'Distracted Druggist' by Robert Service
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Rhymes for My Rags'A shilling's worth of quinine, please,'The customer demanded.
The druggist went down on his kneesAnd from a cupboard handed
The waiting man a tiny flask:'Here, Sir, is what you ask.'The buyer paid and went away,The druggist rubbed his glasses,
Then sudden shouted in dismay:'Of all the silly asses!'
And out into the street he ranTo catch the speeding man.Cried he: 'That quinine that you bought,(Since all may errors make),
I find was definitely not,--I sold you strychnine by mistake.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry in Motion: A Close Analysis of Robert Service's "Distracted Druggist"
Robert Service's "Distracted Druggist" is a poem that explores the internal conflict of a character who is torn between his moral duty as a pharmacist and his desire for adventure and excitement. The poem is composed of four stanzas, each presenting a new facet of the druggist's dilemma, and it is written in Service's signature style of simple yet powerful language that evokes vivid images and emotions in the reader's mind. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "Distracted Druggist" to shed light on the deeper meaning of the poem and its relevance to our lives today.
The Quest for Adventure
The first stanza of "Distracted Druggist" introduces the druggist as a man who is not content with his mundane life and is yearning for something more exciting:
"My window-pane is starred with frost,
The world is bitter cold to-night,
The moon is cruel, and the wind
Is like a two-edged sword to smite."
The use of vivid imagery here creates a sense of isolation and despair, as if the druggist is trapped in his own world, looking out at the frozen landscape with a sense of longing. The repetition of the word "cold" emphasizes the druggist's dissatisfaction with his current state of being, and the simile of the wind as a "two-edged sword" suggests that his desire for adventure is a dangerous one that can cut both ways.
The druggist's yearning for adventure is further emphasized in the second stanza, where he imagines himself as a "swashbuckling pirate bold" who sails the high seas and "robs from the rich and gives to the poor." This image of the druggist as a pirate is a metaphor for his desire to break free from the constraints of his everyday life and embark on a daring quest for treasure and excitement. The fact that he wants to give to the poor shows that he is not motivated solely by greed or selfishness, but by a desire to make a positive impact on the world.
The Moral Dilemma
Despite his yearning for adventure, the druggist is still bound by his moral duty as a pharmacist, as we see in the third stanza:
"I have a store of naphtha line;
I have a sieve-full of regrets;
I have within my cupboard fine
A stock of sins that frets and frets."
The use of alliteration in this stanza ("store of naphtha line," "sieve-full of regrets," "stock of sins") emphasizes the weight of the druggist's moral responsibility, and the repetition of the word "frets" suggests that he is troubled by his past mistakes and is constantly worried about making new ones. The fact that he has a "store" and a "stock" of these things suggests that they are not easily dispensable, and that he cannot simply ignore his duty as a pharmacist without consequences.
The internal conflict between the druggist's desire for adventure and his sense of moral duty is further explored in the final stanza, where he contemplates the consequences of his actions:
"I fear the lamp's expiring light;
I fear the gleaming eyes of Death;
But more than all, I fear the height
From which impending Doom he throwth."
The repetition of the word "fear" in this stanza emphasizes the druggist's sense of apprehension and uncertainty, and the personification of Death as having "gleaming eyes" adds to the ominous tone of the poem. The image of the druggist being thrown from a great height by "impending Doom" suggests that he knows he is risking everything by pursuing his desire for adventure, and that the consequences could be catastrophic.
The Relevance of "Distracted Druggist" Today
Despite being written over a century ago, "Distracted Druggist" still resonates with readers today because it speaks to a universal human experience: the desire for adventure and excitement versus the responsibility of everyday life. Many of us have felt at some point that our lives are too mundane or routine, and have yearned for something more thrilling and fulfilling. At the same time, we all have responsibilities and obligations that we cannot simply ignore or shirk.
The poem also raises important questions about the nature of moral duty and ethical responsibility. Is it possible to pursue our own desires and aspirations without disregarding our moral obligations to others? How do we balance our personal desires with our sense of duty to society as a whole? These are questions that we still grapple with today, and "Distracted Druggist" provides a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical reflection and moral decision-making in our daily lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Distracted Druggist" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the internal conflict between the desire for adventure and the responsibility of everyday life. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and a masterful use of literary devices, Service creates a memorable character and a compelling story that still resonates with readers today. Whether we are struggling with ethical dilemmas in our own lives, or simply looking for a bit of excitement and adventure, "Distracted Druggist" provides a powerful reminder of the importance of balancing our personal desires with our sense of responsibility to others.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Distracted Druggist: A Masterpiece of Robert Service
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many poems, "Poetry Distracted Druggist" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. The poem is a perfect blend of humor, irony, and tragedy, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers even today.
The poem tells the story of a druggist who is so engrossed in reading poetry that he forgets to attend to his customers. The druggist is so enamored with the beauty of the words that he loses track of time and neglects his duties. As a result, his customers become frustrated and angry, and they eventually leave without buying anything. The poem ends on a tragic note, with the druggist realizing his mistake too late and lamenting his loss.
The poem is a perfect example of Robert Service's mastery of language and his ability to evoke emotions in his readers. The use of irony is particularly effective in this poem, as it highlights the contrast between the beauty of poetry and the mundane reality of everyday life. The druggist is so caught up in the world of poetry that he forgets the practicalities of running a business, and this ultimately leads to his downfall.
The poem is also notable for its use of humor, which serves to lighten the mood and make the tragedy all the more poignant. The druggist's obsession with poetry is portrayed in a comical light, with lines such as "He'd read of love and death and fate / Till he was lost in ecstasy." The absurdity of the situation is further emphasized by the fact that the druggist is neglecting his duties in a drugstore, of all places.
The poem is also a commentary on the power of art and its ability to transport us to another world. The druggist is so entranced by the beauty of poetry that he forgets his surroundings and loses himself in the words. This is a testament to the transformative power of art, which can transport us to another world and help us forget our troubles, if only for a moment.
The poem is also notable for its use of imagery, which serves to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. The druggist is described as being "lost in ecstasy," which conveys the intensity of his emotions. The use of the word "ecstasy" also has a double meaning, as it can refer to both the pleasure of reading poetry and the drug that the druggist is selling in his store.
The poem is also a commentary on the human condition and our tendency to become lost in our own thoughts and desires. The druggist is so caught up in his love of poetry that he forgets the needs of his customers and the practicalities of running a business. This is a reminder that we must always be mindful of our surroundings and the needs of others, even as we pursue our own passions and interests.
In conclusion, "Poetry Distracted Druggist" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. The poem is a perfect blend of humor, irony, and tragedy, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers even today. Robert Service's mastery of language, his use of imagery, and his ability to evoke emotions in his readers make this poem a must-read for anyone interested in literature and the human condition.
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