'Sentimental Shark' by Robert Service
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Give me a cabin in the woods
Where not a human soul intrudes;
Where I can sit beside a stream
Beneath a balsam bough and deam,
And every morning see arise
The sun like bird of paradise;
Then go down to the creek and fish
A speckled trout for breakfast dish,
And fry it in an ember fire -
Ah! there's the life of my desire.
Alas! I'm tied to Wall Street where
They reckon me a millionaire,
And sometimes in a day alone
I gain a fortune o'er the 'phone.
Yet I to be a man was made,
And here I ply this sorry trade
Of Company manipulation,
Of selling short and stock inflation:
I whom God meant to rope a steer,
Fate mad a Wall Street buccaneer.
Old Time, how I envy you
Who do the things I long to do.
Oh, I would swap you all my riches
To step into your buckskin britches.
Your ragged shirt and rugged health
I'd take in trade for all my wealth.
Then shorn of fortune you would see
How drunk with freedom I would be;
I'd kick so hard, I'd kick so high,
I'd kick the moon clean from the sky.
Aye, gold to me is less than brass,
And jewels mean no more than glass.
My gold is sunshine and my gems
The glint of dew on grassy stems . . .
Yet though I hate my guts its true
Time sorta makes you used to you;
And so I will not gripe too much
Because I have the Midas touch,
But doodle on my swivel chair,
Resigned to be a millionaire.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sentimental Shark by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to dive into the depths of Robert Service's classic poem, Sentimental Shark? Buckle up, because we're going on a wild ride through the ocean of literature!
Introduction
Sentimental Shark is a poem that tells the story of a shark who, unlike the common stereotype, has a soft heart and a kind soul. This poignant piece of poetry is a shining example of Robert Service's brilliance as a poet.
Robert Service was a Scottish-born Canadian poet, known for his narrative poems that often celebrated the rugged nature of the Canadian frontier. He was a prolific writer, and his works have been translated into many languages. Sentimental Shark is one of his most celebrated poems.
Analysis
The poem begins with a powerful opening line:
Behold, dear friends, the great White Shark,
Who gleams with a dazzling hue;
He swaggers and sways with his tail so fine,
And he looks so brave and so true.
Here, the poet introduces the main character of the poem - the great White Shark, who is described as brave and true. The use of the word "behold" tells the reader that something extraordinary is about to happen, and the mention of the shark's "dazzling hue" immediately captures the reader's attention.
The second stanza introduces the sentimental aspect of the shark's character:
But beneath that guise of the great White Shark
There lurks a spirit old,
That once was a mermaid of peerless grace,
With a heart that was kind and bold.
Here, the poet reveals that the shark was once a mermaid with a kind and bold heart. This transformation from a beautiful mermaid into a fearsome shark adds to the pathos of the poem.
In the following stanzas, the poet describes how the shark's sentimental nature causes him to spare the lives of his prey:
So while he roams the ocean wide,
In quest of his daily fare,
He spares the weak and the helpless things,
And only the strong will dare.
The use of the phrase "spares the weak and the helpless things" is particularly powerful, as it highlights the shark's compassion and his unwillingness to harm those who are defenseless.
The last stanza is a powerful conclusion to the poem:
So let us honor the great White Shark,
Who lives far down in the sea,
For with all his heart he is still a man,
And a better man than we.
Here, the poet asks the reader to honor the great White Shark and acknowledges the shark's humanity. This is a poignant message that challenges the reader's preconceived notions about the nature of sharks and encourages them to look beyond appearances.
Interpretation
Sentimental Shark is a poem that challenges our perceptions of the natural world. By depicting a shark as a compassionate and empathetic creature, Robert Service forces us to question our assumptions about the behavior of animals. He reminds us that beneath the surface of every creature lies a complex and intricate nature that deserves our respect and understanding.
The transformation of the mermaid into a shark is a metaphor for the transformative power of nature. It is a reminder that nature is not always gentle and kind, but it is always beautiful and awe-inspiring. The poem challenges us to embrace the complexity of nature and accept it for what it is.
The message of the poem is a call to action for the reader. It encourages us to look beyond appearances and see the world in a new light. It reminds us that there is beauty in the unexpected, and that by embracing the complexity of nature, we can become better people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sentimental Shark is a powerful and poignant poem that challenges our perceptions of the natural world. Through the character of the great White Shark, Robert Service reminds us of the transformative power of nature and encourages us to embrace its complexity. This poem is a shining example of Robert Service's brilliance as a poet and a testament to the enduring power of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sentimental Shark: A Poem of Irony and Satire
Robert Service is a renowned poet who is known for his witty and satirical poems. One of his most famous works is Sentimental Shark, a poem that is both humorous and ironic. The poem tells the story of a shark who is tired of being seen as a vicious predator and wants to be loved for who he is. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall message of the poem.
The poem begins with the shark expressing his desire to be loved and accepted by humans. He is tired of being seen as a monster and wants to be seen as a gentle creature. The irony of this statement is not lost on the reader, as sharks are known for their predatory behavior and are feared by humans. The shark's desire for acceptance is a reflection of the human need for validation and acceptance.
The poem is filled with vivid imagery that brings the shark to life. Service uses metaphors and similes to describe the shark's appearance and behavior. For example, he describes the shark's teeth as "ivory daggers" and his eyes as "cold and steely." These descriptions create a vivid picture of the shark in the reader's mind and add to the overall tone of the poem.
The shark's desire for acceptance is further emphasized when he meets a group of fish who are afraid of him. He tries to convince them that he is not a threat and that he just wants to be their friend. However, the fish are too afraid of him and swim away. This scene is a reflection of the human experience of rejection and the desire to be accepted by others.
The poem takes a satirical turn when the shark meets a group of humans who are out fishing. He tries to convince them that he is not a threat and that he just wants to be loved. However, the humans are not convinced and try to catch him. The irony of this scene is that humans are the ones who are afraid of sharks and yet, in this poem, the shark is the one who is afraid of humans.
Service uses irony and satire to comment on the human tendency to fear the unknown. The shark is a metaphor for anything that is different or unfamiliar. The humans in the poem represent the majority who are afraid of anything that is different from them. The poem is a commentary on the human tendency to judge and fear anything that is different from them.
The poem's title, Sentimental Shark, is also ironic. The word sentimental is usually associated with emotions such as love and compassion. However, in this poem, the shark's sentimentality is a reflection of his desire for acceptance and validation. The title is a commentary on the human tendency to assign emotions to animals and objects.
The poem's message is clear: we should not judge or fear anything that is different from us. The shark's desire for acceptance is a reflection of the human need for validation and acceptance. The poem is a commentary on the human tendency to judge and fear anything that is different from us.
In conclusion, Sentimental Shark is a witty and satirical poem that comments on the human tendency to fear the unknown. The shark is a metaphor for anything that is different or unfamiliar, and the humans in the poem represent the majority who are afraid of anything that is different from them. The poem's message is clear: we should not judge or fear anything that is different from us. Service's use of irony and satire adds to the overall tone of the poem and creates a vivid picture of the shark in the reader's mind. Sentimental Shark is a classic poem that is still relevant today and serves as a reminder that we should embrace and accept our differences.
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