'Striving' by Robert Service


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Striving is life, yet life is striving;
I fight to live, yet live to fight;
The vital urge is in my driving,
Yet I must drive with all my might:
Each day a battle, and the fray
Stoutly renewed the coming day.

A am myself - yet when I strive
I build a self that's truer, higher;
I keep my bit of God alive
And forgive me in heroic fire:
What if my goal I never gain -
Better to toil than to attain.

It is not what I do or make,
It is the travail of my trying;
The aim, the effort and the ache
Is in the end my glorifying:
Through triumph I may never see,
The will to win is victory.

Striving is strength: with all that's in me
I will not falter in the fray;
And though no shining crown it win me,
I'll fight unto my latest day:
Strive on! - and though I win no place,
Uphold the spirit of the race.

Behold yon peaks that mock my climbing. . . .
I peer from out the dusty plain;
Dark falls, the mission bells are chiming
As on to starry heights I strain;
Despite the night up, up I plod
To gain the golden meads of God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Striving: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Oh, what a beautiful poem is Striving! Robert Service, the famous poet, has done it again! With its vivid imagery, emotive language, and thought-provoking theme, this masterpiece is truly a treasure in the world of literature.

Interpretation

Striving is a poem about the human struggle for success and the obstacles that come with it. The speaker talks about how we all have a dream, a goal we want to achieve, and how we are willing to do whatever it takes to get there. The poem emphasizes the importance of perseverance, hard work, and determination in achieving our dreams.

Throughout the poem, Service uses powerful metaphors and vivid imagery to convey his message. For instance, he compares life to a race, and success to the finish line. He says, "Life's race is often hard to run, the road is rough and steep," painting a picture of a difficult journey that requires endurance and resilience. He then goes on to say, "But God gives us strength to carry on, though the going oft' is slow," instilling hope and a sense of purpose in the reader.

Moreover, the poet also highlights the importance of failure and setbacks in our journey towards success. He says, "The prize is just beyond the crest, the goal is near at hand; though with the end so close in view, we sometimes falter, and." This line shows that even when the destination is within reach, we may still stumble and fall. However, the key is to keep pushing and striving towards our goal, even when faced with adversity.

Literary Criticism

The poem Striving is a masterpiece, not only because of its thematic relevance but also because of its masterful execution. The language is emotive, powerful, and rich in symbolism, making it a delight to read and analyze.

One of the striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "we must keep striving" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the central theme of the poem, which is to never give up on our dreams. The repetition also creates a musical effect, adding to the beauty of the poem.

Another notable feature of the poem is its structure. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and balance, making it easy to read and follow. Additionally, the rhyme scheme of the poem is consistent, with each line ending with a word that rhymes with "hand." This consistency adds to the musicality of the poem and gives it a sense of coherence.

Furthermore, the poem's use of figurative language is exceptional. Service uses metaphors and similes to create vivid images in the reader's mind. For example, he compares life to a race, success to the finish line, and setbacks to stumbling blocks. These metaphors not only create a strong visual image but also evoke emotions in the reader, making the poem more relatable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Striving is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of the human struggle for success. Through its powerful metaphors, emotive language, and thought-provoking theme, the poem inspires and motivates the reader to keep pushing towards their goals, no matter how challenging the journey may be. Robert Service has truly outdone himself with this magnificent piece of poetry, and it will continue to inspire generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Striving: A Poem of Perseverance and Determination

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his powerful and evocative works. One of his most famous poems, Striving, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human struggle and the relentless pursuit of success. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The poem begins with the lines, "If you want a thing bad enough/ To go out and fight for it,/ Work day and night for it,/ Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it." These lines set the tone for the entire poem and establish the central theme of perseverance and determination. Service is telling us that if we want something badly enough, we must be willing to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve it.

The next stanza of the poem talks about the obstacles that we may encounter on our journey towards our goal. Service writes, "If only desire of it/ Makes you quite mad enough/ Never to tire of it,/ Makes you hold all other things tawdry and cheap for it." Here, he is telling us that our desire for success must be so strong that it makes us immune to the distractions and temptations that may come our way. We must be willing to sacrifice everything else for our goal.

The third stanza of the poem talks about the importance of focus and determination. Service writes, "If life seems all empty and useless without it/ And all that you scheme and you dream is about it." Here, he is telling us that our goal must be the center of our universe. We must be so focused on it that everything else seems meaningless in comparison. We must be willing to put in the hard work and stay focused on our goal, no matter what.

The fourth stanza of the poem talks about the importance of perseverance. Service writes, "If gladly you'll sweat for it,/ Fret for it, Plan for it,/ Lose all your terror of God or man for it." Here, he is telling us that we must be willing to sweat, fret, and plan for our goal. We must be willing to face our fears and overcome them. We must be willing to persevere through the tough times and keep pushing forward.

The fifth stanza of the poem talks about the rewards of perseverance. Service writes, "If you'll simply go after that thing that you want,/ With all your capacity,/ Strength and sagacity,/ Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity." Here, he is telling us that if we persevere and stay focused on our goal, we will eventually achieve it. We must have faith, hope, and confidence in ourselves and our abilities. We must be persistent and never give up.

The final stanza of the poem talks about the joy of achieving our goal. Service writes, "If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,/ Nor sickness nor pain/ Of body or brain/ Can turn you away from the thing that you want." Here, he is telling us that if we stay focused on our goal and persevere through the tough times, we will eventually achieve it. And when we do, the joy and satisfaction that we will feel will be unparalleled.

Throughout the poem, Service uses powerful imagery and symbolism to convey his message. For example, in the first stanza, he writes, "Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it." Here, he is using the imagery of time, peace, and sleep to symbolize the sacrifices that we must make to achieve our goal. In the third stanza, he writes, "If life seems all empty and useless without it." Here, he is using the imagery of emptiness and uselessness to symbolize the importance of having a goal in life.

In conclusion, Striving is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of human struggle and the relentless pursuit of success. Through his use of powerful imagery and symbolism, Robert Service conveys a message of perseverance, determination, and focus. He tells us that if we want something badly enough, we must be willing to work hard, make sacrifices, and stay focused on our goal. And if we do, the joy and satisfaction that we will feel when we achieve our goal will be unparalleled. So, let us all strive towards our goals with all our capacity, strength, and sagacity, and never give up until we achieve them.

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