'My Cross' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I wrote a poem to the moon
But no one noticed it;
Although I hoped that late or soon
Someone would praise a bit
Its purity and grace forlone,
Its beauty tulip-cool...
But as my poem died still-born,
I felt a fool.
I wrote a verse of vulgar trend
Spiced with an oath or two;
I tacked a snapper at the end
And called it Dan McGrew.
I spouted it to bar-room boys,
Full fifty years away;
Yet still with rude and ribald noise
It lives today.
'Tis bitter truth, but there you are-
That's how a name is made;
Write of a rose, a lark, a star,
You'll never make the grade.
But write of gutter and of grime,
Of pimp and prostitute,
The multitude will read your rhyme,
And pay to boot.
So what's the use to burn and bleed
And strive for beauty's sake?
No one your poetry will read,
Your heart will only break.
But set your song in vulgar pitch,
If rhyme you will not rue,
And make your heroine a bitch...
Like Lady Lou.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Cross by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As a poet who was famous for his portrayal of the rugged life in the North, Robert Service's poem "My Cross" is a fitting addition to his repertoire. The poem, written in 1940, is a reflection on the theme of fortitude, especially when one is faced with difficulties and adversity. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and style.
Plot and Themes
"My Cross" is a poem about a man who carries a heavy cross on his back. The cross is a symbol of his burden, his pain, and his suffering. The man has been carrying the cross for a long time, and he is tired and weary. However, he continues to carry the cross because he knows that it is his duty, his destiny, and his calling.
The poem is a reflection on the theme of suffering and the human capacity to endure it. The man in the poem is a symbol of every human being who has faced suffering and adversity in their lives. The cross is a symbol of the burden that we all carry, whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological. The poem encourages us to find the strength to carry our cross, to endure our suffering, and to persevere in the face of adversity.
Structure
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB. The structure of the poem is simple, but it is effective in conveying the message of the poem. The repetition of the four-line stanzas creates a rhythm that gives the poem a sense of momentum. The rhyme scheme adds to this momentum, giving the poem a musical quality.
Style
The style of the poem is simple and direct. Service's use of language is economical, yet powerful. He uses short, simple words that are easy to understand. His style is reminiscent of the ballads and folk songs of the North, which were often simple in form but rich in content.
Service's use of imagery is also effective in conveying the message of the poem. The cross is a powerful symbol that evokes a sense of weight and burden. The image of the man carrying the cross on his back is a visual representation of the poem's central theme. The use of the word "weary" further emphasizes the burden that the man is carrying.
The use of rhetorical questions is also effective in the poem. Service asks, "O Lord, what would thy servant do?" This question is a reflection on the man's faith and his belief in a higher power. The question also emphasizes the man's struggle to find meaning in his suffering.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways. On one level, it can be seen as a reflection on the human capacity for endurance. The man in the poem is a symbol of the human spirit, which is capable of carrying a heavy burden and enduring great suffering. The poem encourages us to find the strength to carry our cross, no matter how heavy it may be.
On another level, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the role of faith in our lives. The man in the poem is carrying the cross because he believes it is his duty, his destiny, and his calling. His faith gives him the strength to carry on, even when he is tired and weary. The poem encourages us to find meaning in our suffering and to find solace in our faith.
Finally, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the power of symbolism. The cross is a powerful symbol that evokes a sense of weight and burden. The image of the man carrying the cross on his back is a visual representation of the poem's central theme. The poem encourages us to find meaning in symbols and to use them as a source of strength and inspiration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "My Cross" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of suffering, endurance, and faith. Through its simple structure and direct style, the poem conveys a sense of the human spirit's ability to endure great hardship. The poem encourages us to find the strength to carry our cross, to find meaning in our suffering, and to find solace in our faith. As readers, we are reminded of the power of symbolism and the importance of finding inspiration in the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Cross: A Poem of Triumph and Resilience
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his vivid and stirring verses that capture the rugged spirit of the North and the human drama of its inhabitants. Among his many works, "My Cross" stands out as a powerful and poignant expression of the human struggle against adversity and the triumph of the human spirit over suffering and pain. In this essay, I will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language, and uncovering its deeper meanings and implications.
The poem begins with a stark and striking image that sets the tone for the rest of the work:
"This is my rock of faith,
This is the stone of hope,
This is the boulder of my strength,
The granite of my scope."
These lines establish the central metaphor of the poem, which is the cross that the speaker carries as a symbol of his faith and endurance. The cross is not a religious symbol in the conventional sense, but rather a personal emblem of the speaker's inner strength and resilience. It is a physical object that he can touch and feel, but it also represents an abstract idea that transcends its material form. The cross is a burden that he willingly bears, but it is also a source of comfort and inspiration that sustains him in his darkest moments.
The second stanza expands on the theme of the cross as a symbol of endurance and perseverance:
"This is the rock I lean upon
When storm-clouds lash the sky,
When lashing rains and blinding sleet
The courage of man defy."
Here, the speaker describes the cross as a rock that he leans upon in times of trouble and adversity. The storm-clouds and lashing rains represent the challenges and hardships that he faces in life, but he is able to withstand them because of his faith and his inner strength. The phrase "the courage of man defy" suggests that the speaker is not just enduring the storms of life, but actively defying them with his courage and determination. He is not a passive victim of fate, but a warrior who fights against the forces of darkness and despair.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, which is the idea of the cross as a symbol of sacrifice and redemption:
"This is the stone I kiss with tears
When I have lost my way,
When sin and sorrow, pain and fears
Have led my soul astray."
Here, the speaker describes the cross as a stone that he kisses with tears when he has lost his way. The act of kissing the stone is a gesture of reverence and devotion, but it is also a sign of humility and contrition. The speaker acknowledges that he is not perfect and that he has strayed from the path of righteousness, but he also believes that he can be redeemed through his faith and his willingness to suffer for his beliefs. The phrase "sin and sorrow, pain and fears" suggests that the speaker has experienced the full range of human suffering, but he has not lost his faith or his hope.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of endurance and resilience, but with a new twist:
"This is the boulder I embrace
When I am sore beset,
When life seems but a barren waste
And I am deep in debt."
Here, the speaker describes the cross as a boulder that he embraces when he is sore beset. The image of the boulder suggests a sense of solidity and permanence, but also a sense of weight and burden. The speaker is not just carrying the cross, but he is embracing it, as if to say that he is one with it. The phrase "life seems but a barren waste" suggests that the speaker has experienced moments of despair and hopelessness, but he has not given up or surrendered to his fate. Instead, he has found strength and comfort in his faith and his commitment to his ideals.
The fifth stanza introduces a new element to the poem, which is the idea of the cross as a symbol of love and compassion:
"This is the granite I caress
When I am all alone,
When I would give the world to bless
The hearts that ache and moan."
Here, the speaker describes the cross as a granite that he caresses when he is all alone. The act of caressing the stone suggests a sense of tenderness and affection, but also a sense of intimacy and connection. The speaker is not just holding the cross, but he is touching it with love and compassion, as if to say that he is not alone in his suffering. The phrase "the hearts that ache and moan" suggests that the speaker is not just concerned with his own pain and suffering, but with the pain and suffering of others. He is not a selfish or self-centered person, but a person who cares deeply about the welfare of others.
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem to a triumphant and uplifting conclusion:
"This is the rock on which I stand
When floods of doubt assail,
When stormy seas would sweep me from
The faith that cannot fail."
Here, the speaker describes the cross as a rock on which he stands when floods of doubt assail him. The image of the rock suggests a sense of stability and security, but also a sense of elevation and transcendence. The speaker is not just standing on the cross, but he is standing above the doubts and fears that would drag him down. The phrase "the faith that cannot fail" suggests that the speaker's faith is not just a temporary or conditional belief, but a deep and abiding conviction that sustains him through all the trials and tribulations of life.
In conclusion, "My Cross" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of the human struggle against adversity and the triumph of the human spirit over suffering and pain. The central metaphor of the cross is a potent symbol of faith, endurance, sacrifice, love, and redemption, and the language and imagery of the poem are rich and evocative. Robert Service has created a work of art that speaks to the deepest and most universal aspects of the human experience, and his message of hope and resilience is as relevant and inspiring today as it was when he first wrote these words.
Editor Recommended Sites
Customer 360 - Entity resolution and centralized customer view & Record linkage unification of customer master: Unify all data into a 360 view of the customer. Engineering techniques and best practice. Implementation for a cookieless worldDeveloper Painpoints: Common issues when using a particular cloud tool, programming language or framework
Rust Software: Applications written in Rust directory
Open Source Alternative: Alternatives to proprietary tools with Open Source or free github software
Privacy Chat: Privacy focused chat application.
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost analysisBirches by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Bermudas by Andrew Marvell analysis
Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
Nobody knows this little Rose by Emily Dickinson analysis
Crow's Fall by Ted Hughes analysis
Once by the Pacific by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Water Lilies by Sarah Teasdale analysis
The Little Girl Found by William Blake analysis
I'm Nobody! Who are you? by Emily Dickinson analysis