'Why?' by Robert Service
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He was our leader and our guide;
He was our saviour and our star.
We walked in friendship by his side,
Yet set him where our heroes are.
He taught disdain of fame and wealth;
With courage he inspired our youth;
He preached the purity of health,
And held aloft the torch of truth.
He bade us battle for the Right,
And led us in the carnage grim;
He was to us a living light,
And like a God we worshiped him.
He raised us from the grievous gloom,
And brimmed our hearts with radiant cheer;
And then he climbed up to his room,
And . . . cut his throat from ear to ear.
Let us not judge his seeming lapse;
His secret soul we could not see;
He smiled and left us, and perhaps
Death was his crowning victory.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Why? by Robert Service: An In-Depth Analysis
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you readers today! We're diving deep into one of Robert Service's most famous poems, "Why?" and exploring its many layers of meaning and interpretation.
Background Information on Robert Service
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the poem itself, let's take a moment to talk about the man behind the words. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874-1958. He's best known for his poems about the Yukon Gold Rush, and his work often deals with themes of nature, adventure, and the struggles of living in a harsh, unforgiving world.
The Poem: "Why?"
Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. "Why?" is a short, four-stanza poem that asks a series of rhetorical questions about the nature of life and the universe. Here's the full text of the poem:
Ever, ever Stir and shiver The reeds and rushes By the river: Ever, ever, As if in dream, The lone moon's reflection Silvers the stream.
Up then, lad: thews and sinews! — It is a stirring call: Life hath quicksands — life hath snares!
Bolder action bravely dares: Fortune favors the brave.
Pond'ring, deliberating, Is but the coward's way; Dev'lish is the thing called Failure,
The much-maligned delay.
Up, then! do something, do it!
Why wait for some mystic tomorrow?
Seize the moment of primeval youth,
With a toothed hand, grip and hold the truth,
That truth which is thine to borrow.
Seize thy chance, and from thy wrist Watch Time's slow pendulum swing; Seize the day, and from thy fist
Wrest the fate thou wouldst fling.
Why live? why die? why breathe? why sigh?
Why wonder, and yet deny?
Life is short, but ere you die
Learn to know the reasons why.
Interpretation
At its core, "Why?" is a poem about the importance of taking action and living life to the fullest. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the movement of the reeds and rushes by the river, and the reflection of the moon on the water. The second stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to take risks and be bold in the face of life's challenges.
The third stanza is where things get really interesting. Here, Service urges the reader to seize the moment and take control of their fate. He emphasizes the importance of living in the present and not waiting for some mystical tomorrow, as well as the need to hold onto the truth and make the most of one's opportunities.
But it's the final stanza that really drives home the poem's message. Here, Service asks a series of rhetorical questions about the nature of life and existence, urging the reader to seek out the reasons why. It's a call to action, an invitation to engage with the world around us and seek out the answers to life's biggest questions.
Themes and Motifs
There are several themes and motifs that run throughout "Why?" that are worth exploring in more detail.
Nature
One of the most prominent motifs in the poem is nature. The reeds and rushes in the first stanza, the moon reflecting on the water, and the slow pendulum swing of time all serve to connect the reader with the natural world. Service often used nature as a way to explore deeper themes and ideas, and "Why?" is no exception.
Action and Boldness
Another key theme in the poem is the importance of taking action and being bold in the face of life's challenges. Service was himself a risk-taker and adventurer, and his work often encourages readers to be brave and seize the moment.
Time and Mortality
The slow pendulum swing of time in the third stanza serves as a reminder of our own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. Service urges the reader to make the most of their time on earth and not waste it on indecision or inaction.
The Search for Meaning
Finally, the final stanza of the poem is a call to engage with the world around us and seek out the reasons why we are here. Service believed that life had meaning and purpose, and that it was up to each individual to seek out that purpose for themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Why?" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that encourages readers to be bold, take risks, and seek out the meaning of life. With its emphasis on nature, action, and the search for truth, it remains a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
So what are you waiting for? Go out there and seize the day!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Why? by Robert Service: A Poem of Existential Angst
Robert Service’s poem Why? is a classic example of existentialist literature, exploring the fundamental questions of human existence and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Written in 1907, the poem is a powerful expression of the angst and uncertainty that characterized the modernist era, as people struggled to come to terms with the rapid changes and upheavals of the early 20th century.
At its core, Why? is a poem about the human condition, and the universal desire to understand the purpose and meaning of life. The speaker of the poem is a young man who is grappling with these questions, and who is frustrated by the lack of answers he finds in the world around him. He asks why we are here, what the point of it all is, and why we must suffer and die. These are questions that have been asked by philosophers and poets for centuries, but Service’s poem brings them to life in a vivid and emotional way.
The poem is structured as a series of questions, each one building on the last and leading the reader deeper into the speaker’s existential crisis. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker asking “Why are we born?” This is a question that has puzzled humans for millennia, and one that has been the subject of countless philosophical and religious debates. The speaker’s frustration is palpable as he asks this question, and we can feel his sense of confusion and despair.
The second stanza continues the theme of existential angst, with the speaker asking “Why do we die?” This is a question that is particularly poignant in the context of the early 20th century, when death was a constant presence due to the First World War and the Spanish flu pandemic. The speaker’s sense of despair is heightened by the fact that death seems so arbitrary and meaningless, with no rhyme or reason to who lives and who dies.
The third stanza takes the poem in a slightly different direction, as the speaker asks “Why do we love?” This is a question that is more personal and emotional than the previous two, and it adds a layer of complexity to the poem. Love is something that is often seen as a source of meaning and purpose in life, but the speaker seems to be questioning whether it is worth the pain and suffering that often accompanies it.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of death, as the speaker asks “Why must we suffer?” This is a question that is particularly relevant in the context of the First World War, which was characterized by unimaginable suffering and loss. The speaker’s frustration is palpable as he asks this question, and we can feel his sense of anger and despair at the senseless violence and destruction of war.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion, as the speaker asks “Why must we die?” This is a question that is both personal and universal, and it encapsulates the existential crisis that the speaker has been grappling with throughout the poem. The final line, “Why, why, why?” is a powerful expression of the speaker’s frustration and despair, and it leaves the reader with a sense of the enormity of the questions that the poem has raised.
In terms of literary devices, Why? is a masterful example of Service’s skill as a poet. The use of repetition, particularly in the final line of each stanza, creates a sense of momentum and urgency that drives the poem forward. The use of rhetorical questions is also effective, as it allows the speaker to explore the questions he is grappling with without providing easy answers. The poem is also notable for its use of imagery, particularly in the second stanza where the speaker describes death as a “grim reaper” and a “skeleton king”. These images are powerful and evocative, and they add to the sense of despair and hopelessness that permeates the poem.
In conclusion, Why? is a classic example of existentialist literature, exploring the fundamental questions of human existence and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Service’s poem is a powerful expression of the angst and uncertainty that characterized the modernist era, and it remains relevant today as we continue to grapple with these same questions. The poem’s use of repetition, rhetorical questions, and imagery make it a masterful example of Service’s skill as a poet, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.
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