'Roulette' by Robert Service
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I'll wait until my money's gone
Before I take the sleeping pills;
Then when they find me in the dawn,
Remote from earthly ails and ills
They'll say: "She's broke, the foreign bitch!"
And dump me in the common ditch.
So thought I, of all hope bereft,
And by my evil fate obsessed;
A thousand franks was all I'd left
Of that fair fortune I possessed.
...I throw it on the table there,
And wait, with on my lips a prayer.
I fear my very life's at stake;
My note is lying on the Red . . .
I know I'll lose it, then I'll take
My pills and sleep until I'm dead . . .
Oh God of mercy, understand!
In pity guide the croupier's hand.
My heart beats hard, my lips are dry;
I feel I cannot bear to look.
I dread to hear the croupier's cry,
I'll sit down in this quiet nook.
The lights go dim, my senses reel . . .
See! Jesus Christ is at the wheel.
* * * * * * *
Kind folks arouse me from my trance.
"The Red has come ten times," they say.
"Oh do not risk another chance;
Please, Lady, take your gains away,
And to the Lord of Luck give thanks -
You've won nigh half a million franks."
Aye, call me just a daft old dame;
I knit and sew to make my bread,
And nevermore I'll play that game,
For I've a glory in my head. . . .
Ah well I know, to stay my fall,
'Twas our dear Lord who spun the ball.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Roulette: A Poem of Life and Death
By Robert Service
Oh the odds are against you, my dear, And the game doesn't seem quite so fair, But you're sure of a place in the sky If you go with a smile and a prayer. There's the Devil to pay if you lose, And the game's hardly worth all you bet, But if you've the courage to win You'll get back more than you can get.
Robert Service's poem, Roulette, is a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on life, death, and the human condition. Written in the early 20th century, the poem manages to capture the essence of the human experience with its vivid imagery, haunting metaphors, and starkly beautiful language.
At its core, Roulette is a poem about risk and reward, about the choices we make and the consequences that follow. The speaker in the poem presents us with a metaphorical game of chance, a game that is both daunting and alluring. The stakes are high, the odds are against us, and yet we cannot help but be drawn in by the thrill of the game.
But what is the game, exactly? Is it life itself? Is it death? Is it both? Service leaves these questions open-ended, allowing us to draw our own conclusions. What is clear, however, is that the game is a dangerous one, one that can lead to either great triumph or tragic defeat.
The poem's opening lines set the stage for this dangerous game, with the speaker warning us that the odds are against us. The tone here is ominous, suggesting that the game is not to be taken lightly. And yet, despite the danger, the speaker offers us hope, assuring us that we can still win if we have the courage to try.
The poem's use of imagery is particularly striking, with Service painting vivid pictures of the game's players and their surroundings. We see the players gathered around the table, their faces tense with anticipation. We see the dealer, with his "sardonic grin," shuffling the cards and spinning the wheel. And we see the stakes, both high and low, ranging from "diamonds to dust."
But perhaps the most haunting image in the poem is that of the Devil himself, who looms over the game like an ominous specter. The Devil is a symbol of the game's darker side, the side that tempts us with the promise of easy riches but ultimately leads us down a path of destruction. Service's use of the Devil here is particularly effective, as it taps into our deepest fears and anxieties about the consequences of our actions.
At its heart, Roulette is a poem about the human condition, about our fundamental need to take risks and our constant struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems cruel and arbitrary. The game of chance that Service presents us with is a metaphor for life itself, with all its ups and downs, its triumphs and tragedies, its moments of joy and moments of despair.
But despite the darkness that looms over the game, Service ultimately offers us hope. He reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to choose our own destiny. We may not always win, but if we have the courage to try, we can still come out ahead.
In the end, Roulette is a poem that speaks to the very essence of the human experience. It reminds us that life is a game of chance, one in which we must take risks and make choices that can lead to either triumph or defeat. But it also reminds us that we are not alone in this game, that we have each other to lean on and that, if we stay true to ourselves, we can still find meaning and purpose in even the darkest of times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Roulette: A Poem of Chance and Fate
Robert Service’s poem, Roulette, is a thrilling and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of chance, fate, and the human condition. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the game of roulette, a popular casino game that involves spinning a wheel and betting on the outcome. However, the poem goes beyond the surface level of the game and delves into the deeper meanings and implications of chance and fate.
The poem begins with a description of the game of roulette, with Service using vivid imagery to paint a picture of the spinning wheel and the players gathered around it. He describes the players as “pale and haggard” and “tense with the thrill of the game”. This sets the tone for the poem, conveying the sense of excitement and tension that is inherent in the game of roulette.
Service then goes on to describe the various bets that can be placed on the game, from the simple red or black to the more complex combinations of numbers. He notes that the odds are always against the player, with the house having a slight advantage. This highlights the element of chance in the game, with the outcome being determined by a random spin of the wheel.
However, Service also explores the idea of fate in the poem, suggesting that there may be a higher power at work in the game of roulette. He writes, “Is it chance or fate that rules the game? / Is it luck or destiny that we blame?” This raises the question of whether the outcome of the game is truly random, or whether there is some greater force at work.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Service describes the consequences of losing at the game of roulette. He writes, “Some will curse and some will pray, / But all will rise and walk away / With faces pale and hearts a-glow”. This highlights the addictive nature of gambling, with players often unable to resist the thrill of the game despite the potential consequences.
Service also explores the idea of the human condition in the poem, suggesting that our desire for risk and excitement is a fundamental part of our nature. He writes, “For in the heart of every man / There lurks a love of risk and chance”. This suggests that the game of roulette is not just a pastime, but a reflection of our deepest desires and impulses.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the spinning wheel, with Service describing it as “a symbol of the world’s unrest, / Of life’s caprice, of fate’s behest”. This reinforces the idea that the game of roulette is not just a game, but a reflection of the larger forces at work in the world.
Overall, Roulette is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of chance, fate, and the human condition. Service’s use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of excitement and tension, while also conveying the deeper meanings and implications of the game of roulette. Whether you are a fan of gambling or not, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
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