'Lip-Stick Liz' by Robert Service
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Oh Lip-Stick Liz was in the biz, That's the oldest known in history;
She had a lot of fancy rags, Of her form she made no myst'ry.
She had a man, a fancy man, His name was Alexander,
And he used to beat her up because he couldn't understand her.
Now Lip-Stick Liz she loved her man And she couldn't love no other
So when she saw him with a Broadway Blonde, Her rage she could not smother.
She saw him once and she saw him twice But the third time nearly crazed her,
So she walked bang into a hardware store, And she bought a brand new razor.
Now Lip-Stick Liz she trailed them two For she was tired of weeping;
She trailed them two, in a flash hotel And there she found them sleeping;
So she gashed them once and she gashed them twice Their ju'lar veins to sever,
And the bright blood flowed like a brook between. And their lives were gone forever.
Now Lip-Stick Liz went to the p'lice And sez she: "Me hands are gory,
And you'll put me away in a deep dark cell When once you've heard me story."
So they've put her away in a deep dark cell, Until her life be over
And what is the moral of the whole damn show, I wish I could discover.
Chorus:
Oh Lip-Stick Liz! What a lousy life this is.
It's a hell of a break for a girl on the make,
Oh Lip-Stick Liz!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Lip-Stick Liz: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Lip-Stick Liz! What a fascinating character she is. Robert Service, the renowned Canadian poet, created her in his poem of the same name. And she has captured the imagination of readers for decades. But what makes this poem so enduring? What literary devices did Service use to bring Liz to life? And what is the deeper meaning behind her story? Let's dive in and explore.
The Narrative Structure
At its core, Lip-Stick Liz is a narrative poem. It tells the story of a woman who is "painted thick with rouge," and who is "bold and brazen and sly." She is a "hussy," a "vamp," and a "devil-may-care." But she is also alluring and captivating, with a "siren's smile." The poem unfolds in three distinct sections.
The Introduction
The first stanza sets the stage for the poem. It introduces us to Lip-Stick Liz and establishes her as a character. Service uses vivid imagery to describe her appearance, with phrases like "painted thick with rouge," "smudgy kohl," and "a daisy in her hair." He also gives us a sense of her personality, describing her as "bold and brazen and sly."
The Rising Action
The second stanza is the longest and most detailed. It describes a scene in which Lip-Stick Liz is "out for a lark." She flirts shamelessly with men, drinks champagne, and dances the night away. But as the stanza progresses, we begin to see the darker side of Liz's character. She is not just a carefree party girl; she is a manipulator who uses her charms to get what she wants. She "whispers little nothings" and "plays her cards for keeps." And when she meets a man named Jim, she sets her sights on him with a ruthless determination.
The Climax
The third stanza is the climax of the poem. It describes what happens when Jim falls for Liz's charms and proposes marriage. Liz is ecstatic, but not for the reasons Jim thinks. She is thrilled because she has achieved her ultimate goal: to find a man who will provide her with a life of luxury and ease. The final two lines of the poem are chilling in their honesty:
She married him, was happy, too. For Lip-Stick Liz had made a kill.
The Use of Language
One of the most striking things about Lip-Stick Liz is the language Service uses to describe her. He employs a range of literary devices to bring her to life and make her memorable.
Metaphor
One of the most effective devices Service uses is metaphor. He compares Lip-Stick Liz to a variety of creatures, from a "siren" to a "cobra" to a "hyena." These comparisons create a vivid mental image of Liz and convey her predatory nature. She is a woman who is always on the hunt, always looking for her next victim.
Alliteration
Service also makes frequent use of alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
...she chattered and chirped, she charmed and she chaffed, she flirted and flattered, she laughed and she quaffed...
The repetition of the "ch" and "f" sounds gives the stanza a sense of rhythm and momentum, as though Liz is moving from one conquest to the next with unstoppable energy.
Irony
Finally, Service uses irony to great effect in Lip-Stick Liz. The poem is a classic example of dramatic irony, in which the audience knows something that the characters do not. We, as readers, are aware of Liz's true nature from the very beginning of the poem. We know that she is not just a fun-loving party girl; she is a ruthless manipulator who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. But Jim, the man who falls for her, is completely unaware of this. He sees only the surface-level charm and beauty that Liz presents to the world.
The Deeper Meaning
So what is the deeper meaning behind Lip-Stick Liz? What is Service trying to say about the nature of love and relationships?
One interpretation is that the poem is a critique of the idea of "love at first sight." Liz and Jim fall for each other quickly and passionately, based solely on their physical attraction to each other. But this kind of love is shallow and fleeting, and it ultimately leads to Jim's downfall.
Another interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the role of women in society. Liz is a woman who is using her charms to get ahead in life, but she is also a victim of the societal expectations placed upon her. She knows that the only way she can achieve the life of luxury and ease she desires is by finding a rich man to marry. And so she uses her beauty and charm as a weapon, because she has few other options.
Conclusion
Lip-Stick Liz is a poem that has stood the test of time, and for good reason. It is a masterful example of narrative poetry, with a vividly drawn character and a compelling storyline. But it is also a poem with deeper meaning, one that raises important questions about love, relationships, and the roles we play in society. Service's use of metaphor, alliteration, and irony make the poem a joy to read and analyze. And Lip-Stick Liz herself remains a fascinating character, one who continues to capture our imaginations and challenge our assumptions about the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lip-Stick Liz: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet who is known for his unique style of writing. Among his many works, one poem that stands out is "Lip-Stick Liz." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of a woman who is confident, bold, and unapologetic. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem "Lip-Stick Liz" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a woman named Liz who wears bright red lipstick and is not afraid to show off her beauty. The poem starts with the lines, "She's got a stain on her lips, / And a smudge on her chin, / And a rivulet of rouge / On her pale, white skin." These lines immediately set the tone for the poem and introduce us to the character of Liz. We can see that Liz is not afraid to wear bold makeup and that she is proud of her appearance.
The next few lines of the poem describe Liz's physical features. We learn that she has "eyes like a cat" and "hair like a flame." These descriptions paint a vivid picture of Liz and help us visualize her in our minds. We can see that Liz is a striking woman who commands attention wherever she goes.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about Liz's personality. We see that she is confident and unapologetic. The lines "She's got a strut in her walk, / And a curl to her lip, / And a challenge in her voice / As she gives you the slip" show us that Liz is not afraid to take risks and that she is always ready for a challenge. She is a woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it.
The poem also touches on the theme of societal norms and expectations. Liz's bold makeup and confident demeanor go against the traditional expectations of how a woman should behave. However, Liz does not conform to these expectations and instead chooses to be true to herself. The lines "She's not the kind you'd wed, / But the kind that men adore" show us that Liz is not interested in conforming to societal norms and that she is comfortable with who she is.
The poem also has a romantic element to it. We see that Liz is a woman who is desired by many men. The lines "And when she's gone from your sight, / You'll be dreaming of her still" show us that Liz has a certain allure that is hard to resist. She is a woman who leaves a lasting impression on those who meet her.
In terms of literary devices, the poem uses a lot of imagery to paint a vivid picture of Liz. The lines "Her lips are like cherries, / Her skin like the snow" and "Her eyes are like embers, / Her hair like a flame" use similes to compare Liz's features to other objects. This helps us visualize Liz and creates a strong image in our minds.
The poem also uses repetition to emphasize certain phrases. The lines "She's got a stain on her lips, / And a smudge on her chin" are repeated throughout the poem, which creates a sense of rhythm and adds to the overall flow of the poem.
In conclusion, "Lip-Stick Liz" is a classic poem that captures the essence of a confident and unapologetic woman. Through vivid imagery and strong language, Robert Service creates a character that is both striking and memorable. The poem touches on themes of societal norms and expectations, as well as the power of attraction and desire. Overall, "Lip-Stick Liz" is a masterpiece that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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