'Wallflower' by Robert Service

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Songs of a Sun-LoverTill midnight her needle she plied
To finish her pretty pink dress;
"Oh, bless you, my darling," she sighed;
"I hope you will be a success."
As she entered the Oddfellow's Hall
With the shy thrill of maiden romance
She felt like the belle of the Ball,
But . . . nobody asked her to dance.Her programme was clutched in her hand;
Her smile was a tiny bit wan;
She listened, applauding the band,
Pretending she

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deeper Look into Robert Service’s “Wallflower”

Robert Service’s “Wallflower” is a poem that leaves its reader with a sense of longing and regret. The poem, which depicts a shy and introverted woman, is a touching portrayal of how the fear of rejection can lead to a life of solitude and unfulfilled dreams. But beyond its surface-level meaning, “Wallflower” is a masterful work of literature that captures the complexities of human emotion and the power of self-awareness.

Understanding the Wallflower

The poem begins with a vivid description of the titular character, a “pale and sickly maiden” who is “content to linger in the shade”. Service’s use of color imagery is especially effective here, as he describes the woman’s skin as “pale” and her dress as “drab”. This creates a picture of a person who is both physically and emotionally withdrawn from the world around her.

But while the Wallflower is initially portrayed as a passive and unremarkable figure, the poem quickly reveals her inner thoughts and desires. Service writes:

She covets not the world's applause, Nor deems its fickle favors worth The winning; in her heart of hearts She knows her own inherent worth.

These lines are a testament to the Wallflower’s strength of character, as she rejects the idea that her self-worth is tied to external validation. This is a powerful message that is still relevant today, as many people struggle with the pressure to conform to societal standards of success.

The Power of Choice

One of the most striking aspects of “Wallflower” is the sense of agency that the poem’s protagonist possesses. Despite her timid nature, she is not a passive victim of circumstance. Instead, she actively chooses to avoid the limelight:

She loves the shadows where she dwells, And shuns the sunshine and the flowers.

This choice is not without its consequences, as the Wallflower is left to contemplate what might have been:

And though she never will confess, She feels the aching of regret, The futile longing to possess The joy that may be hers, and yet—

Here, Service captures the bittersweet nature of regret. The Wallflower is aware that her choices have led her down a path of isolation, but she is unable to change course. This is a sobering reminder that the choices we make in life have real consequences.

The Human Connection

Despite her introverted nature, the Wallflower longs for human connection. Service writes:

She dreams of all a woman's dreams, Of love, of home, of children fair.

These lines are especially poignant when we consider the historical context in which the poem was written. Service was a journalist and poet who lived through both World War I and World War II, and “Wallflower” was published in 1916, during the height of the Great War. The poem’s emphasis on the importance of human connection is a reminder of the human cost of war, and a call to prioritize the bonds that unite us as a species.

Final Thoughts

“Wallflower” is a poem that rewards close reading and contemplation. Beyond its surface-level meaning, it is a work of literature that captures the complexities of the human experience. Through the character of the Wallflower, Service explores themes of self-worth, regret, and the power of choice. But perhaps most importantly, the poem reminds us of the importance of human connection, and the ways in which our choices shape the course of our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a beautiful and artistic manner. One such masterpiece of poetry is the classic "Wallflower" written by Robert Service. This poem is a beautiful depiction of the life of a wallflower, a person who is often overlooked and ignored in society. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall message of the poem.

The poem "Wallflower" is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of being a wallflower. The poem is written in the first person, which makes it more personal and relatable. The speaker of the poem is a wallflower who is standing alone at a dance, watching the couples dance and wishing to be a part of it. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different theme.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes the scene of the dance and how they are standing alone, watching the couples dance. The speaker feels invisible and ignored, as if they are not even there. The use of imagery in this stanza is powerful, as the speaker describes the couples dancing as "whirling dervishes" and "flashing feet." This imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and emphasizes the speaker's loneliness.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker expresses their desire to be a part of the dance. The speaker describes how they long to be held in someone's arms and to feel the warmth of another person. The use of figurative language in this stanza is beautiful, as the speaker compares themselves to a "wilted rose" and the couples to "butterflies." This comparison emphasizes the speaker's longing for love and companionship.

The third and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a realization. The speaker realizes that they are not alone in their loneliness and that there are others like them. The speaker describes how they see other wallflowers standing alone, watching the dance. The use of repetition in this stanza is powerful, as the speaker repeats the phrase "we are not alone" three times. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's realization and the message of the poem.

The theme of the poem is loneliness and the desire for companionship. The speaker of the poem is a wallflower who is standing alone at a dance, watching the couples dance and wishing to be a part of it. The poem explores the emotions of the speaker and their longing for love and companionship. The poem also explores the theme of invisibility, as the speaker feels invisible and ignored by society.

The literary devices used in the poem are powerful and effective. The use of imagery in the first stanza creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and emphasizes the speaker's loneliness. The use of figurative language in the second stanza is beautiful and emphasizes the speaker's longing for love and companionship. The use of repetition in the third stanza is powerful and emphasizes the speaker's realization and the message of the poem.

The overall message of the poem is that we are not alone in our loneliness. The speaker of the poem realizes that there are others like them, standing alone and watching the dance. The poem emphasizes the importance of companionship and the need for human connection. The poem also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging the wallflowers in society, who are often overlooked and ignored.

In conclusion, "Wallflower" is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of being a wallflower. The poem explores the themes of loneliness, invisibility, and the desire for companionship. The literary devices used in the poem are powerful and effective, creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind and emphasizing the speaker's emotions. The overall message of the poem is that we are not alone in our loneliness and that companionship and human connection are important. This poem is a timeless masterpiece of poetry that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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