'Rich Poor Man' by Robert Service
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We pitied him because
He lived alone;
His tiny cottage was
His only own.
His little garden had
A wall around;
Yet never was so glad
A bit of ground.
It seemed to fair rejoice
With flowers and fruit;
With blooms it found a voice
When ours was muts.
It smiled without a pause
In gracious glow:
I think it was because
He loved it so.
He had no news to read,
No rent to pay;
His vegetable need
He plucked each day.
His grateful garden gave
Him ample fare;
He lived without a crave,
Without a care.
His bread and milk and tea
Were all he bought;
To us he seemed to be
A sorry lot . . .
But when we're dead and gone,
With all our fuss,
I guess he'll carry on,
And laugh at us.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Rich Poor Man: A Closer Look
Robert Service's Rich Poor Man is a poem that is as timeless as it is captivating. The poem, which was first published in 1907, tells the story of a man who is wealthy, yet unhappy, and a poor man who is content with his meager possessions. The poem is a commentary on the age-old debate about money and happiness, and it is a thought-provoking piece of literature that has stood the test of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at Rich Poor Man and explore the themes, style, and imagery used in the poem.
Themes
One of the central themes of Rich Poor Man is the idea that money cannot buy happiness. The wealthy man in the poem is unhappy despite his wealth, and the poor man is content with what he has. This idea is not new, but Service's poem presents it in a fresh and compelling way, through vivid imagery and a poignant narrative. The poem suggests that true happiness comes from within, and that material possessions are not the key to a fulfilling life.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea that life is unpredictable and that we should enjoy the present moment. The wealthy man in the poem is obsessed with acquiring more wealth, and he misses out on the simple pleasures of life. The poor man, on the other hand, enjoys the little things in life, such as a warm fire and a good book. The poem suggests that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of every moment.
Style
Service's style in Rich Poor Man is simple yet effective. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a sing-song quality. The use of rhyme also helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow, which makes the poem easy to read and enjoyable to recite. The poem is also written in a conversational tone, which makes it feel like a story being told by a friend. This style invites the reader in and makes them feel like they are part of the narrative.
The use of imagery in the poem is also noteworthy. Service uses vivid images to create a sense of place and to evoke emotion in the reader. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, he writes:
A man that had six mortal wounds, a man
Violent and famous, strode among the dead;
Eyes stared from out the darkness, for there ran
From throat to belt the reddest stream was shed.
These lines create a powerful image of a wounded soldier, and they set the tone for the rest of the poem. Throughout the poem, Service continues to use vivid images to bring the narrative to life.
Interpretation
At its core, Rich Poor Man is a commentary on the human condition. The poem suggests that we are all searching for happiness, but that we often look for it in the wrong places. The wealthy man in the poem is a symbol of materialism and greed, while the poor man represents simplicity and contentment. The poem suggests that we should strive to be like the poor man, who is happy with what he has, rather than like the wealthy man, who is always searching for more.
There is also a moral lesson in the poem, which is that life is unpredictable and that we should enjoy the present moment. The wealthy man in the poem is so focused on acquiring more wealth that he misses out on the simple pleasures of life. The poor man, on the other hand, takes pleasure in the little things, such as a warm fire and a good book. The poem suggests that we should all take a lesson from the poor man and enjoy the present moment, rather than always looking to the future.
Conclusion
Rich Poor Man is a timeless poem that explores the themes of happiness, materialism, and the human condition. Service's use of vivid imagery and a conversational tone make the poem both captivating and relatable. The poem offers a moral lesson about the importance of enjoying the present moment and finding happiness within ourselves. Rich Poor Man is a literary masterpiece that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Rich Poor Man: A Poem of Life's Ironies
Robert Service's poem "Rich Poor Man" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life's ironies. The poem is a reflection on the paradoxical nature of wealth and poverty, and how they can both be a blessing and a curse. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a description of a rich man who has everything he could ever want. He has a mansion, a yacht, and a private plane. He is surrounded by luxury and comfort, yet he is unhappy. He is lonely and bored, and he longs for something more. This is the first irony of the poem. The rich man has everything, yet he is not satisfied.
On the other hand, the poem introduces us to a poor man who has nothing. He lives in a small house, wears tattered clothes, and struggles to make ends meet. He is constantly worried about how he will feed his family and pay his bills. However, despite his poverty, he is happy. He has a loving family, and he finds joy in the simple things in life. This is the second irony of the poem. The poor man has nothing, yet he is content.
The poem then takes a turn as the rich man decides to trade places with the poor man. He wants to experience the joy and contentment that the poor man has. He gives away all his wealth and possessions and moves into the poor man's house. However, he soon realizes that poverty is not as romantic as he thought it would be. He struggles to adapt to his new life, and he misses his old life of luxury. This is the third irony of the poem. The rich man thought that poverty would bring him happiness, but he was wrong.
The poem ends with the rich man returning to his old life of wealth and luxury. He realizes that he cannot be happy without it. However, he has learned a valuable lesson. He now understands that wealth and poverty are not the keys to happiness. True happiness comes from within, and it cannot be bought with money.
The themes of the poem are clear. The first theme is the irony of wealth and poverty. The poem shows us that having everything does not guarantee happiness, and having nothing does not guarantee misery. The second theme is the importance of family and love. The poor man may have nothing, but he has a loving family, and that is what brings him joy. The third theme is the importance of self-discovery. The rich man had to give up everything to realize that true happiness comes from within.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The rich man is described as living in a mansion, sailing on a yacht, and flying in a private plane. These images evoke a sense of luxury and excess. On the other hand, the poor man is described as living in a small house and wearing tattered clothes. These images evoke a sense of simplicity and humility. The contrast between these two images highlights the irony of wealth and poverty.
The literary devices used in the poem are also noteworthy. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a natural and conversational tone. The use of repetition in the phrase "rich man, poor man" emphasizes the contrast between the two characters. The use of metaphor in the phrase "golden cage" to describe the rich man's life highlights the idea that wealth can be a trap. The use of personification in the phrase "poverty's a crust" gives poverty a human quality, making it more relatable.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Rich Poor Man" is a powerful reflection on the paradoxical nature of wealth and poverty. The poem shows us that having everything does not guarantee happiness, and having nothing does not guarantee misery. True happiness comes from within, and it cannot be bought with money. The poem is a reminder that we should not judge people based on their wealth or poverty, but on the content of their character.
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