'The Seance' by Robert Service

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Lyrics of a Low Brow"The spirits do not like the light,"
The medium said, and turned the switch;
The little lady on my right
Clutched at my hand with nervous twitch.
(She seemed to be a pretty bitch.)The moustached women on my left,
With spirits on hr heavy breath,
Lasciviously leaned her heft
On me as one who languisheth.
The sordid room was still as death."A shape I see," the medium cried,
"Whose face and name I do not know . . ."
"'Tis Robert service," soft replied
A voice - "I passed a month ago,
And I've come back to let you know."The Other Side is gay and bright;
We are so happy there and free,
And Dan McGrew I oft recite,
And follow up with Sam McGee . . .
But now excuse me, I must flee."The fat dame leaned to get my ear,
(Her breast was soft as feather bed.)
"I love his verses; oh dear, dear,
I didn't know that he was dead."
"No more did I," I sourly said.The little lady grabbed me hard;
(She looked to me a "yesful" dear.)
Said she: "Don't you adore the Bard?"
Said I: "Before he fades, I fear
I'd like to kick his astral rear."So then I bravely broke away
From spooks and ectoplasic gauze.
Yet in the brazen light of day
I had to pinch myself because
Really! I wondered if I

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Seance by Robert Service: A Haunting and Enigmatic Poem

Have you ever wondered what lies beyond the veil of our world? Do you believe in the existence of spirits and ghosts? If so, then Robert Service's "The Seance" is the perfect poem for you. With its haunting and enigmatic verses, "The Seance" explores the mysterious world of the supernatural and the human obsession to connect with the dead.

Summary

"The Seance" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a group of people who gather in a dimly lit room to communicate with the dead. The speaker of the poem, who remains unnamed, sets the eerie tone of the poem by describing the dark and eerie atmosphere of the room. The group is composed of different individuals, each with their own reasons for participating in the seance. There is a young girl who wants to communicate with her dead lover, a wealthy widow who seeks to connect with her deceased husband, a skeptical journalist who wants to debunk the seance, and a medium who claims to have the ability to contact the spirits.

As the seance commences, the medium starts to communicate with the spirits, and one by one, the participants begin to feel the presence of the dead. The young girl is overcome with emotion when she hears the voice of her lover, while the wealthy widow is comforted by the words of her husband. The skeptical journalist, who initially scoffed at the idea of contacting the dead, begins to question his beliefs as he witnesses the medium's abilities. However, as the seance reaches its climax, the speaker hints at a sinister presence that lurks in the room, and the participants become increasingly uneasy. The medium is overcome by a dark force, and the seance ends in chaos and despair.

Analysis

"The Seance" is a poem that explores the human desire to connect with the dead and the dangers that come with such an obsession. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and theme.

The first stanza sets the eerie tone of the poem and establishes the setting of the seance. The speaker describes the room as "dim and strange" and the atmosphere as "sombre and subdued." The use of alliteration and consonance in these lines creates a sense of foreboding and unease, suggesting that something sinister is about to happen. Furthermore, the speaker's description of the participants as "strangers in a place apart" emphasizes the isolation and otherworldly nature of the seance.

The second stanza introduces the different characters and their motivations for participating in the seance. The young girl, who wants to communicate with her dead lover, represents the human desire for love and connection that transcends death. The wealthy widow, who seeks to connect with her deceased husband, represents the human desire for closure and comfort in the face of loss. The skeptical journalist, who wants to debunk the seance, represents the human desire for rationality and skepticism in the face of the unknown. Finally, the medium, who claims to have the ability to communicate with the dead, represents the human desire for power and control over the supernatural.

The third stanza is the climax of the poem and reveals the dangers of the participants' obsession with the supernatural. The poem's enigmatic ending leaves the reader to interpret what exactly occurred in the seance. The medium's possession by a dark force suggests that the seance may have awakened a malevolent spirit that was lurking in the room. Furthermore, the chaos and despair that ensue at the end of the poem suggest that the participants may have unwittingly unleashed a force that they cannot control.

Interpretation

"The Seance" is a poem that explores the human fascination with the supernatural and the dangers that come with such an obsession. The poem can be interpreted in several ways, depending on the reader's beliefs and experiences. Here are three possible interpretations of the poem:

1. The poem is a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing with the supernatural. The seance represents the human obsession with the afterlife and the desire to communicate with the dead. However, the poem suggests that such a desire can lead to unintended consequences and awaken malevolent spirits that can harm the living. The poem warns against the dangers of dabbling with the supernatural and emphasizes the importance of respecting the boundaries between life and death.

2. The poem is a critique of the human need for closure and connection in the face of loss. The participants in the seance are all seeking some form of closure or comfort in the face of death. However, the poem suggests that such a desire can lead to a dangerous obsession that blinds people to the reality of the situation. The seance represents the human need for closure and connection in the face of loss, but the poem warns against the dangers of becoming too attached to the dead and neglecting the living.

3. The poem is a commentary on the human desire for power and control over the unknown. The medium represents the human desire for power and control over the supernatural. However, the poem suggests that such a desire can lead to a dangerous obsession that blinds people to the reality of the situation. The seance represents the human need for power and control over the unknown, but the poem warns against the dangers of becoming too arrogant and underestimating the power of the unknown.

Conclusion

"The Seance" is a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores the human fascination with the supernatural and the dangers that come with such an obsession. The poem's eerie tone, enigmatic ending, and enigmatic characters make it a classic example of gothic literature. Whether you believe in the existence of ghosts or not, "The Seance" is a poem that will leave you with a sense of unease and a renewed appreciation for the boundaries between life and death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Seance: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of poetry, then you must have come across Robert Service's "The Seance." This hauntingly beautiful poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It's a poem that captures the essence of the supernatural, the unknown, and the mysterious. In this article, we'll take a closer look at "The Seance" and analyze its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a seance that he attended. The atmosphere is eerie, and the speaker is filled with a sense of dread. He describes the medium, a woman with "eyes like a serpent," who is surrounded by a group of people. The medium begins to speak, and the speaker is transported to another world.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes the seance as a "weird and eerie spell," and the medium as a "witch." This sets the stage for the supernatural elements that are to come. The use of words like "weird" and "eerie" creates a sense of unease in the reader, which is exactly what the speaker is feeling.

In the second stanza, the medium begins to speak. She describes a man who has passed away, and the speaker is immediately drawn in. The medium's words are powerful, and the speaker is transported to another world. The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly effective. The speaker describes the man's "face like a mask," which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of the word "mask" suggests that there is something hidden beneath the surface, which is exactly what the speaker is trying to uncover.

The third stanza is where the poem really starts to get interesting. The medium begins to describe the man's life, and the speaker is completely captivated. The use of repetition in this stanza is particularly effective. The medium repeats the phrase "he loved her well" several times, which creates a sense of emphasis. The use of repetition also creates a sense of rhythm, which adds to the overall musicality of the poem.

In the fourth stanza, the medium describes the man's death. The speaker is completely engrossed in the story, and the use of imagery is particularly effective. The medium describes the man's death as a "sudden blow," which creates a sense of shock and surprise. The use of the word "blow" suggests that the man's death was unexpected, which adds to the overall sense of tragedy.

The fifth stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The medium begins to describe the man's ghost, and the speaker is filled with a sense of dread. The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly effective. The medium describes the ghost as a "shadowy form," which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of the word "shadowy" suggests that the ghost is not fully formed, which adds to the overall sense of the supernatural.

In the sixth stanza, the medium describes the ghost's visitations. The speaker is completely captivated by the story, and the use of imagery is particularly effective. The medium describes the ghost as a "wraith," which creates a sense of otherworldliness. The use of the word "wraith" suggests that the ghost is not of this world, which adds to the overall sense of the supernatural.

In the seventh stanza, the medium describes the ghost's final visitation. The speaker is completely engrossed in the story, and the use of imagery is particularly effective. The medium describes the ghost as a "shadowy hand," which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of the word "shadowy" suggests that the ghost is not fully formed, which adds to the overall sense of the supernatural.

In the final stanza, the speaker is left with a sense of unease. The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly effective. The speaker describes the medium as a "witch," which creates a sense of danger. The use of the word "witch" suggests that the medium has some sort of power, which adds to the overall sense of the supernatural.

Overall, "The Seance" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of the supernatural. The use of imagery, repetition, and rhythm are particularly effective in creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, and it's a must-read for anyone who loves poetry.

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