'The Bohemian' by Robert Service
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Up in my garret bleak and bare
I tilted back on my broken chair,
And my three old pals were with me there,
Hunger and Thirst and Cold;
Hunger scowled at his scurvy mate:
Cold cowered down by the hollow grate,
And I hated them with a deadly hate
As old as life is old.
So up in my garret that's near the sky
I smiled a smile that was thin and dry:
"You've roomed with me twenty year," said I,
"Hunger and Thirst and Cold;
But now, begone down the broken stair!
I've suffered enough of your spite . . . so there!"
Bang! Bang! I slapped on the table bare
A glittering heap of gold.
"Red flames will jewel my wine to-night;
I'll loose my belt that you've lugged so tight;
Ha! Ha! Dame Fortune is smiling bright;
The stuff of my brain I've sold;
Canaille of the gutter, up! Away!
You've battened on me for a bitter-long day;
But I'm driving you forth, and forever and aye,
Hunger and Thirst and Cold."
So I kicked them out with a scornful roar;
Yet, oh, they turned at the garret door;
Quietly there they spoke once more:
"The tale is not all told.
It's au revoir, but it's not good-by;
We're yours, old chap, till the day you die;
Laugh on, you fool! Oh, you'll never defy
Hunger and Thirst and Cold."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Bohemian: A Literary Masterpiece
Have you ever read a poem that transported you to a different time and place, that made you feel the passion and pain of a character's life? That's what Robert Service's "The Bohemian" does. It's a masterpiece of literature, a testament to the power of words to evoke emotion and bring characters to life.
The Story
At its core, "The Bohemian" is a story about a man who chooses to live life differently than those around him. The narrator, who is also the protagonist, begins by describing the bohemian as a man who "loved the life he led, / With a joy that few could see." He's a free spirit who values his independence above all else, who chooses to live without the constraints of society's expectations.
The bohemian is also a poet, a man who "sang his songs of life and love" and who "wrote his rhymes of pain and strife." He's a creative soul who expresses himself through his art, who finds meaning and purpose in the act of creation.
But the bohemian's chosen lifestyle comes with a price. He's often alone, "a stranger in a strange land" who finds it difficult to connect with others. He's misunderstood by those around him, who see him as a "vagabond" and a "tramp." He struggles to make a living, relying on the generosity of others to survive.
Despite these challenges, the bohemian continues to live life on his own terms. He remains true to himself, refusing to compromise his values or his art. And in the end, it's this refusal to conform that makes him a hero.
The Language
What makes "The Bohemian" such a powerful poem is the language Service uses to tell the story. He employs vivid imagery, rich metaphors, and evocative language to create a world that feels both real and magical.
For example, when describing the bohemian's life, Service writes:
With a soul that soared above,
And a heart that brimmed with love,
He was all that earth could crave.
These lines capture the essence of the bohemian's character, painting him as a larger-than-life figure who transcends the mundane world around him. By using words like "soul," "soared," and "brimmed," Service imbues the bohemian with a sense of otherworldliness and passion.
Similarly, when describing the bohemian's poetic gift, Service writes:
He sang his songs of life and love,
Of beauty that is born to die;
And though his voice was raised above
The roar of traffic rolling by,
Yet few there were his strains who heard,
And fewer still who understood.
These lines capture the beauty and tragedy of the bohemian's art. Service uses words like "songs," "beauty," and "strains" to create a sense of melody and rhythm. And the lines "few there were his strains who heard, / And fewer still who understood" capture the sense of isolation and rejection that the bohemian experiences.
The Themes
At its heart, "The Bohemian" is a poem about the tension between individuality and conformity. The narrator, who speaks from the perspective of society, sees the bohemian as a threat to the social order. He describes the bohemian's lifestyle as "wild and free," and portrays him as a man who "broke the laws of men."
But for the bohemian, his unconventional lifestyle is a way of asserting his individuality. He refuses to be a slave to society's expectations, choosing instead to live according to his own values and desires. And in doing so, he becomes a symbol of rebellion and resistance.
Another theme in "The Bohemian" is the power of art. The bohemian's poetry is a means of self-expression, a way of giving voice to his innermost thoughts and feelings. And through his poetry, he's able to connect with others on a deeper level, touching their hearts and souls.
But the bohemian's poetry is also a source of pain. He's acutely aware of the transience of beauty and the inevitability of death. And he uses his poetry to grapple with these fundamental truths of existence.
The Interpretation
So what does "The Bohemian" mean? Ultimately, it's a poem about the human struggle for meaning and purpose. The bohemian is a symbol of the artist who refuses to compromise his vision, who chooses to live life on his own terms in order to find fulfillment and meaning.
But the bohemian is also a symbol of the outsider, the person who doesn't fit in with society's norms and values. He's a reminder that there are other ways of living, other ways of being in the world, that are just as valid and meaningful as the mainstream.
In this sense, "The Bohemian" is a poem that celebrates the diversity and complexity of human experience. It's a call to embrace our differences and appreciate the unique contributions that each individual can make to the world.
Conclusion
"The Bohemian" is a literary masterpiece that combines captivating storytelling, evocative language, and profound themes to create a work of art that speaks to the human soul. It's a poem that reminds us of the power of individuality, the importance of art, and the beauty of diversity. And it's a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Bohemian: A Poem of Freedom and Adventure
Robert Service's "The Bohemian" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of freedom and adventure that characterizes the bohemian lifestyle. The poem tells the story of a young man who rejects the conventional life of his time and chooses instead to live a life of artistic and intellectual exploration. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service celebrates the bohemian spirit and invites readers to embrace their own inner bohemian.
The poem opens with a description of the young man's decision to leave behind the "dull routine" of his everyday life and seek out a more exciting existence. He is described as a "rebel soul" who is "tired of the treadmill" and longs for something more. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the bohemian as a figure who rejects conformity and embraces a life of passion and adventure.
The second stanza introduces the bohemian's journey, as he sets out on the road with nothing but his "knapsack and his dreams." The imagery here is powerful, as Service describes the bohemian's journey as a "pilgrimage" and a "quest." This language suggests that the bohemian is on a spiritual journey, seeking not just adventure but also a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.
As the poem progresses, Service describes the bohemian's encounters with various people and places along the way. He meets "gypsies, poets, painters, players," and other bohemians who share his love of freedom and creativity. These encounters are described in vivid detail, with Service using rich language and sensory imagery to bring the scenes to life. For example, he describes a "gypsy fire" that "dances in the night" and a "poet's garret" that is filled with the "fragrance of romance."
Throughout the poem, Service emphasizes the bohemian's rejection of materialism and his embrace of the simple pleasures of life. He describes the bohemian as someone who is "rich in rags and laughter" and who finds joy in the "sun and rain and starry night." This emphasis on simplicity and joy is a key aspect of the bohemian lifestyle, which values experience and creativity over material possessions.
As the poem nears its end, Service describes the bohemian's return to the "real world" and his realization that he cannot live forever in the bohemian paradise he has discovered. He acknowledges that the bohemian lifestyle is not for everyone, and that many people will never understand the appeal of a life of freedom and adventure. However, he also suggests that the bohemian spirit is something that can be found within all of us, if we are willing to embrace it.
In the final stanza, Service sums up the bohemian philosophy in a few powerful lines:
"Life is a jest, and all things show it, I thought so once, and now I know it."
These lines suggest that the bohemian lifestyle is not just about rejecting convention and embracing adventure, but also about recognizing the inherent absurdity of life and finding joy in it anyway. The bohemian is someone who laughs in the face of adversity and finds beauty in the chaos of the world.
Overall, "The Bohemian" is a powerful celebration of the bohemian spirit and a call to embrace a life of freedom and adventure. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service captures the essence of the bohemian lifestyle and invites readers to join in the quest for a more meaningful existence. Whether you are a bohemian at heart or simply someone who longs for a life of passion and adventure, this poem is sure to inspire and delight.
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