'Longevity' by Robert Service
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Said Brown: 'I can't afford to die
For I have bought annuity,
And every day of living I
Have money coming in to me:
While others toil to make their bread
I make mine by not being dead.'
Said Jones: 'I can't afford to die,
For I have books and books to write.
I do not care for pelf but I
Would versify my visions bright;
Emotions noble in my breast
By worthy words should be expressed.'
Said Smith: 'I can't afford to die,
Because my life is kindly planned;
So many on my care rely,
For comfort and a helping hand.
Too many weak ones need me so,
And will be woeful when I go.'
Then Death appraisingly looked down,
Saying: 'Your time's up, Mister Brown.
And I am sorry, Mister Jones,
The earth is ready for your bones.
Friend Smith, although you're overdue
Your lease of living we'll renew . . .
Both fame and fortune far above,
What matters in the end is--Love.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deeper Look Into Robert Service's "Longevity"
When it comes to poems that capture the essence of life, Robert Service's "Longevity" comes to mind. This masterpiece, first published in 1922, tells a story of a man's life and his ultimate realization that it's not the length of time that matters, but how one lives their life.
As we delve deeper into the poem, we'll explore Service's use of imagery, symbolism, and characterization to convey his message. We'll also examine the poem's structure and form, as they play a crucial role in the delivery of Service's message.
Structure and Form
One of the first things that stand out about "Longevity" is its structure and form. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. This structure is known as a quatrain, a common structure in poetry.
But what's interesting about the quatrain in "Longevity" is that each stanza tells a different part of the man's life. The first stanza describes his birth, the second his youth, the third his middle age, the fourth his old age, the fifth his death, and the sixth his afterlife.
This structure is effective in that it allows the reader to follow the man's life from beginning to end. It also creates a sense of inevitability, as the man's life is segmented into these six stages, almost as if it's predetermined.
Imagery and Symbolism
Throughout "Longevity," Service uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his message. Let's take a look at some of the most striking examples.
In the first stanza, Service writes, "When I was born, / I was so surprised / I didn't speak for a year and a half." This imagery of a baby being surprised at their own birth is humorous, but it also sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The man's life is full of surprises, both good and bad, and he's constantly trying to make sense of them.
In the second stanza, Service uses the image of a "slender tree" to represent the man's youth. The tree is "too slender for its height," just as the man is too young for the experiences he's about to face. This image also foreshadows the man's eventual downfall, as the tree will eventually be "bent and broken" by the wind.
In the third stanza, Service uses the image of a "ruddy apple" to represent the man's middle age. The apple is "ripe and mellow," just as the man is at the peak of his life. But the apple also contains a worm, symbolizing the man's inner turmoil and struggles.
In the fourth stanza, Service uses the image of a "hollow trunk" to represent the man's old age. The trunk is "gnarled and grey," just as the man's body is deteriorating. But the trunk is also filled with "whispers of the past," symbolizing the man's memories and experiences.
In the fifth stanza, Service uses the image of a "crumbling clay" to represent the man's death. The clay is "baked and cold," just as the man's body is lifeless. But the clay is also a vessel for new life, symbolizing the man's legacy and impact on the world.
In the sixth and final stanza, Service uses the image of a "golden gate" to represent the man's afterlife. The gate is "wide and fair," symbolizing the man's eternal rest and peace.
Characterization
Another element that makes "Longevity" a masterpiece is its characterization. Service creates a fully fleshed-out character without ever explicitly describing him. Instead, he uses imagery and symbolism to convey the man's personality, values, and beliefs.
For example, the image of a "slender tree" in the second stanza tells us that the man is young and inexperienced. But it also tells us that he's ambitious and eager to grow.
In the third stanza, the image of a "ruddy apple" tells us that the man is in his prime. But it also tells us that he's conflicted and struggling with his own demons.
In the fourth stanza, the image of a "hollow trunk" tells us that the man is old and nearing the end of his life. But it also tells us that he's wise and full of memories.
Through these images and symbols, Service creates a character that we can all relate to. We see ourselves in the man's struggles and triumphs, and we're moved by his realization that life is not about the length of time, but how we live it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Longevity" is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of life. Through its structure, imagery, and characterization, the poem tells the story of a man's life and his ultimate realization that it's not the length of time that matters, but how we live it.
As we read and re-read "Longevity," we're reminded of our own mortality and the importance of making the most of the time we have. It's a powerful message that speaks to us all, and one that will continue to resonate for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Longevity: A Poem of Life and Death
Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet, has left us with a legacy of poems that explore the human condition in all its complexity. One of his most celebrated works is "Longevity," a poem that delves into the themes of life and death, time and memory, and the fleeting nature of existence. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a striking image: "O, stormy, stormy world, / The days you were not swirled / Around with mist and cloud, / Or wrapped as in a shroud." The speaker is addressing the world itself, personifying it as a tempestuous entity that can either reveal or conceal the truth. The use of repetition in the first two lines emphasizes the chaotic nature of the world, while the simile in the third line creates a sense of mystery and foreboding. The fourth line, with its reference to a shroud, hints at the theme of death that will be developed later in the poem.
The second stanza introduces the main subject of the poem: "And now the music gay / Of friendship's voice is heard, / And, like the birds of May, / The lights of love are stirred." Here, the speaker contrasts the previous image of a stormy world with a more positive one of friendship and love. The use of the word "gay" in the first line suggests a sense of joy and celebration, while the comparison to birds and lights creates a vivid and colorful image. The stanza ends with a rhetorical question that sets up the central conflict of the poem: "Shall aged men and women who / Have played their parts and are through / Still live on, live on?"
The third stanza begins to explore this conflict in more detail: "The wrinkled, smiling brow, / The venerable form and slow, / The wisdom that alway / Comes not with toil and gray." The speaker describes the physical and mental characteristics of old age, using words like "wrinkled," "venerable," and "slow" to create a sense of dignity and respect. The reference to wisdom suggests that age can bring a deeper understanding of life, but also implies that this wisdom is not necessarily acquired through hard work or experience.
The fourth stanza introduces the idea of memory: "The joy of youth and health, / The passions and the pains, / The wild-assed dreams of wealth, / The search for silver veins." Here, the speaker contrasts the pleasures and struggles of youth with the more reflective and nostalgic memories of old age. The use of the phrase "wild-assed dreams" creates a sense of youthful exuberance and ambition, while the reference to silver veins suggests a desire for material wealth. The stanza ends with a repetition of the rhetorical question from the second stanza, emphasizing the uncertainty and ambiguity of the poem's central conflict.
The fifth stanza shifts the focus to death: "The dread of death is past, / And life is sweet and mellow, / And light and shadow cast / Are one in purpled yellow." The speaker suggests that old age can bring a sense of acceptance and peace with regard to death, using words like "sweet" and "mellow" to create a sense of calm. The image of light and shadow merging into a single color suggests a blurring of boundaries and a sense of unity.
The sixth and final stanza concludes the poem with a powerful image: "O, blessed are the old, / For they have fought life's wars / And kept the faith, and bold / The battlements of Mars." The speaker celebrates the achievements and resilience of old age, using the metaphor of a battle to suggest that life itself is a struggle. The reference to Mars, the Roman god of war, creates a sense of heroism and valor.
In terms of structure, the poem consists of six quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The use of rhyme creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, while the consistent length of each stanza creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The repetition of the rhetorical question throughout the poem creates a sense of continuity and unity, while the use of imagery and metaphor creates a vivid and memorable impression.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of personification, simile, metaphor, repetition, and rhetorical questions. The personification of the world as a stormy entity creates a sense of drama and tension, while the simile of birds and lights creates a sense of beauty and wonder. The metaphor of a battle creates a sense of heroism and struggle, while the repetition of the rhetorical question creates a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity.
In conclusion, "Longevity" is a classic poem that explores the themes of life and death, time and memory, and the fleeting nature of existence. Through its use of vivid imagery, musical language, and powerful metaphor, the poem creates a memorable and moving portrait of old age and the human condition. As we read and reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the importance of cherishing our memories, accepting our mortality, and celebrating the resilience and wisdom of old age.
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