'Careers' by Robert Service
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I knew three sisters,--all were sweet;
Wishful to wed was I,
And wondered which would mostly meet
The matrimonial tie.
I asked the first what fate would she
Wish joy of life to bring to her.
She answered: 'I would like to be
A concert singer.'
I asked the second, for my mind
Was set on nuptial noosing,
Unto what lot was she inclined
If she could have the choosing?
Said she: 'For woman I can see
No fortune finer,
Than to go in for Art and be
A dress designer.'
With heavy heart I asked the third
What was her life ambition;
A maiden she in look and word
Of modest disposition.
'Alas, I dearly wish,' said she,
'My aims were deeper:
My highest hope it is to be
A good house-keeper.'
Which did I choose? Look at my home,--
The answer's there;
As neat and sweet as honeycomb,
With children fair.
And so it humbly seems to me,
In common life,
A woman's glory is to be
A good house-wife.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Careers" by Robert Service: An Analysis of Choices, Fate, and Ambition
When we think about our future, we usually envision a career path that will lead us to success, fulfillment, and happiness. However, the reality is often different, and we end up in jobs that we didn't expect or want, or we struggle to find a purpose in our work. "Careers" by Robert Service is a poem that explores the theme of careers and the choices we make in life. Through vivid descriptions, metaphors, and a reflective tone, Service conveys the complexity and uncertainty of human ambition and fate.
The poem starts with a rhetorical question: "What are you going to do, son?" This question sets the tone for the whole poem, as it implies that the speaker is addressing a young man who is at a crossroads of his life, facing the daunting task of choosing a career. The speaker is not a parent, but rather a mentor or a friend who has been through the same experience and wants to share his wisdom. The use of "son" adds a personal and paternalistic touch to the poem, as if the speaker wants to guide the young man as a father figure.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the contrast between the idealized image of success and the harsh reality of the job market. The speaker describes the young man's dreams of becoming a lawyer, a doctor, or an engineer, and praises his ambition: "You're a man of the world, and you've got it in you." However, he also warns him of the competition, the hard work, and the disappointment that he will face: "But there's always the chance of the slip and the fall / By the side of the road in the ditch." The use of the metaphor of the road and the ditch creates an image of a journey that is full of obstacles and risks, and suggests that success is not guaranteed.
In the second stanza, the speaker tells the young man that he has to choose his own path and follow his own heart, even if it means taking a different road than the one he had planned. He mentions the example of his own life, where he started as a bank clerk and ended up as a writer: "I started as clerk in a dry goods store / And you never can tell where you'll go." The use of the personal pronoun "I" and the past tense creates a sense of nostalgia and reflection, as if the speaker is looking back at his own life and realizing how unpredictable it has been. The repetition of the word "never" emphasizes the element of chance and unpredictability in life.
The third stanza introduces the idea of fate and destiny, and suggests that our choices are not entirely our own. The speaker mentions the example of a friend who wanted to be a poet but ended up as a butcher, and implies that it was not his fault: "He dreamed of a beautiful rhyme / But he's dishing out liver and tripe." The use of the verb "dishing" creates a contrast between the elegance of poetry and the crudeness of meat, and suggests that the friend's destiny was not aligned with his aspirations. The speaker also mentions the concept of "luck" and how it can make or break our careers: "It's the luck of the game, and I know / It's mostly the break and the throw."
The fourth stanza brings the poem to a climactic moment, where the speaker reveals his own philosophy of life and career: "I've found out the thing that's worth while / Is doing your level best." The use of the emphatic "I've found out" suggests that the speaker has learned this lesson through experience, and that it is a hard-earned wisdom. The phrase "level best" implies that we should strive for excellence, but not aim for perfection or compare ourselves to others. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of passion and joy in our work: "And when you have done that, my son / You can sleep like a top and be glad." The use of the metaphor of sleeping like a top creates an image of peace and contentment, and suggests that true success comes from within, not from external validation or recognition.
The final stanza brings the poem to a hopeful and optimistic conclusion, as the speaker encourages the young man to take risks and embrace the unknown: "So stand on your feet and be game / And tackle your work with a grin." The use of the imperative "stand" and "tackle" implies that the young man should not hesitate or doubt himself, but take action and face his challenges with courage and humor. The phrase "with a grin" suggests that he should not take himself too seriously or be afraid of failure, but enjoy the journey and learn from his mistakes.
In conclusion, "Careers" by Robert Service is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of choosing a career and facing the unknown. Through vivid descriptions, metaphors, and a reflective tone, Service conveys the complexity and uncertainty of human ambition and fate, and offers a philosophy of life that emphasizes the importance of passion, joy, and doing our level best. The poem is not only relevant to young people who are starting their careers, but also to anyone who is questioning their purpose or seeking a new direction in life. As the speaker says, "You're a man of the world, and you've got it in you." The question is, what will you do with it?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Careers by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the different paths that people take in life. The poem is a reflection on the choices that we make and the consequences that follow. It is a powerful reminder that our lives are shaped by the decisions we make and the paths we choose to follow.
The poem begins with the line, "I have a dream, a lofty dream," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is someone who has a vision for their life and is determined to achieve it. They are not content with a mediocre existence and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's dream of becoming a great artist. They imagine themselves painting masterpieces that will be admired for generations to come. However, the speaker quickly realizes that this dream is not realistic. They do not have the talent or the skill to become a great artist, and so they must abandon this dream and look for another path.
The second stanza of the poem describes the speaker's next dream, which is to become a great writer. They imagine themselves writing novels that will be read by millions of people around the world. However, once again, the speaker realizes that this dream is not realistic. They do not have the talent or the skill to become a great writer, and so they must abandon this dream as well.
The third stanza of the poem describes the speaker's next dream, which is to become a great musician. They imagine themselves playing beautiful music that will touch the hearts of people around the world. However, once again, the speaker realizes that this dream is not realistic. They do not have the talent or the skill to become a great musician, and so they must abandon this dream as well.
At this point in the poem, the speaker is feeling discouraged and lost. They have tried to pursue their dreams, but they have failed at every turn. However, the speaker is not ready to give up yet. They know that there must be another path for them to follow, and so they continue to search for their true calling.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's next dream, which is to become a great leader. They imagine themselves leading a nation and making a difference in the world. However, once again, the speaker realizes that this dream is not realistic. They do not have the charisma or the leadership skills to become a great leader, and so they must abandon this dream as well.
At this point in the poem, the speaker is feeling defeated. They have tried to pursue their dreams, but they have failed at every turn. However, the speaker is not ready to give up yet. They know that there must be another path for them to follow, and so they continue to search for their true calling.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the speaker's final dream, which is to become a great teacher. They imagine themselves inspiring young minds and making a difference in the lives of their students. This time, the speaker realizes that this dream is not only realistic but also achievable. They have the passion and the skills to become a great teacher, and so they pursue this path with all their heart.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's journey. They have tried to pursue many different careers, but they have finally found their true calling as a teacher. The speaker acknowledges that their journey was not easy, but they are grateful for the lessons they learned along the way. They know that their life would have been very different if they had not taken the time to explore different paths and discover their true calling.
In conclusion, Careers by Robert Service is a powerful poem that explores the different paths that people take in life. The poem is a reminder that our lives are shaped by the decisions we make and the paths we choose to follow. It encourages us to pursue our dreams but also to be realistic about our abilities and to be open to exploring different paths. The poem is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of finding our true calling in life.
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