'The Centenarians' by Robert Service
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I asked of ancient gaffers three
The way of their ripe living,
And this is what they told to me
Without Misgiving.
The First: 'The why I've lived so long,
To my fond recollection
Is that for women, wine and song
I've had a predilection.
Full many a bawdy stave I've sung
With wenches of my choosing,
But of the joys that kept me young
The best was boozing.'
The Second: 'I'm a sage revered
Because I was a fool
And with the bourgeon of my beard
I kept my ardour cool.
On health I have conserved my hold
By never dissipating:
And that is why a hundred old
I'm celebrating.'
The Third: 'The explanation I
Have been so long a-olding,
Is that to wash I never try,
Despite conjugal scolding.
I hate the sight of soap and so
I seldom change my shirt:
Believe me, Brother, there is no
Preservative like dirt.'
So there you have the reasons three
Why age may you rejoice:
Booze, squalour and temerity,--
Well, you may take your choice.
Yet let me say, although it may
Your egoism hurt,
Of all the three it seems to me
The best is DIRT.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Centenarians: A Literary Masterpiece by Robert Service
Oh, The Centenarians! A poem that captures the essence of life, aging, and death in just a few stanzas. Robert Service, the Canadian poet and writer, has given us a timeless piece of literature that explores the human experience of growing old and confronting our mortality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into this remarkable poem, analyzing its themes, structure, language, and symbolism.
Themes
At the heart of The Centenarians lies the theme of aging and mortality. The poem reflects on the lives of two elderly people who have reached the age of one hundred and who are waiting for death to come. Service portrays their old age as a time of reflection and contemplation, as they look back on their long lives and ponder the meaning of their existence. The poem also touches on the cyclical nature of life, as the old couple's lives come full circle, from birth to death.
But The Centenarians is not just about aging and death. The poem also deals with the theme of love and companionship. The old couple in the poem are not alone, they have each other. They have shared a lifetime of experiences, both good and bad, and their love has endured through it all. Service portrays their love as a source of comfort and solace in their final days.
Structure
The Centenarians is a six-stanza poem, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the second and fourth lines having a shorter syllable count. The poem has a simple and straightforward structure, which reflects its subject matter. The short and concise lines convey the brevity of life and the inevitability of death.
The poem also has a cyclical structure, with the first and last stanzas echoing each other. The opening stanza begins with the line "We're poor, said the bawling bride", while the final stanza ends with the line "We're rich, said the dying groom". This repetition highlights the cyclical nature of life, as the old couple's lives come full circle. It also suggests that despite the hardships and struggles they have faced, they have found a kind of richness or fulfillment in their love for each other.
Language
The language in The Centenarians is simple and direct, yet rich in imagery and symbolism. Service uses metaphors and similes to convey the aging process and the passage of time. For example, in the second stanza, he writes "Our hair is white, our skin is sere, our pace is slow and wan", painting a vivid picture of the physical decline of the elderly couple.
Service also uses symbolism to convey the theme of love and companionship. In the fourth stanza, he writes "Two hearts that beat as one, we'll rest beneath the mould". Here, he uses the image of two hearts beating as one to represent the deep connection and love between the old couple. The image of resting beneath the mold suggests that their love will endure beyond death, in the afterlife.
Interpretation
The Centenarians is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, it is a reflection on the human experience of aging and mortality. The old couple in the poem are facing their final days, yet they are not alone. Their love for each other has sustained them through a lifetime of experiences, and it will continue to sustain them in death.
The poem also suggests that life is cyclical, with birth and death being natural and inevitable processes. The repetition of the opening and closing stanzas reinforces this idea, as the old couple's lives come full circle. However, the poem also suggests that there is a kind of richness or fulfillment to be found in life, despite its hardships and struggles. This richness comes from love and companionship, which can endure beyond death.
In conclusion, The Centenarians is a literary masterpiece that explores the human experience of aging and mortality. Through its simple yet powerful structure, language, and symbolism, the poem captures the essence of life, love, and death. Robert Service has created a poem that will resonate with readers for generations to come, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Centenarians: A Poem of Timeless Wisdom and Reflection
Robert Service's "The Centenarians" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience of aging and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Service captures the essence of what it means to live a long life and the wisdom that comes with it.
The poem begins with a description of the centenarians, those who have lived for a hundred years or more. Service paints a picture of these individuals as "gnarled and wrinkled, bent and slow" but also "bright-eyed, keen and wise." This contrast between physical frailty and mental acuity sets the stage for the poem's exploration of the relationship between age and wisdom.
Service goes on to describe the centenarians' memories of the past, which are "as clear as yesterday." He notes that they have lived through wars, revolutions, and other historical events, and have seen the world change in countless ways. Despite this, they remain grounded in their own experiences and values, which they pass on to younger generations.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery to convey the passage of time. Service describes the centenarians as "living fossils" and "human trees," rooted in the earth and weathered by the elements. He also compares them to "ancient mariners" who have sailed through the storms of life and emerged stronger for it. These metaphors create a sense of timelessness and continuity, suggesting that the centenarians are part of a larger, ongoing story of human existence.
At the same time, Service acknowledges the inevitability of death and the fact that the centenarians are nearing the end of their lives. He writes that they are "waiting for the call" and that their "hour is near." This sense of mortality adds a sense of urgency to the poem, reminding us that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have.
Despite this, the poem is ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Service suggests that the centenarians have lived full and meaningful lives, and that their wisdom and experience will continue to inspire future generations. He writes that they are "rich in love and faith and hope," and that they have "treasures that are more than gold." This message of hope and resilience is a testament to the human spirit and our ability to find meaning and purpose in even the most difficult of circumstances.
In conclusion, "The Centenarians" is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of aging and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Robert Service captures the essence of what it means to live a long life and the wisdom that comes with it. The poem is a reminder that even as we grow old and face the inevitability of death, we can still find meaning and purpose in our lives, and that our experiences and values can continue to inspire future generations.
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