'Work And Joy' by Robert Service
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Each day I live I thank the Lord
I do the work I love;
And in it find a rich reward,
All price and praise above.
For few may do the work they love,
The fond unique employ,
That fits them as a hand a glove,
And gives them joy.
Oh gentlefolk, do you and you
Who toil for daily hire,
Consider that the job you do
Is to your heart's desire?
Aye, though you are to it resigned,
And will no duty shirk,
Oh do you in your private mind
Adore your work?
Twice happy man whose job is joy,
Whose hand and heart combine,
In brave and excellent employ
As radiantly as mine!
But oh the weary, dreary day,
The wear and tear and irk
Of countless souls who cannot say:
'I love my work.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Work And Joy: A Celebration of Life by Robert Service
Oh, what a poem! Robert Service's "Work And Joy" is a masterpiece of human experience, celebrating the beauty of life and the importance of working hard to achieve our goals. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, and language of this enduring classic, and show how it speaks to us even today.
Themes
At its core, "Work And Joy" is a celebration of life. Service urges us to embrace the opportunities that come our way, to work hard and take risks, to savor the joys of existence, and to live without regret. He acknowledges the difficulties we face, the fears that hold us back, but he also insists that we can overcome them and find purpose and fulfillment in our lives.
One way that Service expresses this theme is through his use of contrast. He juxtaposes the beauty of nature with the harshness of human existence, the joy of success with the pain of failure, the thrill of risk-taking with the safety of caution. By doing so, he shows that life is not always easy, but that it is worth living to the fullest.
Another way that Service expresses this theme is through his use of imagery. He employs vivid descriptions of the natural world, such as "the singing brook that dances down the hill" and "the winds that blow across the moors", to convey a sense of wonder and awe. He also uses powerful metaphors, such as "the fire that burns within our breast", to suggest the intensity of human emotion and drive. Through these images, Service invites us to see the world as he does: full of beauty, wonder, and possibility.
Structure
"Work And Joy" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Service's sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line contains ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This gives the poem a musical quality, as the stressed and unstressed syllables create a regular rhythm.
The rhyme scheme of "Work And Joy" is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth. The final couplet, GG, has a rhyme that serves to conclude the poem and emphasize its central message.
The structure of the sonnet mirrors the themes of the poem. The strict form, with its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, suggests the order and discipline that are required to achieve success and joy in life. At the same time, the sonnet's brevity and intensity reflect the fleeting nature of existence, the urgency of living in the moment, and the need to seize opportunities when they arise.
Language
Service's language in "Work And Joy" is straightforward and accessible, yet also rich and evocative. He uses concrete nouns, active verbs, and sensory details to create a vivid picture of the world he is describing. This style of writing allows the reader to feel as though they are experiencing the world alongside the poet, to feel the wind on their face, to hear the singing brook, to smell the "scent of dewy grass".
At the same time, Service also uses figurative language to convey deeper meanings. He employs metaphors, such as "the fire that burns within our breast", to suggest the intensity of human emotion and desire. He uses personification, such as "the winds that blow across the moors", to give life and agency to the natural world. And he uses symbolism, such as the image of the rising sun, to suggest the renewal and rebirth that can come through hard work and perseverance.
Interpretation
"Work And Joy" is a poem that speaks to us on many levels. It reminds us of the beauty and importance of the natural world, and of the need to protect it from harm. It urges us to take risks, to challenge ourselves, and to embrace the opportunities that come our way. And it reassures us that even in the face of difficulty and adversity, we can find joy and purpose in life.
One way to interpret "Work And Joy" is as an expression of Service's own philosophy of life. Service was a man who lived life on his own terms, taking risks and pursuing his passions with a fierce determination. He was also a poet who celebrated the beauty of the natural world, and who used language to convey the complexity and richness of human experience. In "Work And Joy", we see all of these themes and values coming together in a single, powerful work of art.
Another way to interpret "Work And Joy" is as a reflection of the human condition more broadly. We all face challenges and obstacles in life, and we all must find ways to overcome them. We all experience joy and sorrow, success and failure, and we all seek meaning and purpose in our lives. By articulating these universal themes in such a compelling and memorable way, Service has created a work of art that speaks to us across time and space.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Work And Joy" is a remarkable poem that celebrates the beauty of life and the importance of hard work and perseverance. Through its vivid imagery, strict structure, and powerful language, it reminds us of the wonders of the natural world, the intensity of human emotion, and the potential for joy and fulfillment in our lives. As we face the challenges and uncertainties of the present moment, may we draw strength and inspiration from this timeless classic, and may we continue to find work and joy in our own lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Work and Joy: A Celebration of Life
Robert Service's poem "Work and Joy" is a celebration of the beauty of life and the importance of finding joy in the work we do. The poem is a reminder that life is not just about the end result, but about the journey we take to get there. It is a call to embrace the challenges and struggles of life, and to find joy in the process.
The poem begins with the lines, "Let a joy keep you. Reach out your hands / And take it when it runs by." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the importance of joy in our lives. Service encourages us to actively seek out joy and to hold onto it when we find it. He reminds us that joy is not something that comes to us passively, but something that we must actively pursue.
The poem then goes on to describe the beauty of the world around us. Service writes, "It leaps from the water to the land / And the quivering bushes thrill." He describes the natural world as a source of joy and inspiration, encouraging us to take pleasure in the simple things in life. He reminds us that joy can be found in the beauty of nature, in the laughter of children, and in the love of family and friends.
Service then turns his attention to the importance of work in our lives. He writes, "Work, and the world is yours to hold. / Work, till the blood runs singing in your veins." These lines emphasize the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving our goals. Service reminds us that success is not handed to us on a silver platter, but is something that we must work for and earn.
However, Service also emphasizes the importance of finding joy in our work. He writes, "Work, and be gay, and leave behind you / A memory that shall not fade." He encourages us to find joy in the work we do, and to take pride in our accomplishments. He reminds us that our work is not just a means to an end, but a source of fulfillment and satisfaction in our lives.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Service acknowledges the struggles and hardships that we all face in life. He writes, "Work, for the night is coming, / When man works no more." These lines serve as a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we must make the most of the time we have. Service acknowledges that life is not always easy, but encourages us to persevere in the face of adversity.
Service then returns to the theme of joy, writing, "Work, for the day is coming / When you shall hear Him say: / Well done. Oh, well done, my own beloved, / And the strife is past for aye." These lines serve as a reminder that the struggles and hardships of life are temporary, and that joy and fulfillment await us in the end. Service encourages us to keep working towards our goals, knowing that our efforts will be rewarded in the end.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Work and Joy" is a celebration of the beauty of life and the importance of finding joy in the work we do. The poem is a reminder that life is not just about the end result, but about the journey we take to get there. It is a call to embrace the challenges and struggles of life, and to find joy in the process. Service encourages us to actively seek out joy and to hold onto it when we find it. He reminds us that joy can be found in the beauty of nature, in the laughter of children, and in the love of family and friends. He also emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving our goals, but reminds us to find joy in our work and to take pride in our accomplishments. Finally, Service acknowledges the struggles and hardships of life, but encourages us to persevere in the face of adversity, knowing that joy and fulfillment await us in the end.
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