'Lottery Ticket' by Robert Service
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'A ticket for the lottery
I've purchased every week,' said she
'For years a score
Though desperately poor am I,
Oh how I've scrimped and scraped to buy
One chance more.
Each week I think I'll gain the prize,
And end my sorrows and my sighs,
For I'll be rich;
Then nevermore I'll eat bread dry,
With icy hands to cry and cry
And stitch and stitch.'
'Tis true she won the premier prize;
It was of formidable size,
Ten million francs.
I know, because the man who sold
It to her splenically told
He got no thanks.
The lucky one was never found,
For she was snugly underground,
And minus breath;
And with that ticket tucked away,
In some old stocking, so they say,
She starved to death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fascinating Tale of Lottery Ticket
Robert Service was a poet who had a knack for weaving stories that kept the reader hooked till the end. His poem "Lottery Ticket" is no exception. This classic poem has captured the attention of readers for generations and has been a part of many literary discussions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the various aspects of this poem and try to understand its significance.
The Plot
The poem "Lottery Ticket" tells the story of a man who buys a lottery ticket in the hopes of winning a large sum of money. The man is poor and dreams of a better life for himself and his family. The lottery is drawn, and the man eagerly waits for the results. When the results are finally announced, the man is disappointed to find out that he has not won anything. He throws the ticket away and goes to bed, feeling defeated.
Analysis
The poem is a commentary on the human condition. It highlights the hopes and dreams that we all share and the disappointment that comes when those hopes are not fulfilled. The man in the poem represents all of us who strive for a better life but are often let down by circumstances beyond our control.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it accessible to readers of all ages. The language is clear and concise, and the imagery is vivid and evocative. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of rhyme and meter adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it memorable.
The poem's opening lines set the tone for the entire poem. The first two lines read, "I bought a ticket yesterday/ For one poor rupee only." These lines immediately establish the man's poverty and his desperation to improve his situation. The use of the word "yesterday" creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if the events of the poem are unfolding in real-time.
The poem's middle stanzas describe the man's anticipation and disappointment as he waits for the lottery results. The lines, "I scanned it with a sinking heart/ A blank stare answered me," capture the man's disappointment and his sense of hopelessness. The use of the phrase "sinking heart" creates a visceral image of the man's despair, while the phrase "blank stare" captures the emptiness he feels.
The final stanza of the poem is the most poignant. It describes the man's defeated state as he throws the lottery ticket away and goes to bed. The lines, "I flung it on the dusty ground/ And bitterly I cried," capture the man's sense of defeat and his loss of hope. The use of the word "bitterly" emphasizes the depth of the man's disappointment and his sense of injustice.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see the poem as a critique of the lottery system and the false hope it creates. Others may see it as a commentary on the human condition and the universal desire for a better life.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing too much hope in material possessions. The man in the poem believes that winning the lottery will solve all of his problems and bring him happiness. However, when he does not win, he is left feeling even more hopeless than before. The poem suggests that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions but must be sought within oneself.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the unequal distribution of wealth in society. The man in the poem is poor and dreams of a better life, but his chances of winning the lottery are slim. The poem suggests that the lottery system perpetuates a system of inequality that keeps the poor in a perpetual state of hopelessness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Lottery Ticket" is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the universal desire for a better life. The poem captures the hopes and dreams that we all share and the disappointment that comes when those hopes are not fulfilled. The poem's simple language and vivid imagery make it accessible to readers of all ages, while its multiple interpretations make it a valuable addition to any literary discussion. Overall, "Lottery Ticket" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lottery Ticket: A Poem of Hope and Despair
Robert Service's Lottery Ticket is a classic poem that captures the essence of human hope and despair. It tells the story of a man who buys a lottery ticket with the hope of winning a fortune and changing his life forever. However, as the poem unfolds, we see how his hope turns into despair as he realizes that he has lost everything he had in pursuit of a dream.
The poem begins with the man buying a lottery ticket, filled with excitement and anticipation. He dreams of all the things he could do with the money he might win, from buying a house to traveling the world. He even imagines himself as a philanthropist, giving away his wealth to those in need. This is a common human experience - the hope that a sudden windfall will change our lives for the better.
However, as the days go by and the lottery results are announced, the man's hope begins to fade. He checks the numbers over and over again, hoping that he has made a mistake. He even prays to God, begging for a miracle. This is where the poem takes a dark turn, as we see the man's desperation and despair.
The poem's language becomes more intense as the man's hope turns into despair. He describes himself as a "wretched man" and a "fool" for believing in the lottery's promise of a better life. He even contemplates suicide, saying that he would "take a pistol and blow out his brains." This is a powerful image that shows how the man's hopelessness has driven him to the brink of madness.
The poem's final lines are perhaps the most powerful, as the man realizes that he has lost everything in pursuit of a dream. He says that he has "nothing left but sorrow" and that he is "poorer than before." This is a poignant reminder that hope can sometimes lead to despair, and that the pursuit of wealth can come at a great cost.
One of the most interesting aspects of Lottery Ticket is its use of language. Robert Service was a master of using simple, everyday language to convey complex emotions. The poem's language is straightforward and easy to understand, yet it is also deeply emotional and powerful. This is a testament to Service's skill as a poet, and to the power of language to convey human experience.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is its commentary on the lottery itself. The lottery is often seen as a way to escape poverty and achieve wealth, but Lottery Ticket shows the dark side of this dream. It shows how the pursuit of wealth can lead to despair and even madness. This is a powerful reminder that money cannot buy happiness, and that the pursuit of wealth can sometimes come at a great cost.
In conclusion, Lottery Ticket is a classic poem that captures the essence of human hope and despair. It tells the story of a man who buys a lottery ticket with the hope of winning a fortune, only to realize that he has lost everything in pursuit of a dream. The poem's language is powerful and emotional, and its commentary on the lottery is thought-provoking. It is a reminder that hope can sometimes lead to despair, and that the pursuit of wealth can come at a great cost.
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