'The Mystery Of Mister Smith' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Songs of a Sun-LoverFor supper we had curried tripe.
I washed the dishes, wound the clock;
Then for awhile I smoked my pipe -
Puff! Puff! We had no word of talk.
The Misses sewed - a sober pair;
Says I at last: "I need some air."A don't know why I acted so;
I had no thought, no plot, no plan.
I did not really mean to go -
I'm such a docile little man;
But suddenly I felt that I
Must change my life or I would die.A sign I saw: A ROOM TO LET.
It had a musty, dusty smell;
It gloated gloom, it growled and yet
Somehow I felt I liked it well.
I paid the rent a month ahead:
That night I
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mystery Of Mister Smith by Robert Service: A Literary Analysis
If you want to be transported to a far-off land and experience the mystery, intrigue, and suspense of a thrilling story, then Robert Service's "The Mystery of Mister Smith" is the perfect read for you. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of this classic poem and explore the various themes, motifs, and literary devices that Service employs to create a captivating piece of literature.
Background
First published in 1912, "The Mystery of Mister Smith" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a stranger who comes to a small village and begins to wreak havoc on the lives of its inhabitants. The poem is set in the Yukon Territory of Canada during the Gold Rush, where the locals are struggling to make a living and the arrival of a stranger sets off a series of events that change their lives forever.
Robert Service, the author of "The Mystery of Mister Smith," was a British-Canadian poet and writer who is best known for his work on the Yukon Territory during the Gold Rush. His poems were often humorous, adventurous, and romantic, and he was a master at creating vivid and memorable characters.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Mystery of Mister Smith" is the idea of the outsider. Mister Smith is a stranger who comes to the village and immediately stands out from the other characters in the poem. He is described as having "eyes as cold as the Arctic sky" and a "voice that chilled and thrilled" the villagers. This characterization sets him apart from the other characters in the poem and creates a sense of unease and tension.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of greed. The Gold Rush is a time when everyone is looking to strike it rich, and the characters in the poem are no exception. The narrator describes how the villagers are "all mad for gold" and how their "hearts were black with greed." The arrival of Mister Smith, who seems to have an unlimited supply of gold, only fuels their desire for wealth and sets off a chain of events that leads to the downfall of several characters.
A third theme in the poem is the idea of fate. The narrator repeatedly suggests that the events in the poem are inevitable and that the characters are powerless to change their fate. For example, he says, "It was foreordained that he should come" and "The thing was fated to be so." This sense of inevitability creates a feeling of dread and doom that permeates the poem.
Literary Devices
One of the literary devices that Service employs in "The Mystery of Mister Smith" is foreshadowing. From the opening lines of the poem, the narrator hints at the events that are to come. For example, he says, "Though few could tell from whence he came, / Or what his errand there," suggesting that Mister Smith is not to be trusted.
Another literary device that Service uses is imagery. Throughout the poem, he creates vivid images of the Yukon Territory and the characters who inhabit it. For example, he describes how the "mountains rose like giants" and how the villagers were "huddled in the shadow of the range." This imagery helps to transport the reader to the setting of the poem and creates a sense of atmosphere and mood.
Service also employs irony in the poem. For example, he describes how the villagers are "mad for gold" and how they are willing to do anything to get it. However, when Mister Smith offers them an unlimited supply of gold, they become suspicious and turn on him. This irony highlights the absurdity of the characters' greed and their willingness to believe in something that is too good to be true.
Another literary device that Service uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats certain phrases and words to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, he repeats the phrase "Mister Smith" multiple times, creating a sense of familiarity with the character and emphasizing his importance to the story.
Interpretation
"The Mystery of Mister Smith" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the dangers of greed and the corrupting influence of wealth. The characters in the poem are obsessed with gold and are willing to do anything to get it, including betraying each other and turning on Mister Smith. This interpretation suggests that the pursuit of wealth can lead to moral decay and social unrest.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of colonialism and the exploitation of indigenous peoples. The Yukon Territory was home to many First Nations communities, and the arrival of the Gold Rush brought with it a wave of settlers and prospectors who disrupted the traditional way of life. Mister Smith, as an outsider who brings with him an unlimited supply of gold, can be seen as a symbol of the colonial powers that exploited the natural resources of the land and oppressed the indigenous peoples.
A third interpretation of the poem is that it is a warning against the dangers of blindly following authority. The characters in the poem are all too willing to accept Mister Smith's authority and to do his bidding, even when it goes against their own self-interest. This interpretation suggests that blind obedience to authority can lead to tyranny and oppression.
Conclusion
"The Mystery of Mister Smith" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its suspenseful storyline, vivid imagery, and memorable characters. Through the use of themes, literary devices, and multiple interpretations, Robert Service creates a thought-provoking and engaging work of literature that remains relevant today. Whether you are a fan of adventure, mystery, or social commentary, "The Mystery of Mister Smith" is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mystery of Mister Smith: A Poetic Journey into the Unknown
Robert Service’s “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is a hauntingly beautiful poem that takes the reader on a journey into the unknown. With its vivid imagery, haunting tone, and intricate wordplay, this classic piece of poetry has captivated readers for generations.
At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of mystery and the human desire to unravel it. The titular Mister Smith is a mysterious figure who appears out of nowhere and disappears just as suddenly, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and unfulfilled curiosity. The narrator, who is never named, becomes obsessed with Mister Smith and spends his days and nights trying to uncover the truth about this enigmatic figure.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the mystery surrounding Mister Smith. In the first stanza, the narrator describes how Mister Smith first appeared to him, “like a ghost from the mist.” The imagery here is powerful, evoking a sense of otherworldliness and unease. Mister Smith is described as “a man of middle age” with “a face that was pale and thin,” adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding him.
The second stanza delves deeper into the narrator’s obsession with Mister Smith. He describes how he spends his days and nights “haunting the haunts of Mister Smith,” trying to uncover any clues that might shed light on his true identity. The language here is rich and evocative, with Service using words like “phantom,” “shadow,” and “specter” to create a sense of otherworldliness and mystery.
The third and final stanza is perhaps the most haunting of all. Here, the narrator describes how he finally catches up with Mister Smith, only to find that he has disappeared once again. The language here is particularly powerful, with Service using words like “vanished,” “ghostly,” and “phantasmal” to create a sense of unease and uncertainty. The final lines of the poem, in which the narrator laments that “the mystery of Mister Smith will never be solved,” are particularly poignant, leaving the reader with a sense of longing and unfulfilled curiosity.
One of the most striking aspects of “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is the way in which Service uses language to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. Throughout the poem, he employs a range of literary devices, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the first stanza, he uses alliteration to create a sense of unease and uncertainty, with lines like “a man of middle age, with a face that was pale and thin” and “he spoke with a voice that was soft and low.”
Service also uses repetition to great effect, particularly in the second stanza, where he repeats the phrase “haunting the haunts of Mister Smith” several times. This repetition creates a sense of obsession and desperation, highlighting the narrator’s intense desire to uncover the truth about Mister Smith.
Another key aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Service employs a range of vivid and evocative images throughout the poem, from the “ghostly mist” that surrounds Mister Smith to the “phantom footsteps” that the narrator hears as he follows him. These images create a sense of otherworldliness and mystery, drawing the reader into the world of the poem and immersing them in its haunting atmosphere.
Overall, “The Mystery of Mister Smith” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the human desire to unravel the unknown. With its vivid imagery, haunting tone, and intricate wordplay, it is a true masterpiece of poetic expression. Whether read for the first time or revisited after many years, this classic piece of poetry is sure to captivate and inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Optimization Community: Network and graph optimization using: OR-tools, gurobi, cplex, eclipse, minizincLoading Screen Tips: Loading screen tips for developers, and AI engineers on your favorite frameworks, tools, LLM models, engines
Cloud Training - DFW Cloud Training, Southlake / Westlake Cloud Training: Cloud training in DFW Texas from ex-Google
Kids Games: Online kids dev games
AI Books - Machine Learning Books & Generative AI Books: The latest machine learning techniques, tips and tricks. Learn machine learning & Learn generative AI
Recommended Similar Analysis
Night Funeral In Harlem by Langston Hughes analysisThe Gyres by William Butler Yeats analysis
Childe Roland To The Dark Tower Came by Robert Browning analysis
Apparition , The by John Donne analysis
Heat by H.D. analysis
Auguries of Innocence by William Blake analysis
ETERNITY by Robert Herrick analysis
Waltzing Matilda by Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson analysis
To You by Walt Whitman analysis
Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden analysis