'Pedlar' by Robert Service
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Pedlar's coming down the street,
Housewives beat a swift retreat.
Don't you answer to the bell;
Heedless what she has to sell.
Just discreetly go inside.
We must hang a board, I fear:
PEDLARS NOT PERMITTED HERE.
I'm trying to sell what nobody wants to buy;
They turn me away, but still I try and try.
My arms are aching and my feet are sore;
Heartsick and worn I drag from door to door.
I ring bells, meekly knock, hold out my tray,
But no one answers, so I go away.
I am so weary; oh, I want to cry,
Trying to sell what no one wants to buy.
I do not blame them. Maybe in their place
I'd slam the door shut in a pedlar's face.
I don not know; perhaps I'd raise their hopes
By looking at their pens and envelopes,
Their pins and needles, pencils, spools of thread,
Cheap tawdry stuff, before I shake my head
And go back to my cosy kitchen nook
Without another thought or backward look.
I would not see their pain nor hear their sigh,
Trying to sell what no one wants to buy.
I know I am a nuisance. I can see
They only buy because they pity me.
They may . . . I've had a cottage of my own,
A husband, children - now I am alone,
Friendless in all the world. The bitter years
Have crushed me, robbed me of my dears.
All, all I've lost, my only wish to die,
Selling my trash that no one wants to buy.
Pedlar's beating a retreat -
Poor old thing, her face is sweet,
her figure frail, her hair snow-white;
Dogone it! Every door's shut tight. . . .
"Say, Ma, how much for all you've got?
Hell, here's ten bucks . . . I'll take the lot.
Go, get yourself a proper feed,
A little of the rest you need.
I've got a mother looks like you -
I'd hate her doing what you do. . . .
No, don't get sloppy, can the mush,
Praying for me - all that slush;
But please don't come again this way,
Ten bucks is all I draw a day."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Pedlar by Robert Service: An Exploration of Ambition and Materialism
If there's one poem that truly captures the spirit of the American Dream, it's Robert Service's "Pedlar". Published in 1907 as part of his collection "Ballads of a Cheechako", this poem follows the journey of a young man who leaves his home in search of wealth and adventure.
At first glance, "Pedlar" may seem like a simple tale of a wanderer trying to make his way in the world. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem is a commentary on the dangers of ambition and materialism, and the toll they can take on a person's soul.
The Story
The poem opens with a description of the pedlar, a young man who is "bent with his burden". He is carrying a heavy pack on his back, filled with all sorts of goods that he hopes to sell to the people he meets on his journey.
As he makes his way through the countryside, the pedlar meets a series of characters who represent different aspects of the human condition. There's the farmer who is content with his simple life, the soldier who has seen the horrors of war, and the miner who has risked his life in pursuit of gold.
Throughout his encounters, the pedlar remains focused on his ultimate goal: to become rich and successful. He dreams of owning a mansion, surrounded by all the luxuries money can buy. However, as he continues on his journey, he begins to realize that his ambition may come at a cost.
The Themes
There are several themes that run throughout "Pedlar", but perhaps the most prominent is the danger of materialism. The pedlar is consumed by his desire for wealth and status, to the point where he becomes blind to the beauty of the world around him. He sees everything in terms of its monetary value, and is willing to sacrifice anything - including his own happiness - in pursuit of his goal.
Another theme that emerges is the idea of the road as a metaphor for life. The pedlar's journey is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, just like the journey we all take through life. He meets a variety of people along the way, each of whom represents a different aspect of the human experience. Through these encounters, he learns valuable lessons about the world and about himself.
Finally, the poem touches on the concept of the American Dream. The pedlar is a classic example of someone who has bought into the idea that anyone can achieve success with hard work and determination. However, as he discovers, the pursuit of wealth and status can be a slippery slope, and can lead to disillusionment and despair.
The Language
One of the most striking aspects of "Pedlar" is the language that Service uses to tell the story. He employs a variety of literary techniques to create a vivid and engaging narrative.
For example, he uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. In the opening lines, we read:
He tramps in corduroy and leather,
And goggles that guard his eyes from weather;
With a pedlar's pack on his shoulders bound,
And ever he sings as he trudges the round:
The repeated use of the "t" sound in "tramps", "corduroy", "trudges", and "round" creates a sense of movement and energy, mirroring the pedlar's own journey.
Service also uses imagery to paint a picture of the world the pedlar inhabits. We can picture the "hazy gold of the hay", the "painted woods", and the "shimmering wheatfields" that he passes on his journey. These descriptions help to bring the story to life and create a sense of atmosphere.
The Interpretation
So what is Service trying to say with "Pedlar"? At its core, the poem is a warning about the dangers of ambition and materialism. The pedlar is so focused on his own success that he loses sight of what's truly important in life. He becomes a slave to his own desire for wealth, and as a result, he ends up lonely and unfulfilled.
However, there is also a sense of hope in the poem. The pedlar's journey is not without its rewards - he learns valuable lessons about himself and the world around him. And while he may not achieve his ultimate goal of becoming rich and powerful, he does find a sense of peace and contentment in the end.
Ultimately, "Pedlar" is a powerful commentary on the human condition. We all have our own desires and ambitions, but it's important to remember that these things can come at a cost. By staying true to ourselves and our values, we can avoid the pitfalls of materialism and find true happiness and fulfillment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Pedlar" is a classic poem that still resonates today. Its themes of ambition, materialism, and the human condition are as relevant now as they were over a century ago. Through Service's masterful use of language and imagery, we are transported into the world of the pedlar, and we come away from the poem with a new understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Pedlar: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a renowned poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems is Pedlar, which tells the story of a wandering salesman who travels from town to town, selling his wares and sharing his stories with the people he meets along the way. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem Pedlar, analyzing its themes, structure, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem Pedlar is a narrative poem that tells the story of a peddler who travels from town to town, selling his goods and sharing his stories with the people he meets along the way. The poem is written in the first person, with the peddler serving as the narrator. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the peddler's story.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the peddler. We learn that he is a man who is always on the move, traveling from town to town with his pack on his back. He is a man of the world, having seen and experienced many things in his travels. The stanza also introduces the theme of loneliness, as the peddler admits that he is often alone on his travels.
The second stanza tells the story of the peddler's encounter with a young girl who is crying by the roadside. The peddler stops to talk to her and learns that she is upset because her lover has left her. The peddler offers her some words of comfort and a gift from his pack, which helps to lift her spirits. This stanza highlights the theme of human connection, as the peddler is able to offer comfort and support to someone in need.
The third stanza tells the story of the peddler's encounter with a group of men who are playing cards in a saloon. The peddler joins in the game and wins a large sum of money. However, he soon realizes that the men are cheating and that they have no intention of paying him his winnings. The peddler confronts the men and is able to get his money back, but he also realizes that he has lost something more valuable in the process. This stanza highlights the theme of morality, as the peddler is faced with a moral dilemma and must decide what is more important to him.
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem to a close. The peddler reflects on his life and his travels, realizing that he has seen and experienced many things, both good and bad. He acknowledges that he is a lonely man, but he also recognizes that he has made connections with people along the way. The stanza ends with the peddler setting off on his travels once again, ready to face whatever the road may bring.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem Pedlar is its use of literary devices. Service employs a range of techniques to create a vivid and engaging narrative that captures the reader's attention from start to finish. One of the most notable devices used in the poem is imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions to bring the peddler's world to life, painting a picture of a man who is always on the move, traveling through a variety of landscapes and encountering a range of people along the way. For example, in the first stanza, Service writes:
"I'm a peddler of dreams, sir," he said with a grin, "As I tramp the world over with joy in my pack; And if you've a dream that is worthy to win, Why, I'll swap you my pack for the dream in your sack."
This passage is full of vivid imagery, from the peddler's grin to the joy in his pack. Service's use of imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, drawing the reader into the peddler's world and making them feel as though they are traveling alongside him.
Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. Service uses a range of symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes throughout the poem. For example, the peddler's pack is a symbol of his life and experiences. It is something that he carries with him wherever he goes, and it contains everything that he needs to survive on the road. The pack represents the peddler's resilience and resourcefulness, as well as his ability to adapt to new situations and environments.
The theme of human connection is also conveyed through symbolism in the poem. The young girl that the peddler meets by the roadside is a symbol of vulnerability and need. She represents the human desire for connection and support, and the peddler's ability to offer her comfort and a gift from his pack represents the power of human kindness and compassion.
In conclusion, the poem Pedlar is a classic work of literature that tells the story of a wandering salesman who travels from town to town, selling his wares and sharing his stories with the people he meets along the way. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, which help to convey deeper meanings and themes throughout the narrative. Through the peddler's encounters with various people and situations, the poem explores themes of loneliness, human connection, and morality, offering a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on the human experience.
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