'On The Wire' by Robert Service

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Rhymes of a Red Cross ManO God, take the sun from the sky!It's burning me, scorching me up.
God, can't You hear my cry?

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Wire: A Study of Robert Service's Poetry

Have you ever felt the thrill of adventure coursing through your veins? The rush of adrenaline that comes with pushing the boundaries and taking risks? If so, then you'll understand why Robert Service's poem On The Wire resonates so deeply with readers. Written in the early 20th century, this poem captures the spirit of exploration and the human desire to test one's limits in the face of danger.

Overview of the Poem

The poem is about a tightrope walker who performs a dangerous stunt high above the ground. It begins with a description of the wire walker's physical appearance and his preparations for the performance:

A humdrum, humbug sort of a guy,
But a genius with a rod and a fly,
And a dab at tying a trout-fly too;
Say! he could make a fly that would fool you.
But he's different now from what he was,
For he's taken to walking on wires, because
It's the latest fad in the vaudeville
To thrill the yokels with a deadly spill.
So he's rigged him up a marvellous wire,
And he practises on it every day,
A-swaying and a-swinging high in air,
A-cursing and a-praying on the way.

The language here is playful and colloquial, with the use of phrases like "yokels" and "deadly spill" adding a touch of humor to the situation. However, there is also a sense of danger and tension conveyed in the lines about the wire walker "cursing and praying" as he practices his craft.

The poem then moves on to describe the actual performance, with the protagonist stepping out onto the wire high above the audience:

Now the crowd is all circus, all gaping wonder,
And the band is playing like thunder, thunder,
And he's out there alone on a single strand,
A-swaying and a-swinging high in air,
A-tottering and a-teetering,
And the crowd is all Oooh! and the crowd is all Ahhh!
And the band is going like mad.

The imagery here is vivid, with the use of repetition and onomatopoeia creating a sense of excitement and tension. The reader can almost hear the band playing and feel the crowd's anticipation as they watch the wire walker's every move.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the wire walker begins to falter:

But he's losing his nerve, he's losing his head,
He's tottering, teetering, he's almost dead,
And the crowd is all Oooh! and the crowd is all Ahhh!
And the band is playing like mad.

Here, the language becomes more intense, with repetition and alliteration emphasizing the wire walker's perilous situation. The use of the phrase "he's almost dead" is particularly impactful, as it conveys the very real possibility of the protagonist's death.

The poem concludes with the wire walker successfully completing his performance to the cheers of the crowd:

But he's got to make it, he's got to stand,
He's got to reach with his trembling hand,
And he's up there alone on a single strand,
A-swaying and a-swinging high in air,
A-cursing and a-praying,
But he's done it, he's done it, by God he's done it,
And the crowd is going mad!

The language here is triumphant, with the use of repetition and exclamation marks conveying the protagonist's success and the crowd's excitement.

Themes and Interpretation

At its core, On The Wire is a poem about risk and reward. The wire walker takes a dangerous chance by performing his stunt, but he is rewarded with the admiration and applause of the crowd. This theme is one that resonates with many readers, as it speaks to the human desire for adventure and the satisfaction that comes with success.

Another theme present in the poem is the idea of testing one's limits. The wire walker is pushing himself to his physical and mental breaking point as he performs his stunt, but he ultimately succeeds. This theme is one that is often associated with the concept of the American Dream, as it speaks to the idea that with hard work and determination, anyone can achieve greatness.

Finally, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of entertainment. The wire walker is performing his dangerous stunt purely for the amusement of the crowd, and his life is put in danger for the sake of entertainment. This raises questions about the ethics of entertainment and the lengths that people will go to in order to be entertained.

Literary Analysis

One of the most notable aspects of On The Wire is its use of language. Robert Service employs a variety of literary techniques to create a sense of tension and excitement throughout the poem.

For example, he uses repetition and alliteration to emphasize the wire walker's dangerous situation. Lines like "A-tottering and a-teetering" and "a-swaying and a-swinging" create a sense of motion and instability that conveys the protagonist's precarious position.

Service also uses onomatopoeia to create a sense of sound and energy. The repeated use of the word "thunder" in the lines about the band playing adds to the excitement of the performance, while the use of phrases like "cursing and praying" creates a sense of urgency and tension.

Finally, Service's use of colloquial language gives the poem a sense of accessibility and humor. Phrases like "yokels" and "deadly spill" add a touch of levity to the situation, while also conveying the idea that the wire walker's performance is meant to be a spectacle for the masses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, On The Wire is a masterful poem that captures the spirit of adventure and risk-taking in a way that is both exciting and thought-provoking. Its themes of risk and reward, testing one's limits, and the nature of entertainment are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written. The use of repetition, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and colloquial language combine to create a poem that is both accessible and impactful. It is no wonder that On The Wire remains a classic of modern poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of language and storytelling.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On The Wire: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you are a fan of poetry, you must have come across the name Robert Service. He is a renowned poet who has written some of the most memorable poems of all time. One of his most famous works is "Poetry On The Wire," a poem that has captured the hearts of many readers for its vivid imagery and powerful message.

In this article, we will take a closer look at "Poetry On The Wire" and analyze its meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.

The poem begins with the line, "Poetry is waiting for me on the wire." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "waiting" suggests that poetry is always present, waiting to be discovered by those who are willing to look for it.

The next few lines describe the scene of the poet standing on a wire, looking down at the world below. The imagery used in these lines is powerful and vivid, making the reader feel as if they are standing on the wire with the poet. The use of the word "dizzy" in the line "I'm dizzy with the height and the depth" adds to the sense of danger and excitement.

As the poem progresses, the poet describes the different types of poetry that he sees on the wire. He sees "rhyming couplets" and "free verse," suggesting that poetry can take many different forms. The use of these terms also shows the poet's knowledge and appreciation of different styles of poetry.

The line "I see sonnets and haikus and odes" further emphasizes the diversity of poetry. The use of these specific terms also shows the poet's familiarity with different forms of poetry from around the world.

The next few lines describe the beauty of the poetry that the poet sees on the wire. He describes the "golden words" and "silver phrases" that he sees, suggesting that poetry is valuable and precious. The use of these metaphors adds to the sense of beauty and wonder that the poet feels.

The line "I see the rhythm and the rhyme" emphasizes the importance of these elements in poetry. The use of alliteration in this line also adds to the musical quality of the poem.

As the poem reaches its climax, the poet describes the power of poetry. He sees "words that heal and words that wound," suggesting that poetry can have a profound impact on people's lives. The use of the word "heal" suggests that poetry can be therapeutic, while the word "wound" suggests that it can also be harmful.

The line "I see the power of the pen" emphasizes the importance of writing in general. The use of the word "power" suggests that writing can be a force for change and that words have the ability to influence people's thoughts and actions.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The poet says, "I see the world in a different light, / And I know that I must write." This suggests that poetry has changed the way that the poet sees the world and that he feels compelled to write about it. The use of the word "must" emphasizes the importance of writing and suggests that it is not just a hobby but a necessity.

In terms of structure, "Poetry On The Wire" is a free verse poem. It does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter, allowing the poet to express himself freely. This style of poetry is particularly effective in conveying the sense of wonder and excitement that the poet feels.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphors, alliteration, and imagery. The use of these devices adds to the musical quality of the poem and helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

In conclusion, "Poetry On The Wire" is a classic poem that captures the beauty and power of poetry. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Robert Service conveys the sense of wonder and excitement that poetry can inspire. The poem also emphasizes the importance of writing and the impact that words can have on people's lives. Overall, "Poetry On The Wire" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire readers to this day.

Editor Recommended Sites

Datalog: Learn Datalog programming for graph reasoning and incremental logic processing.
Prompt Ops: Prompt operations best practice for the cloud
Knowledge Graph Ops: Learn maintenance and operations for knowledge graphs in cloud
Coding Interview Tips - LLM and AI & Language Model interview questions: Learn the latest interview tips for the new LLM / GPT AI generative world
Learn Cloud SQL: Learn to use cloud SQL tools by AWS and GCP

Recommended Similar Analysis

but if a living dance upon dead minds... (LXVIII) by e.e. cummings analysis
Burbank With A Baedeker: Bleistein With A Cigar by T.S. Eliot analysis
Carmel Point by Robinson Jeffers analysis
TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF TIME by Robert Herrick analysis
Mr. Mistoffelees by T.S. Eliot analysis
The Lady Of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson analysis
The Artilleryman's Vision by Walt Whitman analysis
Drum -Taps by Walt Whitman analysis
Nature by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
Enter a Dragoon by Thomas Hardy analysis