'The Headliner And The Breadliner' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Rolling StoneMoko, the Educated Ape is here,
The pet of vaudeville, so the posters say,And every night the gaping people pay
To see him in his panoply appear;
To see him pad his paunch with dainty cheer,Puff his perfecto, swill champagne, and swayJust like a gentleman, yet all in play,
Then bow himself off stage with brutish leer.And as to-night, with noble knowledge crammed,I 'mid this human compost take my place,
I, once a poet, now so dead and damned,The woeful tears half freezing on my face:
"O God!" I cry, "let me but take his shape,Moko's, the Blest, the Educated Ape."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Headliner And The Breadliner: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm
Robert Service's "The Headliner And The Breadliner" is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm that exposes the greed and decadence of modern society. Set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis, the poem contrasts the ostentatious lifestyle of a successful newspaper editor with the humble existence of a poor baker who struggles to make ends meet. Through vivid imagery, biting wit, and clever wordplay, Service presents a scathing critique of the excesses of capitalism and the superficial values of the modern world.
The Setting: A World of Contrasts
The poem is set in a world of stark contrasts where the rich and the poor live side by side, but inhabit different realities. The opening lines describe the city as a place where "the towers of finance / Rise up in shining magnificence" while "the alleys and lanes / Are the haunts of Poverty's pains." This contrast sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the central conflict between the Headliner and the Breadliner.
The Headliner is the epitome of success in this world. He is the editor of a newspaper, a man of power and influence who "wears a smile of triumph / And a diamond in his tie." He lives in a luxurious penthouse, surrounded by all the trappings of wealth and success. In contrast, the Breadliner is a humble baker who works hard every day to make a living. He is depicted as a man of simple pleasures who is content with his lot in life, even though he struggles to feed his family.
The Irony and Sarcasm
Throughout the poem, Service uses irony and sarcasm to highlight the absurdity of the Headliner's lifestyle and the emptiness of his values. The Headliner is depicted as a man who is obsessed with his own success and status. He is constantly seeking new ways to increase his influence and power, even if it means sacrificing his integrity and betraying his principles. His obsession with fame and fortune is mocked by the poet, who describes him as a man who "thinks he's going to be a great man / Just because he's got a lot of dough."
Service's use of irony is especially effective in the final stanza, where the Headliner is confronted with the reality of his own mortality. We are told that he "died alone in his bed / With a dollar and a half / And the diamond in his tie." The use of the word "alone" here is significant, as it highlights the fact that the Headliner's wealth and success brought him no real companionship or happiness. The final image of the diamond in his tie is a powerful symbol of the hollowness of his values. The diamond, which he valued so highly in life, is revealed to be a mere bauble, of no real importance in the face of death.
The Breadliner: A Man of Substance
In contrast to the Headliner, the Breadliner is presented as a man of substance and integrity. He is a hard worker who takes pride in his craft and is content with his simple life. He is depicted as a man who is happy to do his best and make an honest living, rather than chasing after wealth and success at any cost.
The Breadliner's humility and wisdom are highlighted in the final stanza, where he is contrasted with the Headliner. We are told that the Breadliner "died too, but he died in his bed / With a crust of bread and a smile." The image of the Breadliner dying with a crust of bread is a powerful symbol of his humility and his willingness to find joy and contentment in the simple things in life. The fact that he dies with a smile on his face is also significant, as it highlights the fact that he lived a life that was true to his values and brought him real happiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Headliner And The Breadliner" is a powerful poem that uses irony and sarcasm to expose the greed and decadence of modern society. Through the contrast between the Headliner and the Breadliner, Service highlights the emptiness of the Headliner's values and the wisdom and integrity of the Breadliner. The poem is a powerful critique of the excesses of capitalism and a call for a return to the simple values of hard work, humility, and contentment. It is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Headliner and the Breadliner: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you are a fan of poetry, then you must have heard of Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable poems of the 20th century. Among his many works, one poem that stands out is "The Headliner and the Breadliner," a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of the human condition in a unique and powerful way.
In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore what makes it such a timeless masterpiece.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, "The Headliner and the Breadliner" is a poem about the contrast between two different lifestyles: that of the rich and famous, and that of the poor and struggling. The poem's title itself is a nod to this dichotomy, as it refers to two different types of people: the headliner, who is the star of the show, and the breadliner, who is just trying to make ends meet.
Throughout the poem, Service explores the different experiences and emotions of these two groups, highlighting the stark differences between them. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the headliner as someone who is "flush with fame and fortune," living a life of luxury and excess. In contrast, the breadliner is portrayed as someone who is "weary, worn, and wan," struggling to make a living and barely getting by.
However, as the poem progresses, Service begins to blur the lines between these two groups, showing that they are not as different as they may seem. In the second stanza, he describes the headliner as someone who is "lonely, lost, and sad," despite all their wealth and success. Meanwhile, the breadliner is shown to have a sense of community and camaraderie, as they "share their joys and sorrows" with their fellow workers.
This theme of the human condition being universal, regardless of social status, is further explored in the final stanza, where Service writes:
"Yet in the end, when all is said, The headliner and the breadliner, Both sleep beneath the selfsame sod, And neither one is finer."
Here, Service is reminding us that no matter how different our lives may seem, we are all equal in death. This message is a powerful one, and it speaks to the universal human experience of mortality and the fleeting nature of life.
The Poem's Structure
"The Headliner and the Breadliner" is a relatively short poem, consisting of only three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB) and meter (iambic tetrameter).
However, despite its simplicity, the poem's structure is effective in conveying its message. The consistent rhyme scheme and meter give the poem a musical quality, making it easy to read and remember. Additionally, the short stanzas and concise language make the poem feel urgent and impactful, driving home its message in a powerful way.
The Poem's Language
One of the most striking aspects of "The Headliner and the Breadliner" is its use of language. Service's writing is simple and direct, yet it is also rich with imagery and metaphor.
For example, in the first stanza, he describes the headliner as someone who is "flush with fame and fortune," using the image of someone who is physically bloated to convey the excess and indulgence of the rich and famous. Similarly, in the second stanza, he describes the breadliner as someone who is "weary, worn, and wan," using alliteration to create a sense of weariness and exhaustion.
Throughout the poem, Service uses language to create vivid images and convey complex emotions. For example, in the final stanza, he writes:
"And when the curtain falls at last, And darkness ends the play, Remember that the headliner Is just as frail as they."
Here, he uses the metaphor of a play to convey the fleeting nature of life, and the idea that we are all just actors on a stage, playing our parts before the final curtain falls.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Headliner and the Breadliner" is a classic poem that explores the contrast between the rich and poor, and the universal human experience of mortality. Through its simple yet powerful language, and its effective use of structure and imagery, the poem conveys a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, "The Headliner and the Breadliner" is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the complexities of the human condition, and the ways in which we are all connected, regardless of our social status or wealth.
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