'Picture Dealer' by Robert Service
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There were twin artists A. and B.
Who painted pictures two,
And hung them in my galley
For everyone to view;
The one exhibited by A.
The name "A Sphere" did bear,
While strangely brother B's display
Was catalogued: "A Square".
Now although A. (and this is queer)
Could squeeze a pretty tube,
The picture that he called a Sphere
Was blocky as a cube;
While B. (though no hint he disclosed
To pull the public leg)
The Square he placidly exposed
Was oval as an egg.
Thought I: To sell these pictures two
I never will be able;
There's only one thing I can do,
That's change around the label.
The rotund one I called a Sphere,
The cornered one a Square . . .
And yet, I thought: It's very queer,
Unbought they linger there.
Then strange as it may well appear,
Derision did I bare,
And blandly dubbed the Square a Sphere
And tabbed the Sphere a Square.
Behold the answer I had found,
For to my glad dismay
The curious came crowding round:
A sold the daubs next day.
Well, maybe A. and B. were right,
Not mugs like you and me,
With something missing in our sight
That only artists see.
So what it is and what it ain't
I'll never more discuss . . .
These guys believe in what they paint,
Or . . . are they spoofing us?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enigmatic World of Robert Service's "Picture Dealer": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever come across a poem that left you with a sense of wonder, one that made you ponder over its meaning long after you've read it? Robert Service's "Picture Dealer" is one such poem that resonates with a lot of readers because of its enigmatic nature. On the surface, it appears to be a simple story about a man who sells pictures, but as you delve deeper into the words, you realize that there's more to it than meets the eye. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and stylistic devices used by Service to create this masterpiece.
The Themes of "Picture Dealer"
At its core, "Picture Dealer" is a poem about the power of art and the human desire to possess it. The picture dealer in the poem is a man who travels the world, seeking out beautiful works of art that he can sell to his wealthy clients. He's a man who understands the value of art and knows that it can bring joy to people's lives. However, as the poem progresses, we see a darker side to the picture dealer's character. He becomes obsessed with his job, and the pursuit of wealth and success takes over his life. He stops appreciating the beauty of the art he sells and instead sees it as a means to an end. This obsession ultimately leads to his downfall.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of mortality. Service uses the image of a ship sailing into the sunset as a metaphor for the picture dealer's life. The ship represents the dealer's life, and the sunset represents his death. The dealer knows that his time is running out, and he wants to make the most of it before it's too late. This theme is further emphasized by the line, "He knew that his days were numbered, and he wanted to make them pay."
The Symbols in "Picture Dealer"
Service uses several symbols in "Picture Dealer" to enhance the poem's meaning. One of the most prominent symbols is the pictures that the dealer sells. The pictures represent beauty and art, and they're a representation of the human desire to possess something that's aesthetically pleasing. However, as the dealer becomes more obsessed with his job, the pictures lose their beauty and become a means to an end. They lose their value as art and instead become objects that can be bought and sold.
Another symbol that Service uses is the ship sailing into the sunset. The ship represents the dealer's life, and the sunset represents his death. The image of the ship sailing into the sunset is a powerful metaphor for the transience of life. It highlights the fact that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can.
The final symbol that Service uses in "Picture Dealer" is the dealer's bag of gold. The bag of gold represents the dealer's desire for wealth and success. It's a representation of the human desire to accumulate wealth and material possessions. However, as the dealer becomes more obsessed with his job, the bag of gold loses its value and becomes a burden. It weighs the dealer down, both physically and emotionally, and ultimately leads to his downfall.
The Stylistic Devices Used in "Picture Dealer"
Service uses several stylistic devices in "Picture Dealer" to enhance the poem's meaning and create a sense of tension and drama. One of the most prominent devices he uses is rhyme. The poem has a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a sense of rhythm and structure. The rhyming words also help to create a sense of tension and drama, particularly towards the end of the poem when the dealer's downfall is imminent.
Service also uses repetition in "Picture Dealer" to create a sense of drama and tension. The line, "He traveled the world, seeking pictures to sell," is repeated several times throughout the poem, and each time it's repeated, it takes on a different meaning. At the beginning of the poem, the line represents the dealer's passion for his job, but as the poem progresses, it becomes a symbol of his obsession and downfall.
Finally, Service uses imagery in "Picture Dealer" to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The image of the ship sailing into the sunset is particularly powerful, and it helps to convey the poem's themes of mortality and transience. The image of the dealer's bag of gold is also vivid, and it helps to create a sense of tension and drama as the poem reaches its climax.
Conclusion
"Picture Dealer" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores powerful themes of art, mortality, and obsession. Service uses symbols, stylistic devices, and vivid imagery to create a sense of tension and drama that draws the reader in and leaves them pondering over the poem's meaning long after they've read it. It's a poem that's both beautiful and haunting, and it's one that will stay with you long after you've put down the book.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Picture Dealer: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating and thought-provoking poems. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Picture Dealer," which is a masterpiece in its own right. The poem is a reflection of the human condition, and it explores the themes of greed, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its various aspects.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, a picture dealer who is described as a "shrewd and wily man." The picture dealer is a man who is driven by his ambition and his desire for wealth. He is not content with his current position in life and is always looking for ways to improve his situation. The picture dealer is a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means deceiving others.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It describes the picture dealer as a man who is always on the lookout for a good deal. He is constantly searching for paintings that he can buy for a low price and then sell for a profit. The picture dealer is a man who is always looking for an opportunity to make money, and he is not afraid to take risks.
In the second stanza, the poem takes a darker turn. The picture dealer comes across a painting that he believes is worth a lot of money. He buys the painting for a low price and then sets out to sell it for a profit. However, he soon realizes that the painting is not as valuable as he thought it was. The painting is a fake, and the picture dealer has been duped.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection of the picture dealer's character. He is a man who is consumed by his desire for wealth and success. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means deceiving others. The picture dealer is a man who is driven by his ambition, and he is not content with his current position in life.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a turning point. The picture dealer comes across a painting that he believes is worth a lot of money. However, he is not sure if the painting is genuine or not. He decides to take a risk and buys the painting anyway. He then sets out to sell the painting for a profit.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection of the picture dealer's character. He is a man who is willing to take risks to achieve his goals. He is not afraid to make mistakes, and he is willing to learn from his failures. The picture dealer is a man who is driven by his ambition, and he is not content with his current position in life.
The sixth stanza of the poem is a reflection of the picture dealer's success. He sells the painting for a large sum of money and becomes wealthy. He is now a successful picture dealer, and he has achieved his goal of becoming wealthy.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection of the picture dealer's character. He is a man who is consumed by his desire for wealth and success. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means deceiving others. The picture dealer is a man who is driven by his ambition, and he is not content with his current position in life.
In conclusion, "Picture Dealer" is a masterpiece by Robert Service. The poem explores the themes of greed, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. The picture dealer is a complex character who is driven by his desire for wealth and success. He is willing to take risks to achieve his goals, and he is not afraid to make mistakes. The poem is a reflection of the human condition, and it is a reminder that the pursuit of wealth and success can come at a great cost.
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