'The Robbers' by Robert Service
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Rhymes for My RagsAlas! I see that thrushes threeAre ravishing my old fig tree,
In whose green shade I smoked my pipeAnd waited for the fruit to ripe;
From green to purple softly swellThen drop into my lap to tell
That it is succulently sweetAnd excellent to eat.And now I see the crimson streak,The greedy gash of yellow beak.
And look! the finches come in throng,In wavy passage, light with song;
Of course I could scare them away,But with a shrug: 'The heck!' I say.
I owe them something for their glee,So let them have their spree.For all too soon in icy airMy fig tree will be bleak and bare,
Until it wake from Winter sleepAnd button buds begin to peep.
Then broad leaves come to shelter meIn luminous placidity.
Then figs will ripen with a rushAnd brash will come the thrush.But what care I though birds destroy
My fruit,--they pay me back with joy.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Robbers by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry
As a student of literature, I have always been fascinated by the works of Robert Service, especially his mastery of narrative poetry. His poems, such as "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," have become iconic pieces of Canadian literature, loved and admired by readers around the world. However, today I want to focus on one of his lesser-known works, "The Robbers," a poem that deserves much more recognition than it has received.
The Plot
At its core, "The Robbers" is a story about a man who is robbed by a group of bandits while traveling through the wilderness. The poem is told from the perspective of the victim, who is left stranded in the middle of nowhere, facing the elements and his own mortality. The narrative is divided into three distinct parts, each with its own tone and focus.
The first part begins with the protagonist describing his journey through the mountains, oblivious to the danger that lies ahead. He talks about the beauty of the landscape, the sound of the river, and the peace that he feels in nature. However, as he approaches a narrow pass, he sees a group of men waiting for him, armed and dangerous. The second part of the poem is devoted to the robbery itself, as the bandits take everything that the protagonist has, including his horse, his clothes, and his food. The third part deals with the aftermath of the robbery, as the victim struggles to survive and come to terms with his situation.
The Themes
While "The Robbers" is a relatively short poem, it manages to touch on several important themes that are relevant to human experience. One of the most obvious themes is that of survival. The protagonist is left with nothing but his own wits and his determination to survive. He faces hunger, thirst, and the threat of wild animals, all while being completely alone in the wilderness. This aspect of the poem is reminiscent of other survival stories, such as Jack London's "To Build a Fire" or Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild," and it speaks to our primal instinct to stay alive in the face of adversity.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is that of human nature. The bandits are portrayed as ruthless and violent, taking pleasure in their victims' suffering. The protagonist, on the other hand, is presented as a peaceful and innocent traveler, who is caught up in a world that he doesn't understand. This dichotomy between good and evil, between the civilized and the savage, is a common trope in literature and speaks to our fascination with the darker side of human nature.
The Structure
One of the most impressive aspects of "The Robbers" is its structure. Service uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of tension and urgency in the narrative. For example, he employs a combination of rhyme and meter to create a rhythm that mimics the galloping of a horse. This works particularly well in the opening stanza, which sets the scene for the poem:
The mountain road goes up and down
From village to secluded town,
So winding is the way
That he who journeys it by night
Must know the passes left and right,
Lest from the path he stray.
Here, the use of iambic tetrameter and the ABAB rhyme scheme create a sense of movement and momentum, drawing the reader into the story.
Service also uses repetition to great effect in "The Robbers." The phrase "But there was no reply" appears several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the protagonist's loneliness and isolation. Similarly, the repetition of the word "robbers" creates a sense of menace and threat, reminding the reader of the danger that the protagonist faces.
The Language
Finally, I want to talk about the language of "The Robbers." Service has a gift for using simple, direct language to create powerful images and emotions. He describes the bandits as "wild and hairy, evil-eyed," conjuring up a vivid and terrifying picture of these savage men. He also uses metaphor to great effect, such as when he compares the protagonist to a "lonely star" in the night sky, emphasizing his isolation and vulnerability.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Service's language in "The Robbers" is the way that he uses it to create a sense of atmosphere. The poem is set in the wilderness, and Service uses words like "moonlit," "starlit," and "wilderness" to create a haunting and eerie setting. The reader can almost feel the cold wind and the biting frost, thanks to the power of Service's language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Robbers" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that deserves to be better known. Through its themes of survival, human nature, and isolation, it speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and universal. Service's use of structure, language, and imagery creates a vivid and unforgettable world that draws the reader in and holds them spellbound. If you haven't read "The Robbers" yet, I urge you to do so – it is a true gem of Canadian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Robbers by Robert Service is a classic poem that tells the story of a group of robbers who terrorize a small town. The poem is written in Service's signature style, with a rhythmic and rhyming structure that makes it easy to read and enjoyable to recite. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in The Robbers, and examine how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the robbers as they approach the town:
"The robbers came at midnight,
Their footsteps soft and slow;
They climbed the stairs so gently,
They seemed like flakes of snow."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of tension and danger. The robbers are portrayed as stealthy and dangerous, and the use of the simile "flakes of snow" emphasizes their quiet and almost ghostly presence.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about the robbers and their actions. They break into homes and steal valuables, leaving the townspeople terrified and helpless. The poem's language is particularly effective in conveying the fear and desperation of the victims:
"And mothers clasped their children,
And fathers seized their guns;
While the robbers laughed and plundered,
And thought it splendid fun."
The contrast between the terrified parents and the gleeful robbers creates a sense of injustice and moral outrage. The robbers are depicted as heartless and cruel, reveling in the suffering of others.
However, the poem also explores the robbers' motivations and backgrounds, suggesting that they are not simply evil for the sake of it. In one stanza, we learn that the robbers are poor and desperate, driven to crime by their circumstances:
"They were poor and hungry robbers,
And they took what they could find;
They did not mean to harm us,
They were just in need of kind."
This stanza adds a layer of complexity to the poem, challenging the reader's assumptions about the robbers and their actions. While their behavior is still reprehensible, we are forced to consider the social and economic factors that may have led them to this point.
The poem's imagery is also worth examining, as it contributes to the overall mood and tone. Service uses a variety of sensory details to create a vivid picture of the robbers and their surroundings. For example, in one stanza, he describes the robbers' clothing:
"Their coats were torn and tattered,
Their hats were old and gray;
They looked like tramps and beggars,
Who had wandered far away."
This description emphasizes the robbers' poverty and desperation, and also creates a sense of dishevelment and disorder. The use of the words "torn" and "tattered" suggests that the robbers are barely holding themselves together, both physically and emotionally.
Another example of effective imagery can be found in the following stanza:
"They took our gold and silver,
They took our food and wine;
And they left us cold and hungry,
In the darkness to repine."
The use of the words "gold" and "silver" creates a sense of luxury and wealth, which is then contrasted with the bleakness of the townspeople's situation. The phrase "cold and hungry" is particularly effective, as it conveys both physical discomfort and emotional despair.
In terms of themes, The Robbers explores a number of important ideas, including poverty, desperation, and the morality of crime. The poem challenges the reader to consider the complex factors that can lead people to commit crimes, and to question our assumptions about good and evil. It also highlights the importance of community and solidarity in the face of adversity, as the townspeople band together to protect themselves and their belongings.
Overall, The Robbers is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Service's use of language, imagery, and themes creates a vivid and compelling portrait of a small town under siege, and challenges us to consider the complex factors that can lead to crime and desperation. Whether read as a cautionary tale or a commentary on social inequality, The Robbers remains a classic example of Service's unique and enduring style.
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