'Stowaway' by Robert Service

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Songs of a Sun-LoverWe'd left the sea-gulls long behind,
And we were almost in mid-ocean;
The sky was soft and blue and kind,
The boat had scarcely any motion;
Except that songfully it sped,
And sheared the foam swift as an arrow . . .
There fluttered down a city sparrow.I stared with something of surprise;
The apparition mocked my seeming;
In fact I gently rubbed my eyes
And wondered if I were not dreaming.
It must, I mused, at Montreal
Have hopped abroad, somewhere to nestle,
And failed to hear the warning call
For visitors to leave he vessel.Well, anyway a bird it was,
With winky eyes and wings a-twitter,
Unwise to migration Laws,
From Canada a hardy flitter;
And as it hopped about the deck
So happily I wondered whether
It wasn't scramming from Quebec
For London's mild and moister weather.My rover's heart went out to it,
That vain, vivacious little devil;
And as I watched it hop and flit
I hoped it would not come to evil;
It planned above the plangent sea
(A foolish flight, I'd never risk it),
And then it circled back to me
And from my palm picked crumbs of biscuit.Well, voyages come to an end
(WE make them with that understanding);
One morn I missed my feathered friend,
And hope it made a happy landing.
Oh may she ever happy be
(It 'twas a "she") with eggs to sit on,
And rest on our side of he sea,
A brave, brown, cheery, chirping Briton.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Stowaway: A Journey Through Life

Robert Service's poem "Stowaway" takes its readers on a journey through life, exploring the highs and lows of human existence through the metaphor of a stowaway aboard a ship. Written in Service's signature style of narrative ballad, "Stowaway" tells the story of a young man who sneaks onto a ship in search of adventure and finds himself confronting the harsh realities of the world.

The Narrative Structure of "Stowaway"

The poem's narrative structure is one of its most remarkable features. Service tells the stowaway's story in a series of eight concise stanzas, each with a distinct focus on a particular aspect of the stowaway's journey. The first stanza sets the scene, introducing the stowaway and his motivations for sneaking onto the ship. The second stanza describes the stowaway's initial elation as he sets out to sea, dreaming of the adventures to come.

The third and fourth stanzas shift the poem's tone, revealing the hardships the stowaway encounters as he tries to survive on the ship. Service depicts the stowaway's hunger, thirst, and exhaustion in vivid detail, highlighting the brutality of life for those who lack the resources to survive.

The fifth stanza is a turning point in the poem. Just as the stowaway is about to give up hope, he discovers a stash of rum hidden on the ship. In this moment, Service captures the stowaway's joy and relief, suggesting that even in the darkest moments of life, there is always the possibility of unexpected reprieve.

The sixth and seventh stanzas explore the stowaway's growing sense of disillusionment as he witnesses the harsh realities of life on board the ship. The stowaway becomes aware of the brutality and violence of the crew, and he begins to question his own place in the world.

The final stanza brings the stowaway's journey to a close, as the ship arrives at its destination and the stowaway is forced to leave. Service ends the poem on a note of ambiguity, leaving the reader to wonder what will become of the stowaway after he leaves the ship.

The Metaphor of the Ship

One of the most striking aspects of "Stowaway" is the metaphor of the ship itself. Throughout the poem, the ship serves as a metaphor for life, with the stowaway representing the human spirit that embarks on this journey. Service uses the ship as a way to explore the ups and downs of human existence, as well as the sense of isolation and vulnerability that can accompany it.

The ship is also a symbol of the larger world, with its crew representing the various forces and influences that shape our lives. Service depicts the crew as harsh and unsympathetic, suggesting the harshness of the world at large. The stowaway's struggle to survive on the ship is thus a metaphor for the human struggle to navigate the challenges and obstacles of life.

Themes and Interpretations

"Stowaway" is a poem that invites a range of interpretations, depending on the reader's own experiences and perspectives. Some of the most significant themes that emerge from the poem include:

• Isolation and loneliness – The stowaway is alone on the ship, cut off from the rest of the world. His experiences highlight the sense of isolation and loneliness that can accompany the human experience.

• Survival and resilience – The stowaway's struggle to survive on the ship is a testament to the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity. He manages to persevere despite the odds, offering a message of hope and perseverance.

• Disillusionment and disillusion – The stowaway's growing disillusionment with the crew and with life itself suggests the sense of disillusionment that can accompany the human experience. The poem raises important questions about the nature of hope and the possibility of finding meaning in the face of hardship and disappointment.

Conclusion

In "Stowaway," Robert Service offers a poetic meditation on the human experience, using the metaphor of a ship to explore the highs and lows of life. Through the stowaway's journey, Service captures the sense of isolation, vulnerability, and resilience that are part of the human experience. The poem invites readers to reflect on the challenges and obstacles of life, offering a message of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Stowaway: 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 is known for his narrative poems that are full of adventure, humor, and emotion. One of his most popular poems is "The Poetry Stowaway," which tells the story of a young man who sneaks aboard a ship to escape his mundane life and pursue his dream of becoming a poet. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the protagonist, a young man named Jim, who is tired of his dull life and yearns for adventure and excitement. He decides to stow away on a ship that is bound for the South Seas, hoping to find inspiration for his poetry and escape the monotony of his daily routine. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Service using vivid imagery to describe the ship and the sea:

Oh it was good to be a stowaway,
To live a life of ease,
To be tucked away in a corner snug
And to live upon the seas!

The use of the word "snug" creates a sense of comfort and security, while the phrase "live upon the seas" suggests a life of freedom and adventure. The second stanza introduces the captain of the ship, who is initially angry at Jim for sneaking aboard but eventually takes a liking to him:

The captain he was a kindly man,
And he said: "Well, let him stay;
He's only a boy, and after all
We're all of us boys to-day."

This stanza highlights the theme of youth and innocence, as well as the idea that age is just a number and that everyone has a childlike spirit within them.

The third stanza introduces the other crew members, who are initially suspicious of Jim but eventually accept him as one of their own:

The crew they were a roughish lot,
And they eyed him askance at first;
But they soon took him to their hearts, and Jim
Was the name he got at first.

This stanza highlights the theme of acceptance and belonging, as well as the idea that people can overcome their differences and form bonds of friendship and camaraderie.

The fourth stanza describes Jim's experiences on the ship, including his encounters with storms, whales, and other sea creatures:

He saw the whales a-spouting,
And the porpoises at play;
He saw the flying-fish go by,
And the albatross at bay.

This stanza highlights the theme of adventure and discovery, as well as the idea that nature is full of wonder and beauty.

The fifth stanza describes Jim's attempts to write poetry, which are initially unsuccessful but eventually lead to a breakthrough:

He tried to write a poem,
But the words wouldn't come out right;
He tried and tried, and then one day
He found he could write all night.

This stanza highlights the theme of creativity and inspiration, as well as the idea that perseverance and hard work can lead to success.

The sixth and final stanza describes Jim's return to shore, where he is greeted by his family and friends:

He came back home a poet,
And they hailed him with acclaim;
They said: "You're a genius, Jim, old boy!"
And they glorified his name.

This stanza highlights the theme of achievement and recognition, as well as the idea that pursuing one's dreams can lead to fulfillment and happiness.

In terms of structure, the poem consists of six quatrains, each with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and musicality, as well as a sense of unity and coherence. The use of repetition, such as the phrase "He tried and tried," also adds to the poem's structure and reinforces its themes.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of imagery, metaphor, and personification to create vivid and memorable images. For example, the phrase "live upon the seas" personifies the sea as a living entity, while the phrase "the albatross at bay" uses metaphor to describe the bird's majestic flight. The poem also makes use of alliteration, such as the phrase "porpoises at play," which adds to its musicality and rhythm.

Overall, "The Poetry Stowaway" is a classic poem that celebrates the themes of adventure, creativity, and achievement. Through its vivid imagery, musical structure, and literary devices, it captures the spirit of youth and the power of pursuing one's dreams. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for inspiration, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression and remind you of the beauty and wonder of life.

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