'The Headliner And The Breadliner' by Robert Service

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Moko, the Educated Ape is here,
The pet of vaudeville, so the posters say,
And every night the gaping people pay
To see him in his panoply appear;
To see him pad his paunch with dainty cheer,
Puff his perfecto, swill champagne, and sway
Just like a gentleman, yet all in play,
Then bow himself off stage with brutish leer.

And as to-night, with noble knowledge crammed,
I 'mid this human compost take my place,
I, once a poet, now so dead and damned,
The woeful tears half freezing on my face:
"O God!" I cry, "let me but take his shape,
Moko's, the Blest, the Educated Ape."

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Headliner And The Breadliner by Robert Service: A Masterful and Timeless Poem

Have you ever read a poem that left you in awe of the writer's ability to craft words in such a way that they not only tell a story but also evoke emotions and thoughts that resonate with you? That is precisely what Robert Service did in his classic poem, The Headliner And The Breadliner. A poem that has stood the test of time and is still as relevant today as it was when it was first published almost a century ago.

The Story

At its core, The Headliner And The Breadliner is a story of two men, the Headliner and the Breadliner, and how they lived their lives. The Headliner, a successful and famous journalist, lived a life of luxury and extravagance. He was known for his headlines and bylines, and people admired him for his success. The Breadliner, on the other hand, was a simple man who worked hard to earn his bread. He was not famous or wealthy, but he was content with his life.

The poem begins with the Headliner walking down the street, feeling proud of himself, and his accomplishments. He sees the Breadliner walking towards him, carrying a heavy load of bread. The Headliner, in his arrogance, thinks to himself that the Breadliner is nothing compared to him and that he could buy him out. He arrogantly asks the Breadliner how much he earns per day, and the Breadliner responds with a humble and modest amount.

The Headliner laughs at the Breadliner's answer and boasts about his wealth, success, and fame. He brags about how he could buy the Breadliner's cart, his horse, and even his wife if he wanted to. The Breadliner, however, is not impressed by the Headliner's boasting and remains humble and content with his life.

As the Headliner continues down the street, he suddenly stops and realizes that he has been foolish. He has been so focused on his success that he has forgotten what is truly important in life. He sees the Breadliner walking away, and he realizes that the Breadliner has something that he does not have, contentment.

The Poem

The Headliner And The Breadliner is a beautiful poem that uses simple language, metaphors, and symbolism to convey a powerful message. The poem's simplicity makes it easy to understand, yet the message it conveys is profound and thought-provoking.

The poem's structure is also noteworthy. It is written in quatrains, with each stanza having four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality when read aloud. The use of repetition in the poem is also effective, with the phrase "Headliner and Breadliner" being repeated several times throughout the poem.

The use of metaphors and symbolism is another aspect of the poem that makes it stand out. The Headliner is a metaphor for success and fame, while the Breadliner represents hard work and contentment. The Breadliner's cart and horse symbolize his livelihood, while the Headliner's wealth and fame are symbolized by his fine clothes and carriage.

The contrast between the two characters is also significant. The Headliner is arrogant, selfish, and focused on his own success, while the Breadliner is humble, content, and focused on his daily work. The Headliner's realization at the end of the poem that he has been foolish is a powerful message about the importance of contentment, humility, and the simple things in life.

The Message

The Headliner And The Breadliner is a timeless poem that speaks to the human condition. It reminds us that success and wealth are not the only things that matter in life. In our pursuit of success, we must not forget the simple things in life that bring us joy and contentment.

The poem also highlights the dangers of arrogance and selfishness. The Headliner's arrogance blinds him to the simple joys of life, and he becomes obsessed with his own success. His selfishness makes him think that he can buy anything, including people, without realizing that true happiness cannot be bought.

The Breadliner's humility, on the other hand, is a reminder that contentment and happiness can be found in the simple things in life. He is content with his daily work and his modest earnings, and he does not aspire to be famous or wealthy. His humility makes him appreciate the simple joys of life, such as the warm sun on his face, the smell of freshly baked bread, and the love of his family.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Headliner And The Breadliner is a masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and reminds us of the importance of contentment, humility, and the simple things in life. The poem's structure, language, metaphors, and symbolism all contribute to its power and beauty.

Robert Service's ability to craft words in such a way that they evoke emotions and thoughts is truly remarkable. His poetic genius is evident in every line of The Headliner And The Breadliner, and it is a poem that every reader should have the pleasure of experiencing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Headliner and the Breadliner: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Robert Service. He was a Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable and beloved poems of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is "The Headliner and the Breadliner," a poem that tells the story of two men who lead very different lives. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and meaning.

The poem begins with the introduction of the two main characters: the Headliner and the Breadliner. The Headliner is a successful journalist who writes for a major newspaper. He's a man of wealth and influence, with a reputation for being a hard-hitting reporter who always gets the story. The Breadliner, on the other hand, is a poor man who works in a bakery. He's a simple man who lives a humble life, but he's content with what he has.

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem, describing the Headliner as a man who's always on the move, chasing the next big story. He's a man who's always in a hurry, never stopping to appreciate the world around him. The Breadliner, on the other hand, is a man who takes his time, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. He's a man who's content with his lot in life, never wanting more than he has.

The second stanza introduces the conflict of the poem. The Headliner is envious of the Breadliner's simple life, and he longs to be like him. He's tired of the constant pressure and stress of his job, and he wishes he could slow down and enjoy life like the Breadliner does. The Breadliner, however, is content with his life and doesn't understand why the Headliner would want to be like him.

The third stanza is where the symbolism of the poem really comes into play. The Headliner sees a butterfly and is struck by its beauty. He realizes that he's been so focused on his work that he's missed out on the beauty of the world around him. The butterfly represents the beauty and wonder of life, and the Headliner realizes that he's been missing out on it.

The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a dark turn. The Headliner decides to quit his job and live a simple life like the Breadliner. He thinks that this will make him happy, but he soon realizes that he's made a mistake. He's not cut out for the simple life, and he's miserable without the excitement and challenge of his job.

The fifth stanza is the climax of the poem. The Headliner goes back to his old job, but he's lost his edge. He's no longer the hard-hitting reporter he once was, and he's lost the respect of his colleagues. He realizes that he can't go back to the way things were, and he's left with a sense of regret and sadness.

The final stanza is where the poem ends on a bittersweet note. The Headliner realizes that he can't go back to the simple life he once longed for, but he's also realized that he needs to find a balance between his work and his personal life. He's learned that there's more to life than just work, and he's determined to find a way to enjoy both.

In conclusion, "The Headliner and the Breadliner" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of envy, regret, and the search for meaning in life. The Headliner represents the modern man who's always in a hurry, chasing success and wealth, while the Breadliner represents the simple man who's content with what he has. The butterfly symbolizes the beauty and wonder of life, and the Headliner's realization that he's been missing out on it is a powerful moment in the poem. Ultimately, the poem teaches us that we need to find a balance between our work and our personal lives, and that there's more to life than just success and wealth.

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