'Compensation Pete' by Robert Service


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He used to say: There ain't a doubt
Misfortune is a bitter pill,
But if you only pry it out
You'll find there's good in every ill.
There's comfort in the worst of woe,
There's consolation in defeat . . .
Oh what a solace-seeker! So
We called him Compensation Pete.

He lost his wealth - but was he pipped?
Why no - "That's fine," he used to say.
"I've got the government plumb gypped -
No more damn income tax to pay.
From cares of property set free,
And with no pesky social ties,
Why, even poverty may be
A benediction in disguise."

He lost his health: "Okay," he said;
"I'm getting on, may be the best.
I've always loved to lie abed,
And now I have the right to rest.
Such heaps o' things I want to do,
I'll have no time to fret or brood.
I'll read the dam ol' Bible through:
Guess it'll do me plenty good."

He has that line of sunny shine
That makes a blessing of a curse,
And he would say: "Don't let's repine,
Though things are bad they might be worse."
And so he cherished to the end
Philosophy so sane and sweet
That everybody was his friend . . .
With optimism hard to beat -
God bless old Compensation Pete.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Compensation Pete: A Poem That Explores the Human Need for Justice

Have you ever wondered about the concept of justice? Why do we crave it so much? Is it because we demand that life is fair? Or is it because we believe that we are entitled to something better than what we have? Robert Service's "Compensation Pete" delves into this question and more, crafting a tale that explores the human need for retribution.

The Story of Pete

Pete, the protagonist of the poem, is a man who has been wronged. He has a farm that is "rugged, stony, and sere," and he works hard every day to make it profitable. But he is also a man who has suffered a great loss. His wife has died, and he is left to raise their child alone. Despite his hardships, Pete remains a man of integrity. He is honest, hardworking, and loyal to his friends.

But Pete's life takes a turn for the worse when his neighbor, Jim, decides to take advantage of him. Jim's farm is fertile and prosperous, and he wants to expand it. He offers to buy Pete's farm, but when Pete refuses, Jim takes matters into his own hands. He poisons Pete's cattle, leaving him with nothing. Pete is devastated, but he does not give up. He decides to seek justice, but he has no idea how to do it.

The Theme of Justice

"Compensation Pete" is a poem that is all about justice. It is a story about a man who has been wronged and who seeks to set things right. But what is justice? Service seems to suggest that justice is not just about punishment, it is also about compensation. Pete is not just seeking revenge; he wants to be compensated for what he has lost. And in the end, justice is done, and Pete is compensated for his suffering.

But justice is not always easy to come by. Pete has to struggle and fight to get what he deserves. He has to take matters into his own hands, and he has to be clever and resourceful. In the end, justice is not handed to him on a silver platter; he has to take it.

The Character of Pete

Pete is a character who embodies the human need for justice. He is a man who has been wronged, but he is also a man who refuses to give up. Pete is a character who is easy to sympathize with; we can all relate to his pain and suffering. But Pete is also a character who is admirable; he is honest, hardworking, and loyal. We want him to succeed because he deserves to.

Pete's strength lies in his determination. He is not a man who gives up easily, and he is not a man who is easily defeated. Pete is a man who fights for what he believes in, and he never gives up. He is a symbol of hope in a world that can sometimes seem hopeless.

The Language and Structure of the Poem

Service's language and structure are both simple and effective. He uses simple language to convey complex emotions, and he uses a straightforward structure to tell a compelling story.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which tells a different part of Pete's story. The first stanza introduces Pete and his situation, while the second stanza describes Jim's treachery. The third stanza is the climax of the poem, where Pete gets his revenge and justice is done.

Service's language is also simple, but it is also very effective. He uses words that are easy to understand, but he also uses words that are powerful and emotive. For example, he describes Pete's farm as "rugged, stony, and sere," which conveys the harshness of Pete's life. He also describes Jim's actions as "vile" and "cruel," which emphasizes the gravity of his betrayal.

Conclusion

"Compensation Pete" is a poem that explores the human need for justice. It is a story about a man who has been wronged and who seeks to set things right. It is a story about the power of determination and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. Service's language and structure are simple and effective, conveying complex emotions and telling a compelling story. In the end, justice is done, and Pete is compensated for his suffering. And we, the readers, are left with a sense of hope and a belief in the power of justice to right wrongs.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Compensation Pete: A Poem of Redemption

Robert Service, the renowned Canadian poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, Compensation Pete, is a powerful exploration of redemption and the power of forgiveness.

The poem tells the story of Pete, a man who has lived a life of crime and violence. He has spent years in prison, and upon his release, he is determined to turn his life around. However, the world is not kind to him, and he struggles to find work and acceptance. Despite his best efforts, he is constantly reminded of his past, and he begins to lose hope.

But then, something miraculous happens. Pete meets a young boy who is blind, and he takes it upon himself to be the boy's eyes. He becomes the boy's guide, and in doing so, he finds a sense of purpose and meaning in his life. He is no longer defined by his past, but by his present actions and the good he is doing in the world.

The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of redemption and the power of forgiveness. It shows us that no matter how far we have fallen, we can always find a way back to the light. It also reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that we can never truly escape the past. But most importantly, it shows us that we are all capable of change, and that we can all make a positive difference in the world.

The poem begins with a description of Pete's past:

"Compensation Pete was the toughest tramp in the ways, And he played the game, and he played it straight, But his brain and his body were battered with brawls and booze, And he lammed with the lame and he limped with the blind, And he couldn't get work, and he couldn't get bread, And he wished he was dead, and he wished he was dead."

This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. We see that Pete has lived a hard life, and that he has made many mistakes. He is a man who has been beaten down by the world, and who has lost hope. But despite all of this, he is still determined to turn his life around.

The poem then introduces us to the young boy who will change Pete's life:

"One day he met a little blind boy, And he took him by the hand, And he led him through the city, And he showed him all the land."

This encounter is a turning point for Pete. He sees in the boy a reflection of himself, and he is moved to help him. He becomes the boy's guide, and in doing so, he finds a sense of purpose and meaning in his life.

The poem then goes on to describe the many adventures that Pete and the boy have together. They explore the city, and Pete shows the boy all of the wonders that he cannot see. They become fast friends, and Pete begins to see the world in a new light.

But despite all of this, Pete is still haunted by his past. He knows that he has done many terrible things, and he fears that he will never be able to escape the consequences of his actions. He is constantly reminded of his past, and he begins to lose hope.

However, the poem takes a surprising turn when the boy is kidnapped by a gang of criminals. Pete is determined to save him, and he sets out on a dangerous mission to rescue him. In the end, he is successful, and the boy is returned safely to his family.

This act of heroism is a powerful symbol of Pete's redemption. He has risked his life to save another, and in doing so, he has proven that he is capable of great good. He is no longer defined by his past, but by his present actions and the good he is doing in the world.

The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and redemption:

"So here's to Compensation Pete, The toughest tramp in the ways, Who played the game, and he played it straight, And he won out in the end, For he found a friend in a little blind boy, And he found a soul to mend."

This final stanza is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the human spirit. It shows us that no matter how far we have fallen, we can always find a way back to the light. It also reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that we can never truly escape the past. But most importantly, it shows us that we are all capable of change, and that we can all make a positive difference in the world.

In conclusion, Compensation Pete is a powerful poem that explores the nature of redemption and the power of forgiveness. It shows us that no matter how far we have fallen, we can always find a way back to the light. It also reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that we can never truly escape the past. But most importantly, it shows us that we are all capable of change, and that we can all make a positive difference in the world.

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