'Trixie' by Robert Service


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Dogs have a sense beyond our ken -
At least my little Trixie had:
Tail-wagging when I laughed, and when
I sighed, eyes luminously sad.
And if I planned to go away,
She'd know, oh, days and days before:
Aye, dogs I think are sometimes fey,
They seem to sense our fate in store.

Now take the case of old Tome Low;
With flowers each week he'd call on me.
Dear Trixie used to love him so,
With joyous jump upon his knee.
Yet when he wandered in one day,
Her hair grew sudden stark with dread;
She growled, she howled, she ran away . . .
Well, ten hours later Tom was dead.

Aye, dogs hear sounds we cannot hear,
And dogs see sights we cannot see;
And that is why I took the fear
That one day she would glare at me
As if a Shape cowered on my bead,
And with each hair on end she'd creep
Beneath the couch and whine with dread . . .
And so I've had her put to sleep.

Now Trixie's gone, the only one
Who loved me in my lonely life,
And here I wait, my race nigh run,
My ill too grievous for the knife.
My hand of ice she'll never lick,
My heedless mask she'll never see:
No heartbreak - just a needle prick. . . .
Oh, Doctor, do the same for me!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Trixie: A Poem Analysis

Robert Service was a well-known poet of his time. His poems were known for their simplicity and vivid imagery. One of his famous poems is "Trixie," which talks about a dog that was loved dearly by its owner.

Background Information

Before delving into the analysis of the poem, it is essential to have some background information about the poet. As mentioned earlier, Robert Service was a renowned poet who had a unique way of telling stories. He was born in England in 1874 and moved to Canada as a young man. In Canada, he worked various jobs, including as a banker and a cowboy.

Service's poems were mostly about life in the Canadian wilderness and the people who lived there. His poems often had a humorous tone but also had a deep meaning behind them.

Poem Summary

"Trixie" is a poem about a dog that was loved by its owner. The poem begins by describing the dog's appearance. The dog is described as having a coat that was "wiry and rough" and eyes that were "piercing and bright."

The poem then goes on to describe how the dog was loved by its owner. The owner is described as being a "lonely soul" who found comfort in the dog's company. The dog is described as being loyal and always by its owner's side.

The poem then takes a turn when the owner dies. The dog is left alone and feels lost without its owner. The poem describes the dog's grief and how it howls at night. The dog is eventually taken in by a new owner, but it is clear that the dog will always miss its old owner.

Analysis

The poem "Trixie" is a simple yet powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and grief. The poem is written in a straightforward manner, with simple language that is easy to understand. However, the simplicity of the poem does not take away from its depth.

The poem begins by describing the appearance of the dog. The description of the dog's appearance is vivid and allows the reader to imagine what the dog looks like. The description of the dog's appearance also sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The dog's rough and wiry coat and piercing eyes suggest that the dog is strong and loyal.

The poem then goes on to describe how the dog was loved by its owner. The owner is described as being a "lonely soul" who found comfort in the dog's company. This description suggests that the owner was someone who was isolated and did not have many people in their life. The fact that the owner found comfort in the dog's company suggests that the dog was more than just a pet to the owner. The dog was a companion that provided comfort and companionship to the owner.

The poem then takes a turn when the owner dies. The dog is left alone and feels lost without its owner. The poem describes the dog's grief and how it howls at night. This description of the dog's grief is heartbreaking, and it allows the reader to feel empathy for the dog. The fact that the dog howls at night suggests that it is mourning its owner and is struggling to cope with its loss.

The dog is eventually taken in by a new owner, but it is clear that the dog will always miss its old owner. This ending is bittersweet. On the one hand, the dog has found a new home and a new owner that will provide it with love and companionship. On the other hand, the dog will always miss its old owner and will never forget the love and loyalty that it shared with them.

Literary Devices

Service uses several literary devices in "Trixie" to enhance the poem's meaning and make it more impactful.

Imagery

Service uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to allow the reader to imagine what the dog and its owner look like. For example, the description of the dog's coat as "wiry and rough" and the description of the owner as a "lonely soul" provide the reader with a clear picture of what the dog and its owner are like.

Personification

Service personifies the dog in the poem by describing its emotions and actions. For example, the poem describes how the dog howls at night, suggesting that the dog is feeling grief and is struggling to cope with its loss.

Alliteration

Service uses alliteration in several places throughout the poem. For example, the line "Piercing and bright as a flame" uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and make the line more memorable.

Repetition

Service repeats the phrase "my Trixie" throughout the poem to emphasize the bond between the dog and its owner. The repetition of this phrase creates a sense of familiarity and warmth, which enhances the emotional impact of the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Trixie" is a powerful poem that explores themes of love, loyalty, and grief. The poem is written in a simple yet impactful manner, with vivid imagery and powerful emotions that allow the reader to feel empathy for the dog and its owner. The use of literary devices such as imagery, personification, alliteration, and repetition enhances the poem's meaning and makes it more memorable. "Trixie" is a testament to Service's skills as a poet and his ability to tell a story in a simple yet impactful manner.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Trixie: A Poem of Love and Loyalty

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating poems. One of his most famous works is the poem "Trixie," which tells the story of a dog's unwavering loyalty to its owner. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the bond between humans and their furry companions. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore why it has become a classic in the world of poetry.

The poem "Trixie" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a dog named Trixie and her owner, who is referred to as "he" throughout the poem. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that is easy to remember. The poem's structure is simple, but it is the language and themes that make it a masterpiece.

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces us to Trixie. The opening lines, "There's a brook on the slope of Sheepeater, / As the yearling trout grows fat; / And the sunfish are rife in its shallows, / As the redstart sings thereat," paint a vivid picture of the idyllic setting. The use of alliteration in "slope of Sheepeater" and "sunfish are rife" adds to the poem's musicality. The stanza ends with the introduction of Trixie, who is described as "a mongrel, half Spaniel, half Deer." The use of the word "mongrel" suggests that Trixie is not a purebred dog, but it is her mixed heritage that makes her unique.

The second stanza is where the poem's themes of love and loyalty are introduced. The opening lines, "He camped by the brook on Sheepeater, / He fished in its waters clear; / And he built him a cabin of spruce-logs, / And he lived there many a year," tell us that the owner has made the brook his home. The use of the word "many" suggests that he has been there for a long time. The next two lines, "And Trixie was his only companion, / And he loved her far more than his life," reveal the depth of the owner's love for Trixie. The use of the word "only" suggests that the owner has no other human companionship, making Trixie all the more important to him.

The third stanza is where the poem's conflict arises. The opening lines, "One day as he fished in the brooklet, / And Trixie lay near on the bank, / There came a she-bear and her cubs, / And the Spaniel sprang with a yank," tell us that danger is imminent. The use of the word "yank" suggests that Trixie is not afraid to confront the bear, despite the danger it poses. The next two lines, "She barked and she snapped and she worried, / And she made the she-bear turn tail," reveal Trixie's bravery and loyalty to her owner. The use of the word "worried" suggests that Trixie is not just attacking the bear, but is trying to protect her owner.

The final stanza is where the poem's resolution is revealed. The opening lines, "But the bear had him fast by the shoulder, / And he lay on his back like a log; / And he knew he was done for, was done for, / As he heard the yelp of his dog," tell us that the owner is in grave danger. The repetition of "done for" emphasizes the hopelessness of the situation. The next two lines, "Then he saw her, his plucky wee Trixie, / As she leapt like a flash from the bank," reveal Trixie's final act of bravery. The use of the word "plucky" suggests that Trixie is small but courageous. The final two lines, "And she fastened her teeth in the bear's throat, / And she never let go till she sank," reveal Trixie's ultimate sacrifice. The use of the word "sank" suggests that Trixie has given her life to save her owner.

The poem's language is simple and straightforward, but it is the use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme that make it memorable. The repetition of "done for" in the final stanza emphasizes the owner's hopelessness. The use of alliteration in "slope of Sheepeater" and "sunfish are rife" adds to the poem's musicality. The rhyme scheme of AABB gives the poem a sing-song quality that is easy to remember.

The poem's themes of love and loyalty are universal, and it is these themes that have made it a classic in the world of poetry. The bond between humans and their furry companions is a special one, and "Trixie" captures this bond perfectly. The poem's simple structure and language make it accessible to readers of all ages, and its themes are timeless.

In conclusion, "Trixie" is a beautiful tribute to the bond between humans and their furry companions. The poem's themes of love and loyalty are universal, and its simple structure and language make it accessible to readers of all ages. Robert Service has created a masterpiece that will continue to be read and loved for generations to come.

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