'Window Shopper' by Robert Service
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Songs of a Sun-LoverI stood before a candy shop
Which with a Christmas radiance shone;
I saw my parents pass and stop
To grin at me and then go on.
The sweets were heaped in gleamy rows;
On each I feasted - what a game!
Against the glass with flatted nose,
Gulping my spittle as it came;
So still I stood, and stared and dreamed,
Savouring sweetness with my eyes,
Devouring dainties till it seemed
My candy shop was paradise.I had, I think, but five years old,
And though three-score and ten have passed,
I still recall the craintive cold,
The grimy street, the gritty blast;
And how I stared into that shop,
Its gifts so near and yet so far,
Of marzipan and toffee drop,
Of chocolate and walnut bar;
Imagining what I would buy
Amid delights so rich and rare . . .The glass was misted with my sigh:
"If just one penny Pop could spare!"And then when I went home to tea
Of bread and butter sparsely spread,
Oh, how my parents twitted me:
"You stood for full an hour," they said.
"We saw you as we passed again;
Your eyes upon the sweets were glued;
Your nose was flattened to the pane,
Like someone hypnotized you stood."
But when they laughed as at a joke,
A bitterness I could not stem
Within my little heart awoke. . . .
Oh, I have long forgiven them;
For though I know they did no own
Pennies to spare, they might, it seems
More understanding love have shown
More sympathy for those vain dreams,
Which make of me with wistful gaze
God's Window Shopper all days.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Window Shopper: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of urban life and its materialistic culture? Look no further than Robert Service's "Window Shopper." This classic piece of poetry, written in 1938, offers a sharp critique of consumerism and the emptiness it creates in those who pursue it.
From the very first lines, the poem sets the tone for its message. The speaker describes the window shopper, a person who wanders through the city streets, staring at the displays in shop windows but never buying anything. The speaker wonders what this person desires: "What do they see in it? What do they want?" These questions are rhetorical, of course, because the poem's message is clear: there is nothing to see, nothing to want, in the world of consumer goods.
The poet's use of imagery is especially effective in conveying this message. He describes the window displays in vivid detail, using metaphors and similes to show how they are like "a flower-bed of fire." But these descriptions are always followed by a reminder of their emptiness: "there's nothing there for you or me." Ultimately, the poem suggests that consumerism is like a mirage, a false promise of fulfillment that will never be realized.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of form. Service employs a strict rhyme scheme (ABAB) and a regular meter, with four stressed syllables per line. This creates a sense of rhythm and consistency, which is appropriate for a poem about the repetitive nature of window shopping. However, the poem also includes variations on this form, such as when the final line of each stanza has only three stressed syllables. This variation helps to prevent the poem from becoming too monotonous, and also adds a sense of urgency to the final lines.
The poem's message about the emptiness of consumerism is especially relevant today, when our culture is even more materialistic than it was in 1938. The poem reminds us that there is more to life than the pursuit of material goods, and that true fulfillment comes from within.
In conclusion, "Window Shopper" is a powerful critique of consumerism and its effects on our lives. Through its use of vivid imagery, strict form, and rhetorical questions, the poem conveys a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was written over 80 years ago. If you are looking for a poem that will make you think about the meaning of life and the dangers of materialism, look no further than Robert Service's "Window Shopper."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Window Shopper: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
If you are a poetry lover, you must have heard of Robert Service, the Canadian poet who is known for his narrative poems. One of his most famous works is "Poetry Window Shopper," a poem that captures the essence of the human desire to experience the beauty of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the speaker describing himself as a "poetry window shopper." He is someone who loves to look at poetry but cannot afford to buy it. He is drawn to the beauty of the words, the rhythm of the lines, and the emotions that they evoke. He is like a child in a candy store, looking at all the sweets but unable to buy any.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker describing the allure of poetry. He says that he loves to "gaze and sigh" at the poems, admiring their beauty from afar. He compares himself to a "pauper" who cannot afford to buy the "jewels" that he sees in the window. This metaphor highlights the value that the speaker places on poetry, seeing it as something precious and valuable.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the different types of poetry that he sees in the window. He mentions "sonnets, odes, and villanelles," all different forms of poetry that have their own unique structures and rules. He admires the way that each form can convey different emotions and ideas, and he longs to be able to experience them all.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker admits that he is "starving for a verse," and that his desire for poetry is like a hunger that cannot be satisfied. He is consumed by his love for poetry, and he feels like he is missing out on something essential in life. This stanza highlights the theme of longing and desire that runs throughout the poem, as the speaker yearns for something that he cannot have.
The fourth stanza is a turning point in the poem, as the speaker decides to take action. He says that he will "beg, borrow, or steal" to get his hands on some poetry. This line is a metaphor for the lengths that the speaker is willing to go to in order to experience the beauty of poetry. He is no longer content to be a window shopper, and he is determined to find a way to satisfy his hunger for verse.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes the joy that he feels when he finally gets his hands on some poetry. He says that it is like a "feast" for his soul, and that he feels like he has been "born anew." This stanza highlights the transformative power of poetry, as the speaker is able to find meaning and joy in something that he was previously unable to experience.
The final stanza is a reflection on the speaker's journey. He says that he is no longer a window shopper, but a "poet in his own right." He has found a way to satisfy his hunger for verse, and he has become a part of the world of poetry that he once admired from afar. This stanza highlights the theme of transformation, as the speaker is able to turn his longing into action and become a part of something that he loves.
In terms of structure, the poem is made up of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality that is reminiscent of nursery rhymes. This structure is fitting for the theme of the poem, as it captures the childlike wonder and joy that the speaker feels when he looks at poetry.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphors, alliteration, and personification. The metaphor of the "poetry window shopper" is central to the poem, as it captures the speaker's desire for something that he cannot have. The alliteration in lines like "gaze and sigh" and "beg, borrow, or steal" adds to the musical quality of the poem, while the personification of poetry as a "feast" for the soul highlights the transformative power of verse.
In conclusion, "Poetry Window Shopper" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that captures the essence of the human desire to experience beauty. Through its themes of longing, transformation, and desire, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of wanting something that we cannot have. With its sing-song structure and use of literary devices, the poem is a joy to read and a testament to the power of poetry to transform our lives.
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