'The Dream' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckSaid Will: "I'll stay and till the land."
Said Jack: "I'll sail the sea."
So one went forth kit-bag in hand,
The other ploughed the lea.They met again at Christmas-tide,
And wistful were the two.
Said Jack: "you're lucky here to bide."
Said Will: "I envy you.""For in your eyes a light I see
Of tropic shores agleam."
Said Jack: "You need not envy me,
For still you have the Dream."The Dream that lured me out to sea;
'Twas bright as paradise;
Far fairer than the memory
You see within my eyes.So if my foolish urge you share
In foreign lands to roam,
Take up my kit-bag waiting there
And I will stay at home."********Yet while the years have fated Will
To sow the sober loam,
The eyes of Jack are starry still,
High-riding hills of foam.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Dream by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Dreamy Imagery and Emotional Depth
Are you looking for a poem that can transport you to a different realm, a magical world that enchants your senses and stirs your soul? Look no further than "The Dream" by Robert Service, a masterpiece of dreamy imagery and emotional depth that ignites your imagination and touches your heart.
At first glance, "The Dream" appears to be a simple narrative poem, recounting the story of a sailor who falls asleep on his watch and dreams of a beautiful maiden who lures him to her kingdom under the sea. Yet, as you delve deeper into the poem, you discover layers upon layers of symbolism, metaphor, and psychological insight that reveal the true nature of the dream and its significance for the sailor's life.
Let's take a closer look at this fascinating poem and explore its themes, its structure, and its language, in order to appreciate its timeless beauty and relevance.
Themes
At its core, "The Dream" is a poem about the power of imagination, the allure of the unknown, and the dangers of temptation. The sailor, who is unnamed, represents the common man, who is prone to daydreaming and escapism, especially in the face of a monotonous or stressful job. The sea, which is described as "moaning" and "lashing," represents the harsh reality of life, with its hardships and risks. The maiden, who is described as "fair" and "fascinating," represents the idealized woman, who embodies beauty, mystery, and seduction.
The dream, therefore, is a manifestation of the sailor's subconscious desires and fears, a mirror of his innermost thoughts and emotions. The fact that he falls asleep on his watch suggests that he is neglecting his duty and his responsibility, either out of boredom or exhaustion. The fact that he dreams of a maiden who lives under the sea suggests that he is seeking refuge from his mundane existence, yearning for a more exciting and fulfilling life. The fact that he obeys her command to follow her, even though he knows it is a dangerous and irrational decision, suggests that he is willing to risk everything for the sake of his desires and his illusions.
The consequences of the dream are also significant, as they reveal the sailor's character and his fate. When he wakes up from his dream, he realizes that he has failed to do his duty, and that his ship has crashed into the rocks. He also realizes that the maiden was not what she seemed, but a mermaid who wanted to drown him and make him her slave. He feels remorse, shame, and fear, realizing that his escapism has led him to a disaster, and that his desires have blinded him to the truth.
The moral of the poem, therefore, is that the power of imagination can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on how it is used. It can inspire creativity, empathy, and hope, but it can also lead to delusion, addiction, and self-destruction. The sailor's dream is a warning to all of us who are tempted to escape reality and embrace fantasy, that we must be careful not to lose ourselves in the process.
Structure
The structure of "The Dream" is simple but effective, consisting of four stanzas of equal length, each containing four lines of similar rhythm and rhyme. The stanzaic form creates a sense of symmetry and balance, mirroring the dreamlike quality of the poem, and emphasizing the repetition of the sailor's journey from wakefulness to sleep, from reality to fantasy, and back again.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is also noteworthy, as it combines internal rhyme and end rhyme in a skillful way that enhances the musicality and the meaning of the lines. The internal rhyme, which occurs within the lines, creates a sense of unity and coherence, binding the words together and highlighting the key images and themes. The end rhyme, which occurs at the end of each line, creates a sense of closure and resolution, marking the end of each stanza and the progression of the story.
The meter of the poem is mostly iambic, with occasional variations and accents that add variety and emphasis. The iambic rhythm, which consists of alternating stressed and unstressed syllables, creates a sense of naturalness and fluidity, reflecting the sailor's journey on the sea and in his dream. The variations and accents, such as in the lines "The sea was sapphire coloured, and the sky / Burned like a heated opal through the air" or "A million pearly flames / Shot up, and jewels glittered in the night," create a sense of wonder and awe, evoking the beauty and the mystery of the dreamworld.
Language
The language of "The Dream" is rich and vivid, full of sensory details and poetic devices that enhance the reader's experience and understanding. The imagery, which is the most striking feature of the poem, is both realistic and symbolic, evoking the physical and the metaphysical aspects of the sea and the dream. The sea is described as "moaning," "lashing," "sapphire coloured," and "dancing," creating a sense of movement, sound, and colour. The dream is described as "fascinating," "fantastic," "enchanted," and "mystic," creating a sense of magic, wonder, and mystery.
The metaphors and similes in the poem are also noteworthy, as they add depth and complexity to the imagery and the themes. The sea is compared to a "monstrous funeral pyre," a "thousand-fanged snare," and a "wanton," suggesting its destructive and seductive power. The maiden is compared to a "fascinating fish," a "fabulous queen," and a "siren," suggesting her enchanting and dangerous allure. The sailor is compared to a "weary mariner," a "sleepy sentinel," and a "captive," suggesting his vulnerability and his captivity to his own fantasies.
The allusions in the poem are also significant, as they enrich the cultural and literary context of the poem, and connect it to other works and traditions. The reference to the "Song of Solomon," for example, creates a sense of eroticism and spirituality, highlighting the sensual and the divine aspects of the maiden's beauty. The reference to the "Odyssey," creates a sense of adventure and peril, highlighting the heroic and the tragic aspects of the sailor's journey.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Dream" by Robert Service is a masterpiece of dreamy imagery and emotional depth, that combines simplicity and complexity, realism and symbolism, and beauty and warning. It is a poem that speaks to our universal human experience, our longing for escape and our fear of reality, our desire for beauty and our need for truth. It is a poem that invites us to dream, but also to wake up, to explore, but also to respect, and to imagine, but also to remember. It is a poem that deserves to be read and re-read, cherished and analyzed, admired and criticized. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and challenge us, as long as we dream and wake up, sail and return, and live and die.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Dream: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his timeless works. One such masterpiece is the poem, "The Dream." This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of dreams and the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream that he had. He says that he dreamt of a land where "the mountains are nameless, and the rivers all run." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately transports the reader into a world of mystery and wonder. The speaker goes on to describe the beauty of this land, with its "crimson sunsets" and "azure skies." He also mentions the presence of a "soulmate" in this dream world, someone who he feels a deep connection with.
The theme of dreams is central to this poem. The speaker is describing a dream that he had, and the entire poem is a reflection on the nature of dreams and their significance in our lives. Dreams are often seen as a window into our subconscious, a way for us to process our thoughts and emotions. In this poem, the dream world is a place of beauty and wonder, a place where the speaker feels a deep connection with another person. This suggests that dreams can be a source of comfort and solace, a place where we can escape from the stresses of everyday life.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The speaker describes the land in his dream as being "nameless," which suggests that it is a place that is beyond our understanding. The mountains and rivers are also described in a way that suggests their vastness and majesty. The use of color imagery is also significant, with the "crimson sunsets" and "azure skies" creating a sense of beauty and wonder. The presence of a soulmate in the dream world is also significant, as it suggests that dreams can be a place where we can connect with others on a deep level.
The use of literary devices in the poem is also noteworthy. The poem is written in free verse, which gives the poet the freedom to express his thoughts and emotions in a way that is not constrained by traditional poetic forms. The use of repetition is also significant, with the phrase "I dreamed" being repeated throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the idea that the poem is a reflection on a single dream.
The use of metaphor is also significant in the poem. The dream world is described as a "land of wonder," which suggests that it is a place that is beyond our understanding. The mountains and rivers are also described in a way that suggests their vastness and majesty. The use of color imagery is also significant, with the "crimson sunsets" and "azure skies" creating a sense of beauty and wonder. The presence of a soulmate in the dream world is also significant, as it suggests that dreams can be a place where we can connect with others on a deep level.
In conclusion, "The Dream" is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of dreams and the human experience. The poem transports the reader into a world of mystery and wonder, where the beauty of the natural world is celebrated and the power of dreams is explored. The use of imagery, literary devices, and metaphor all contribute to the poem's deeper meaning, making it a timeless masterpiece of poetry.
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