'Making Good' by Robert Service
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No man can be a failure if he thinks he's a success;
he may not own his roof-tree overhead,
He may be on his uppers and have hocked his evening dress -
(Financially speaking - in the red)
He may have chronic shortage to repay the old home mortgage,
And almost be a bankrupt in his biz.,
But though he skips his dinner,
And each day he's growing thinner,
If he thinks he is a winner,
Then he is.
But when I say Success I mean the sublimated kind;
A man may gain it yet be on the dole.
To me it's music of the heart and sunshine of the mind,
Serenity and sweetness of the soul.
You may not have a brace of bucks to jingle in your jeans,
Far less the dough to buy a motor car;
But though the row you're hoeing
May be grim, ungodly going,
If you think the skies are glowing -
Then they are.
For a poor man may be wealthy and a millionaire may fail,
It all depends upon the point of view.
It's the sterling of your spirit tips the balance of the scale,
It's optimism, and it's up to you.
For what I figure as success is simple Happiness,
The consummate contentment of your mood:
You may toil with brain and sinew,
And though little wealth is win you,
If there's health and hope within you -
You've made good.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Making Good: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready for a thrilling ride through the world of Robert Service's poetry? Brace yourself as we delve into his classic poem, Making Good. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, imagery, and language. So, sit back, relax, and let's begin!
Overview of Making Good
Making Good is a poem that celebrates the triumph of hard work, perseverance, and determination. The poem tells the story of a young man who leaves his hometown with a dream of making it big in the city. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he never loses hope and continues to strive towards his goal. Finally, after years of toil and struggle, he achieves success and becomes a respected member of society.
Structure of the Poem
Making Good is a poem that consists of six stanzas, with each stanza having four lines. The poem has a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB, which gives it a musical quality. The poem's structure is simple, yet effective, as it allows the reader to follow the progression of the protagonist's journey towards success.
Themes in Making Good
The poem explores several themes, including the importance of hard work, perseverance, determination, and self-belief. The protagonist's journey towards success highlights the fact that nothing comes easy in life, and success requires hard work and patience. The poem also emphasizes the need to have a positive attitude towards life, even in the face of adversity.
Another important theme explored in the poem is the importance of self-belief. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, the protagonist never loses faith in himself and his abilities. This self-belief is what drives him to keep striving towards his goal, even when the odds are against him.
Imagery in Making Good
The poem is full of vivid imagery that brings the protagonist's journey to life. In the first stanza, Service uses the image of a train leaving the station to symbolize the protagonist's departure from his hometown. The train is described as "hurrying forth to fame and wealth," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
In the second stanza, Service uses the image of a "grindstone" to symbolize the protagonist's hard work and perseverance. The grindstone is described as "turning, turning day by day," which highlights the protagonist's relentless work ethic.
The third stanza is full of powerful imagery that captures the protagonist's struggle and determination. Service uses the image of a "dark and stormy sea" to symbolize the challenges that the protagonist faces. The image of a "lighthouse on a rocky shore" is used to represent the protagonist's hope and resilience.
In the final stanza, Service uses the image of a "golden crown" to symbolize the protagonist's success. The crown is described as "shining bright for all to see," which emphasizes the protagonist's achievement and recognition.
Language in Making Good
The language used in Making Good is simple, yet effective. Service's use of rhyme and repetition gives the poem a musical quality that makes it memorable. The poem's language is also full of powerful metaphors and symbols that capture the protagonist's journey towards success.
Service's use of alliteration is also worth noting. In the second stanza, he uses the phrase "grindstone turning day by day," which not only creates a musical quality but also emphasizes the protagonist's daily grind towards success.
Interpretation of Making Good
Making Good is a poem that celebrates the triumph of hard work, perseverance, and determination. The protagonist's journey towards success highlights the fact that nothing comes easy in life, and success requires hard work and patience. The poem also emphasizes the need to have a positive attitude towards life, even in the face of adversity.
The image of the "grindstone" is particularly powerful in the poem. It emphasizes the fact that success requires a relentless work ethic and a willingness to put in the hard yards. The image of the "dark and stormy sea" also highlights the challenges that the protagonist faces. It shows that success is not a smooth journey, and there will be times when one faces setbacks and obstacles.
The poem's final stanza is particularly inspiring. The image of the "golden crown" symbolizes the protagonist's success and recognition. It is a testament to the fact that hard work and determination pay off in the end. The fact that the crown is described as "shining bright for all to see" emphasizes the protagonist's achievement and the recognition he receives for his hard work.
Conclusion
Making Good is a poem that celebrates the triumph of hard work, perseverance, and determination. The poem's simple structure, vivid imagery, and powerful language make it a memorable piece of literature. The poem's themes of hard work, perseverance, determination, and self-belief make it an inspiring read that is relevant even today.
So, the next time you feel like giving up on your dreams, remember the protagonist of Making Good and his relentless pursuit of success. It is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and determination, anything is possible.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Making Good: A Poem of Perseverance and Triumph
Robert Service’s poem Making Good is a powerful ode to the human spirit and the power of perseverance. Written in Service’s signature style of simple yet evocative language, the poem tells the story of a young man who faces numerous setbacks and challenges on his journey to success, but ultimately triumphs through sheer determination and hard work.
At its core, Making Good is a poem about the importance of resilience and the ability to bounce back from failure. The poem opens with the lines “You’ve tried the rest, now try the best, / It’s uphill all the way.” These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the journey to success will be difficult and require a great deal of effort. However, the speaker also encourages the reader to keep pushing forward, to try their best and never give up.
Throughout the poem, the young man faces numerous obstacles that threaten to derail his dreams. He is “broke and hungry, ragged, too,” and must work long hours in a factory just to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, he remains determined to succeed, telling himself “I’ll make my mark, I’ll be a man, / I’ll fight and win my way.”
One of the most powerful aspects of Making Good is the way in which Service portrays the young man’s struggles as universal. While the poem is set in a specific time and place (presumably early 20th century America), the challenges that the young man faces are timeless and relatable. Whether it’s struggling to make ends meet, facing rejection and disappointment, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of one’s dreams, the young man’s experiences will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
Another key theme of Making Good is the importance of hard work and perseverance. The young man in the poem is not a genius or a prodigy; he is simply someone who is willing to put in the time and effort necessary to achieve his goals. He works long hours in the factory, studies hard in his spare time, and never gives up even when things seem hopeless. As the poem puts it, “He didn’t shirk, he didn’t whine, / He didn’t quit, he didn’t pine.”
Ultimately, the young man’s hard work pays off. He is able to save up enough money to start his own business, and he becomes a success in his own right. The poem ends with the lines “He’s made his pile, he’s made his name, / And now he’s making good.” These lines suggest that the young man has not only achieved financial success, but has also become a respected member of his community.
One of the most interesting aspects of Making Good is the way in which it challenges traditional notions of success. In many ways, the young man’s journey is a classic rags-to-riches story, in which he overcomes poverty and adversity to achieve financial success. However, the poem also suggests that success is about more than just money and status. The young man is not content to simply make a lot of money; he wants to be a man of integrity and honor, someone who is respected and admired by others. In this sense, Making Good is a poem about the importance of personal growth and self-improvement, as well as financial success.
Overall, Making Good is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the universal human experience of struggle and triumph. Through its simple yet evocative language and its timeless themes of perseverance and hard work, the poem encourages readers to never give up on their dreams, no matter how difficult the journey may be. Whether you’re a young person just starting out in life or an older person looking back on your own journey, Making Good is a poem that will resonate with you and inspire you to keep pushing forward, no matter what challenges may lie ahead.
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