'The Christmas Tree' by Robert Service
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In the dark and damp of the alley cold,
Lay the Christmas tree that hadn't been sold;
By a shopman dourly thrown outside;
With the ruck and rubble of Christmas-tide;
Trodden deep in the muck and mire,
Unworthy even to feed a fire...
So I stopped and salvaged that tarnished tree,
And thus is the story it told to me:
"My Mother was Queen of the forest glade,
And proudly I prospered in her shade;
For she said to me: 'When I am dead,
You will be monarch in my stead,
And reign, as I, for a hundred years,
A tower of triumph amid your peers,
When I crash in storm I will yield you space;
Son, you will worthily take my place.'
"So I grew in grace like a happy child,
In the heart of the forest free and wild;
And the moss and the ferns were all about,
And the craintive mice crept in and out;
And a wood-dove swung on my highest twig,
And a chipmunk chattered: 'So big! So big!'
And a shy fawn nibbled a tender shoot,
And a rabbit nibbled under my root...
Oh, I was happy in rain and shine
As I thought of the destiny that was mine!
Then a man with an axe came cruising by
And I knew that my fate was to fall and die.
"With a hundred others he packed me tight,
And we drove to a magic city of light,
To an avenue lined with Christmas trees,
And I thought: may be I'll be one of these,
Tinselled with silver and tricked with gold,
A lovely sight for a child to behold;
A-glitter with lights of every hue,
Ruby and emerald, orange and blue,
And kiddies dancing, with shrieks of glee -
One might fare worse than a Christmas tree.
"So they stood me up with a hundred more
In the blaze of a big department store;
But I thought of the forest dark and still,
And the dew and the snow and the heat and the chill,
And the soft chinook and the summer breeze,
And the dappled deer and the birds and the bees...
I was so homesick I wanted to cry,
But patient I waited for someone to buy.
And some said 'Too big,' and some 'Too small,'
And some passed on saying nothing at all.
Then a little boy cried: Ma, buy that one,'
But she shook her head: 'Too dear, my son."
So the evening came, when they closed the store,
And I was left on the littered floor,
A tree unwanted, despised, unsold,
Thrown out at last in the alley cold."
Then I said: "Don't sorrow; at least you'll be
A bright and beautiful New Year's tree,
All shimmer and glimmer and glow and gleam,
A radiant sight like a fairy dream.
For there is a little child I know,
Who lives in poverty, want and woe;
Who lies abed from morn to night,
And never has known an hour's delight..."
So I stood the tree at the foot of her bed:
"Santa's a little late," I said.
"Poor old chap! Snowbound on the way,
But he's here at last, so let's be gay."
Then she woke from sleep and she saw you there,
And her eyes were love and her lips were prayer.
And her thin little arms were stretched to you
With a yearning joy that they never knew.
She woke from the darkest dark to see
Like a heavenly vision, that Christmas Tree.
Her mother despaired and feared the end,
But from that day she began to mend,
To play, to sing, to laugh with glee...
Bless you, O little Christmas Tree!
You died, but your life was not in vain:
You helped a child to forget her pain,
And let hope live in our hearts again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Christmas Tree by Robert Service: A Literary Analysis
Oh my goodness, have you ever read Robert Service’s “The Christmas Tree”? This classic poem captures the magic of the holiday season in a way that few others do. With its vivid imagery and poignant message, it’s no wonder that this poem has stood the test of time. In this literary analysis, we’ll take a closer look at how Service uses literary devices to create a sense of wonder and nostalgia, and explore the deeper meaning behind this beloved poem. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa and settle in, because we’ve got a lot to cover!
Form and Structure
First things first, let’s talk about the form and structure of “The Christmas Tree”. This poem is written in quatrains, or four-line stanzas, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. Service uses a mix of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter to create a rhythmic, sing-song quality to the poem.
But what’s really interesting about the structure of “The Christmas Tree” is the way that Service divides the poem into two distinct parts. The first six stanzas describe the beauty and wonder of the tree, while the final six stanzas take on a more somber tone, reflecting on the fleeting nature of the holiday season.
This structure is significant because it mirrors the emotional arc of the holiday season itself. The first part of the poem captures the excitement and anticipation of Christmas, while the second half acknowledges the bittersweet feeling that comes with the end of the holiday season.
Imagery and Symbolism
Next up, let’s talk about the imagery and symbolism in “The Christmas Tree”. Service is a master of descriptive language, and he uses it to paint a vivid picture of the tree. From the “tawdry and battered” ornaments to the “tinsel’s tarnished gold”, every detail of the tree is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing.
But the real heart of the poem lies in the symbolism behind the tree. Service uses the tree as a metaphor for the holiday season itself, highlighting both its beauty and its impermanence. In the opening stanzas, the tree is a thing of wonder and awe, “a green and glittering tree… a fairy thing you dream about”. But as the poem progresses, the tree begins to lose its luster, becoming a “sad and sorry sight… a ghost of what it used to be”.
This shift in the tree’s appearance is symbolic of the way that the holiday season loses its magic as it comes to an end. The ornaments that once shone so brightly now seem “tawdry and battered”, and the tinsel that once glittered now appears “tarnished”. This serves as a powerful reminder that the holiday season, like the tree, is fleeting and temporary.
Tone and Mood
Another key element of “The Christmas Tree” is the tone and mood of the poem. Service expertly shifts the tone from light and playful to somber and reflective as the poem progresses. The opening stanzas are filled with wonder and excitement, as the speaker marvels at the beauty of the tree. But as the poem moves into its second half, the tone becomes more melancholy, reflecting on the sadness of the holiday season coming to an end.
The mood of the poem is similarly complex. There’s a sense of nostalgia and longing that runs throughout the poem, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the transience of the holiday season. But there’s also a sense of hope and joy, as the speaker looks forward to the possibility of experiencing the wonder of Christmas once again in the future.
Themes and Messages
So, what are the deeper themes and messages that Service is trying to convey in “The Christmas Tree”? At its core, this poem is about the passage of time and the impermanence of life. The tree serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of the holiday season, reminding us that even the most magical moments in life are temporary.
But despite this message of impermanence, there’s also a sense of hope in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that the tree will never look as beautiful as it did on Christmas morning, but there’s still a sense of joy in the memories that it brings back. In this way, the poem encourages us to cherish the moments of beauty and wonder in our lives, even if they are fleeting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Christmas Tree” is a masterpiece of poetic language and imagery. Service expertly uses literary devices to capture the magic and wonder of the holiday season, while also conveying a deeper message about the passage of time and the impermanence of life. This poem is a timeless reminder to cherish the moments of beauty in our lives, even if they are fleeting. So, as the holiday season approaches, take a moment to appreciate the magic of the season – and remember the lessons of “The Christmas Tree”.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Christmas Tree: A Poem That Captures the Magic of the Season
As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking, and decorating. Amidst all the chaos, it's easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas - the joy of spending time with loved ones and celebrating the spirit of giving. In his classic poem, "The Christmas Tree," Robert Service reminds us of the magic of the season and the importance of cherishing the memories we create with those we hold dear.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about his childhood Christmases, when he and his siblings would eagerly await the arrival of the Christmas tree. He describes the tree as a "magic sight" that filled the room with "fairy light." The use of imagery here is particularly effective - the reader can almost picture the twinkling lights and feel the excitement of a child on Christmas morning.
As the speaker grows older, he begins to realize that the true magic of the Christmas tree lies not in its physical appearance, but in the memories it represents. He reflects on the many Christmases he has spent with his family, and how each one is unique and special in its own way. He notes that "each year it seems to me more sweet / To look back at the Christmas tree." This sentiment is one that many of us can relate to - as we grow older, we begin to appreciate the memories we have made with our loved ones more and more.
The poem takes a bittersweet turn as the speaker acknowledges that some of the people he shared those memories with are no longer with him. He notes that "some are gone, and some are here," and that "the room is filled with ghosts of dear / Remembered faces, and I smile / To think of them, though lost awhile." This passage is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the universal experience of loss and the importance of cherishing the memories we have of those who have passed on.
Despite the sadness of this realization, the speaker ultimately finds comfort in the memories of his loved ones. He notes that "the Christmas tree is shining still," and that "its magic light is aglow." This final stanza is a testament to the enduring power of the Christmas spirit, and the way in which it can bring us together even in the face of loss and sadness.
Overall, "The Christmas Tree" is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of the holiday season. Through its use of vivid imagery and heartfelt sentiment, it reminds us of the importance of cherishing the memories we create with our loved ones, and the enduring power of the Christmas spirit. As we gather with our families and friends this holiday season, let us remember the magic of the Christmas tree, and the joy that comes from spending time with those we hold dear.
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