'An Old Story' by Robert Service
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(Retold in Rhyme)
They threw him in a prison cell;
He moaned upon his bed.
And when he crept from coils of hell:
"Last night you killed," they said.
"last night in drunken rage you slew
A being brave with breath;
A radiant soul, because of you
Lies dark in death."
"last night I killed," he moaned distraught,
"When I was wild with wine;
I slew, and I remember naught . . .
O Mother, Mother mine!
"To what unbridled rage may lead
You taught me at your knew.
Why did I not your warning heed . . .
And now - the gallows tree.
"O Mother, Mother, come to me,
For I am sore distrest,
And I would kneel beside your knee
And weep upon your breast. . . ."
They stared at him; their lips were dumb,
Their eyes tear filled;
Then spoke the Priest: "She cannot come . . .
'Twas she you killed."
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Old Story: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Robert Service's An Old Story is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It tells the tale of a young man who falls in love with a beautiful woman, only to have his heart broken when she chooses another. The poem has been interpreted in various ways, with some seeing it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of love, while others view it as a celebration of the beauty of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
Themes
At its core, An Old Story is a poem about love and heartbreak. The young man in the poem is consumed by his love for the woman, and his heart is shattered when she chooses another. The theme of unrequited love is a common one in literature, and Service's poem highlights the pain and sadness that can come with it. However, there is more to the poem than just a story of lost love.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the passage of time. The title of the poem itself suggests that it is an old story, one that has been told many times before. The poem opens with the lines, "Oh, it's centuries and centuries since the Lord was here, / And seraphs dared make music on His ear." These lines establish a sense of timelessness, and the idea that the story being told is an ancient one. As the poem progresses, we see the young man aging and growing old, while the woman he loves remains forever young in his memory. This theme of the passage of time adds a layer of melancholy to the poem, and underscores the fleeting nature of life and love.
Imagery
Service employs vivid and evocative imagery throughout the poem to bring the story to life. The opening lines of the poem describe the seraphs making music in the Lord's ear, creating a sense of otherworldliness and divine beauty. Later in the poem, the young man describes the woman he loves as having "sunshine in her hair / And diamonds in her eyes." These images convey the woman's beauty and radiance, and help to explain the young man's obsession with her.
The imagery in the poem also serves to highlight the passage of time. In the fourth stanza, the young man describes himself as having "a silver in my hair / And a frost upon my eyebrows and my beard." This image of aging is contrasted with the image of the woman, who remains forever young and beautiful in his memory. The final lines of the poem describe the young man as "a ghost beside the woman that I love." This image of the young man as a ghost underscores the idea that he is no longer really alive, but rather a memory, a ghost of his former self.
Language
Service's use of language in An Old Story is both poetic and accessible. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a rhythmic quality and makes it easy to read aloud. The language is also simple and straightforward, which makes it easy to understand, even for those who may not be familiar with poetry.
However, there are also several instances where Service uses more complex language to convey deeper meaning. In the fifth stanza, the young man describes the woman as having "a heart as gentle as a dove's." This image of the woman's heart as a dove's adds a layer of symbolism to the poem, as the dove is often associated with peace and love. Similarly, in the final lines of the poem, the young man describes himself as "a ghost beside the woman that I love." This use of the word "ghost" is symbolic, as it suggests that the young man is no longer truly alive, but rather a memory or a specter of his former self.
Interpretation
So what does An Old Story mean? On one level, it is a simple tale of unrequited love and heartbreak. The young man falls in love with a beautiful woman, only to have his heart broken when she chooses another. This story is a common one in literature, and speaks to the universal experience of love and loss.
However, there is more to the poem than just a simple love story. The theme of the passage of time adds a layer of melancholy to the poem, and underscores the fleeting nature of life and love. The use of vivid and evocative imagery helps to bring the story to life, and adds depth and symbolism to the poem. And finally, Service's use of language, both simple and poetic, helps to make the poem accessible while also conveying deeper meaning.
In the end, An Old Story is a poem that speaks to the human experience of love, loss, and the passage of time. It is a timeless tale that has been told many times before, but Service's version stands out for its beauty, simplicity, and depth.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Old Story: A Timeless Tale of Love and Betrayal
Robert Service's poem "An Old Story" is a timeless tale of love and betrayal that has captivated readers for generations. The poem tells the story of a young couple, Mary and Jim, who fall in love and plan to marry. However, their happiness is short-lived when Jim is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to prison. Mary, unable to bear the separation, marries another man and starts a new life. Years later, Jim is released from prison and returns to find Mary married to another man. The poem explores themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of our actions.
The poem begins with a description of Mary and Jim's love for each other. Service uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of their idyllic life together. He describes Mary as "fair as a lily, and sweet as a rose," and Jim as "a man among men, and a king among those." The couple's love is pure and true, and they plan to spend the rest of their lives together. However, their happiness is short-lived when Jim is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to prison.
Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of injustice that Jim experiences. He describes Jim's trial as a "mockery of justice," and the judge as "a man with a heart like a stone." The reader is left with a sense of anger and frustration at the injustice of Jim's situation. Service's use of language is also effective in conveying the sense of despair that Mary feels when Jim is taken away. He describes her as "pale as a lily, and sad as a dove," and the reader can feel her pain and sorrow.
The poem then takes a surprising turn when Mary marries another man. Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of betrayal that Jim feels when he learns of Mary's marriage. He describes Jim as feeling "like a man who has lost his last friend," and the reader can feel his sense of despair and loneliness. The poem explores the theme of loyalty and the consequences of our actions. Mary's decision to marry another man has far-reaching consequences for both her and Jim.
Years later, Jim is released from prison and returns to find Mary married to another man. Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of regret that Mary feels when she sees Jim again. He describes her as "pale as a lily, and sad as a dove," and the reader can feel her sense of guilt and remorse. The poem explores the theme of love and the consequences of our actions. Mary's decision to marry another man has caused her to lose the love of her life.
The poem ends with a sense of sadness and regret. Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of loss that both Mary and Jim feel. He describes Jim as "a man with a heart like a stone," and the reader can feel his sense of despair and loneliness. The poem explores the theme of love and the consequences of our actions. Mary's decision to marry another man has caused her to lose the love of her life.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "An Old Story" is a timeless tale of love and betrayal that has captivated readers for generations. The poem explores themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of our actions. Service's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of injustice, despair, and regret that the characters feel. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of making the right decisions in life and the consequences that our actions can have on those around us.
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