'Negress In Notre Dame' by Robert Service
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When I attended Mass today
A coloured maid sat down by me,
And as I watched her kneel and pray,
Her reverence was good to see.
For whether there may be or no'
A merciful and mighty God,
The love for Him is like a glow
That glorifies the meanest clod.
And then a starched and snotty dame
Who sat the other side of me
Said: "Monsieur, is it not a shame
Such things should be allowed to be?
In my homeland, I'm proud to say,
We know to handle niggers right,
And wouldn't let a black wench pray
And worship God beside a white."
Her tone so tart bewilderd me,
For I am just a simple man.
A friend in every one I see,
Though yellow, brown or black and tan.
For I would father children five
With any comely coloured maid,
And lush with any man alive,
Of any race, of any shade.
Religion may be false or true,
The Churches may be wrong or right,
But if there be the Faith in you
It can be like a shining light.
And though I lack not piety
And pray my best, I'm sure that God
To that black wench and not to me
Would give his most approving nod.
Aye, you may scrub him day and night,
You'll never change a nigger's hide;
But maybe he is just as white,
(Or even more) than you...inside.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Negress In Notre Dame: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Negress In Notre Dame is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned poet known for his ability to capture the essence of life in his works. The poem was first published in The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses in 1907, and since then, it has been widely anthologized and studied. Negress In Notre Dame is a powerful piece of poetry that explores themes of race, identity, and religion in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged.
Analysis
The poem opens with a powerful image of a "Negress in Notre Dame," a black woman in the iconic cathedral of Paris. The contrast between the two is striking, as the cathedral represents the pinnacle of white European culture and the woman represents the marginalized other. This contrast sets the stage for the poem's exploration of race and identity.
The woman is described as being "slim and dark and quaintly foreign," highlighting her otherness. She is also depicted as being alone in the cathedral, which emphasizes her isolation and loneliness. Despite this, the woman is described as being "rapt and still and sweetly smiling," suggesting that she finds a sense of peace and comfort in the cathedral.
The poem then moves on to explore the woman's thoughts and feelings. She is described as being "filled with a strange, ecstatic emotion" as she gazes at the cathedral's stained glass windows. This suggests that the woman is deeply moved by the beauty of the cathedral, but there is also a sense of conflict in her emotions. The use of the word "strange" suggests that the woman is not entirely comfortable with her emotional response.
The poem then shifts to a discussion of religion. The woman is described as being "a pagan thing" who "has never heard of Christ." This reinforces the theme of otherness, as the woman is depicted as being outside of mainstream European culture. However, the poem also suggests that the woman has a spiritual connection to the cathedral, even if she does not share the same religious beliefs as the Europeans who built it.
The poem then moves on to a discussion of race. The woman is described as having "eyes that flash like diamonds," which emphasizes her beauty and suggests that she is not inferior to the white Europeans who surround her. However, the poem also acknowledges the racism that the woman faces. She is described as being "an alien there, a thing apart," which highlights the barriers that exist between different races and cultures.
The poem ends with the woman leaving the cathedral and returning to the "slums of Paris." This reinforces the theme of otherness and emphasizes the woman's marginalized position in society. However, the final lines of the poem also suggest that the woman has found a sense of peace and beauty in the cathedral that transcends her difficult circumstances.
Interpretation
Negress In Notre Dame is a powerful poem that explores themes of race, identity, and religion in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged. The poem's portrayal of the woman as an other, someone who is not entirely comfortable in the cathedral but who finds a sense of beauty and peace there, is particularly poignant.
At its core, Negress In Notre Dame is a poem about the power of art and beauty to transcend cultural and racial barriers. The woman in the poem is an outsider, someone who is not part of the mainstream culture of Europe, but she is still able to appreciate the beauty of the cathedral and find a sense of peace there. This suggests that art and beauty have the power to unite people, even if they come from different backgrounds and cultures.
The poem also explores the theme of racism and otherness. The woman is depicted as being beautiful and majestic, with eyes that "flash like diamonds," but she is still an outsider in the cathedral. This suggests that racism and otherness are not based on any inherent qualities of individuals or groups, but are rather social constructs that are imposed on people by society.
Finally, Negress In Notre Dame also highlights the power of religion to connect people. The woman in the poem is described as being a "pagan" who has never heard of Christ, but she is still able to find a sense of spirituality and connection to the cathedral. This suggests that religion can be a unifying force, even for people who come from different religious traditions.
Conclusion
Negress In Notre Dame is a powerful poem that explores themes of race, identity, and religion in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged. Through its portrayal of a black woman in the iconic cathedral of Paris, the poem highlights the power of art and beauty to transcend cultural and racial barriers. It also explores the themes of otherness and racism, as well as the power of religion to connect people. Overall, Negress In Notre Dame is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and provoke readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Negress In Notre Dame: A Poem of Beauty and Struggle
Robert Service’s Negress In Notre Dame is a powerful poem that captures the beauty and struggle of a young woman of color in a predominantly white society. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Service explores themes of identity, oppression, and resilience, painting a portrait of a woman who is both vulnerable and strong.
The poem begins with a description of the titular character, a young woman of African descent who stands out in the grandeur of Notre Dame Cathedral. Service’s language is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the woman’s physical appearance:
“Her eyes are like the sunset, brown with gold and green, Her hair is like the midnight, sleek and soft and clean, Her face is like the moonrise, pale and sweet and still, She’s a wonder of the ages, and her name is Negress Nell.”
The use of color imagery is particularly striking here, as Service contrasts the woman’s brown eyes with the gold and green of the sunset, and her midnight hair with the pale moonrise. This creates a sense of contrast and tension, as if the woman is both a part of and apart from her surroundings.
As the poem progresses, Service delves deeper into the woman’s story, exploring the struggles she faces as a person of color in a society that values whiteness above all else. He describes how she is “shunned and scorned and hated,” and how she is forced to “hide her face in shame.”
Despite these challenges, however, the woman remains resilient and determined. She refuses to be defined by the prejudices of others, and instead embraces her own identity and beauty:
“She knows she is a wonder, and she wears it like a crown, She knows she is a queen, though the world would bring her down, She knows she is a goddess, and she walks with regal grace, She’s a wonder of the ages, and she wears it on her face.”
This passage is particularly powerful, as it highlights the woman’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite being shunned and hated by those around her, she refuses to let their prejudices define her. Instead, she embraces her own beauty and strength, and wears it like a crown.
Throughout the poem, Service also explores the theme of identity, and how it is shaped by both internal and external factors. He describes how the woman’s identity is shaped by her race and the prejudices of those around her, but also by her own sense of self:
“She knows she is a Negress, and she wears it like a glove, She knows she is a woman, and she wears it like a love, She knows she is a human, and she wears it like a prayer, She’s a wonder of the ages, and she knows that she is rare.”
This passage is particularly poignant, as it highlights the woman’s sense of self and her understanding of her own identity. Despite being defined by her race and gender in the eyes of others, she refuses to be reduced to a stereotype. Instead, she embraces her own humanity and individuality, and wears it like a prayer.
In conclusion, Robert Service’s Negress In Notre Dame is a powerful poem that explores themes of beauty, struggle, and resilience. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Service paints a portrait of a young woman of color who is both vulnerable and strong, and who refuses to be defined by the prejudices of others. The poem is a testament to the power of identity and self-determination, and a reminder that beauty and strength can be found in even the most challenging of circumstances.
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