'Resolutions' by Robert Service
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Each New Year's Eve I used to brood
On my misdoings of the past,
And vowed: "This year I'll be so good -
Well, haply better than the last."
My record of reforms I read
To Mum who listened sweetly to it:
"Why plan all this, my son?" she said;
"Just do it."
Of her wise words I've often thought -
Aye, sometimes with a pang of pain,
When resolutions come to naught,
And high resolves are sadly vain;
The human heart from failure bleeds;
Hopes may be wrecked so that we rue them . . .
Don't let us dream of lovely deeds -
Just do them.
And so, my son, uphold your pride.
Believe serenely in your soul.
Just take things in a steady stride,
Until behold! you've gained your goal.
But if, perchance, you frame a plan
Of conduct, let it be a free one:
Don't try to make yourself a man -
Just be one.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Resolutions by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism
If there is one thing that Robert Service is known for, it is his ability to capture the spirit of adventure and the call of the wild in his poetry. His works are often characterized by their rhythmic quality, their vivid imagery, and their sense of grandeur. And yet, despite the fact that he is famous for his poems about the Yukon and the gold rush, one of his most powerful works is a poem about the simple act of making resolutions.
In this literary criticism, we will explore Resolutions by Robert Service in depth, examining its themes, its structure, and its significance. We will argue that this poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of willpower, the power of the human spirit, and the importance of self-determination.
Background Information
Before we begin our analysis of Resolutions, it is important to provide some context for the poem. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who was born in 1874 and died in 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the gold rush, which were published in collections such as The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses (1907) and Rhymes of a Red Cross Man (1916).
Resolutions was first published in Service's collection of poems, The Collected Verse of Robert Service, which was published in 1940. This collection was published after Service had retired from writing poetry, and it contains many of his later works.
Themes
The theme of Resolutions is self-determination. The poem is an exploration of the power of the human will and the importance of making resolutions to achieve one's goals. Service argues that willpower is a crucial part of human nature, and that it is what separates us from the animals.
The poem is also a meditation on the nature of time. Service suggests that our lives are short and that we must make the most of the time we have. He urges us to seize the day and to make the most of every moment.
Structure
Resolutions is a short poem that consists of four stanzas. Each stanza contains four lines, and the poem is written in a regular meter. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a simple, almost childlike quality.
The simplicity of the poem's structure is deceptive, however, as it belies the complexity of the ideas that Service is exploring. The regular meter and rhyme scheme give the poem a feeling of stability and order, which contrasts with the chaotic nature of the world that is being described.
Interpretation
Resolutions begins with a description of the natural world. Service describes the "mighty forest" and the "mountains grand" that surround us. He suggests that these natural wonders are a reminder of our own insignificance in the face of the universe.
And yet, despite this sense of insignificance, Service argues that we have a powerful tool at our disposal: our willpower. He writes:
I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
These lines are perhaps the most famous in the poem, and they are a powerful reminder of the importance of making resolutions. Service suggests that we must set goals for ourselves and work towards them, even in the face of adversity.
The poem's second stanza is a meditation on the nature of time. Service writes:
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
These lines are a reminder that our time on earth is short, and that we must make the most of the time we have. Service suggests that we must not waste our time on frivolous pursuits, but must instead focus on achieving our goals.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Service writes:
I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
These lines are a call to action. Service urges us to take control of our lives and to strive towards our goals, even in the face of adversity. He suggests that we must be persistent and determined in order to achieve our dreams.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the human spirit. Service writes:
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
These lines suggest that the human spirit is powerful and resilient. Service argues that we are capable of achieving great things if we set our minds to it, and that we must never give up in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Resolutions is a powerful meditation on the nature of willpower, the power of the human spirit, and the importance of self-determination. Robert Service argues that we must set goals for ourselves and work towards them persistently, even in the face of adversity.
The poem is a reminder that our time on earth is short, and that we must make the most of the time we have. Service suggests that we must not waste our time on frivolous pursuits, but must instead focus on achieving our goals.
Overall, Resolutions is a timeless poem that has resonated with readers for decades. Its message of perseverance and determination is as relevant today as it was when it was first published over 80 years ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Resolutions by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and the desire for self-improvement. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to take control of their life and make positive changes. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem and how they contribute to its overall message.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the past year and the mistakes they have made. They acknowledge that they have not lived up to their own expectations and that they have let themselves down. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is focused on self-improvement and the desire to do better.
The first stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker says, "I have toiled and striven, and withal / The best I've done is fall." This line captures the frustration and disappointment that many people feel when they fail to achieve their goals. It is a reminder that success is not easy and that it requires hard work and dedication.
The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to lay out their resolutions for the coming year. They vow to be more patient, to be kinder, and to be more understanding. These are all admirable qualities that many people strive for, but the speaker acknowledges that they have fallen short in the past.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker really starts to get into the nitty-gritty of their resolutions. They vow to be more disciplined, to work harder, and to be more focused. These are all qualities that are essential for success, but they are also difficult to achieve. The speaker acknowledges that they will need to make sacrifices and work hard to achieve their goals.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker really lays out their plan for success. They vow to be more organized, to set goals, and to track their progress. These are all important steps that anyone can take to achieve their goals. The speaker acknowledges that success is not easy, but they are willing to put in the work to achieve it.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the past and looks to the future. They acknowledge that they have made mistakes in the past, but they are determined to learn from them and do better in the future. They vow to be more positive and to focus on the good things in life.
One of the most powerful literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I resolve" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's determination to make positive changes in their life. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of urgency, urging the reader to take action and make their own resolutions.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe their past failures and their future goals. For example, they describe themselves as a "ship that's lost its way" and vow to "chart a course and steer." This imagery creates a sense of movement and progress, emphasizing the speaker's determination to move forward and achieve their goals.
The poem also uses rhyme and meter to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The meter is iambic tetrameter, which creates a sense of momentum and movement. These literary devices contribute to the overall message of the poem, emphasizing the importance of taking action and making positive changes in one's life.
In conclusion, Resolutions by Robert Service is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the desire for self-improvement. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to take control of their life and make positive changes. The use of repetition, imagery, rhyme, and meter all contribute to the overall message of the poem, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication, and self-discipline. This poem is a timeless reminder that success is not easy, but it is achievable with the right mindset and a willingness to put in the work.
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