'Ignorance' by Robert Service


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Oh happy he who cannot see
With scientific eyes;
Who does not know how flowers grow,
And is not planet wise;
Content to find with simple mind
Joys as they are:
To whom a rose is just a rose,
A star--a star.

It is not good, I deem, to brood
On things beyond our ken;
A rustic I would live and die,
Aloof from learned men;
And laugh and sing with zest of Spring
In life's exultant scene,--
For vain my be philosophy,
And what does meaning mean?

I'm talking rot,--I'm really not
As dumb as I pretend;
But happiness, I dimly guess,
Is what counts in the end.
To educate is to dilate
The nerves of pain:
So let us give up books and live
Like hinds again.

The best of wisdom surely is
To be not overwise;
For may not thought be evil fraught,
And truth less kind than lies?
So let me praise the golden days
I played a gay guitar,
And deemed a rose was just a rose,
A star--a star.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ignorance: A Critical Analysis

Oh, Ignorance! What a powerful and thought-provoking poem written by none other than Robert Service. With its simple language and powerful imagery, this poem compels the reader to think deeply and reflect on the nature of ignorance.

Background

Before diving into the poem, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Service was a poet and writer who lived in the early 20th century. He was known for his ability to capture the human experience in his writing, and his poems often dealt with themes of adventure, love, and the struggle for survival.

Analysis

In Ignorance, Service explores the dangers of ignorance and the need for knowledge in order to evolve and progress as a society. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each building upon the previous one and adding to the overall message of the poem.

Stanza One

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the theme of the poem. Service uses powerful imagery to describe the darkness and chaos that comes with ignorance. The line "through the dim, unknown abysses of the night" paints a picture of a world that is shrouded in darkness and uncertainty.

Service then goes on to describe the fear that comes with ignorance. He states that "we fear, we fear to tread the unknown ways", implying that ignorance breeds fear and that we are afraid to venture into the unknown. This fear of the unknown is what keeps us trapped in our ignorance and prevents us from progressing as a society.

Stanza Two

In the second stanza, Service highlights the dangers of ignorance. He states that "we grope, we stumble, and we blindly fall" when we are ignorant. This line emphasizes the fact that ignorance can lead to mistakes and failures, which can have serious consequences.

Service then goes on to describe the consequences of ignorance. He states that "we fall, we die, we suffer through it all", implying that ignorance can lead to death and suffering. This line is particularly powerful because it highlights the fact that ignorance is not just a personal issue, but a societal one. When we are ignorant, we not only harm ourselves, but we also harm those around us.

Stanza Three

In the third and final stanza, Service offers a solution to the problem of ignorance. He states that "we seek, we strive, we climb, we soar" when we are knowledgeable. This line implies that knowledge is the key to progress and evolution. When we strive to learn and understand, we are able to climb above our ignorance and soar towards our goals.

Service then goes on to describe the benefits of knowledge. He states that "we live, we love, we laugh, we learn, we thrive" when we are knowledgeable. This line is particularly powerful because it emphasizes the fact that knowledge is not just a personal benefit, but a societal one. When we are knowledgeable, we are able to live better lives, love more deeply, and thrive as a society.

Interpretation

So, what does Ignorance mean? At its core, Ignorance is a poem about the dangers of ignorance and the need for knowledge in order to progress as a society. Service uses powerful imagery and language to convey the message that ignorance breeds fear, mistakes, and suffering, while knowledge breeds progress, love, and laughter.

But Ignorance is not just a poem about society as a whole, it is also a poem about personal growth. Service emphasizes the fact that knowledge is not just a societal benefit, but a personal one as well. When we seek to learn and understand, we are able to live better lives, love more deeply, and thrive as individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ignorance is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that urges us to reflect on the dangers of ignorance and the need for knowledge in order to progress as a society. With its simple language and powerful imagery, this poem is a reminder that we must strive to overcome our ignorance in order to achieve our goals and live fulfilling lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ignorance: A Poem by Robert Service

Ignorance is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet and writer. The poem is a powerful commentary on the dangers of ignorance and the importance of knowledge. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall message.

The poem begins with the lines, "When I was young my teachers were the old. / I gave up fire for form till I was cold." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they introduce the theme of ignorance and the consequences of blindly following tradition and authority. The speaker, who is the poet himself, is reflecting on his own experiences as a young person, and how he was taught to value form and tradition over creativity and innovation.

The next stanza continues this theme, as the speaker laments, "I suffered like a metal being cast. / I went to school to age to learn the past." Here, the speaker is describing the process of being molded and shaped by society, and how this process can be painful and limiting. The metaphor of a metal being cast is particularly effective, as it suggests that the speaker was forced into a certain shape and form, without any agency or control over his own destiny.

The third stanza introduces a new theme, that of the dangers of ignorance. The speaker warns, "Now when I am old my teachers are the young. / What can't be molded must be cracked and sprung." Here, the speaker is suggesting that the old ways of thinking and doing things are no longer sufficient, and that new ideas and perspectives are needed in order to move forward. The metaphor of cracking and springing suggests that change can be painful and difficult, but ultimately necessary for growth and progress.

The fourth stanza continues this theme, as the speaker declares, "I strain towards the future, blind to all regret. / The past is still a good cigar that hasn't been smoked yet." Here, the speaker is emphasizing the importance of looking towards the future, rather than dwelling on the past. The metaphor of a cigar that hasn't been smoked yet is particularly effective, as it suggests that the past is still full of potential and possibility, and that it is up to us to shape it and make it our own.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker reflects on his own journey from ignorance to knowledge. He declares, "I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings. / Coming down is the hardest thing." Here, the speaker is acknowledging that learning and growth can be difficult and painful, but that it is ultimately worth it. The metaphor of learning to fly without wings is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is breaking free from the limitations of tradition and authority, and is charting his own course towards knowledge and enlightenment.

Overall, Ignorance is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of tradition, authority, ignorance, and knowledge. Through its use of vivid metaphors and powerful imagery, the poem encourages us to question the old ways of thinking and doing things, and to embrace new ideas and perspectives. It reminds us that change can be difficult and painful, but that it is ultimately necessary for growth and progress. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, we would do well to heed the message of this timeless poem, and to strive towards knowledge and enlightenment.

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