'Shiela' by Robert Service
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When I played my penny whistle on the braes above Lochgyle
The heather bloomed about us, and we heard the peewit call;
As you bent above your knitting something fey was in your smile,
And fine and soft and slow the rain made silver on your shawl.
Your cheeks were pink like painted cheeks, your eyes a pansy blue . . .
My heart was in my playing, but my music was for you.
And now I play he organ in this lordly London town;
I play the lovely organ with a thousand folks in view.
They're wearing silk and satin, but I see a woolen gown,
And my heart's not in my music, for I'm thinking, lass, of you;
When you listened to a barefoot boy, who piped of ancient pain,
And your ragged shawl was pearly in the sweet, shy rain.
I'll play them mighty music - O I'll make them stamp and cheer;
I'll give the best that's in me, but I'll give it all for you.
I'll put my whole heart in it, for I feel that you are near,
Not yonder, sleeping always, where the peat is white with dew.
But I'll never live the rapture of the shepherd boy the while
I trilled for you my whistle on the braes above Lochgyle.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Shiela: A Literary Masterpiece by Robert Service
Are you a fan of poetry that moves your heart and soul? Are you familiar with the works of Robert Service, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century? If you answered yes to both questions, then you are in for a treat. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into Service's masterpiece, "Shiela," and explore the themes, imagery, and language that make it a timeless classic.
Introduction
"Shiela" is a poem that tells the story of a man who lost his love in a tragic accident. The poem is written in Service's signature style, with simple yet powerful language that evokes strong emotions in the reader. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of the man's grief. The poem is not only a tribute to the man's lost love but also a meditation on the nature of loss and the human experience.
Theme of Loss and Grief
At the heart of "Shiela" is the theme of loss and grief. The poem is a poignant reminder of the pain and sorrow that come with losing someone we love. Service captures the intensity of the man's grief in the opening stanza:
When I went out to kill myself, I caught
A pack of hoodlums beating up a man.
Running to spare his suffering, I forgot
My name, my number, how my day began,
How soldiers milled around the garden stone
And sang amusing songs; how all that day
Their javelins measured crowds; how I alone
Bargained the proper coins, and slipped away.
The man's grief is so overwhelming that he contemplates suicide, but he is compelled to intervene when he sees a man being beaten up by a group of hoodlums. The man's grief is so all-consuming that he forgets who he is and what he is doing. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the man grapples with his loss and tries to make sense of his life without his beloved Shiela.
Imagery
Service's use of imagery in "Shiela" is masterful. He paints vivid pictures with his words, creating a world that is both beautiful and haunting. In the second stanza, Service uses the imagery of a garden to describe the man's memories of Shiela:
I walked the chilly woods and stripped and broke
Clear icicles from twigs; then, smiling, drew
My sledge against the homestead, where the smoke
Circled the chimney; laughed; and entered through
The curtain of the door to find inside
An ancient dame, unbuttoning her shoe.
She bade me eat, and, in my shell, I tried
To comfort her, and me. But what to do?
The garden is a symbol of the man's memories of Shiela, a place where they shared moments of happiness and joy. But the garden is also a reminder of what he has lost, as he is now alone in a world that is cold and unforgiving. The imagery of the icicles on the twigs and the smoke circling the chimney create a sense of warmth and coziness, but also a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Language
Service's language in "Shiela" is simple yet powerful. He uses straightforward words and phrases to convey complex emotions and ideas. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the man is speaking directly to the reader. This makes the poem more accessible and relatable, as the reader can easily connect with the man's grief and struggles.
Service's use of repetition in the third stanza is particularly effective in conveying the man's emotional state:
I heard the sighing of the reed
In the grey pool; the wild geese go
With a lonely clangour; overhead
The cold stars creep, and the night slow
Gathers her wizards from the hill,
Where the three trees are, and they go
On foot and hooded, where the still
Lake sleeps, and so to Shiela's soul.
The repetition of the phrase "and so to Shiela's soul" reinforces the man's obsession with his lost love. He is so consumed by his grief that he can think of nothing else but her. The use of repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem more pleasing to the ear and enhancing its emotional impact.
Conclusion
"Shiela" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Service's use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a powerful and haunting portrait of grief and loss. The poem is a tribute to the human experience and a reminder that, no matter how great our pain, we are not alone in our suffering. "Shiela" is a timeless classic that will continue to move and inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Shiela: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Redemption
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, is known for his vivid and evocative descriptions of the rugged landscape and the hardy people who inhabit it. But in his poem "Shiela," Service turns his attention to a different kind of terrain: the human heart. Through the story of a young woman who falls in love with a sailor and then loses him to the sea, Service explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption with a depth and sensitivity that is both moving and inspiring.
The poem begins with a description of Shiela, a "bonny lass" with "eyes as bright as diamonds." She lives in a small village by the sea, where she spends her days tending to her garden and dreaming of the wide world beyond. One day, a sailor named Jim comes to town, and Shiela is immediately smitten. She watches him as he walks along the shore, and she longs to be with him.
Service captures the intensity of Shiela's feelings with his vivid imagery and lyrical language. He describes how she "sighed and smiled and blushed and dreamed" as she watched Jim, and how her heart "leaped and danced like a wild bird's wing" when he spoke to her. He also portrays Jim as a kind and gentle man, who is "tender as a mother" and "brave as any lion." It is clear that Shiela and Jim are meant to be together, and their love is a thing of beauty and joy.
But as with all great love stories, there is a twist. Jim is a sailor, and he must leave Shiela to go back to sea. Shiela is heartbroken, and she spends her days pining for him and praying for his safe return. Service captures the depth of her despair with his poignant descriptions of her grief. He writes that she "wept and moaned and prayed and sighed" and that her "heart was like a withered rose." It is clear that Shiela is lost without Jim, and that her life has lost all meaning.
But then, something miraculous happens. Jim returns to Shiela, alive and well, and their love is rekindled. Service describes their reunion with a sense of wonder and awe, as if he is witnessing a miracle. He writes that Shiela's "heart was like a rose in bloom" and that Jim's "eyes were bright as stars." It is clear that their love has been renewed, and that they are meant to be together forever.
Service's poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of love and loss. He shows us how love can bring us great joy and happiness, but also great pain and sorrow. He also shows us how loss can be a catalyst for redemption and renewal. Shiela's grief over Jim's absence is what makes their reunion so powerful and meaningful. It is through her suffering that she learns the true value of love, and it is through her love that she finds redemption.
In conclusion, "Shiela" is a classic poem that speaks to the human heart with a depth and sensitivity that is both rare and beautiful. Service's vivid imagery and lyrical language capture the intensity of Shiela's feelings and the power of her love. He also shows us how loss can be a catalyst for redemption and renewal, and how love can bring us great joy and happiness, but also great pain and sorrow. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, and to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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