'Tea On The Lawn' by Robert Service
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It was foretold by sybils three
that in an air crash he would die.
"I'll fool their prophesy," said he;
"You won't get me to go on high.
Howe're the need for haste and speed,
I'll never, never, never fly."
It's true he traveled everywhere,
Afar and near, by land and sea,
Yet he would never go by air
And chance an evil destiny.
Always by ship or rail he went -
For him no sky-plane accident.
Then one day walking on the heath
He watched a pilot chap on high,
And chuckled as he stood beneath
That lad a-looping in the sky.
Feeling so safe and full of glee
Serenely he went home to tea.
With buttered toast he told his wife:
"My dear, you can't say I've been rash;
Three fortune tellers said my life
Would end up in an air-plane crash.
But see! I'm here so safe and sound:
By gad! I'll never leave the ground.
"For me no baptism of air;
It's in my bed I mean to die.
Behold yon crazy fool up there,
A-cutting capers in the sky.
His motor makes a devilish din . . .
Look! Look! He's gone into a spin.
"He's dashing downward - "Oh my God!" . . .
Alas! he never finished tea.
The motor ploughed the garden sod
And in the crash a corpse was he:
Proving that no man can frustrate
The merciless design of Fate.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tea on the Lawn: A Literary Analysis
Robert Service's "Tea on the Lawn" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the early 20th century's societal norms and expectations. With its vivid imagery and playful tone, the poem explores the themes of class, gender, and the changing social landscape of the time. In this literary analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning and symbolism, and explore its relevance in today's world.
Overview of Tea on the Lawn
"Tea on the Lawn" is a fourteen-line poem structured in a typical sonnet form, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is set in a pastoral landscape, with the narrator describing a group of people enjoying tea on the lawn. The poem's tone is light and playful, with a sense of whimsy and nostalgia. The narrator uses vivid imagery to describe the scene, painting a picture of a bygone era.
Themes and Analysis
Class
Class is a central theme in "Tea on the Lawn," as the poem portrays a group of upper-class people enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea. The poem's narrator highlights the opulence of the gathering, describing the "silver service" and the "scones and cream" that are served. The poem also emphasizes the exclusivity of the event, with the narrator noting that the guests are "all of the county set."
However, the poem also critiques the class system of the time, highlighting the social divide between the upper and lower classes. The narrator notes that the "village folk" are watching the gathering from afar, implying that they are excluded from the festivities. The poem also suggests that the upper class is out of touch with the realities of the lower classes, as the narrator notes that the guests are "lost in their own chatter" and oblivious to the world beyond their own.
Gender
Gender is another theme that is explored in "Tea on the Lawn," as the poem portrays a traditional gender divide. The women in the poem are depicted as delicate and refined, with "dainty fingers" and "lace parasols." They are also portrayed as passive, with the narrator noting that they are "content to sit and smile."
On the other hand, the men in the poem are depicted as more active and dominant. They are described as "laughing loud" and "gallant," and are shown to be the ones who initiate the conversation and the activities of the gathering.
However, the poem also challenges traditional gender roles, as the narrator notes that the women are "not without their wit," and that they participate in the conversation with their own brand of humor.
Social Landscape
The changing social landscape of the early 20th century is another theme that is explored in "Tea on the Lawn." The poem portrays a world that is in transition, as the old social norms are being challenged and new ones are emerging. The gathering of the upper-class guests represents the old order, with its emphasis on exclusivity and traditional gender roles.
However, the poem also hints at the emergence of a new social order, as the narrator notes that the guests are "lost in their own chatter" and oblivious to the world beyond their own. This suggests that the upper class is becoming disconnected from the realities of the world, and that new voices and perspectives are emerging from outside of the traditional social hierarchy.
Symbolism
"Tea on the Lawn" is rich in symbolism, with various elements of the poem representing deeper meanings.
Silver Service
The silver service in the poem represents the opulence and exclusivity of the upper class. It also symbolizes the rigid social hierarchy of the time, with the silver service being a status symbol that sets the upper class apart from the lower classes.
Scones and Cream
The scones and cream in the poem represent the decadence and indulgence of the upper class. They also symbolize the traditional gender roles of the time, with the women being expected to be delicate and refined, and the men being expected to be dominant and active.
Lace Parasols
The lace parasols in the poem represent the fragility and delicacy of the women in the gathering. They also symbolize the traditional gender roles of the time, with the women being expected to be passive and decorative.
Village Folk
The village folk in the poem represent the lower classes who are excluded from the gathering. They also symbolize the changing social landscape of the time, with new voices and perspectives emerging from outside of the traditional social hierarchy.
Relevance Today
"Tea on the Lawn" is still relevant today, as it highlights the ongoing struggle for social equality and the challenges of navigating changing social norms. The poem reminds us of the importance of challenging traditional gender roles and the dangers of becoming disconnected from the realities of the world.
In today's world, we still see the persistence of class and gender divides, as well as the emergence of new voices and perspectives from outside of the traditional social hierarchy. "Tea on the Lawn" reminds us that we must continue to strive for social equality and remain aware of the world beyond our own.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tea on the Lawn" is a classic poem that explores the themes of class, gender, and the changing social landscape of the early 20th century. Through its vivid imagery and playful tone, the poem captures the essence of a bygone era while also challenging traditional social norms. "Tea on the Lawn" remains relevant today, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for social equality and the importance of remaining aware of the world beyond our own.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tea On The Lawn: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Tea on the Lawn is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet and writer of the early 20th century. The poem is a beautiful depiction of a summer afternoon spent in the company of loved ones, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. It is a poem that captures the essence of a bygone era, where life was slower, and people took the time to appreciate the little things.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the setting of the scene. It is a beautiful summer day, and the sun is shining down on the lush green lawn. The speaker describes the scene as "a picture postcard come to life," and it is easy to see why. The image of a group of people gathered on a lawn, surrounded by trees and flowers, is one that is both idyllic and timeless.
As the poem progresses, we are introduced to the characters who are enjoying the tea on the lawn. There is the hostess, who is described as "a gracious lady of the old school." She is the epitome of elegance and refinement, and her presence adds a touch of sophistication to the scene. Then there are the guests, who are a mix of young and old, all enjoying each other's company and the beautiful surroundings.
The speaker then goes on to describe the tea that is being served. It is a "fragrant brew," and the guests are savoring every sip. The tea is served in delicate china cups, and the guests are using silver spoons to stir in sugar and cream. The attention to detail in the description of the tea is a testament to the importance that was placed on the ritual of tea-drinking in that era.
As the poem continues, we are given a glimpse into the conversations that are taking place among the guests. They are discussing a variety of topics, from the weather to politics to the latest fashions. The speaker notes that "the talk was light and gay," and it is clear that everyone is enjoying themselves immensely.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the sense of nostalgia that it evokes. The scene that is being described is one that is from a bygone era, and the poem captures the essence of that time perfectly. The attention to detail in the description of the tea and the surroundings is a testament to the importance that was placed on the little things in life. It is a reminder that sometimes it is the simple pleasures that bring us the most joy.
Another aspect of the poem that is worth noting is the sense of community that is present. The guests are all enjoying each other's company, and there is a sense of camaraderie that is palpable. It is a reminder that sometimes it is the people that we surround ourselves with that make life worth living.
In conclusion, Tea on the Lawn is a classic poem that captures the essence of a bygone era. It is a beautiful depiction of a summer afternoon spent in the company of loved ones, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. The attention to detail in the description of the tea and the surroundings is a testament to the importance that was placed on the little things in life. It is a reminder that sometimes it is the simple pleasures that bring us the most joy. The sense of community that is present in the poem is also worth noting, as it is a reminder that sometimes it is the people that we surround ourselves with that make life worth living. Overall, Tea on the Lawn is a timeless poem that is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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