'Sensitive Burglar' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Rhymes for My RagsSelecting in the dining-roomThe silver of his choice,
The burglar heard from chamber gloomA female voice.
As cold and bitter as a toad,She spat a nasty name,
So even as his swag he stowedHe blushed for shame.'You dirty dog!' he heard her say,'I sniff your whisky stench.
I bet you've gambled half your pay,Or blown it on a wench.
Begone from here, you rakehell boor!You shame the human race.
What wife would pillow-share with yourDisgusting face!'A tear the tender burglar shed,Then indignation rose,
And swiftly striding to her bedHe said: 'I'm none of those.
I am a connoisseur in crimeAnd felonies I plan . . .
But otherwise, believe me I'mA GENTLEMAN.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Criticism: Sensitive Burglar by Robert Service
If you're on the lookout for a heartwarming, evocative poem that will take you on a journey of emotions, then Robert Service's "Sensitive Burglar" is the perfect piece for you. This classic poem, first published in 1940, tells the story of a burglar who discovers something unexpected when he breaks into a house in the middle of the night.
Summary of the Poem
The poem begins with the burglar, who is described as being "thin and pale" and "slinking in the gloom," as he sneaks into a house with the intention of stealing. He tiptoes through the rooms in search of valuables, but instead finds himself drawn to a room filled with pictures of a happy family.
As the burglar gazes at the photographs, he is overcome with a sense of longing for the family's happiness and warmth. He realizes that he has been living a life of emptiness and loneliness, and that his criminal activity has left him with nothing but material possessions.
Feeling overwhelmed by his emotions, the burglar breaks down in tears and decides to turn his life around. He leaves the house without taking anything and sets off on a journey to find happiness and fulfillment in his life.
Literary Analysis
Theme of Loneliness
One of the central themes of "Sensitive Burglar" is loneliness. Robert Service uses the character of the burglar to explore the idea that material possessions do not bring happiness, and that true contentment comes from human connection.
The burglar is presented as a lonely and isolated figure, "slinking in the gloom" and "thin and pale." His criminal activity is a result of his desperation for money and status, but it has left him feeling empty and unfulfilled.
The photographs in the family's room are a symbol of the love, warmth, and companionship that the burglar has been missing in his life. As he gazes at the pictures, he is filled with a sense of longing for the happy life that the family represents.
Through the character of the burglar, Robert Service shows that loneliness is a universal human experience. The poem suggests that we should reach out to others and form meaningful connections in order to find happiness and fulfillment in our lives.
Symbolism of Light and Darkness
Another important theme in "Sensitive Burglar" is the contrast between light and darkness. The burglar sneaks into the house in the middle of the night, surrounded by darkness and shadows. However, when he enters the room filled with photographs, he is illuminated by the light from a lamp.
The light symbolizes the warmth and life that the burglar has been missing in his own life. It is a stark contrast to the darkness in which he has been living, and it represents the hope that he can find a better way of life.
By using light and darkness as symbols in the poem, Robert Service highlights the importance of hope and optimism in overcoming loneliness and despair.
Use of Imagery
"Sensitive Burglar" is filled with vivid and evocative imagery that helps to bring the story to life. For example, the description of the burglar as "thin and pale" and "slinking in the gloom" creates a sense of danger and foreboding.
The images of the family's photographs, with their "smiling faces" and "happy poses," evoke a sense of joy and warmth. The contrast between the burglar's loneliness and the family's togetherness is highlighted through the use of such imagery.
Robert Service's use of imagery throughout the poem helps to create a vivid and emotional portrait of the burglar's journey from despair to hope.
Conclusion
"Sensitive Burglar" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of loneliness, hope, and redemption. Through the character of the burglar, Robert Service encourages us to seek out human connection and to find happiness and fulfillment in our lives.
The poem's use of imagery, symbolism, and language creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the burglar's journey, and it leaves the reader with a sense of hope and optimism for the future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Sensitive Burglar: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has created a masterpiece in his poem "Poetry Sensitive Burglar." This poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his writing. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall impact of this poem.
The poem "Poetry Sensitive Burglar" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a burglar who breaks into a house to steal, but instead, he discovers a book of poetry. The burglar is so moved by the poetry that he forgets about his original intention and spends the night reading and reflecting on the poems. The next morning, he leaves the book behind and goes on his way, forever changed by the power of poetry.
The theme of the poem is the transformative power of poetry. The burglar, who is initially motivated by greed, is transformed by the beauty and power of the poems he reads. The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to change people's lives, even those who may not have been exposed to it before.
Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey the theme of the poem. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Service uses vivid descriptions to create a clear picture of the burglar's experience. For example, he describes the book of poetry as "a treasure trove of rhyme and reason, / A hoard of happiness and tears." This description creates a sense of wonder and excitement, making the reader feel as though they too are discovering this treasure trove of poetry.
Another literary device that Service uses is personification. He personifies the book of poetry, describing it as "a living thing, a breathing thing." This personification creates a sense of intimacy between the burglar and the book, making the reader feel as though the book is a character in the story.
Service also uses metaphor to convey the transformative power of poetry. He compares the burglar's experience with the book of poetry to a "baptism of fire." This metaphor suggests that the burglar has been reborn through his experience with poetry, and that his life will never be the same.
The impact of the poem is profound. Service's use of vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor creates a powerful emotional response in the reader. The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to change people's lives, even those who may not have been exposed to it before. This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people are disconnected from the arts and humanities.
In conclusion, "Poetry Sensitive Burglar" is a masterpiece of Robert Service. The poem's theme of the transformative power of poetry is conveyed through Service's use of vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor. The impact of the poem is profound, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and excitement about the power of poetry. This poem is a testament to Service's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his writing, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry.
Editor Recommended Sites
Best Adventure Games - Highest Rated Adventure Games - Top Adventure Games: Highest rated adventure game reviewsOcaml Tips: Ocaml Programming Tips and tricks
Learn Prompt Engineering: Prompt Engineering using large language models, chatGPT, GPT-4, tutorials and guides
Mesh Ops: Operations for cloud mesh deploymentsin AWS and GCP
Labaled Machine Learning Data: Pre-labeled machine learning data resources for Machine Learning engineers and generative models
Recommended Similar Analysis
Bright Star by John Keats analysisOn This Day I Complete My Thirty-Sixth Year by Lord Byron analysis
To The Rose Upon The Rood Of Time by William Butler Yeats analysis
Sonnet 27 - My own Beloved, who hast lifted me by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Bearhug by Michael Ondaatje analysis
Bright Star, Would I Were Steadfast As Thou Art by John Keats analysis
The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
Written With a Pencil Upon a Stone In The Wall of The House, On The Island at Grasmere by William Wordsworth analysis
The Poplar Field by William Cowper analysis
The Silken Tent by Robert Frost analysis