'Dolls' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
She said: "I am too old to play
With dolls," and put them all away,
Into a box, one rainy day.
I think she must have felt some pain,
She looked so long into the rain,
Then sighed: "I'll bring you out again;
"For I'll have little children too,
With sunny hair and eyes of blue
And they will play and play with you.
"And now good-bye, my pretty dears;
There in the dark for years and years,
Dream of your little mother's tears."
Eglantine, Pierrot and Marie Claire,
Topsy and Tiny and Teddy Bear,
Side by side in the coffer there.
Time went by; one day she kneeled
By a wooden Cross in Flanders Field,
And wept for the One the earth concealed;
And made a vow she would never wed,
But always be true to the deathless dead,
Until the span of her life be sped.
* *
* * *
* *
More years went on and they made her wise
By sickness and pain and sacrifice,
With greying tresses and tired eyes.
And then one evening of weary rain,
She opened the old oak box again,
And her heart was clutched with an ancient pain
For there in the quiet dark they lay,
Just as they were when she put them away...
O but it seemed like yesterday!
Topsy and Tiny and Teddy Bear,
Eglantine, Pierrot and Marie Claire,
Ever so hopefully waiting there.
But she looked at them through her blinding tears,
And she said: "You've been patient, my pretty dears;
You've waited and waited all these years.
"I've broken a promise I made so true;
But my heart, my darlings, is broken too:
No little Mothers have I for you.
"My hands are withered, my hair is grey;
Yet just for a moment I'll try to play
With you as I did that long dead day...
"Ah no, I cannot. I try in vain . . .
I stare and I stare into the rain . . .
I'll put you back in your box again.
"Bless you, darlings, perhaps one day,
Some little Mother will find you and play,
And once again you'll be glad and gay.
"But when in the friendly dark I lie,
No one will ever love you as I . . . .
My little children . . . good-bye . . . good-bye."
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Critique and Interpretation of "Dolls" by Robert Service
Oh, what a poem! "Dolls" by Robert Service is a piece that is both beautiful and haunting. It captures the imagination and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The poem tells the story of a little girl who is wandering through the countryside and comes across a doll lying in a field. She picks up the doll and begins to play with it, but her fun is cut short when she discovers that the doll is dead.
The poem is rich in imagery, and Service's use of language is nothing short of masterful. Each line is carefully crafted, and the result is a piece that is both poetic and thought-provoking. In this critique, we will examine the poem in greater detail, analyzing its themes, symbolism, and message.
The Theme of Death
One of the central themes of "Dolls" is death. The little girl finds the doll lying in the field, and it is clear from the beginning that the doll is not alive. The poem describes the doll as "frozen," "rigid," and "dead." The girl does not seem to understand the gravity of the situation at first; she plays with the doll as if it were a living thing. However, as the poem progresses, the reality of the doll's death begins to sink in.
The theme of death is not limited to the doll. It is also present in the imagery used throughout the poem. The field where the doll is found is described as "still," "silent," and "sorrowful." These words suggest a sense of emptiness and finality, as if everything in the field has come to a halt. The girl's reaction to the doll's death is also telling. She is initially excited to have found it, but as she realizes that it is dead, she becomes upset and runs away.
The theme of death in "Dolls" is powerful and poignant. Service uses it to explore the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The doll, once a symbol of childhood innocence and playfulness, becomes a reminder of the finality of life.
The Symbolism of Dolls
Another important aspect of "Dolls" is the symbolism of dolls. Dolls have long been associated with childhood and playfulness. They are toys that children use to imagine and create their own worlds. However, in "Dolls," dolls take on a different meaning.
The doll in the poem is not a symbol of childhood innocence, but rather a reminder of death. The fact that the doll is dead underscores the fragility of life, and the idea that everything is temporary. The doll is also a symbol of the girl's own mortality. As the poem progresses, she begins to understand that the doll's fate could be her own someday.
The symbolism of dolls in "Dolls" is complex and multi-layered. On one level, dolls represent childhood and playfulness. On another level, they represent the inevitability of death and the fragility of life. The contrast between these two meanings adds depth to the poem, and makes it all the more poignant.
The Message of "Dolls"
At its core, "Dolls" is a poem about the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reminder that everything is temporary, and that we must cherish the time we have. The doll in the poem is a symbol of this message. It represents the idea that life is precious, and that we must make the most of the time we have.
The message of "Dolls" is a powerful one. It is a call to appreciate the beauty of life, and to recognize that it will not last forever. The poem encourages us to live in the moment, and to find joy in the simple things.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Dolls" by Robert Service is a powerful and thought-provoking poem. It explores the themes of death and the fragility of life, and uses the symbolism of dolls to add depth and complexity to the message. The poem is beautifully written, with each line carefully crafted to create a powerful and lasting impression. "Dolls" is a poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and ideas.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dolls by Robert Service: A Poem that Tugs at the Heartstrings
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his works. His poem, Dolls, is no exception. This classic piece of literature is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of childhood and the bittersweet memories that come with it. In this article, we will delve into the themes and motifs of Dolls and explore the ways in which Service has crafted a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers to this day.
The poem opens with the speaker reminiscing about his childhood and the dolls that he used to play with. He describes them as "little ladies with skirts of silk" and "tiny men with swords and shields." The imagery here is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both innocent and enchanting. The dolls are not just toys, but companions that the speaker has grown attached to. They are a part of his childhood, and as such, they hold a special place in his heart.
However, as the poem progresses, we see that the speaker's relationship with his dolls is not as simple as it first appears. He describes how he would "play with them by the hour" and "love them with all his might." The use of the word "love" is significant here, as it suggests that the dolls are more than just playthings to the speaker. They are objects of affection, and he has formed an emotional bond with them.
As the speaker grows older, he begins to realize that his relationship with his dolls is changing. He notes that "the dolls are gone, and the years have flown." The passage of time has taken its toll, and the speaker is no longer the child he once was. The dolls, too, have disappeared, and with them, a part of the speaker's childhood. The use of the word "gone" is particularly poignant here, as it suggests that the dolls have not just been lost, but have vanished completely. They are no longer a physical presence in the speaker's life, and as such, they have become a symbol of the past.
Despite this, the speaker still holds onto the memories of his dolls. He describes how he "dreams of them still" and how they "haunt him with a strange regret." The use of the word "haunt" is significant here, as it suggests that the memories of the dolls are not just happy ones. There is a sense of sadness and loss that accompanies them, as the speaker realizes that he can never go back to the time when he was a child playing with his dolls.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the fact that "the dolls are gone, but the child remains." Here, we see that the speaker has come to a realization. While the dolls may be gone, the memories of his childhood remain. The child that he once was is still a part of him, and the experiences that he had with his dolls have shaped him into the person he is today. The use of the word "remains" is significant here, as it suggests that the child is not gone, but has simply been transformed into something else.
In terms of themes, Dolls is a poem that explores the passage of time and the fleeting nature of childhood. It is a reminder that the things we hold dear in our youth may not always be with us, but the memories of them will remain. It is also a reflection on the power of nostalgia and the ways in which our past experiences shape us into the people we are today.
In terms of motifs, the dolls themselves are a powerful symbol throughout the poem. They represent the innocence and wonder of childhood, as well as the emotional attachments that we form with the things we love. They are also a reminder of the transience of life and the fact that nothing lasts forever.
In conclusion, Dolls is a poem that tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us of the power of our childhood memories. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Robert Service has crafted a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers to this day. It is a reminder that while the things we love may not always be with us, the memories of them will remain, shaping us into the people we are today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Ocaml Tips: Ocaml Programming Tips and tricksDecentralized Apps - crypto dapps: Decentralized apps running from webassembly powered by blockchain
Roleplay Community: Wiki and discussion board for all who love roleplaying
Nocode Services: No code and lowcode services in DFW
Rust Book: Best Rust Programming Language Book
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Pit And The Pendulum by Edgar Allen Poe analysisThe Piano (Notebook Version) by D.H. Lawrence analysis
The Cask Of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Never The Time And The Place by Robert Browning analysis
Ode , On Intimations Of Immortality by William Wordsworth analysis
We know this much by Sappho analysis
Samson Agonistes by John Milton analysis
In Former Songs by Walt Whitman analysis
The bustle in a house by Emily Dickinson analysis
Reading The Brothers Grimm To Jenny by Lisel Mueller analysis