'Mistinguette' by Robert Service
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He was my one and only love;
My world was mirror for his face.
We were as close as hand and glove,
Until he came with smiling grace
To say: 'We must be wise, my dear.
You are the idol of today,
But I too plan a proud career,--
Let's kiss and go our way.'
And then he soared to sudden fame,
And even queens applauded him.
A halo glorified his name
That dust of time may never dim.
And me,--I toured golden Brazil,
Yet as gay mobs were cheering me,
The sun seemed black, the brilliance chill,
My triumph mockery.
Today if I should say: 'Hello!'
He'd say: 'How are you?' I'd say: 'Fine.'
Yet never shall he see the woe,
The wanness of my frail decline.
I love him now and always will.
Oh may his star be long to set!
My Maurice is an idol still,--
What wreaths for Mistinguette!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Mistinguette: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Mistinguette is a classic poem written by Robert Service, a renowned Canadian poet. The poem was first published in 1926 and has since become a popular piece of literature. It is a narrative poem that tells the story of a French dancer, Mistinguette, and her rise to fame. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions, rich imagery, and powerful emotions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices.
The Poem
Mistinguette, Mistinguette, So lovely and so gay! What dance-hall dreams of happiness You’ve driven all away! What Parisienne ever had Such gold and silver shoes, Or such a pearl and diamond clasp Her dainty foot to choose?
The poem begins with the introduction of the main character, Mistinguette. The speaker describes her as lovely and gay, but also notes that she has driven away dreams of happiness. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the price of fame and the sacrifices that must be made to achieve it.
The speaker then goes on to describe Mistinguette's appearance, noting her gold and silver shoes and pearl and diamond clasp. These details serve to emphasize her beauty and extravagance. They also suggest that she is a symbol of wealth and luxury.
Mistinguette, Mistinguette, How light you trip and go! What little sips of laughing sins You drink in as you flow! What careless kisses on the lips Of clown and prince you give! What little leers and little sneers And little shrugs you live!
The second stanza describes Mistinguette's behavior. The speaker notes how lightly she moves and how she seems to drink in little sips of laughing sins. This suggests that she is a bit of a libertine, indulging in the pleasures of life without much thought for the consequences. The speaker also describes how she gives careless kisses to both clowns and princes, suggesting that she is not overly concerned with social status or reputation.
The final line of the stanza, "And little shrugs you live!" is particularly powerful. It suggests that Mistinguette has become so accustomed to the lifestyle that she leads that she no longer thinks about the consequences of her actions. She simply shrugs them off and continues on her way.
Mistinguette, Mistinguette, How sad your smile to see! What weary eyes that only know The glamour of Gaiety! What lips that tire of painted mirth, And tired of painted truth, Would give their fame and all their name To be again in youth!
The third stanza takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the toll that Mistinguette's lifestyle has taken on her. The once lovely and gay Mistinguette is now sad, with weary eyes that only know the glamour of Gaiety. The repetition of "tired of painted" emphasizes the emptiness of her existence, as everything she experiences is superficial and untrue.
The final two lines of the stanza are perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem. They suggest that Mistinguette would give up everything she has achieved to be young again. This suggests that, despite her fame and success, she is ultimately unfulfilled and unhappy.
Mistinguette, Mistinguette, What will your future be? What will you do when Time and Care Have stolen your beauty? What will you do when Youth is gone, And with it all your charms? What will you do when Love is done, And with it all its arms?
The final stanza of the poem is a series of rhetorical questions that address the future of Mistinguette. The questions suggest that, despite her current success, she is ultimately doomed to a bleak and lonely future. The repetition of "What will you do" emphasizes the sense of uncertainty and fear that the speaker feels for Mistinguette.
Themes
The central theme of Mistinguette is the cost of fame. The poem explores how achieving success can come at a great personal cost, both in terms of emotional fulfillment and personal relationships. Mistinguette's story is a cautionary tale, warning readers that the pursuit of fame and fortune can lead to emptiness and despair.
Another theme of the poem is the fleeting nature of beauty and youth. Despite her fame and success, Mistinguette is ultimately doomed to lose her beauty and charm. This is a reminder that, no matter how successful one may become, nothing can ultimately protect us from the ravages of time.
Literary Devices
Mistinguette is full of literary devices that help to bring the poem to life. One of the most notable is the use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Service repeats certain phrases and words, such as "Mistinguette, Mistinguette" and "tired of painted." This repetition serves to emphasize the themes of the poem and creates a sense of rhythm that makes the poem feel almost like a song.
Another literary device used in Mistinguette is imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions to bring Mistinguette's world to life. This includes descriptions of her gold and silver shoes, her pearl and diamond clasp, and her beautiful dancing. These descriptions serve to emphasize Mistinguette's beauty and extravagance, but also hint at the emptiness that lies beneath the surface.
Finally, the poem makes use of symbolism. Mistinguette herself is a symbol of wealth and luxury, but also of the emptiness that can come with achieving success. Her gold and silver shoes and pearl and diamond clasp are also symbols of extravagance and wealth.
Conclusion
Mistinguette is a powerful poem that explores the cost of fame and the fleeting nature of beauty and youth. Through vivid descriptions, repetition, and symbolism, Service paints a picture of a world that is both beautiful and sad. The poem serves as a warning to readers that success and fame come at a great personal cost, and that nothing can ultimately protect us from the ravages of time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Mistinguette: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a name that is synonymous with classic poetry. His works have been celebrated for their vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and timeless themes. One of his most famous poems is Mistinguette, a beautiful and haunting piece that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing.
The poem tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman named Mistinguette. He describes her as a vision of beauty, with eyes that sparkle like diamonds and a smile that could light up the darkest night. He is completely captivated by her, and his love for her consumes him entirely.
However, despite his love for her, the man knows that he can never be with Mistinguette. She is too perfect, too unattainable, and he is too flawed, too imperfect. He knows that he will never be able to give her the life that she deserves, and so he resigns himself to a life of loneliness and heartache.
The poem is filled with powerful imagery that brings the story to life. Service uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of Mistinguette, describing her as a "rose in a garden of thorns" and a "star in a sky of darkness." These metaphors help to convey the sense of awe and wonder that the man feels when he looks at her.
Service also uses repetition to great effect in the poem. The phrase "Mistinguette, Mistinguette" is repeated throughout the piece, emphasizing the man's obsession with her. It also serves to create a sense of rhythm and flow, making the poem feel almost like a song.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Service's writing is both poetic and accessible, with a simplicity that belies its depth. He uses words that are easy to understand, but that also carry a great deal of emotional weight.
For example, when the man describes Mistinguette's smile, he says that it "could light up a room." This is a simple and straightforward statement, but it also conveys a sense of warmth and joy that is incredibly powerful. Similarly, when he talks about his own flaws, he says that he is "a beggar at the gate of love." This phrase is both poetic and poignant, capturing the sense of desperation and longing that the man feels.
The poem also has a strong sense of structure. It is divided into four stanzas, each of which has a distinct tone and mood. The first stanza is filled with wonder and awe, as the man describes Mistinguette's beauty. The second stanza is more introspective, as he reflects on his own shortcomings. The third stanza is the most emotional, as he expresses his love for her and his despair at not being able to be with her. The final stanza is a kind of resolution, as he accepts his fate and resigns himself to a life without her.
Overall, Mistinguette is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of love and loss. It is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a poet, and to his ability to convey complex emotions with simple language. Whether you are a fan of classic poetry or simply appreciate beautiful writing, this is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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