'Security' by Robert Service
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Young man, gather gold and gear,
they will wear you well;
You can thumb your nose at fear,
Wish the horde in hell.
With the haughty you can be
Insolent and bold:
Young man, if you would be free
Gather gear and gold.
Mellow man o middle age,
Buy a little farm;
Then let revolution rage,
you will take no ham.
Cold and hunger, hand in hand
May red ruin spread;
With your little bit of land
You'll be warm and fed.
Old Ma, seek the smiling sun,
Wall yourself away;
Dream aloof from everyone
IN a garden gay.
Let no grieving mar your mood,
Have no truck with tears;
Greet each day with gratitude -
Glean a hundred years.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Security: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that will speak to you on a deep level? Look no further than Robert Service's "Security." This classic poem, first published in 1916, explores the human desire for safety and stability in an uncertain world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of "Security," exploring how Service uses these elements to create a powerful, resonant work of art.
Themes
At its heart, "Security" is a poem about the tension between safety and adventure. The speaker, who longs for security, is torn between the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of the unknown. This theme is evident from the opening lines:
Dear, if you suddenly disappeared,
If I discovered you were no longer here,
If your little hand should slip out of mine,
What would life be worth to me? Say, would it be fine?
Here, the speaker imagines a world in which their loved one is suddenly gone, leaving them adrift and alone. The tone is plaintive, beseeching, as the speaker begs for reassurance that everything will be alright. This desire for security is a fundamental human need, but it is also a source of tension. As the poem progresses, the speaker acknowledges the lure of the unknown, the desire to break free from the constraints of safety and embrace adventure:
Yet sometimes with a wild desire
I've wanted to be free,
To break away from chain and gyve
And taste of liberty.
This tension between safety and adventure is a central theme of the poem, one that resonates with readers on a deep level. Who among us has not longed for security, yet also felt the tug of the unknown, the desire to take risks and explore the world beyond our comfort zone?
Imagery
Service's use of imagery in "Security" is masterful, evoking a range of emotions and sensations in the reader. One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the "little hand" that the speaker fears losing. This image is both poignant and powerful, evoking the vulnerability of a child and the protective instincts of a parent. The image of the hand slipping out of the speaker's grasp is a potent symbol of loss, of the fear of being separated from someone we love.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the "brave new lands" the speaker longs to explore. This image is both inspiring and terrifying, evoking the thrill of discovery and the fear of the unknown. The phrase "brave new lands" is a nod to Shakespeare's The Tempest, where it is spoken by the character Miranda as she beholds the wonders of the island on which she has been marooned. Service's use of this phrase imbues the poem with a sense of history and tradition, while also highlighting the timeless human desire for adventure and exploration.
Language
Service's use of language in "Security" is deceptively simple. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a straightforward, almost sing-song rhythm. This simplicity belies the profundity of the themes and emotions the poem explores. Service's use of rhyme and rhythm give the poem a sense of structure and order, a reflection of the speaker's desire for security. Yet the simplicity of the language also allows the poem to be read on multiple levels, with each line containing layers of meaning and emotion.
Consider, for example, the following lines:
Yet sometimes with a wild desire
I've wanted to be free,
On the surface, these lines are straightforward, expressing the speaker's desire for adventure. Yet there is also a deeper resonance to these words, a sense of longing and frustration that belies the simplicity of the language. Service's use of language in "Security" is a masterclass in how to convey complex emotions and ideas with seeming ease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Security" is a powerful, resonant poem that explores the human desire for safety and stability in an uncertain world. Through his use of themes, imagery, and language, Service creates a work of art that speaks to readers on a deep level, evoking emotions and sensations that are both timeless and universal. Whether you are looking for inspiration, reassurance, or simply a beautifully crafted poem, "Security" is a must-read for anyone interested in the power and beauty of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Security: A Poem of Life's Illusions
Robert Service's poem Security is a timeless classic that speaks to the human condition of seeking security in a world that is inherently unpredictable. The poem is a reflection on the illusions of security that we create for ourselves, and the harsh reality that life is full of uncertainties that we cannot control.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the various ways in which we try to create a sense of security in our lives. We build walls around our homes, we save money for a rainy day, and we seek the comfort of loved ones. These are all ways in which we try to protect ourselves from the unknown, but as the poem suggests, they are all illusions.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker describing the various ways in which we try to create a sense of security in our lives:
"Oh! lay me down in some green shady grove, Where, weary of the world, I may repose; And, when the sweet birds of the forest rove, Sing me to sleep, and soothe my cares and woes."
The speaker is seeking a place of rest and peace, where he can escape from the worries and uncertainties of the world. He wants to be surrounded by nature, and to be lulled to sleep by the sweet songs of the birds. This is a common desire for many people, who seek refuge in nature as a way of finding peace and security.
The second stanza continues this theme, with the speaker describing the various ways in which we try to protect ourselves from the unknown:
"Or, let me sit beside the rippling stream, And watch the silver fishes as they play; And, in the sunshine of a summer's beam, Dream of the joys that never can decay."
Here, the speaker is seeking solace in the beauty of nature, watching the fish play in the stream and dreaming of eternal happiness. This is another common desire, as we often seek comfort in the beauty of the natural world.
However, the third stanza takes a darker turn, as the speaker reminds us that these illusions of security are just that – illusions:
"But, ah! how vain are all these dreams of bliss, How fleeting all the joys that earth can give! The brightest hopes we cherish fade and miss, And leave us but the bitter tears to live."
The speaker is reminding us that no matter how much we try to protect ourselves from the unknown, life is full of uncertainties that we cannot control. The joys we seek are fleeting, and the hopes we cherish often fade away, leaving us with nothing but bitter tears.
The fourth stanza continues this theme, with the speaker describing the harsh reality of life:
"For what is life but a brief fleeting breath, A moment's sunshine in a world of woe; A troubled sea, where storms and tempests wreath, And where the heart is never free from woe."
The speaker is reminding us that life is short and full of challenges, like a troubled sea with storms and tempests. We cannot control the world around us, and our hearts are never truly free from pain and sorrow.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness:
"But though the storms of life may round us beat, And though the heart may ache with many a pain, There is a hope that makes our lives complete, A hope that bids us live and love again."
The speaker is reminding us that even though life is full of challenges and uncertainties, there is still hope. We can find meaning and purpose in our lives, and we can still love and be loved. This is a powerful message, and one that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.
In conclusion, Security is a timeless classic that speaks to the human condition of seeking security in a world that is inherently unpredictable. The poem is a reflection on the illusions of security that we create for ourselves, and the harsh reality that life is full of uncertainties that we cannot control. However, amidst the darkness, there is still hope, and we can find meaning and purpose in our lives. This is a powerful message, and one that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written.
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