'Failure' by Robert Service

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Rhymes for My RagsHe wrote a play; by day and night
He strove with passion and delight;
Yet knew, long ere the curtain drop,
His drama was a sorry flop.In Parliament he sought a seat;
Election Day brought dire defeat;
Yet he had wooed with word and pen
Prodigiously his fellow men.And then he wrote a lighter play
That made him famous in a day.
He won a seat in Parliament,
And starry was the way he went.Yet as he neared the door of death
They heard him say with broken breath:
'For all I've spoken, planned and penned,
I'm just a wash-out in the end.'So are we all; our triumphs won
Are mean by what we might have done.
Our victories that men applaud
Are sordid in the sight of God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Failure" by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that made you laugh out loud, only to find out it was actually a tragic piece of writing? If not, then "Poetry, Failure" by Robert Service is the perfect poem for you. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a deep dive into the world of Service's poetry and try to unravel the meaning behind his words.

Background Information on Robert Service

Before we begin, let's take a moment to introduce Robert Service, the author of "Poetry, Failure." Service was a British-Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Canadian and Alaskan wilderness, as well as his ballads about the Klondike Gold Rush. Service was a prolific writer, publishing over 50 volumes of poetry and prose during his lifetime.

An Overview of "Poetry, Failure"

"Poetry, Failure" is a short poem that was first published in Service's 1921 collection, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man." The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in Service's signature ballad style, with a simple rhyme scheme and a rhythmic cadence that makes it easy to read aloud.

In "Poetry, Failure," Service explores the idea that poetry is often seen as a failure by society. He uses a series of humorous and ironic examples to make his point, ultimately concluding that while poetry may not be successful in the eyes of the world, it still has value and beauty.

Analysis of "Poetry, Failure"

Let's take a closer look at each stanza of "Poetry, Failure" to see how Service builds his argument.

Stanza One

The first stanza of "Poetry, Failure" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Service begins by establishing the idea that poetry is often seen as a failure in society:

Poetry, failure, all that is
Of grief and misery, life's hard biz,
The knotted struggles and the stark,
Incessant tragedy of the dark.

Service uses a series of negative words and phrases to describe poetry, such as "failure," "grief," and "misery." He also mentions the "incessant tragedy of the dark," which could be a reference to the darker themes often explored in poetry.

Stanza Two

In the second stanza, Service uses a humorous example to illustrate his point:

Yet sometimes in the maddening strife,
When I'm at the end of the tether of life,
I hear a little tune of joy
That will not let me be a toy.

Here, Service is saying that even though poetry is often associated with sadness and struggle, it can also bring joy and happiness. He uses the phrase "a little tune of joy" to describe this feeling, which is a stark contrast to the negative language used in the first stanza.

Stanza Three

The third stanza of "Poetry, Failure" continues this theme of joy and beauty in poetry:

It's only a line or two, and yet
It grips my heart with a fierce regret,
And I am caught in a web of pain,
A tortured prisoner of my brain.

Service is saying that even a single line of poetry can have a profound impact on the reader. He uses the phrase "a web of pain" to describe the emotional intensity of this experience.

Stanza Four

In the fourth stanza, Service introduces a more concrete example of poetry's value:

But till I'm done with earthly things
I'll be a slave to the song it sings,
And when I pass to the Great Beyond
I'll leave it as a gift, a bond.

Here, Service is saying that even though poetry may not be valued by society, he will continue to write it and share it with the world. He sees poetry as a gift that he can leave behind for future generations.

Stanza Five

The fifth stanza of "Poetry, Failure" is perhaps the most ironic:

Yet when in the Hall of Judgment grim,
With the formless shadow that waits for him,
And the eyes of the Mighty are on my own
As I stand before the Judgement Throne.

Service is painting a vivid picture of the afterlife, where he will be judged for his actions on Earth. This is a common theme in literature, but Service adds a twist - instead of being judged for his actions, he will be judged for his poetry. He uses the phrase "the eyes of the Mighty" to describe this moment, which is both humorous and poignant.

Stanza Six

The final stanza of "Poetry, Failure" brings the poem full circle:

I'll say: 'I wrote of the world of men
Rich with its beauty and glory then,
Of love and hope and joy and pain,
Of the things that wax and wane.'"

Service is saying that even though poetry may be seen as a failure by society, it is a reflection of the beauty and complexity of the world. He uses the phrase "the things that wax and wane" to describe the ebb and flow of life, and how poetry can capture those fleeting moments.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Failure" is a deceptively simple poem with a powerful message. Service uses humor and irony to explore the idea that poetry is often undervalued by society, but still holds a great deal of beauty and worth. By the end of the poem, the reader is left with a sense of awe and appreciation for the power of poetry.

In conclusion, "Poetry, Failure" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry or wants to understand its value. It is a timeless reminder that even in the darkest moments of life, poetry can bring light and hope.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries. It is a way for individuals to express their emotions, thoughts, and feelings through the use of words. However, not everyone is capable of creating a masterpiece. In fact, many poets struggle to find the right words to convey their message. This is where Robert Service's poem, "Poetry Failure," comes in. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the meaning behind this classic poem and why it has resonated with so many people over the years.

Firstly, let's take a look at the poem itself. "Poetry Failure" is a short, four-line poem that reads:

"I write a lot of verse, But, alas, no matter how I try, I fail to make it better or worse: In other words, I'm just a guy."

At first glance, this poem may seem simple and straightforward. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there is much more to it than meets the eye. The poem is a commentary on the struggles that many poets face when trying to create something meaningful. It speaks to the frustration of pouring your heart and soul into a piece of writing, only to feel like it falls short of your expectations.

The first line of the poem, "I write a lot of verse," sets the stage for what is to come. It establishes the fact that the speaker is a poet and that they have written many pieces of poetry. However, the next line, "But, alas, no matter how I try," reveals that despite their efforts, they have not been able to create something that satisfies them. This line is crucial because it highlights the idea that writing poetry is not just about putting words on a page. It is about crafting something that is meaningful and impactful.

The third line of the poem, "I fail to make it better or worse," is where the true meaning of the poem comes into focus. This line speaks to the idea that poetry is not just about being good or bad. It is about creating something that is unique and speaks to the human experience. The speaker is acknowledging that they have not been able to create something that stands out from the crowd. They have not been able to make their poetry better or worse than anyone else's.

Finally, the last line of the poem, "In other words, I'm just a guy," brings everything together. It is a statement of acceptance and humility. The speaker is acknowledging that they are not a great poet, but that's okay. They are just a regular person who happens to write poetry. This line is important because it speaks to the idea that not everyone is meant to be a great poet. Some people are just meant to write for themselves and enjoy the process.

So, why has this poem resonated with so many people over the years? There are a few reasons. Firstly, it speaks to the universal experience of struggling to create something meaningful. Whether you are a poet, a writer, an artist, or a musician, everyone has experienced the frustration of feeling like their work falls short of their expectations. "Poetry Failure" captures this feeling perfectly and reminds us that it's okay to not be perfect.

Secondly, the poem is relatable. The speaker is not some famous poet or literary genius. They are just a regular person who writes poetry. This makes the poem accessible to anyone who has ever tried their hand at writing. It reminds us that even if we are not the best, we can still find joy in the process of creating.

Finally, the poem is a reminder that not everything has to be perfect. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with images of perfection, it's easy to forget that imperfection is what makes us human. "Poetry Failure" reminds us that it's okay to be flawed and that sometimes the best art comes from our mistakes.

In conclusion, "Poetry Failure" is a classic poem that speaks to the struggles that many poets face when trying to create something meaningful. It reminds us that not everyone is meant to be a great poet and that it's okay to not be perfect. The poem is relatable, accessible, and a reminder that imperfection is what makes us human. So, the next time you find yourself struggling to create something, remember the words of Robert Service and embrace your inner poet, flaws and all.

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