'Externalism' by Robert Service

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The Greatest Writer of to-day
(With Maupassant I almost set him)
Said to me in a weary way,
The last occasion that I met him:
"Old chap, this world is more and more
Becoming bourgeois, blas�, blousy:
Thank God I've lived so long before
It got so definitely lousy."

Said I: "Old chap, I don't agree.
Why should one so dispraise the present?
For gainful guys like you and me,
It still can be extremely pleasant.
Have we not Women, Wine and Song -
A gleeful trio to my thinking;
So blithely we can get along
With laughing, loving, eating, drinking."

Said he: "Dear Boy, it may be so,
But I'm fed up with war and worry;
I would escape this world of woe,
Of wrath and wrong, of hate and hurry.
I fain would gain the peace of mind
Of Lamas on Thibetan highlands,
Or maybe sanctuary find
With beach-combers on coral islands."

Said I: "Dear Boy, don't go so far:
Just live a life of simple being;
Forgetting all the ills that are,
Be satisfied with hearing, seeing.
The sense of smell and taste and touch
Can bring you bliss in ample measure:
If only you don't think too much,
Your programme can be packed with pleasure.

"But do not try to probe below
This fairy film of Nature's screening;
Look on it as a surface show,
Without a purpose of a meaning.
Take no account of social strife,
And dread no coming cataclysm:
Let your philosophy of life
Be what I call: EXTERNALISM.

The moon shines down with borrowed light,
So savants say - I do not doubt it.
Suffice its silver trance my sight,
That's all I want to know about it.
A fig for science - 'how' and 'why'
Distract me in my happy dreaming:
Through line and form and colour I
Am all content with outward seeming. . . ."

The Greatest Writer of to-day
(I would have loved to call him Willie),
looked wry at me and went his way -
I think he thought me rather silly.
Maybe I am, but I insist
My point of view will take some beating:
Don't mock this old Externalist -
The pudding's proof is in the eating.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Externalism: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

In the vast ocean of literature, only a few writers have managed to capture the hearts of readers from different eras and cultures, and Robert Service is undoubtedly one of them. As a poet, Service has a unique charm that makes his work timeless and relevant even today. One of his famous poems, "Externalism," is a masterpiece that not only showcases Service's poetic prowess but also offers a profound commentary on the modern world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and motifs present in Externalism and how Service has used poetic devices to convey his message.

The Poem

Before we delve into the various aspects of Externalism, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem itself. The first thing that strikes the reader is the simplicity of the language used. Service's poetry is not adorned with complex vocabulary or convoluted syntax. Instead, he relies on straightforward language to communicate his ideas effectively. In Externalism, Service uses simple, yet powerful words to create vivid imagery. For instance, consider the following lines:

The woman in the loud decollete
Is tearing a chicken apart
But she doesn't seem to be hungry
Though she's gnawing it with all her heart.

Here, Service paints a picture of a woman who is tearing a chicken apart, but the real focus is on her demeanor. The fact that she doesn't seem to be hungry, despite gnawing at the chicken with all her heart, is a subtle commentary on the modern society's obsession with appearances. This is just one example of how Service uses simple words to convey complex ideas.

The Themes

Externalism is a poem that deals with several themes, but the overarching one is the idea of external appearances. Service presents a scathing critique of the modern society, where appearances matter more than substance. He highlights how people are more concerned with what others think of them, rather than focusing on their inner selves. This theme is evident right from the first stanza:

The woman in the red blouse
Sat impassively staring at me;
There was something peculiar about her,
Something sinister, something free.

Here, Service sets the tone for the poem, where the woman's appearance is the focus. The fact that she is wearing a red blouse is significant, as it symbolizes the passion and energy that the modern world values so highly. However, there is something peculiar about her, something sinister, something free. This juxtaposition of positive and negative attributes is Service's way of highlighting how the external appearance can be deceiving.

Another theme that Service explores in Externalism is the idea of conformity. He shows how people are expected to conform to social norms and expectations, even if it means sacrificing their individuality. Consider the following lines:

They are all alike, their hair and clothes;
They are all alike in their fear and pose;
They are all alike in the love they bear
For themselves and their disdain for prayer.

Here, Service is describing a group of people who are all alike in their appearance and behavior. They are conformists, who are afraid to stand out and be different. The fact that they disdain prayer is also significant, as it symbolizes their rejection of anything that does not conform to their worldview. Service's message here is clear - conformity stifles individuality and creativity.

Finally, Externalism also deals with the idea of materialism. Service shows how people are obsessed with material possessions and how they define themselves by what they own. Consider the following lines:

And the man in the sleek black limousine,
Who drives through the city night,
Is also a slave to his possessions
And he envies me my sight.

Here, Service is contrasting the man in the sleek black limousine with himself. The man may have all the material possessions that Service lacks, but he is still a slave to them. Service, on the other hand, is free because he can see the beauty in the world around him. This dichotomy between materialism and spirituality is a recurring theme in Service's work.

Poetic Devices

Aside from the themes, Externalism also showcases Service's mastery of various poetic devices. One of the most prominent devices that he uses is imagery. Service's imagery is vivid and evocative, as he uses words to paint a picture in the reader's mind. Consider the following lines:

And the moon, like a medallion,
Hung heavy on the night;
And the stars, like diamonds, glittered
And the city was a gem of light.

Here, Service is using visual imagery to describe the night sky and the city. The moon is like a medallion, and the stars are like diamonds - these comparisons are not only beautiful but also highlight the beauty of the natural world. The city is described as a gem of light, which is also significant, as it shows how Service values the beauty of the man-made world as much as the natural world.

Another poetic device that Service uses effectively is rhyme. Externalism is written in a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which makes the poem flow smoothly. This rhyme scheme also adds to the simplicity of the language used, making it easier for the reader to understand and appreciate the poem.

Interpretation

In conclusion, Externalism is a poem that offers a profound commentary on the modern world. Service's themes of external appearances, conformity, and materialism are still relevant today, making the poem timeless. His use of imagery and rhyme adds to the beauty of the poem, while also making it easy to understand. Service's message is clear - we should focus on our inner selves, rather than our external appearances or material possessions. Externalism is a masterpiece of Robert Service, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and read Externalism, and let Robert Service's words transport you to a world where beauty lies in simplicity, individuality, and spirituality.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Externalism: A Poem of Life and Death

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his powerful and evocative works. His poem "Externalism" is a masterpiece that explores the themes of life and death, and the human condition. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and understand why it continues to resonate with readers even after a century.

The poem Externalism is a reflection on the external forces that shape our lives, and how we are often at their mercy. The poem begins with the lines, "I knew that I had gained / And nothing would be the same again." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the changes that have occurred in his life. The use of the word "gained" suggests that the speaker has achieved something, but it is not clear what that is. This ambiguity is intentional, as it allows the reader to project their own experiences onto the poem.

The next stanza of the poem introduces the theme of death. The speaker says, "I knew that I had lost / And nothing would be the same again." The use of the word "lost" suggests that the speaker has experienced a significant loss, but again, it is not clear what that is. The juxtaposition of the words "gained" and "lost" creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, as the reader is left wondering what has happened to the speaker.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of external forces. The speaker says, "I knew that I was caught / And nothing would be the same again." The use of the word "caught" suggests that the speaker is trapped or ensnared by something beyond their control. This idea of being caught by external forces is a recurring theme in the poem, and it is one that many readers can relate to. We often feel like we are at the mercy of circumstances beyond our control, and this sense of helplessness is captured perfectly in these lines.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of time. The speaker says, "I knew that time had flown / And nothing would be the same again." The use of the word "flown" suggests that time has passed quickly, and the speaker is now reflecting on the changes that have occurred. This idea of time passing quickly is another recurring theme in the poem, and it is one that is particularly poignant when we consider the poem's themes of life and death.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of fate. The speaker says, "I knew that fate had frowned / And nothing would be the same again." The use of the word "frowned" suggests that fate has not been kind to the speaker, and they are now facing the consequences of their actions. This idea of fate is another recurring theme in the poem, and it is one that is particularly relevant when we consider the poem's themes of external forces and the human condition.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. The speaker says, "I knew that life was vain / And nothing would be the same again." The use of the word "vain" suggests that life is meaningless, and that we are all ultimately at the mercy of external forces. This idea of life being meaningless is a recurring theme in the poem, and it is one that is particularly powerful when we consider the poem's themes of life and death.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is written in six stanzas, each with four lines. This structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is particularly effective when we consider the poem's themes of life and death. The use of repetition is also effective, as it reinforces the poem's themes and creates a sense of unity.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration. The use of metaphor is particularly effective, as it allows the reader to see the world in a new way. For example, the line "I knew that fate had frowned" uses the metaphor of fate as a person who can frown. This personification creates a sense of agency and intentionality, which is particularly effective when we consider the poem's themes of external forces and the human condition.

The use of alliteration is also effective, as it creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, the line "I knew that time had flown" uses the alliteration of the "f" sound, which creates a sense of movement and speed. This use of alliteration is particularly effective when we consider the poem's themes of time and the fleeting nature of life.

In conclusion, Externalism is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of life and death, external forces, and the human condition. The poem's use of ambiguity, repetition, and literary devices creates a sense of tension and uncertainty, which is particularly effective when we consider the poem's themes. The poem's structure and use of repetition create a sense of symmetry and balance, which is particularly effective when we consider the poem's themes of life and death. Overall, Externalism is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers even after a century, and it is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a poet.

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