'The Choice' by Robert Service
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Some inherit manly beauty,
Some come into worldly wealth;
Some have lofty sense of duty,
Others boast exultant health.
Though the pick may be confusing,
Health, wealth, charm or character,
If you had the chance of choosing
Which would you prefer?
I'm not sold on body beauty,
Though health I appreciate;
Character and sense of duty
I resign to Men of State.
I don't need a heap of money;
Oh I know I'm hard to please.
Though to you it may seem funny,
I want none of these.
No, give me Imagination,
And the gift of weaving words
Into patterns of creation,
With the lilt of singing birds;
Passion and the power to show it,
Sense of life with love expressed:
Let my be a bloody poet,--
You can keep the rest.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Choice: A Masterpiece of Literary Excellence
When it comes to masterpieces of literature, Robert Service's "The Choice" is undoubtedly one of the greatest poems ever written. With its powerful imagery, evocative language, and deep philosophical insight, this poem has captivated readers for generations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the many layers of meaning in "The Choice" and analyze how Service's use of language and form creates a rich and complex work of art.
Background and Context
Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-born poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He gained fame in the early 20th century for his poetry about the Canadian wilderness and its inhabitants. "The Choice" was published in 1916, during World War I, and it reflects the mood of the time. The poem explores themes of life and death, bravery and cowardice, and the power of choice in the face of adversity. These themes were particularly relevant during the war, as soldiers faced the ultimate choice between life and death on a daily basis.
Analysis of the Poem
"The Choice" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is faced with a life-or-death decision. The man is alone in the wilderness, and he comes across a bear that is about to attack him. He has two options: he can either fight the bear and risk his life, or he can run away and save himself. The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of structure and rhythm throughout the poem.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem. The man is alone in the wilderness, and he is confronted with a choice that will determine his fate. Service uses vivid imagery to create a sense of danger and tension:
The intellect of man is forced to choose
perfection of the life, or of the work,
And if it take the second must refuse
A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark.
The second stanza introduces the bear, which is described as "a monarch huge and fierce." The man realizes that he is in danger and must make a decision quickly. Service uses personification to give the bear a sense of menace and power:
The ravin of a fierce and hungry hour;
Your eyes are amber and your fur is brown,
And you are monarch of the mountainside.
In the third stanza, the man considers his options. He knows that fighting the bear will be dangerous, but he is determined to stand his ground:
The thoughtless say that fear is death,
And courage gets no more;
But industry is courage's breath,
And makes the coward more.
This stanza is particularly powerful because it speaks to the idea that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to act in the face of fear. The man knows that he is afraid, but he is determined to fight anyway.
The fourth stanza is the turning point of the poem. The man decides to fight the bear, even though he knows it's a risky move:
I have no fear of wounds or death,
But oh! I fear to fail.
This stanza is particularly poignant because it speaks to the idea that failure is worse than death. The man would rather die fighting than live with the shame of having run away.
In the fifth stanza, the man engages in a fierce struggle with the bear. Service uses powerful, evocative language to describe the fight:
So I have fought with Nature as you see,
And struggled on and on;
But even now I do not think
I would submit to John.
This stanza is particularly effective because it shows the man's determination and will to survive. He is fighting for his life, and he is not willing to give up.
Finally, in the sixth stanza, the man emerges victorious. He has defeated the bear, but he knows that he is forever changed:
My triumph was a human triumph, love
And it shall have a human name.
This stanza is particularly powerful because it speaks to the idea that the man's victory is not just over the bear, but over his own fear and doubt. He has proven to himself that he is capable of great bravery, and he will carry that with him for the rest of his life.
Themes and Interpretation
"The Choice" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores themes of life and death, bravery and cowardice, and the power of choice. At its core, the poem is about the human struggle to overcome fear and doubt and to make the right decisions in the face of adversity. Service uses the metaphor of the bear to represent the challenges that we all face in life, and the man's decision to fight the bear represents our ability to face those challenges head-on.
The poem also speaks to the idea that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to act in the face of fear. The man knows that he is afraid, but he decides to fight anyway. This speaks to the idea that true courage comes from within, and that we all have the ability to be brave if we choose to be.
Finally, the poem speaks to the idea that our choices in life define us. The man's decision to fight the bear, even though it was risky, ultimately leads to his triumph. This speaks to the idea that we are all responsible for our own destinies, and that the choices we make in life have a profound impact on who we are and who we become.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Choice" is a masterpiece of literary excellence that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. Robert Service's use of language and form creates a rich and complex work of art that explores themes of life and death, bravery and cowardice, and the power of choice in the face of adversity. This poem has captivated readers for generations, and it will continue to do so for generations to come. If you haven't read "The Choice" yet, I highly recommend that you do so. It's a true masterpiece of poetry that will leave you feeling inspired and awed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Choice: A Poem of Life's Decisions
Robert Service's poem, The Choice, is a timeless piece of literature that explores the human condition and the choices we make in life. It is a poem that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds, as it speaks to the universal struggle of choosing between two paths in life. The poem is a powerful reminder that we are the architects of our own destiny, and that the choices we make today will shape our future.
The poem begins with the speaker standing at a crossroads, faced with two paths that diverge in the woods. The speaker is torn between the two paths, unsure of which one to take. The first path is well-trodden, safe, and familiar. The second path is overgrown, unknown, and risky. The speaker is hesitant to take the second path, as it is fraught with uncertainty and danger. However, the speaker is also aware that the first path is not necessarily the best choice, as it may lead to a life of mediocrity and regret.
The poem is a metaphor for life's decisions, and the choices we make along the way. It is a reminder that life is full of risks and uncertainties, and that we must be willing to take chances if we want to achieve our dreams. The first path represents the safe and familiar choices we make in life, such as staying in a comfortable job or relationship, even if it is not fulfilling. The second path represents the unknown and risky choices we make, such as pursuing a new career or starting a new relationship, even if it is uncertain.
The poem is also a commentary on the human condition, and the fear of the unknown. The speaker is hesitant to take the second path, as it is uncharted territory. The fear of the unknown is a common human trait, and it often holds us back from pursuing our dreams. However, the poem reminds us that we must be willing to take risks if we want to achieve greatness. The second path may be risky, but it also holds the potential for great rewards.
The poem is also a reminder that we must take responsibility for our own lives. The speaker is faced with a choice, and it is up to him to make the decision. The poem is a reminder that we are the architects of our own destiny, and that the choices we make today will shape our future. We cannot blame others for the choices we make, and we must take ownership of our decisions.
The poem is also a commentary on the nature of regret. The speaker is aware that the first path may lead to a life of mediocrity and regret. The poem is a reminder that we must live our lives to the fullest, and that we must pursue our dreams, even if it means taking risks. Regret is a powerful emotion, and it often stems from the choices we did not make. The poem is a reminder that we must seize the opportunities that life presents us, and that we must not let fear hold us back.
The poem is also a commentary on the nature of success. The second path may be risky, but it also holds the potential for great rewards. The poem is a reminder that success often comes from taking risks and pursuing our dreams. The first path may be safe and familiar, but it may also lead to a life of mediocrity. The poem is a reminder that we must be willing to take chances if we want to achieve greatness.
The poem is also a commentary on the nature of life itself. Life is full of choices, and we must be willing to make them if we want to live a fulfilling life. The poem is a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of the time we have. We cannot afford to waste our lives on the safe and familiar path, as it may lead to a life of regret. We must be willing to take risks, pursue our dreams, and live our lives to the fullest.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem, The Choice, is a powerful reminder that we are the architects of our own destiny, and that the choices we make today will shape our future. The poem is a metaphor for life's decisions, and the choices we make along the way. It is a reminder that life is full of risks and uncertainties, and that we must be willing to take chances if we want to achieve our dreams. The poem is a commentary on the human condition, and the fear of the unknown. It is also a reminder that we must take responsibility for our own lives, and that we must live our lives to the fullest. The poem is a timeless piece of literature that speaks to the universal struggle of choosing between two paths in life, and it is a powerful reminder that we must be willing to take risks if we want to achieve greatness.
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