'The Sightless Man' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Out of the night a crash,
A roar, a rampart of light;
A flame that leaped like a lash,
Searing forever my sight;
Out of the night a flash,
Then, oh, forever the Night!
Here in the dark I sit,
I who so loved the sun;
Supple and strong and fit,
In the dark till my days be done;
Aye, that's the hell of it,
Stalwart and twenty-one.
Marie is stanch and true,
Willing to be my wife;
Swears she has eyes for two . . .
Aye, but it's long, is Life.
What is a lad to do
With his heart and his brain at strife?
There now, my pipe is out;
No one to give me a light;
I grope and I grope about.
Well, it is nearly night;
Sleep may resolve my doubt,
Help me to reason right. . . .
(He sleeps and dreams.)
I heard them whispering there by the bed . . .
Oh, but the ears of the blind are quick!
Every treacherous word they said
Was a stab of pain and my heart turned sick.
Then lip met lip and they looked at me,
Sitting bent by the fallen fire,
And they laughed to think that I couldn't see;
But I felt the flame of their hot desire.
He's helping Marie to work the farm,
A dashing, upstanding chap, they say;
And look at me with my flabby arm,
And the fat of sloth, and my face of clay --
Look at me as I sit and sit,
By the side of a fire that's seldom lit,
Sagging and weary the livelong day,
When every one else is out on the field,
Sowing the seed for a golden yield,
Or tossing around the new-mown hay. . . .
Oh, the shimmering wheat that frets the sky,
Gold of plenty and blue of hope,
I'm seeing it all with an inner eye
As out of the door I grope and grope.
And I hear my wife and her lover there,
Whispering, whispering, round the rick,
Mocking me and my sightless stare,
As I fumble and stumble everywhere,
Slapping and tapping with my stick;
Old and weary at thirty-one,
Heartsick, wishing it all was done.
Oh, I'll tap my way around to the byre,
And I'll hear the cows as they chew their hay;
There at least there is none to tire,
There at least I am not in the way.
And they'll look at me with their velvet eyes
And I'll stroke their flanks with my woman's hand,
And they'll answer to me with soft replies,
And somehow I fancy they'll understand.
And the horses too, they know me well;
I'm sure that they pity my wretched lot,
And the big fat ram with the jingling bell . . .
Oh, the beasts are the only friends I've got.
And my old dog, too, he loves me more,
I think, than ever he did before.
Thank God for the beasts that are all so kind,
That know and pity the helpless blind!
Ha! they're coming, the loving pair.
My hand's a-shake as my pipe I fill.
What if I steal on them unaware
With a reaping-hook, to kill, to kill? . . .
I'll do it . . . they're there in the mow of hay,
I hear them saying: "He's out of the way!"
Hark! how they're kissing and whispering. . . .
Closer I creep . . . I crouch . . . I spring. . . .
(He wakes.)
Ugh! What a horrible dream I've had!
And it isn't real . . . I'm glad, I'm glad!
Marie is good and Marie is true . . .
But now I know what it's best to do.
I'll sell the farm and I'll seek my kind,
I'll live apart with my fellow-blind,
And we'll eat and drink, and we'll laugh and joke,
And we'll talk of our battles, and smoke and smoke;
And brushes of bristle we'll make for sale,
While one of us reads a book of Braille.
And there will be music and dancing too,
And we'll seek to fashion our life anew;
And we'll walk the highways hand in hand,
The Brotherhood of the Sightless Band;
Till the years at last shall bring respite
And our night is lost in the Greater Night.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sightless Man: A Literary Criticism
The Sightless Man is a classic poem written by Robert Service, one of the most famous poets of the 20th century. The poem tells the story of a blind man who wanders through the city, asking for help and guidance from strangers.
At first glance, The Sightless Man appears to be a simple poem about the struggles of a blind man. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a deeper meaning about the human condition, the importance of empathy, and the power of kindness.
The Poet's Use of Imagery
One of the most striking features of The Sightless Man is the poet's use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Service paints a vivid picture of the blind man and his surroundings, using sensory details to create a powerful and emotional experience for the reader.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Service describes the blind man's appearance:
He had a cane and dark glasses;
Thick socks and shuffling shoes;
And he was hunched and groping,
As blind men often choose.
These lines immediately establish the physical appearance of the blind man, but they also convey a sense of his vulnerability and isolation. The image of the blind man shuffling along, hunched over and groping for his way, evokes a feeling of sadness and pity.
Later in the poem, Service uses imagery to describe the reactions of the people who encounter the blind man:
And some there were who scowled at him,
And some who looked askance;
And some who turned their faces,
And gave him a wide berth chance.
These lines create a powerful contrast with the earlier image of the blind man. While the blind man himself is depicted as vulnerable and helpless, the people around him are portrayed as callous and indifferent. The image of people scowling and turning away from the blind man is a powerful commentary on the human condition, highlighting our tendency to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
The Theme of Empathy
At its core, The Sightless Man is a poem about empathy, or the lack thereof. Service uses the blind man as a symbol for all those who are marginalized and ignored in society, and the reactions of the people around him as a commentary on our collective failure to empathize with those who are different from us.
This theme is most clearly expressed in the following lines:
O it's easy to be laughing
When the world goes full of song,
But it's hard to face the music
When your neighbour's doing wrong.
In these lines, Service highlights the hypocrisy of those who turn away from the blind man. It is easy to laugh and enjoy life when everything is going well, but it is much harder to face the reality of suffering and injustice.
The poem suggests that true empathy requires us to confront the suffering of others, even when it is uncomfortable or inconvenient. The blind man is a reminder that we all have the capacity to suffer, and that we have a moral obligation to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
The Power of Kindness
Despite its dark themes, The Sightless Man is ultimately a hopeful poem. Service reminds us that even in the face of indifference and cruelty, there is still the potential for kindness and compassion.
This is most evident in the final stanza of the poem:
But there were some who smiled at him,
And one who took his arm;
And they led him gently, kindly,
Through the city's loud alarm.
In these lines, Service highlights the power of small acts of kindness. The people who smile at the blind man and offer him assistance may not be able to fix all of his problems, but their kindness makes a real difference in his life.
The final image of the blind man being led "gently, kindly" through the city's chaos is a powerful symbol of hope. It suggests that even in the darkest moments, there is still the potential for human connection and empathy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Sightless Man is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful themes, the poem invites the reader to consider their own capacity for empathy and kindness, and to reflect on the ways in which they can make a difference in the lives of those around them.
As we navigate an increasingly complex and divided world, The Sightless Man is a reminder that the power of human connection and kindness can overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sightless Man: A Poem of Hope and Resilience
Robert Service’s poem, The Sightless Man, is a powerful and moving piece that tells the story of a blind man who refuses to let his disability define him. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Service captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of determination in the face of adversity. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in this classic poem, and how they contribute to its enduring appeal.
The poem begins with a description of the sightless man, who is sitting alone in a park, listening to the sounds of nature around him. Service paints a vivid picture of the man’s surroundings, using sensory language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. We can hear the “whisper of leaves” and the “twitter of birds,” and feel the “warmth of the sun” on our skin. This attention to detail draws us into the scene and helps us to empathize with the man’s experience.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about the man’s life and his attitude towards his disability. He is not bitter or resentful, but rather accepts his blindness as a fact of life. He does not dwell on what he cannot do, but instead focuses on what he can do. He listens to the world around him, and in doing so, discovers a new way of seeing. He hears the “sigh of the wind” and the “murmur of streams,” and in his mind’s eye, he can picture the beauty of nature.
This theme of finding beauty in unexpected places is a recurring motif in the poem. The man may be blind, but he is not without vision. He sees the world in a different way, and in doing so, he discovers a new kind of beauty. This is evident in the lines, “He sees the dawn with his inward eyes, / Its golden glimmer, its roseate skies.” The man’s ability to see the beauty in the world around him, despite his disability, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of hope. Despite his blindness, the man remains hopeful and optimistic about the future. He does not give up on life, but instead embraces it with open arms. He is not afraid to take risks or try new things, as evidenced by his willingness to “venture his all on a single throw” in the game of life. This sense of hope and optimism is contagious, and it inspires us to see the world in a more positive light.
Service also uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem’s impact. One of the most notable is the use of repetition. The phrase “he sees” is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the man’s ability to see the world in a different way. This repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, drawing the reader along with the man’s journey.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Service uses vivid and descriptive language to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. We can feel the “soft caress of the breeze” and hear the “whisper of leaves.” This attention to detail helps to immerse us in the man’s world and makes his experience more tangible.
Finally, the poem’s structure is also worth noting. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a distinct tone and mood. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the man, while the second and third stanzas delve deeper into his character and attitude towards life. The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with a sense of hope and optimism for the future.
In conclusion, The Sightless Man is a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Robert Service captures the essence of hope and optimism in the face of adversity. The man may be blind, but he is not without vision. He sees the world in a different way, and in doing so, discovers a new kind of beauty. This poem is a testament to the power of determination and the enduring human spirit, and it continues to inspire readers to this day.
Editor Recommended Sites
Dev Curate - Curated Dev resources from the best software / ML engineers: Curated AI, Dev, and language model resourcesML Ethics: Machine learning ethics: Guides on managing ML model bias, explanability for medical and insurance use cases, dangers of ML model bias in gender, orientation and dismorphia terms
Hands On Lab: Hands on Cloud and Software engineering labs
Gan Art: GAN art guide
LLM Finetuning: Language model fine LLM tuning, llama / alpaca fine tuning, enterprise fine tuning for health care LLMs
Recommended Similar Analysis
An Arundel Tomb by Philip Larkin analysisMy Pretty Rose Tree by William Blake analysis
Bride of Abydos, The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
The Coming Of Wisdom With Time by William Butler Yeats analysis
The Hill Wife by Robert Frost analysis
Saul by Robert Browning analysis
Portrait of a Lady by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
My Butterfly by Robert Lee Frost analysis
The Human Seasons by John Keats analysis
Ode To Autumn by John Keats analysis