'The Idealist' by Robert W. Service

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Oh you who have daring deeds to tell!
And you who have felt Ambition's spell!
Have you heard of the louse who longed to dwell
In the golden hair of a queen?
He sighed all day and he sighed all night,
And no one could understand it quite,
For the head of a slut is a louse's delight,
But he pined for the head of a queen.

So he left his kinsfolk in merry play,
And off by his lonesome he stole away,
From the home of his youth so bright and gay,
And gloriously unclean.
And at last he came to the palace gate,
And he made his way in a manner straight
(For a louse may go where a man must wait)
To the tiring-room of the queen.

The queen she spake to her tiring-maid:
"There's something the matter, I'm afraid.
To-night ere for sleep my hair ye braid,
Just see what may be seen."
And lo, when they combed that shining hair
They found him alone in his glory there,
And he cried: "I die, but I do not care,
For I've lived in the head of a queen!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Idealist: A Masterpiece of Robert W. Service

Have you ever read a poem that completely takes you out of reality and transports you to a different time and space? A poem that makes you feel like you are living the life of the protagonist? If you haven't, then you need to read "The Idealist" by Robert W. Service. This poem is an absolute masterpiece that not only transports you to a different place but also makes you question the very essence of life and existence.

Background and Context

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a look at its background and context. "The Idealist" was first published in Service's collection of poems titled "Ballads of a Bohemian" in 1921. Service, a Canadian poet and writer, was known for his narrative style of poetry that often depicted the rugged and adventurous life of the people of the North. Service's poetry was heavily influenced by his experiences as a war correspondent and his travels across the world.

"The Idealist" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man named Johnnie O'Sullivan, who is an idealist at heart. Johnnie is a dreamer and a romantic who believes in the power of love and the goodness of humanity. However, his idealism is put to the test when he falls in love with a woman named Kate, who is practical and cynical. The poem takes us through the journey of Johnnie's idealism and how it is challenged by the harsh realities of life.

The Poem

The poem begins with Johnnie introducing himself to Kate. He tells her that he is a dreamer and a poet, and that he believes in the power of love. However, Kate is not impressed with Johnnie's idealism and tells him that he needs to be more practical. This is where the conflict between Johnnie's idealism and Kate's practicality begins.

The poem then takes us through various moments in Johnnie and Kate's relationship. We see Johnnie trying to impress Kate with his poems and his idealistic views, but Kate remains unmoved. We also see Johnnie trying to convince Kate to believe in the power of love and the goodness of humanity. However, Kate remains cynical and tells Johnnie that he needs to be more realistic.

The turning point of the poem comes when Johnnie is drafted into the army to fight in the First World War. Johnnie's idealism is put to the test when he witnesses the horrors of war. He sees his friends die in front of him and witnesses the destruction that war brings. Johnnie's idealism is shattered, and he realizes that the world is not as he thought it was.

The poem then takes us through Johnnie's journey back home. We see him struggling with his newfound cynicism and trying to come to terms with the realities of life. We also see him trying to reconnect with Kate, who has now become his wife. However, their relationship is no longer the same as it was before. Johnnie's idealism has been replaced with cynicism, and Kate has become even more practical.

The poem ends with Johnnie reflecting on his life and the lessons he has learned. He realizes that he cannot change the world, but he can change himself. He also realizes that while love and idealism are important, they are not enough to survive in the world. One needs to be practical and realistic to survive.

Interpretation

"The Idealist" is a powerful poem that explores the conflict between idealism and realism. Johnnie represents the idealist who believes in the power of love and the goodness of humanity. Kate represents the realist who believes in practicality and cynicism. The poem shows how these two worldviews clash and how they affect Johnnie and Kate's relationship.

The poem also explores the theme of war and its impact on individuals. Johnnie's experience in the war shatters his idealism and forces him to confront the harsh realities of life. The poem shows how war can change a person and how it can affect their worldview.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of personal growth and self-improvement. Johnnie realizes that while he cannot change the world, he can change himself. He learns that one needs to be practical and realistic to survive in the world. The poem shows how personal growth and self-improvement are important for individuals to cope with the challenges of life.

Conclusion

"The Idealist" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the conflict between idealism and realism. It is a powerful poem that transports the reader to a different time and space and makes them question the very essence of life and existence. The poem is a testament to Robert W. Service's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the human experience in his writing. If you haven't read "The Idealist" yet, then you need to read it now. It will change the way you view the world and yourself.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Idealist: A Poem of Hope and Inspiration

Robert W. Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his powerful and evocative works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Idealist, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of hope and inspiration. This poem is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the importance of holding onto our ideals, even in the face of adversity.

The Idealist is a poem that speaks to the heart of every person who has ever dared to dream of a better world. It is a poem that reminds us that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always hope. The poem begins with the lines, "Somewhere on the heights above / The shadows pin their arrows on / The fields of battle, scarred with love, / And go their way, and then are gone." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the human spirit and the power of hope.

The poem goes on to describe the idealist, who is a person who refuses to give up on their dreams. The idealist is someone who believes in the power of love and the ability of human beings to make a difference in the world. The idealist is someone who is not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, even if it means going against the tide. The poem describes the idealist as "a dreamer of the dreams of youth, / A believer in the truth of truth, / A seeker after starry ruth, / A climber of the peaks of ruth."

The poem then goes on to describe the challenges that the idealist faces. The idealist is someone who is often misunderstood and ridiculed by others. The idealist is someone who is seen as a dreamer, a person who is out of touch with reality. The poem describes the idealist as "a fool to those who cannot see / The vision of his destiny, / The glory of his ecstasy, / The beauty of his agony."

Despite these challenges, the idealist refuses to give up on their dreams. The idealist is someone who is willing to fight for what they believe in, even if it means facing ridicule and rejection. The poem describes the idealist as "a warrior of the soul's crusade, / A champion of the light that's made / To shine upon the dark parade, / And lead it to a better day."

The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and inspiration. The idealist is someone who believes that change is possible, that the world can be a better place. The idealist is someone who believes that love can conquer hate, that peace can triumph over war. The poem ends with the lines, "And though he falls upon the way, / And though his heart be rent with clay, / He hears a voice that seems to say, / 'Go on, go on, and win the day.'"

In conclusion, The Idealist is a poem that speaks to the heart of every person who has ever dared to dream of a better world. It is a poem that reminds us that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always hope. The poem celebrates the human spirit and the power of hope, and it encourages us to hold onto our ideals, even in the face of adversity. The Idealist is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and uplift people for generations to come.

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