'Finistere' by Robert Service
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Hurrah! I'm off to Finistere, to Finistere, to Finistere;
My satchel's swinging on my back, my staff is in my hand;
I've twenty louis in my purse, I know the sun and sea are there,
And so I'm starting out to-day to tramp the golden land.
I'll go alone and glorying, with on my lips a song of joy;
I'll leave behind the city with its canker and its care;
I'll swing along so sturdily -- oh, won't I be the happy boy!
A-singing on the rocky roads, the roads of Finistere.
Oh, have you been to Finistere, and do you know a whin-gray town
That echoes to the clatter of a thousand wooden shoes?
And have you seen the fisher-girls go gallivantin' up and down,
And watched the tawny boats go out, and heard the roaring crews?
Oh, would you sit with pipe and bowl, and dream upon some sunny quay,
Or would you walk the windy heath and drink the cooler air;
Oh, would you seek a cradled cove and tussle with the topaz sea! --
Pack up your kit to-morrow, lad, and haste to Finistere.
Oh, I will go to Finistere, there's nothing that can hold me back.
I'll laugh with Yves and Le/on, and I'll chaff with Rose and Jeanne;
I'll seek the little, quaint buvette that's kept by Mother Merdrinac,
Who wears a cap of many frills, and swears just like a man.
I'll yarn with hearty, hairy chaps who dance and leap and crack their heels;
Who swallow cupfuls of cognac and never turn a hair;
I'll watch the nut-brown boats come in with mullet, plaice and conger eels,
The jeweled harvest of the sea they reap in Finistere.
Yes, I'll come back from Finistere with memories of shining days,
Of scaly nets and salty men in overalls of brown;
Of ancient women knitting as they watch the tethered cattle graze
By little nestling beaches where the gorse goes blazing down;
Of headlands silvering the sea, of Calvarys against the sky,
Of scorn of angry sunsets, and of Carnac grim and bare;
Oh, won't I have the leaping veins, and tawny cheek and sparkling eye,
When I come back to Montparnasse and dream of Finistere.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Finistere: A Journey into the Depths of Human Emotion
If there's one thing that poetry does best, it's to capture the essence of human emotion and transport us to another time and place. Robert Service's poem "Finistere" is a prime example of this, taking us on a journey into the heart of grief and loss. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this hauntingly beautiful poem.
The Power of Loss
From the very beginning, Service sets the tone for the poem with the line "In Finistere's bleak chaos". The word "bleak" immediately evokes a sense of desolation and hopelessness, and the word "chaos" suggests a world in disarray. We soon learn that the narrator has lost someone dear to him, and his grief is palpable in lines such as "I've lost the best of comrades, oh, my dearest woe".
What's remarkable about "Finistere" is the way in which Service explores the different facets of grief. The narrator is not just sad, but is also angry ("I curse the gods who made you"), confused ("Our lives are caught in shadows, oh, our hapless human fate"), and even numb ("I cannot think nor feel, I'm dumb, I'm deaf, I'm blind"). By showing us the different stages of grief, Service creates a nuanced portrait of loss that is both universal and deeply personal.
The Power of Nature
One of the most striking aspects of "Finistere" is its vivid imagery. Service paints a picture of a rugged, windswept landscape that mirrors the narrator's emotional turmoil. We see the "gale that shrieked and shook" and the "waves that roared like beasts in pain". The sea, in particular, becomes a powerful symbol of both danger and solace. On the one hand, it represents the great unknown, a force that can easily overwhelm us. On the other hand, it offers a sense of peace and release, as seen in lines such as "Then let me be with you, oh, deep and silent sea".
Service also uses nature to create a sense of contrast. In the midst of all this chaos and destruction, there are moments of beauty and tranquility. We see this in the "woods of pine and birch" and the "moon that sailed in glory". These moments of respite serve to highlight the narrator's pain even more, as he is unable to fully appreciate them in his current state.
The Power of Memory
At its core, "Finistere" is a poem about memory and the ways in which it can both comfort and torment us. The narrator is haunted by memories of his lost love, and these memories are both a source of solace ("I see you in the sunlight and I hear you in the breeze") and a source of pain ("I see you in the shadows and I feel you in the night").
Service also explores the idea of memory as a way of preserving what is lost. The narrator speaks of "building a temple of your memory" and "carving your name in stone". These acts serve not just as a way of honoring the dead, but also as a way of keeping them alive in some small way.
The Power of Language
Finally, we come to the language of "Finistere" itself. Service's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that is both soothing and unsettling. The repetition of certain phrases ("oh, my dearest woe", "I see you in the sunlight") reinforces the idea of memory and the way in which certain phrases can become ingrained in our minds.
But perhaps the most striking aspect of Service's language is its simplicity. The poem is not filled with elaborate metaphors or obscure references; instead, it speaks directly to the heart. By using plain, everyday language, Service is able to convey the depth of the narrator's emotions in a way that is both accessible and profound.
Conclusion
In "Finistere", Robert Service has created a masterpiece of emotional depth and artistic beauty. Through his use of imagery, symbolism, and language, he takes us on a journey into the heart of grief and loss, and shows us the power of memory and the solace of nature. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is still beauty and hope to be found.
So let us raise a glass to Robert Service, and to all those who have felt the sting of loss. May we find comfort in the memories of those we have loved, and may we never forget the power of poetry to heal and inspire us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Finistere: A Poem of Adventure and Exploration
Robert Service’s Finistere is a classic poem that tells the story of a young man’s journey to the end of the world. The poem is a thrilling adventure that takes the reader on a journey through the rugged landscape of Brittany, France, and into the unknown depths of the ocean. It is a tale of courage, determination, and the human spirit’s unrelenting desire to explore and discover.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the rugged coastline of Brittany, where the land meets the sea. The narrator paints a vivid picture of the rocky cliffs, the crashing waves, and the wild winds that whip across the landscape. He describes the scene as “a land of granite and of gold, / Of purple heather and of green, / Where the Atlantic rollers rolled / Their thunder on the shore serene.”
The narrator then introduces the protagonist of the poem, a young man named Jean Desprez. Jean is a sailor who has grown tired of the monotony of his life at sea and longs for adventure. He dreams of exploring the unknown and discovering new lands. He is a man of courage and determination, and he sets out on a journey to the end of the world.
Jean’s journey takes him through the rugged landscape of Brittany, where he encounters many challenges and obstacles. He faces treacherous cliffs, raging seas, and fierce storms. But he is undeterred, and he presses on, driven by his desire to reach the end of the world.
As Jean travels further and further west, he begins to encounter strange and mysterious sights. He sees strange creatures in the water, and he hears eerie sounds in the night. But he is not afraid, and he continues on his journey, driven by his desire to discover what lies beyond the horizon.
Finally, after many long months of travel, Jean reaches the end of the world. He stands on the edge of a cliff, looking out over the vast expanse of the ocean. He sees nothing but water stretching out to the horizon, and he realizes that he has reached the end of the world.
But Jean is not satisfied. He longs to explore further, to discover what lies beyond the horizon. And so he sets out once again, driven by his unrelenting desire to explore and discover.
The poem is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s unrelenting desire to explore and discover. It is a celebration of courage, determination, and the power of the human will. It reminds us that there is always more to discover, more to explore, and more to learn. And it encourages us to never give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s Finistere is a classic poem that tells the story of a young man’s journey to the end of the world. It is a thrilling adventure that takes the reader on a journey through the rugged landscape of Brittany, France, and into the unknown depths of the ocean. It is a tale of courage, determination, and the human spirit’s unrelenting desire to explore and discover. It is a powerful reminder that there is always more to discover, more to explore, and more to learn. And it encourages us to never give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
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