'Schizophrenic' by Robert Service
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Songs of a Sun-LoverEach morning as I catch my bus,
A-fearing I'll be late,
I think: there are in all of us
Two folks quite separate;
As one I greet the office staff
With grim, official mien;
The other's when I belly-laugh,
And Home Sweet Home's the scene.I've half a hundred men to boss,
And take my job to heart;
You'll never find me at a loss,
So well I play my part.
My voice is hard, my eye is cold,
My mouth is grimly set;
They all consider me, I'm told,
A "bloody martinet."But when I reach my home at night
I'm happy as a boy;
My kiddies kiss me with delight,
And dance a jig of joy.
I slip into my oldest cloths,
My lines of care uncrease;
I mow the lawn, unhook the hose,
And glow with garden peace.It's then I wonder which I am,
the boss with hard-boiled eye,
Or just the gay don't care-a-damn
Go-lucky garden guy?
Am I the starchy front who rants
As round his weight he throws,
or just old Pop with patchy pants,
Who sings and sniffs a rose?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Schizophrenic: A Journey into the Mind
As I sit down to write about Robert Service's classic poetry piece, "Schizophrenic," I can't help but feel a sense of awe and fascination. This poem takes us on a journey into the mind of a person with schizophrenia, a mental condition that has been greatly misunderstood and stigmatized throughout history. Service's vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and poignant language paint a picture of what it might be like to live with this illness. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "Schizophrenic" to uncover the deeper meaning behind the words.
Overview of the Poem
"Schizophrenic" is a six-stanza poem with a simple yet impactful structure. Each stanza is comprised of two rhyming couplets, with a consistent AABB rhyme scheme throughout the poem. This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, which is fitting considering the subject matter of the poem. The speaker of the poem is someone who is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, such as auditory hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. We get a glimpse into their mind as they struggle to make sense of their reality.
Themes
One of the primary themes in "Schizophrenic" is the struggle for control. The speaker is constantly battling with their own mind, trying to distinguish between what is real and what is not. This struggle is evident in lines such as "Voices, voices, in my head / Why won't they go to sleep?" and "The world is but a phantom show / I try to grip it, and it slips away." The speaker is trying to grasp onto something tangible, something that will anchor them to reality, but it always seems to slip away from them. This theme of control is also evident in the imagery of the poem, such as "I feel like a marionette, / With some crazed puppeteer."
Another theme in "Schizophrenic" is the isolation and loneliness that often comes with mental illness. The speaker feels disconnected from the world around them, as if they are living in a separate reality. This is captured in lines such as "I'm alone though in a crowd / In a fog I scream out loud." The speaker is surrounded by people, yet feels completely isolated and alone. This theme of isolation is further emphasized by the use of imagery, such as "The world is like a fishbowl / And I'm the fish that's out of control."
A third theme in the poem is the struggle for acceptance and understanding. The speaker is aware that they are different from others, and they long for acceptance and understanding. This is evident in lines such as "I'm the stranger in the mirror, / I'm the shadow on the wall." The speaker is acutely aware of their own otherness, and they long for someone to accept and understand them. This theme is also captured in the imagery of the poem, such as "I'm a ragged scarecrow figure, / That no one wants to know."
Symbols
One of the most powerful symbols in "Schizophrenic" is the use of the mirror. The speaker sees themselves as a stranger in the mirror, which represents their disconnection from their own sense of self. The mirror is also a symbol of reflection and self-awareness, which is something the speaker is struggling to achieve. The mirror is mentioned several times throughout the poem, such as "I'm the stranger in the mirror," and "I see myself, and wonder why / My eyes are bleak, my hair awry." The mirror represents the speaker's struggle to reconcile their inner self with the outer world.
Another symbol in the poem is the fishbowl. The world is described as a fishbowl, with the speaker as the fish that is out of control. This symbolizes the speaker's feeling of being trapped and confined, unable to escape their own mind. The fishbowl also represents the distortion of reality that often comes with mental illness. The world appears distorted and surreal, like looking through a fishbowl. This is captured in lines such as "The world is like a fishbowl / And I'm the fish that's out of control."
A third symbol in the poem is the puppet. The speaker feels like a marionette, with some crazed puppeteer controlling their every move. This symbolizes the loss of control that often comes with mental illness. The speaker feels like they are being controlled by some external force, unable to make their own choices. This is captured in lines such as "I feel like a marionette, / With some crazed puppeteer."
Literary Devices
One of the most powerful literary devices used in "Schizophrenic" is the use of repetition. The repetition of certain phrases and words creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, which is fitting for the subject matter. For example, in the first stanza, the repetition of the word "voices" creates a sense of chaos and confusion. This is also evident in the repetition of the phrase "I'm the" throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of identity crisis, as the speaker struggles to define themselves.
Another literary device used in the poem is the use of metaphor. The speaker uses metaphors to describe their experience of mental illness, such as "The world is but a phantom show" and "I'm a ragged scarecrow figure." These metaphors create vivid imagery and help the reader to understand the speaker's experience.
A third literary device used in the poem is the use of personification. The speaker personifies their own mind, describing it as a separate entity with a will of its own. This is evident in lines such as "My mind is like a jungle beast, / That gnaws upon itself." This personification creates a sense of detachment, as if the speaker is observing their own mind from a distance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Schizophrenic" is a powerful and poignant poem that takes us on a journey into the mind of someone with schizophrenia. The themes of control, isolation, and acceptance are explored through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and poignant language. The use of symbols such as the mirror, fishbowl, and puppet create a sense of the speaker's struggle to reconcile their inner self with the outer world. The use of literary devices such as repetition, metaphor, and personification create a sense of rhythm and musicality, which is fitting for the subject matter. Overall, "Schizophrenic" is a masterpiece of poetry that sheds light on the often-misunderstood world of mental illness.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Schizophrenic: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the name Robert Service. He is a renowned poet who has left an indelible mark in the world of literature. One of his most famous works is the poem "Poetry Schizophrenic," which is a masterpiece that has captivated the hearts of many readers.
The poem is a reflection of the inner turmoil that poets go through when they are trying to create something unique and meaningful. It is a portrayal of the struggle that poets face when they are trying to balance their artistic vision with the expectations of their audience. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its various aspects.
The Structure of the Poem
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which means that the first and second lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, which is enhanced by the use of alliteration and assonance.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It describes the poet's struggle to find the right words to express his thoughts. The second stanza introduces the concept of schizophrenia, which is used as a metaphor for the poet's inner conflict. The third stanza describes the poet's desire to please his audience, even if it means sacrificing his artistic vision. The final stanza is a reflection on the poet's struggle and the realization that he cannot please everyone.
The Use of Metaphor
The use of metaphor is one of the most striking features of the poem. The poet uses schizophrenia as a metaphor for the inner conflict that poets face. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by a split personality. The poet uses this metaphor to describe the split between the poet's artistic vision and the expectations of his audience.
The poet describes himself as a "schizophrenic bard" who is torn between two worlds. On the one hand, he wants to create something unique and meaningful, but on the other hand, he wants to please his audience. This conflict is further emphasized by the use of the word "schizophrenic," which suggests a split personality.
The Use of Alliteration and Assonance
The poem is full of alliteration and assonance, which gives it a musical quality. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, while assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words.
For example, in the first stanza, the poet uses alliteration to create a musical effect:
"I seek the rhyme that flatters fancy, I court the phrase that tricks the ear."
The repetition of the "f" sound in "flatters fancy" and "phrase that tricks" creates a musical effect that draws the reader in.
In the second stanza, the poet uses assonance to create a similar effect:
"I'm split in two with love and duty, With what I feel and what I ought."
The repetition of the "u" sound in "love and duty" and "what I feel and what I ought" creates a musical effect that adds to the emotional impact of the poem.
The Use of Imagery
The poem is full of vivid imagery that helps to bring the poet's inner conflict to life. For example, in the first stanza, the poet describes himself as a "rhyme-hunter" who is searching for the perfect words to express his thoughts. This image of the poet as a hunter suggests that he is on a quest, and that his search for the perfect words is a journey that he must undertake.
In the second stanza, the poet uses the image of a "twin" to describe his split personality. This image suggests that the poet is not a single entity, but rather two separate beings that are struggling to coexist.
In the third stanza, the poet uses the image of a "jester" to describe his desire to please his audience. This image suggests that the poet is willing to sacrifice his artistic vision in order to entertain his audience.
The Use of Irony
The poem is full of irony, which adds to its emotional impact. Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite to their literal meaning.
For example, in the third stanza, the poet says:
"I'll play the fool, I'll play the knave, I'll play the rogue, I'll play the slave."
These lines are ironic because they suggest that the poet is willing to play any role in order to please his audience, even if it means sacrificing his artistic vision.
In the final stanza, the poet says:
"I'll write my verse for those who curse, And spit upon my name."
These lines are ironic because they suggest that the poet has come to the realization that he cannot please everyone, and that he must write for himself, rather than for his audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry Schizophrenic" is a masterpiece that captures the inner turmoil that poets face when they are trying to create something unique and meaningful. The poem is full of vivid imagery, irony, and musical qualities that make it a joy to read. Robert Service has left an indelible mark on the world of literature, and this poem is a testament to his talent and creativity.
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