'Retired Shopman' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckHe had the grocer's counter-stoop,
That little man so grey and neat;
His moustache had a doleful droop,
He hailed me in the slushy street.
"I've sold my shop," he said to me,
Cupping his hand behind his ear.
"My deafness got so bad, you see,
Folks had to shout to make me hear."He sighed and sadly shook his head;
The hand he gave was chill as ice.
"I sold out far too soon," he said;
"To-day I'd get ten times the price.
But then how was a man to know,
(The War, the rising cost of life.)
We have to pinch to make things go:
It's tough - I'm sorry for the wife."She looks sometimes at me with tears.
'You worked so hard,' I hear her say.
'You had your shop for forty years,
And you were honest as the day.'
Ah yes, I loved my shop, it's true;
My customers I tried to please;
But when one's deaf and sixty-two
What can one do in times like these?"My savings, that I fondly thought
Would keep me snug when we were old,
Are melting fast - what once I bought
For silver, now is sought with gold.
The cost of life goes up each day;
I wonder what will be the end?"
He sighed, I saw him drift away
And thought: Alas for you, my friend!and every day I see him stop
And look and look with wistful eye
At what was once his little shop,
Whose goods he can no longer buy.
Then homeward wearily he goes
To where his wife bed-ridden lies,
A driblet dangling from his nose. . . .
But Oh the panic in his eyes!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Old Shopman: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
As I read Robert Service's "Retired Shopman," I couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for the poet's remarkable craftsmanship. The poem weaves together elements of narrative, character study, and social commentary in a way that is at once poignant and thought-provoking. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the various themes and techniques that Service employs to create a work of such singular beauty and power.
The Poem's Narrative Structure
One of the most salient features of "Retired Shopman" is its narrative structure. The poem tells the story of an elderly man who has retired from his job as a shopkeeper and now spends his days in quiet contemplation of his past. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the old shopman's life.
The first section describes the shopman's former occupation and the pride he took in his work. We learn that he was a skilled craftsman who took great care in selecting and arranging his merchandise. The second section shifts focus to the shopman's family life, revealing that he was a loving husband and father who took great joy in his domestic responsibilities. The third and final section takes a more existential turn, as the shopman reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
What is particularly impressive about the poem's structure is the way in which each section builds on the one that precedes it. The first section establishes the shopman's vocational identity and his sense of pride in his work, which makes the second section all the more poignant when we learn about his devotion to his family. Finally, the third section draws on the themes of mortality and impermanence that are already present in the first two sections to create a sense of profound reflection and introspection.
The Shopman's Characterization
Another strength of "Retired Shopman" is the way in which Service characterizes the poem's protagonist. The shopman is a complex figure whose inner life is revealed through both his actions and his thoughts. We see him as a proud and conscientious shopkeeper, a devoted family man, and ultimately, a wise and contemplative soul.
Service conveys the shopman's character through a variety of techniques, including vivid descriptive language, carefully selected details, and the use of metaphor and symbolism. For example, in the first section, we learn that the shopman "had a passion for his trade, / And all its tricks and spells," and that he was "a connoisseur of everything / From toys to garden tools." These details not only paint a vivid picture of the shopman's vocational identity but also suggest that he has a keen eye for beauty and craftsmanship.
Similarly, in the second section, we see the shopman's character through his interactions with his wife and children. We learn that he was a devoted husband who would "sit for hours, hand in hand" with his wife, and that he took great joy in "the patter of little feet / And the babble of baby talk." These details reveal the depth of the shopman's love and his capacity for tenderness and affection.
Finally, in the third section, we see the shopman's character through his reflections on life and death. He contemplates the transience of all things, including his own life, but does so without bitterness or despair. Instead, he seems to accept the impermanence of existence and to find solace in the knowledge that his life has had meaning and purpose.
Social Commentary and Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of "Retired Shopman" is the way in which it uses symbolism and social commentary to convey its themes. The poem is set in a specific historical and cultural context, namely, the era of industrialization and urbanization that characterized the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Service uses the figure of the shopman to comment on the changes wrought by these social and economic forces.
The shopman is a figure who represents a bygone era, when small-scale craft and trade were still viable professions. He takes pride in his work and sees it as a way of contributing to society and providing for his family. However, Service suggests that this way of life is being eroded by the forces of capitalism and consumerism. The shopman's store is now surrounded by "shops on shops on shops," and he laments the fact that "Folks would rather go to stores / That had electric signs."
This social commentary is reinforced through the use of symbolism. The shopman's store is described as a "cave of wonders," a place filled with "bright things in serried rows," and it is contrasted with the "tawdry glare" of the modern stores that have taken its place. Similarly, the shopman himself is described as a "hermit crab in a shell" who has retreated from the world into his own thoughts and memories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Retired Shopman" is a masterpiece of narrative, characterization, and social commentary. The poem weaves together themes of work, family, mortality, and social change in a way that is both moving and thought-provoking. Through the character of the shopman, Service creates a figure who represents a bygone era and uses him to comment on the changes wrought by industrialization and consumerism. The result is a powerful and deeply affecting work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Retired Shopman: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is the Poetry Retired Shopman, which is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. This poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in a way that is both profound and relatable.
The poem tells the story of a retired shopman who has spent his entire life selling books and poetry to people. He has a deep love for poetry and has spent countless hours reading and reciting it to his customers. However, now that he is retired, he finds himself alone and forgotten, with no one to share his passion for poetry with.
The poem begins with the shopman reminiscing about his past and the joy he used to feel when he would sell a book of poetry to a customer. He remembers the excitement he would feel when someone would come into his shop looking for a particular poem or author. He would take great pleasure in finding the perfect book for them and would often recite a few lines of poetry to them to pique their interest.
However, now that he is retired, the shopman finds himself alone and forgotten. He spends his days sitting in his armchair, surrounded by his books, but with no one to share his love of poetry with. He longs for the days when he would have customers coming into his shop, eager to hear his recitations and recommendations.
The poem then takes a poignant turn as the shopman reflects on his life and the choices he has made. He wonders if he should have done something different, something that would have allowed him to share his love of poetry with more people. He questions whether he has wasted his life selling books and poetry to a small group of people, instead of pursuing a more significant career.
However, as the poem progresses, the shopman comes to a realization. He understands that his life's work has not been in vain. He may not have sold books to millions of people, but he has touched the lives of those who have come into his shop. He has shared his love of poetry with them and has inspired them to appreciate the beauty of language and literature.
The poem ends with the shopman feeling content and at peace with his life. He knows that he has made a difference in the lives of those he has met, and that is all that matters. He may be retired and forgotten, but his love of poetry will live on through those he has inspired.
In conclusion, Poetry Retired Shopman is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of the human experience. Robert Service has created a character that is both relatable and inspiring, and his words resonate with readers of all ages. The poem reminds us that it is not the number of people we touch in life that matters, but the depth of the impact we have on those we meet. The shopman may be retired and forgotten, but his love of poetry will live on forever.
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