'Old Trouper' by Robert Service
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Songs of a Sun-LoverI was Mojeska's leading man
And famous parts I used to play,
But now I do the best I can
To earn my bread from day to day;
Here in this Burg of Breaking Hears,
Where one wins as a thousand fail,
I play a score of scurvy parts
Till Timewrites Finis to my tale.My wife is dead, my daughter wed,
With heaps of trouble of their own;
And though I hold aloft my head
I'm humble, scared and all alone . . .
To-night I burn each photograph,
Each record of my former fame,
And oh, how bitterly I laugh
And feed them to the hungry flame!Behold how handsome I was then -
What glowing eye, what noble mien;
I towered above my fellow men,
And proudly strode the painted scene.
Ah, Vanity! What fools are we,
With empty ends and foolish aims . . .
There now, I fling with savage glee
My
Editor 1 Interpretation
Old Trouper: A Journey Through Time
The world of literature has always been a fascinating place for those who appreciate the beauty of words and the emotions they evoke. Poetry, in particular, has the power to transport us to another time and place, to connect us with the past and the present, and to make us feel things we never thought possible. Robert Service's "Old Trouper" is a perfect example of this kind of poetry, a masterpiece that captures the essence of life on the road in the early 20th century and the struggles and triumphs of a traveling performer.
The Poem: An Overview
"Old Trouper" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a traveling actor who has spent his life performing in small towns across the country. The poem opens with a vivid description of the performer's appearance, emphasizing his age and the hardships he has endured over the years. The language is rich and colorful, painting a picture of a man who has lived a long and difficult life but continues to persevere.
The poem then takes us on a journey through the performer's memories, as he recalls the many roles he has played and the audiences he has entertained. We see him on stage, reciting lines and performing songs, and we feel the energy and passion that he brings to his craft. We also see the struggles he has faced, from bad reviews to low pay, and we understand the sacrifices he has made in order to pursue his dream.
As the poem reaches its climax, we witness the performer's final act, a moving tribute to his life on the road and the people he has met along the way. The language becomes more poetic and abstract, as the performer reflects on the meaning of his life and the legacy he will leave behind. And in the end, we are left with a sense of awe and wonder at the power of art to transcend time and connect us with the past.
The Poem: A Closer Look
To fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of "Old Trouper," it is important to examine the poem in more detail. Let us begin with the opening lines:
His eyes are blurred with age, his back is bent with pain,
His foot is slow to move, his hand is slow to train;
He cannot hear the sounds that lure the world along,
But he can see the meadow-sweet, he smells the hawthorn song.
Here, we see the poet's skill at creating vivid imagery through language. The performer is described as being old and worn out, with eyes that are "blurred with age" and a back that is "bent with pain." But despite his physical limitations, he is still able to experience the beauty of the world around him, from the sight of the meadow-sweet to the scent of the hawthorn.
The poem then moves on to describe the performer's memories, which are presented in a series of vignettes that capture the essence of life on the road. We see him playing a variety of roles, from Hamlet to Pierrot, and we feel the passion and intensity with which he approaches each one. The language is simple but evocative, using imagery and metaphor to convey the emotions that the performer is experiencing:
He played the Fool, the Clown, the Knave,
The lover and the cad;
He made the audience laugh and rave,
He made the audience sad.
In these lines, we see the performer's range and versatility, as well as the emotional impact that his performances have on his audiences. We can imagine the laughter and tears that must have filled the theaters where he performed, and we can appreciate the skill and artistry that went into each role.
As the poem progresses, we also see the darker side of the performer's life, as he grapples with poverty, rejection, and loneliness. We learn that he has been the subject of bad reviews, that he has been forced to perform in seedy dive bars, and that he has spent long nights on the road, far from friends and loved ones. But despite these hardships, he remains committed to his craft, driven by a passion that transcends all else:
He played to empty halls, he played to full,
He played in peace and strife;
He played because he could not help but play,
He played to keep his life.
In these lines, we see the performer's dedication and resilience, as well as the centrality of his art to his sense of self. He plays not for fame or fortune, but simply because he cannot imagine living without it. And in this way, he becomes a symbol of the power of creativity to sustain us through even the darkest times.
Finally, we come to the poem's conclusion, which is both haunting and beautiful. Here, the language becomes more poetic and surreal, as the performer reflects on the meaning of his life and the legacy he will leave behind. He imagines himself as a star in the night sky, shining down on the world below, and he muses on the power of art to connect us with the past:
The world will be so old, so old,
And yet our hearts will sing;
For we have shared the moonlit gold,
The dew, the stars, the spring.
And yet, as long as life endures,
We'll know that we were first,
On road and stage, with hearts as pure
As when our youth was nursed.
In these lines, we see the performer's sense of connection to the world around him, as well as his awareness of the fleeting nature of life. He knows that one day he will be gone, but he also knows that his art will live on, inspiring others long after he is gone. And in this way, he becomes a symbol of the enduring power of creativity to connect us with the past and to inspire us in the present.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Old Trouper" is a masterful piece of poetry that captures the essence of life on the road in the early 20th century. Through vivid language and powerful imagery, Robert Service takes us on a journey through the memories of a traveling performer, showing us the joys and struggles he experienced along the way. And in the end, we are left with a sense of wonder and awe at the power of art to connect us with the past and to inspire us in the present.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Old Trouper: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the 20th century, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. His poems are a perfect blend of humor, wit, and wisdom, and they never fail to captivate the readers. One such masterpiece of Service is the poem "Old Trouper," which is a tribute to the life of an actor who has spent his entire life on the stage. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, highlighting its themes, literary devices, and the overall impact it creates on the readers.
The poem "Old Trouper" is a narrative poem that tells the story of an actor who has been in the profession for over fifty years. The poem begins with the description of the actor's appearance, which is that of an old man with a wrinkled face, a bald head, and a stooped posture. However, despite his physical frailty, the actor's spirit is still young and vibrant, and he continues to perform on the stage with the same passion and enthusiasm as he did in his youth.
The poem is divided into six stanzas, each of which highlights a different aspect of the actor's life. In the first stanza, the poet describes the actor's physical appearance and his love for the stage. The second stanza talks about the actor's early days in the profession when he used to perform in small towns and villages. The third stanza highlights the actor's struggles and hardships, which he faced in his early days, but he never gave up on his dream.
The fourth stanza is the most emotional and poignant of all, as it talks about the actor's personal life. The actor had a wife and a son, but they both died young, leaving him alone in the world. However, the actor found solace in his work and continued to perform on the stage, which became his family.
The fifth stanza talks about the actor's fame and success, which he achieved after years of hard work and dedication. The actor became a household name and was loved and respected by people all over the world. However, despite his success, the actor remained humble and never forgot his roots.
The final stanza is a tribute to the actor's life and work. The poet says that the actor's life was like a play, and he played his part with perfection. The actor's life was full of ups and downs, but he never lost his spirit and continued to perform till the end. The poem ends with the lines, "And when the final curtain falls, / He'll take his bow and leave the halls, / And in the hearts of men he'll stay, / A legend of the stage for aye."
One of the main themes of the poem is the passion for one's work. The actor in the poem is a perfect example of someone who loves his work and is dedicated to it. Despite facing numerous hardships and setbacks, he never gave up on his dream and continued to perform on the stage. The poem also highlights the importance of perseverance and hard work. The actor's success was not achieved overnight but was the result of years of hard work and dedication.
Another theme of the poem is the transience of life. The actor's life was like a play, and he played his part with perfection. However, like all plays, his life too had to come to an end. The poem reminds us that life is short, and we should make the most of it while we can.
The poem is also rich in literary devices, which add to its beauty and impact. The use of imagery is particularly noteworthy. The poet uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the actor's life. For example, in the first stanza, the poet describes the actor's face as "wrinkled like a parchment scroll," which creates a vivid image in the reader's mind. Similarly, in the second stanza, the poet describes the actor's early days as "playing to a handful in a barn," which again creates a vivid image of the actor's humble beginnings.
The use of metaphors is also prominent in the poem. The actor's life is compared to a play, which is a metaphor for the transience of life. The actor's life is also compared to a ship, which has weathered many storms but has remained steadfast. The use of metaphors adds depth and richness to the poem and makes it more engaging for the readers.
In conclusion, "Old Trouper" is a masterpiece of Robert Service, which celebrates the life of an actor who has spent his entire life on the stage. The poem is a tribute to the passion, dedication, and perseverance of the actor, who never gave up on his dream despite facing numerous hardships and setbacks. The poem is also a reminder of the transience of life and the importance of making the most of it while we can. The poem's use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and other literary devices adds to its beauty and impact, making it a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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