'Tourist' by Robert Service

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'Twas in a village in Lorraine
Whose name I quite forget,
I found I needfully was fain
To buy a serviette.
I sought a shop wherein they sell
Such articles as these,
And told a smiling mademoiselle;
'I want a towel, please.'

'Of kinds,' said she, 'I've only two,'
And took the bundles down;
And one was coloured azure blue,
And one was khaki brown.
With doubt I scratched my hoary head;
The quality was right;
The size too, yet I gravely said:
'Too bad you haven't white.'

That pretty maid had sunny hair,
Her gaze was free from guile,
And while I hesitated there
She watched me with a smile.
Then as I went to take the blue
She said 'Non' meaning no.
'Ze khaki ones are best, M'sieu:
Ze dirts zey do not show.'

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tourist: A Literary Masterpiece by Robert Service

Oh, how do I begin to describe the beauty of Robert Service's Tourist? This classic poem, written in the early 1900s, captures the essence of travel, adventure, and wanderlust. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, imagery, and literary devices used by Service to create this masterpiece.

Overview

Tourist tells the story of a traveler who visits exotic locations, seeking adventure and thrills. The poem is structured in seven stanzas, each describing a different location and the traveler's experience there. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors transports the reader to each location, allowing them to experience the adventure alongside the traveler.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in Tourist is the pursuit of adventure. The traveler is constantly seeking new experiences, pushing himself to the limits and exploring the unknown. This theme is evident throughout the poem, as the traveler visits locations such as "the jungle's savage heart" and "the desert's burning sand."

Another theme that is explored in Tourist is the idea of escapism. The traveler is trying to escape the monotony and routine of everyday life, seeking excitement and unpredictability. This theme is evident in the line "I longed for the wild and the weird, for the thrill of adventure unknown."

Finally, Tourist also explores the theme of human connection. Although the traveler is seeking adventure and thrills, he also seeks to connect with the people he meets along the way. This is evident in the line "the folk with the foreign tongue that I loved in the long ago."

Imagery

The imagery used in Tourist is simply breathtaking. Service's use of vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors allows the reader to see, hear, and feel each location described in the poem. In the first stanza, the traveler visits the "jungle's savage heart," where "the air was a-tremble with thunder." This evocative imagery transports the reader to the heart of the jungle, where danger lurks around every corner.

In the second stanza, the traveler visits "the land of the midnight sun," where "the sky was a-blaze with the glory of God." This vivid description allows the reader to experience the beauty and wonder of the northern lights, while also highlighting the traveler's sense of awe and wonder.

In the third stanza, the traveler visits "the desert's burning sand," where "the sun was a-curse and a blasting." This powerful metaphor captures the harshness and brutality of the desert, while also highlighting the traveler's sense of resilience and determination.

Literary Devices

Service's use of literary devices in Tourist is simply masterful. The poem is rich with metaphors, similes, and personification, all of which serve to enhance the imagery and deepen the themes explored in the poem.

One example of Service's use of literary devices can be found in the line "the jungle's savage heart." Here, Service uses personification to give the jungle a sense of life and danger, highlighting the traveler's sense of unease and vulnerability.

Another example of Service's use of literary devices can be found in the line "the sky was a-blaze with the glory of God." Here, Service uses a metaphor to describe the northern lights, highlighting their beauty and majesty.

Finally, Service's use of repetition in the line "I longed for the wild and the weird, for the thrill of adventure unknown" serves to emphasize the traveler's sense of longing and desire for adventure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's Tourist is a literary masterpiece that explores themes of adventure, escapism, and human connection. Service's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and literary devices serves to transport the reader to each location described in the poem, allowing them to experience the adventure alongside the traveler. Tourist is truly a timeless classic, and a must-read for anyone with a sense of wanderlust or a love for adventure.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Tourist: A Poem of Adventure and Exploration

Robert Service's poem "Tourist" is a thrilling tale of adventure and exploration that takes the reader on a journey through the rugged wilderness of the Yukon. The poem is a celebration of the spirit of adventure and the thrill of discovery, as the protagonist sets out to explore the unknown and conquer the challenges that lie ahead.

The poem begins with the protagonist, a tourist, setting out on his journey into the wilderness. He is filled with excitement and anticipation, eager to explore the rugged terrain and discover the secrets that lie hidden in the wilderness. The opening lines of the poem capture the sense of adventure and excitement that the protagonist feels:

"I'm a tourist in the land of the midnight sun, Where the frozen rivers flow. Where the mighty moose and the grizzly bear Roam through the hills of snow."

The imagery in these lines is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of a vast and untamed wilderness that is both beautiful and dangerous. The frozen rivers, the hills of snow, and the roaming moose and grizzly bear all serve to create a sense of awe and wonder in the reader, as we are transported to a world that is both familiar and yet completely foreign.

As the protagonist continues his journey, he encounters a series of challenges and obstacles that test his courage and determination. He must cross frozen rivers, climb steep mountains, and brave the harsh elements of the wilderness. But despite these challenges, he remains undaunted, driven by his desire to explore and discover the secrets of the land.

The poem is filled with powerful imagery and vivid descriptions that bring the wilderness to life. We can feel the cold wind on our faces, hear the crunch of snow beneath our feet, and see the vast expanse of the wilderness stretching out before us. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of nature, and the sense of wonder and awe that it inspires in us.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which it captures the spirit of adventure and exploration. The protagonist is driven by a deep sense of curiosity and a desire to discover the unknown. He is not content to simply observe the wilderness from a distance; he wants to immerse himself in it, to experience it firsthand, and to push himself to his limits.

This sense of adventure and exploration is something that is deeply ingrained in the human spirit. We are drawn to the unknown, to the unexplored, and to the mysteries that lie beyond our reach. The poem captures this sense of wonder and curiosity, and reminds us of the importance of embracing our sense of adventure and exploring the world around us.

At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the dangers and risks that come with exploration. The wilderness is a harsh and unforgiving place, and those who venture into it must be prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead. The protagonist in the poem is not naive; he knows that the wilderness can be dangerous, and he is prepared to face whatever challenges come his way.

In this sense, the poem is also a celebration of courage and determination. The protagonist is not a passive observer of the wilderness; he is an active participant, willing to take risks and face challenges in order to achieve his goals. This spirit of courage and determination is something that we can all aspire to, and the poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of pushing ourselves to our limits and embracing the challenges that come our way.

In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Tourist" is a powerful celebration of adventure, exploration, and the human spirit. It captures the beauty and power of the wilderness, and reminds us of the importance of embracing our sense of wonder and curiosity. At the same time, it acknowledges the risks and challenges that come with exploration, and celebrates the courage and determination that are necessary to overcome them. The poem is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing our sense of adventure and exploring the world around us.

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