'Gentle Gaoler' by Robert Service

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Being a gaoler I'm supposed
To be a hard-boiled guy;
Yet never prison walls enclosed
A kinder soul than I:
Passing my charges precious pills
To end their ills.

And if in gentle sleep they die,
And pass to pleasant peace,
No one suspects that it is I
Who gave them their release:
No matter what the Doctor thinks,
The Warden winks.

A lifer's is a fearful fate;
It wrings the heart of me.
And what a saving to the State
A sudden death must be!
Doomed men should have the legal right
To end their plight.

And so my veronel they take,
And bid goodbye to pain;
And sleep, and never, never wake
To living hell again:
Oh call me curst or call me blest,--
I give them rest.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Gentle Gaoler: A Literary Analysis

Are you a lover of poetry? Do you find yourself lost in the beauty and intricacy of language, searching for meaning in each and every word? If so, you are in for a treat. Robert Service's poem, Gentle Gaoler, is a masterpiece of poetic art that captures the essence of love and longing in a way that few other poems can match.

Let's begin by examining the title: Gentle Gaoler. What does it mean? A gaoler is a jailer, someone who keeps prisoners locked up. So, what is a gentle gaoler? Is it someone who keeps his prisoners captive with kindness and love? Someone who is both a jailer and a friend? This is the first question that comes to mind when you read the title of this poem.

As we move further into the poem, we are introduced to the character of the gaoler himself. We learn that he is "a man of mirth and might," with "a face like a benediction." This description immediately creates an image of a kind, gentle man, who exudes warmth and love. It is almost impossible not to like him. He is the kind of person you would want to be friends with, even if he were holding you captive.

But who is he holding captive? Who is the subject of his affection? We find out that it is a woman, a woman who is "fair as a star." The gaoler has fallen in love with her, and she with him. But they are separated by the confines of the prison walls.

The poem is written in a lyrical, almost musical style, with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme that draws the reader in and makes the poem easy to remember. The language is simple, yet powerful, with vivid imagery that brings the scene to life. For example, when the gaoler describes his love, he says:

"She is the rose of tenderness, The lily of delight; And oh, I long with all my soul To have her day and night."

These lines are simple, yet they convey a depth of feeling that is impossible to ignore. We can feel the gaoler's longing, his desire to be with the woman he loves. This is the mark of a great poet - the ability to convey deep emotions in a way that speaks to the reader's heart.

As we progress through the poem, we see the gaoler struggling with his conscience. He knows that he cannot let the woman go, yet he also cannot bear to keep her locked up. He is torn between his duty as a gaoler and his love for the woman.

This conflict is what makes the poem so powerful. It is a universal theme that speaks to us all - the struggle between duty and desire, between what we know is right and what our heart tells us to do. We have all been in situations where we have had to make difficult choices, where we have had to weigh the consequences of our actions. The gaoler's dilemma is one that we can all relate to.

As the poem comes to a close, we see the gaoler finally give in to his desires. He releases the woman from her cell and they run off together, hand in hand. This ending is both satisfying and bittersweet. On the one hand, we are happy that the gaoler and the woman are finally able to be together. On the other hand, we know that the gaoler has betrayed his duty, and that there will be consequences.

In conclusion, Gentle Gaoler is a beautifully crafted poem that speaks to the heart. It explores the universal themes of love, duty, and desire, in a way that is both simple and profound. Robert Service's mastery of language and imagery is on full display here, as he weaves a tale of love and longing that will stay with you long after you have finished reading. If you are a lover of poetry, you owe it to yourself to read this masterpiece.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Gentle Gaoler: A Poem of Love and Imprisonment

Robert Service is a poet who is known for his ability to capture the human experience in his works. His poem "Gentle Gaoler" is no exception. This classic poem tells the story of a prisoner who falls in love with his jailer's daughter. The poem is a beautiful and poignant exploration of love, imprisonment, and the human spirit.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the prison in which he is being held. He describes the walls as "grim and grey" and the air as "stale and fetid." The speaker is clearly unhappy with his situation, but he is not alone. He is comforted by the presence of a young woman who visits him every day. This woman is the jailer's daughter, and the speaker has fallen deeply in love with her.

The speaker describes the woman as "fair and sweet" and "gentle as a dove." He is clearly smitten with her, and he longs to be with her outside of the prison walls. However, he knows that this is impossible. He is a prisoner, and she is the daughter of his jailer. Their love is forbidden, and they must keep it a secret.

Despite the challenges they face, the speaker and the jailer's daughter continue to meet every day. They talk and laugh and share their hopes and dreams. The speaker is grateful for her company, and he finds solace in her presence. He knows that he is lucky to have her in his life, even if it is only for a short time each day.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's love for the jailer's daughter becomes more intense. He describes her as his "life and light" and his "soul's delight." He is consumed by his love for her, and he longs to be with her always. However, he knows that this is impossible. He is a prisoner, and she is the daughter of his jailer. Their love is forbidden, and they must keep it a secret.

The poem reaches its climax when the speaker is suddenly released from prison. He is overjoyed at the prospect of being reunited with the jailer's daughter. He imagines that they will be able to be together at last, free from the constraints of the prison walls. However, his joy is short-lived. When he goes to find the jailer's daughter, he discovers that she has died of a broken heart.

The speaker is devastated by this news. He realizes that his love for the jailer's daughter was not enough to save her from the pain of their forbidden love. He is filled with regret and sorrow, and he knows that he will never be able to forget her.

In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker reflects on his time in prison and his love for the jailer's daughter. He describes her as his "angel" and his "star." He knows that he will never be able to forget her, and he vows to honor her memory by living a good and virtuous life.

The poem "Gentle Gaoler" is a beautiful and poignant exploration of love, imprisonment, and the human spirit. It tells the story of a prisoner who falls in love with his jailer's daughter, and the challenges they face as they try to keep their love a secret. The poem is a testament to the power of love, even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is a reminder that love can transcend even the most oppressive of situations, and that it can give us hope and comfort in the darkest of times.

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