train, and from the floor
She greeted engineer and guard:
'I fought and fought in vain,' she cried.
'Save me,--I'm terrified!'
The man was calm; he stood aloof.
Said he: 'Her game you understand;
But if you doubt, behold the proof
Of innocence is in my hand.'
And as they stared into the car
They saw his logic in a flash . . .
Aloft he held a lit cigar
With two inches of ash.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Pretty Lady by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you in search of a poem that will transport you to a different time and place? Look no further than Robert Service's "The Pretty Lady." With its vivid imagery and engaging narrative, this poem captures the essence of a bygone era and offers a commentary on the human condition that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written almost a century ago.
Background
Robert Service was a prolific poet and writer best known for his work on the Klondike Gold Rush. Born in England in 1874, he moved to Canada as a young man and spent several years working as a banker before devoting himself to writing full-time. His poems and stories were hugely popular in the early 20th century and continue to be read and admired to this day.
"The Pretty Lady" was first published in 1912 as part of Service's collection "Rhymes of a Rolling Stone." It tells the story of a young man who becomes infatuated with a beautiful woman he sees on the street, only to realize that she is a prostitute. The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery, its portrayal of the seedy underbelly of urban life, and its exploration of themes such as love, desire, and disillusionment.
Analysis
The poem opens with the speaker describing the titular pretty lady in glowing terms: "She's all my fancy painted her, she's lovely, she is light, / She waltzes on the waves by day and rests with me at night." The use of romantic language such as "fancy" and "lovely" creates an idealized image of the woman in the reader's mind, and the use of the first-person point of view makes the speaker feel like a reliable narrator.
However, as the poem progresses, the speaker's admiration for the pretty lady begins to wane. He describes her as "sick at heart and weary" and notes that "her beauty was a tawdry dress / That covers up a soul that's dreary." The contrast between the woman's outward appearance and her inner turmoil is a powerful commentary on the ways in which society often values surface-level beauty over deeper qualities such as kindness and compassion.
The poem also offers a critique of the commodification of women's bodies. The speaker notes that the pretty lady "sells her laughter for her bread" and "sells her kisses for her dress." These lines suggest that the woman is trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation, forced to use her body as a means of survival in a world that offers her few other options.
Despite these darker themes, the poem also contains moments of beauty and tenderness. The final stanza, in which the speaker realizes that he loves the pretty lady despite her flaws, is particularly moving. "And though she spat upon my love and never made pretence, / I think I blindly worshipped her, and craved a recompense." This sense of unrequited love and longing is a universal human experience, and it is this emotional depth that makes "The Pretty Lady" such a powerful poem.
Interpretation
At its core, "The Pretty Lady" is a poem about the perils of idealizing women and the ways in which men often project their own desires and fantasies onto them. The speaker's initial infatuation with the pretty lady is based solely on her physical appearance, and he is forced to confront the reality of her situation when he discovers that she is a prostitute. This realization shatters his idealized image of her and forces him to confront his own naivete and ignorance.
The poem can also be read as a critique of the ways in which society treats women who are marginalized or vulnerable. The pretty lady is forced to sell her body in order to survive, and the speaker's initial admiration for her beauty ignores the harsh realities of her situation. By the end of the poem, however, the speaker has come to see the pretty lady as a complex and flawed human being, rather than an object of desire.
Finally, "The Pretty Lady" can be seen as a meditation on the nature of love and desire. The speaker is drawn to the pretty lady despite her flaws and imperfections, and his longing for her is a testament to the power of human emotion. However, the poem also suggests that love and desire can be misguided and even destructive, particularly when they are based solely on physical appearance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Pretty Lady" is a beautifully crafted poem that offers a powerful commentary on the human condition. Through its vivid imagery, engaging narrative, and complex themes, the poem explores the perils of idealizing women, the commodification of bodies, and the nature of love and desire. It is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a poet that the poem remains as relevant and compelling today as it was when it was first written almost a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Pretty Lady: A Poem of Love and Loss
Robert Service's "The Pretty Lady" is a classic poem that tells the story of a young man's love for a beautiful woman and the tragic end to their relationship. The poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of beauty.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the titular "pretty lady," who is the object of his affection. He describes her beauty in vivid detail, using language that is both poetic and romantic. He speaks of her "lips like cherries" and her "hair like golden corn," painting a picture of a woman who is both stunning and alluring.
As the poem progresses, the narrator reveals that he is deeply in love with the pretty lady, but that their relationship is not meant to be. He speaks of the "gulf" that separates them, suggesting that they come from different worlds and that their love is doomed from the start.
Despite this, the narrator continues to pine for the pretty lady, describing how he longs to be with her and how he dreams of her at night. He speaks of the "magic" of their love, suggesting that it is something that transcends the boundaries of the physical world.
However, the poem takes a dark turn as the narrator reveals that the pretty lady has died. He speaks of his grief and his sense of loss, describing how he feels as though a part of him has died with her. He speaks of the "emptiness" that he feels, suggesting that his life is now devoid of meaning without her.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the fleeting nature of beauty and love. He speaks of how the pretty lady's beauty was like a "flower" that bloomed for a brief moment before withering away. He suggests that their love was similarly fleeting, and that it was never meant to last.
Overall, "The Pretty Lady" is a powerful exploration of the themes of love and loss. It speaks to the universal human experience of falling in love with someone who is ultimately unattainable, and of the pain that comes with losing someone we love. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and to the enduring nature of human emotion even in the face of tragedy.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Service's writing is both poetic and romantic, using vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the narrator's emotions. The use of language is particularly effective in the descriptions of the pretty lady, which are both beautiful and evocative.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its structure. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the narrator's relationship with the pretty lady. The structure of the poem helps to create a sense of progression, as the narrator's emotions evolve over time.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of the poem, however, is its exploration of the themes of love and loss. The poem speaks to the universal human experience of falling in love with someone who is ultimately unattainable, and of the pain that comes with losing someone we love. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and to the enduring nature of human emotion even in the face of tragedy.
In conclusion, "The Pretty Lady" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love and loss in a powerful and evocative way. The poem is a testament to the enduring nature of human emotion, and to the power of love even in the face of tragedy. With its beautiful language and powerful themes, "The Pretty Lady" is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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