'To A Stuffed Shirt' by Robert Service
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Rhymes for My RagsOn the tide you ride head high,
Like a whale 'mid little fishes;
I should envy you as I
Help my wife to wash the dishes.
Yet frock-coat and stove-pipe hat
Cannot hide your folds of fat.You are reckoned a success,
And the public praise you win;
There's your picture in the Press,
Pouchy eyes and triple chin.
Wealth,--of it you fairly stink;
Health,--what does your Doctor think?Dignity is phoney stuff.
Who is dignified deep down?
Strip the pants off, call the bluff,
Common clay are king and clown.
Let a bulging belly be
Your best bid for dignity.Miserable millionaire!
For indulgence you must pay.
Yet there's salvation in prayer,--
Down on your fat knees and pray.
Know that with your dying breath
There is dignity in death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
To A Stuffed Shirt is a classic poem by Robert Service that captures the essence of snobbery and pretentiousness in society. The poem takes a satirical look at the life of the "stuffed shirt," a person who is overly concerned with their social status and appearance.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and imagery used by the author to convey his message. We will also analyze the structure and style of the poem to understand how it enhances the meaning.
Themes
The main theme of To A Stuffed Shirt is the shallowness and superficiality of society. The poem presents a scathing critique of a culture that values appearance and status over integrity and character.
The "stuffed shirt" represents the epitome of this culture. He is described as being "stiff and starched and tailor-made," suggesting that he is more concerned with his appearance than anything else. He is also portrayed as being arrogant and condescending, looking down on those who do not measure up to his standards.
The other theme of the poem is the idea that true worth lies in one's inner qualities, not external factors such as wealth, social status, or appearance. Service emphasizes this point by contrasting the "stuffed shirt" with a humble, hardworking man who has nothing to prove but his own worth.
Symbolism
The poem makes use of several symbols to convey its message. The most prominent symbol is the "stuffed shirt" himself. He represents the shallowness and superficiality of society, as well as the dangers of basing one's worth on external factors.
Another symbol used in the poem is the "brown old earth." This symbolizes the true source of value and worth, which lies in the natural world and our connection to it. The "brown old earth" is also a symbol of humility, reminding us that we are all part of a larger whole and should not be overly concerned with our own importance.
Finally, the poem makes use of the symbol of the "golden twig." This represents the value of hard work and perseverance, and the idea that true worth comes from within. The "golden twig" is a symbol of the inner qualities that make us who we are, such as honesty, integrity, and compassion.
Imagery
The imagery used in To A Stuffed Shirt emphasizes the themes and symbols of the poem. The most striking imagery is used to describe the "stuffed shirt" himself. He is compared to a "frozen flunky," a "pillar of pride," and a "frosty monument." These images convey a sense of coldness and rigidity, emphasizing the idea that the "stuffed shirt" is more concerned with his appearance than anything else.
In contrast, the imagery used to describe the humble, hardworking man is warm and inviting. He is compared to a "burly ox," a "strong young tree," and a "golden twig." These images convey a sense of strength and vitality, emphasizing the idea that true worth lies in one's inner qualities.
Finally, the poem makes use of natural imagery to emphasize the idea that true worth comes from our connection to the natural world. The "brown old earth" is described as being "kind and good and sweet." This image conveys a sense of warmth and comfort, reminding us that we are all part of a larger whole.
Structure and Style
The structure and style of To A Stuffed Shirt are simple and straightforward, emphasizing the clarity and directness of the poem's message. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which give it a musical quality and make it easy to remember.
The poem's style is also characterized by its use of repetition. The phrase "To a stuffed shirt" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the central image and theme. The repetition of the phrase "I'm sorry for you" also emphasizes the speaker's pity for the "stuffed shirt" and his concern for the dangers of a superficial culture.
In addition, the poem's style is characterized by its use of colloquial language and simple vocabulary. This makes the poem accessible to a wide audience and emphasizes its universal message.
Conclusion
In conclusion, To A Stuffed Shirt is a powerful and insightful poem that offers a scathing critique of a culture that values appearance over substance. Through its use of themes, symbolism, and imagery, the poem emphasizes the dangers of a superficial culture and the importance of inner qualities such as honesty, integrity, and compassion.
The poem's structure and style emphasize its clarity and directness, making it accessible to a wide audience. Overall, To A Stuffed Shirt is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To A Stuffed Shirt: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Robert Service, the renowned poet, is known for his satirical and humorous poetry. One of his most famous works is "Poetry To A Stuffed Shirt," a masterpiece of satirical poetry that mocks the pretentiousness of the literary elite. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a stuffed shirt, a metaphor for a pompous and self-important person. The speaker sarcastically praises the stuffed shirt for his impeccable taste in literature and his ability to appreciate the finer things in life. However, the speaker's tone quickly shifts as he exposes the stuffed shirt's hypocrisy and lack of genuine appreciation for poetry.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker addresses the stuffed shirt as "Oh, you who are so cultured and refined," immediately establishing the stuffed shirt's pretentiousness. The speaker then goes on to praise the stuffed shirt's "taste in books and art," but the sarcasm is evident in the next line: "You'd never stoop to read a vulgar line." The speaker is mocking the stuffed shirt's elitism, suggesting that he only reads literature that is considered highbrow and intellectual.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues to mock the stuffed shirt's pretentiousness. He describes the stuffed shirt's "studied pose" and "air of conscious grace," suggesting that the stuffed shirt is more concerned with appearing cultured than actually appreciating poetry. The speaker then exposes the stuffed shirt's lack of genuine appreciation for poetry, saying, "You never feel the throb, the wistful ache, / The joy and pain that all true poets know." The speaker is suggesting that the stuffed shirt is incapable of experiencing the emotions that poetry can evoke.
The third stanza is where the speaker's tone becomes more aggressive. He accuses the stuffed shirt of being a "poseur" and a "fraud," suggesting that his appreciation for poetry is nothing more than a facade. The speaker says, "You're just a mental snob, a social sham, / A literary fraud, a cultured ham." The use of alliteration and rhyme in this line adds to the poem's satirical tone.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker continues to expose the stuffed shirt's hypocrisy. He suggests that the stuffed shirt only reads poetry to impress others, saying, "You read your Shelley, Keats and Wordsworth too, / Because they're famous, and expected of you." The speaker is suggesting that the stuffed shirt is more concerned with appearing cultured than actually enjoying poetry.
The fifth and final stanza is where the speaker's tone becomes more sympathetic. He suggests that the stuffed shirt's lack of genuine appreciation for poetry is not entirely his fault. The speaker says, "It's not your fault that you were born a prig, / With all the finer feelings in your soul / Reduced to sawdust by some mental jig." The use of the word "prig" suggests that the stuffed shirt is a victim of his upbringing and societal expectations.
Overall, "Poetry To A Stuffed Shirt" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that exposes the pretentiousness of the literary elite. The use of sarcasm, alliteration, and rhyme adds to the poem's satirical tone, while the sympathetic ending suggests that the stuffed shirt is a victim of societal expectations. The poem is a timeless critique of elitism and a reminder that true appreciation for poetry comes from the heart, not from a desire to impress others.
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