'White-Collar Spaniard' by Robert Service
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We have no heart for civil strife,
Our burdens we prefer to bear;
We long to live a peaceful life
And claim of happiness our share.
If only to be clothed and fed
And see our children laugh and play -
That means a lot when all is said,
In this grim treadmill of today.
The price of manhood is too high
When leap the sacrificial flames;
For Justice we refuse to die:
Honour and Pride are empty names.
We will not play the martyr's part,
We will not perish for a Cause;
Leave that to fools - with humble heart
We live according to the Laws.
For see! Comes up the city street,
Communion-clad a shining band
Of timy children, angel-sweet,
Singing and holding hand in hand . . .
So let Might triumph over Right;
From sufferance content we take:
We fight because we do not fight,
And it is for our children's sake.
Editor 1 Interpretation
White-Collar Spaniard: A Literary Analysis
Wow, have you ever read a poem that just hits you in the gut with its powerful imagery and themes? That's exactly what Robert Service's "White-Collar Spaniard" does. In this 32-line poem, Service paints a vivid portrait of a man's struggle with his identity and the expectations placed upon him by society. Throughout the poem, we see the conflict between the man's desire for freedom and his need to conform to the expectations of his white-collar job.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's talk a bit about the historical context in which it was written. "White-Collar Spaniard" was first published in Service's 1912 collection, "Ballads of a Cheechako." At the time, Service was living and working in the Yukon Territory in Canada, where he had moved to in search of adventure and gold. Service was a prolific poet, and his work often drew inspiration from his experiences living in the rugged wilderness of the Yukon.
In "White-Collar Spaniard," Service explores a theme that was particularly relevant to his time and place: the tension between individual freedom and societal expectations. In the early 20th century, many people were moving from rural areas to cities in search of work and economic opportunities. This led to the rise of the white-collar worker, a term used to describe people who worked in offices and other professional settings. These workers were often expected to conform to strict codes of conduct and dress, and were sometimes looked down upon by those in more traditional blue-collar jobs.
Interpretation
Now, let's take a closer look at the poem itself. "White-Collar Spaniard" tells the story of a man who is struggling with his identity as a white-collar worker. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the man's life.
In the first stanza, we learn that the man is a Spaniard who is working in a white-collar job. Service writes:
A fancy-dress it was, that suit
Of wincing, shiny leather;
The watch-chain looped upon his vest
Was thicker than a tether.
Right away, we get a sense that the man is uncomfortable in his clothing. The use of the word "fancy-dress" suggests that he feels like he is wearing a costume, rather than his own clothes. The description of the watch-chain as "thicker than a tether" also emphasizes the man's discomfort, as it suggests that he feels weighed down by the expectations of his job.
In the second stanza, Service describes the man's longing for freedom:
He dreamed of dusky, hot sierras,
And vineyards by the sea;
He thought of ancient, proud hidalgos,
And wild bulls roaming free.
Here, we see the man's desire to escape from his current life and live a more adventurous and free existence. The use of the word "dreamed" suggests that these thoughts are a form of escape for him, a way to cope with the pressures of his job.
The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem. Here, Service describes the man's internal conflict:
He looked into his mirror, but
He did not like his glance;
For all his sleekness, there he saw
The shadow of romance.
The man is torn between his desire for freedom and his need to conform to the expectations of his job. The use of the word "sleekness" suggests that he has tried to make himself appear more professional and put-together, but he can still see the "shadow of romance" in his reflection. This suggests that he feels like he is betraying a part of himself by conforming to societal expectations.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, Service describes the man's ultimate decision:
And so one day he vanished,
And never more was seen;
But they found his suit of wincing leather
And his watch-chain bright and keen.
This stanza is a bit ambiguous, but it seems to suggest that the man has chosen to leave his job and pursue a more adventurous life. The fact that he is "never more seen" suggests that he has disappeared into the world, perhaps to live out his dreams of the "dusky, hot sierras" and "wild bulls roaming free." The fact that his suit and watch-chain are found suggests that he has left behind the trappings of his old life, perhaps as a symbol of his rejection of societal expectations.
Criticism
So, what can we take away from this poem? "White-Collar Spaniard" is a powerful exploration of the tension between individual freedom and societal expectations. Service paints a vivid portrait of a man who is struggling to reconcile his own desires with the expectations placed upon him by his job and society at large.
One of the strengths of the poem is its use of imagery. Service's descriptions of the man's clothing and appearance create a vivid picture of his discomfort and internal conflict. Similarly, the descriptions of the "dusky, hot sierras" and "wild bulls roaming free" create a vivid contrast between the man's current life and the life he dreams of.
Another strength of the poem is its ambiguity. The final stanza leaves the man's fate open to interpretation, which allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about what he has chosen to do. This ambiguity also adds to the poem's power, as it emphasizes the complex nature of the man's struggle.
One potential weakness of the poem is its lack of detail about the man's life and circumstances. We don't know what his job is, or what his relationships with others are like. This lack of detail can make it harder to relate to the man's struggle, and can leave the reader wanting more information.
Overall, though, "White-Collar Spaniard" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores important themes of individual freedom and societal expectations. Service's use of vivid imagery and ambiguous language create a haunting portrait of a man struggling to find his place in the world. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend giving it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
White-Collar Spaniard: A Poem of Love and Adventure
Robert Service is a poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of adventure and romance in his works. His poem, White-Collar Spaniard, is no exception. This classic poem tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a beautiful Spanish woman and embarks on a journey to win her heart. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, a young man who is described as a "white-collar Spaniard." This phrase immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it suggests that the protagonist is not a typical adventurer or hero. Instead, he is a man who is more comfortable in the world of business and commerce. However, despite his white-collar background, the protagonist is not content with his life. He longs for adventure and romance, and he finds both when he meets a beautiful Spanish woman.
The woman is described as having "eyes like the stars of the South" and a "voice like a silver bell." These descriptions create a vivid image of a woman who is both beautiful and enchanting. The protagonist is immediately drawn to her, and he sets out to win her heart. He travels to Spain, where he engages in a series of adventures in order to prove his love for her.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions to create a sense of place and atmosphere. For example, when the protagonist arrives in Spain, he is greeted by "the scent of orange groves and the sound of castanets." This description creates a vivid image of a vibrant and exotic land, full of color and life. Similarly, when the protagonist is on his journey, he encounters "the roar of the sea and the cry of the gulls." This description creates a sense of danger and excitement, as the protagonist faces the challenges of his journey.
Another important aspect of the poem is its use of language. Service uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. For example, he uses alliteration to create a sense of repetition and emphasis. In the line "I'll win her with my wealth and wit," the repetition of the "w" sound creates a sense of determination and confidence. Similarly, Service uses rhyme to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which creates a sense of balance and symmetry.
The poem also explores themes of love, adventure, and identity. The protagonist is a man who is searching for something more in life. He is not content with his comfortable existence as a white-collar worker, and he longs for adventure and romance. His journey to Spain is a quest to find himself and to prove his love for the woman he has fallen for. Through his adventures, he discovers a new sense of identity and purpose.
At its core, White-Collar Spaniard is a poem about the power of love and the transformative nature of adventure. The protagonist is a man who is willing to risk everything for the woman he loves, and his journey takes him to the very limits of his abilities. Through his trials and tribulations, he discovers a new sense of self and a new appreciation for the world around him.
In conclusion, White-Collar Spaniard is a classic poem that explores themes of love, adventure, and identity. Through its vivid imagery and powerful language, it creates a sense of place and atmosphere that draws the reader into the world of the protagonist. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the transformative nature of adventure, and it continues to inspire readers to this day.
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