'Sympathy' by Robert Service
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My Muse is simple,--yet it's nice
To think you don't need to think twice
On words I write.
I reckon I've a common touch
And if you say I cuss too much
I answer: 'Quite!'
I envy not the poet's lot;
He has something I haven't got,
Alas, I know.
But I have something maybe he
Would envy just a mite in me,--
I'm rather low.
For I am cast of common clay,
And from a ditch I fought my way,
And that is why
The while the poet scans the skies,
My gaze is grimly gutterwise,
Earthy am I.
And yet I have a gift, perhaps
Denied to proud poetic chaps
Who scoff at me;
I know the hearts of humble folk;
I too have bowed beneath the yoke:
So let my verse for them evoke
Your sympathy.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sympathy: An Analysis and Interpretation
As a classic poem by Robert Service, Sympathy tells the story of a prisoner who is confined in a jail cell and can only see a patch of blue sky through a barred window. The poem evokes feelings of sympathy and empathy from the reader, as we are invited to imagine what it would be like to be confined in such a small, cramped space. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in Sympathy, and what they tell us about the human condition.
Overview of Sympathy
Sympathy was written by Robert Service, a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush. The poem was first published in 1907 in the collection of poems titled "Songs of a Sourdough", also known as "The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses".
The poem is structured as a narrative, with the speaker being a nameless prisoner who is confined in a jail cell. The poem consists of eight stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. The meter of the poem is iambic tetrameter, with four stressed syllables per line.
The Themes of Sympathy
The poem Sympathy explores several themes, including confinement, freedom, and nature. One of the central themes of the poem is confinement, as the speaker is locked in a small cell and can only see a patch of blue sky through a barred window. The poem captures the sense of claustrophobia and isolation that comes with being confined in such a space.
The theme of freedom is also explored in the poem, as the speaker longs to be free and to experience the world outside of his cell. This theme is captured in the lines "Oh, to be free! To be free!" (line 25), which express the speaker's longing for freedom.
Nature is another important theme in the poem, as the speaker finds solace in the sight of a patch of blue sky. The speaker longs to be outside and to experience the natural world, but is unable to do so because of his confinement.
The Literary Devices Used in Sympathy
Robert Service uses several literary devices in Sympathy to convey the themes and emotions of the poem. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is imagery, as the speaker describes the small cell and the patch of blue sky in vivid detail.
The use of repetition is also prevalent in the poem, as the speaker repeats the phrase "Through a prison bar" (lines 5, 13, and 21) to emphasize the sense of confinement and limitation. The repetition of the phrase "Oh, to be free!" (line 25) also emphasizes the speaker's longing for freedom.
Another important literary device used in the poem is metaphor, as the patch of blue sky is used as a metaphor for freedom and the natural world. The speaker describes the sky as "a sapphire crown" (line 8) and "a window to God" (line 22), which emphasizes the beauty and wonder of nature.
The Interpretation of Sympathy
Sympathy is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the feelings of confinement and longing for freedom that are common to the human experience. The poem emphasizes the importance of nature and the natural world, and the way in which it can provide solace and comfort in even the most difficult of circumstances.
The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of the justice system and the way in which it can dehumanize and confine individuals. The speaker is denied their freedom and is forced to live in a small, cramped cell with no access to the outside world. This can be seen as a commentary on the way in which the justice system can strip individuals of their humanity and dignity.
Overall, Sympathy is a powerful and moving poem that captures the human experience of confinement and longing for freedom. The literary devices used in the poem serve to emphasize the themes and emotions of the poem, and the poem itself is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities and nuances of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sympathy: A Poem of Empathy and Understanding
Robert Service's Sympathy is a classic poem that speaks to the human experience of suffering and the need for empathy and understanding. Written in 1907, the poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of Sympathy, and how they contribute to the poem's enduring appeal.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing his desire to break free from his confinement. He is trapped in a small, dark room, and he longs to be outside in the open air. This physical confinement serves as a metaphor for the speaker's emotional and psychological state. He is trapped in his own pain and suffering, and he longs for someone to understand and empathize with him.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its vivid imagery and powerful language. The speaker describes the room as "a narrow bed" and "a coffin lid," emphasizing the suffocating nature of his confinement. He also uses the metaphor of a "cage" to describe his situation, highlighting the sense of being trapped and powerless.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the world outside his room, with its "golden sun" and "azure sky." He longs to be a part of this world, to feel the warmth of the sun on his face and the wind in his hair. This contrast between the darkness of the room and the brightness of the outside world emphasizes the speaker's sense of isolation and longing.
The third stanza introduces the theme of empathy and understanding. The speaker longs for someone to "feel with" him, to understand his pain and suffering. He describes this person as a "comrade," someone who has experienced similar struggles and can offer comfort and support. This theme of empathy is central to the poem, and it speaks to the universal human need for connection and understanding.
The fourth stanza introduces the image of the bird, which becomes a powerful symbol throughout the poem. The speaker describes the bird as "a soul in ecstasy," highlighting its freedom and joy. This image stands in stark contrast to the speaker's own confinement, emphasizing his sense of longing and despair.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes the bird's song, which he can hear from his room. He longs to join in the bird's song, to be a part of its joy and freedom. This desire for connection and belonging is a central theme of the poem, and it speaks to the universal human need for community and belonging.
The sixth stanza introduces the theme of hope, with the speaker describing the bird's song as a "promise of spring." This image suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth. This theme of hope is a powerful message, and it speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.
In the final stanza, the speaker expresses his desire to break free from his confinement and join the bird in its flight. He longs to be a part of the world outside his room, to feel the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. This image of flight represents the speaker's desire for freedom and liberation, and it serves as a powerful metaphor for the human experience of suffering and longing.
Overall, Sympathy is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal human experience of suffering and the need for empathy and understanding. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem captures the sense of isolation and longing that can accompany pain and suffering. At the same time, it offers a message of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth. As such, Sympathy remains a timeless and enduring work of poetry, one that continues to resonate with readers today.
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