'The Ape And God' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowSon put a poser up to me
That made me scratch my head:
"God made the whole wide world," quoth he;
"That's right, my boy," I said.
Said son: "He mad the mountains soar,
And all the plains lie flat;
But Dad, what did he do beforeHe did all that?Said I: "Creation was his biz;
He set the stars to shine;
The sun and moon and all that is
Were His unique design.
The Cosmos is his concrete thought,
The Universe his chore..."
Said Son: "I understand, but whatDid He before?"I gave it up; I could not cope
With his enquiring prod,
And must admit I've little hope
Of understanding God.
Indeed I find more to my mind
The monkey in the tree
In whose crude form Nature definedOur human destiny.Thought I: "Why search for Deity
In visionary shape?
'Twould better be if we could see
The angel in the ape.
Let mystic seek a God above:
Far wiser he who delves,
To find in kindliness and loveGod in ourselves."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ape And God by Robert Service: A Literary Masterpiece
Have you ever come across a poem that makes you feel like you are living in the moment? A poem that takes you through a roller coaster of emotions, from joy to sadness, from laughter to tears? That is exactly what Robert Service's The Ape And God does.
In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, style, and symbolism used by Robert Service in this classic poem.
The Themes of The Ape And God
At its core, The Ape And God is a philosophical poem that explores the relationship between humans and the divine. The poem is divided into three sections, each dedicated to the perspectives of the ape, the God, and the narrator.
The first section, which is the perspective of the ape, presents a naturalistic view of the world. The ape is described as living his life purely by instinct, without any sense of morality or spirituality. He climbs trees, eats bananas, and mates with females. To him, life is just a series of actions and reactions - a survival of the fittest.
The second section, which is the perspective of the God, presents a spiritual view of the world. The God is described as a creator and a judge. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, and he is concerned with the morality of his creations. The God sees the world through a lens of purpose and design, and he is disappointed with the apes' behavior.
The final section, which is the perspective of the narrator, presents a humanistic view of the world. The narrator is caught between the naturalistic view of the world presented by the ape and the spiritual view of the world presented by the God. He is conflicted about his place in the world and his relationship with the divine.
One of the central themes of The Ape And God is the tension between nature and spirituality. Service presents the ape as a symbol of pure nature, and the God as a symbol of pure spirituality. The narrator, however, is caught in the middle, trying to reconcile his natural instincts with his spiritual beliefs.
Another theme of the poem is the struggle for meaning and purpose. The God is concerned with the morality of his creations, and he sees the apes' behavior as lacking in purpose and direction. The narrator, too, is struggling to find meaning in his life, caught between his natural instincts and his spiritual beliefs.
The Style of The Ape And God
One of the striking features of The Ape And God is its use of language. Service's poetry is known for its simplicity and accessibility, and this poem is no exception. The language is straightforward and easy to understand, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor.
The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a natural flow and rhythm. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme and meter allows Service to focus on the imagery and symbolism of the poem, rather than on the structure.
The use of repetition is another stylistic feature of the poem. Service repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, such as "ape" and "God," to emphasize their importance and to create a sense of rhythm.
The Symbolism of The Ape And God
The use of symbolism is another important aspect of The Ape And God. Service uses the ape and the God as symbols to represent the naturalistic and spiritual worldviews, respectively. The ape represents animal instinct and the natural order of things, while the God represents morality and purpose.
The use of the tree as a symbol is also significant. The tree represents the natural world and the cycle of life and death. It is a symbol of the ape's world, where life is just a series of actions and reactions. However, the tree is also a symbol of the divine, as it is rooted in the earth and reaches towards the heavens.
The use of the banana as a symbol is also noteworthy. The banana represents the primal desires of the ape, and his simple pleasures. It is a symbol of his natural instincts and his lack of moral complexity. The banana also represents temptation, as it is the fruit that led to the fall of Adam and Eve in the Biblical account of creation.
The Interpretation of The Ape And God
So, what does it all mean? What is Robert Service trying to say with The Ape And God?
At its core, The Ape And God is a poem about the human condition. It is about our struggle to reconcile our natural instincts with our spiritual beliefs. It is about our search for meaning and purpose in a world that can seem chaotic and random.
The poem is also about our relationship with the divine. It asks questions about God's role in our lives, and whether he is concerned with our actions and morality. It explores the tension between free will and divine intervention, and whether we are responsible for our own actions or whether they are predetermined by a higher power.
Finally, The Ape And God is a poem about the power of poetry itself. It is a poem that takes us on a journey of self-discovery and self-reflection. It challenges us to think deeply about our place in the world, and our relationship with the divine. It reminds us of the power of language to inspire, to provoke, and to transform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Ape And God is a literary masterpiece that explores some of the fundamental questions of the human experience. It is a poem that challenges us to think deeply about our place in the world, and our relationship with the divine. It is a poem that reminds us of the power of language to inspire, to provoke, and to transform.
Robert Service's use of language, imagery, and symbolism is masterful, and his message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. If you haven't read The Ape And God yet, I highly recommend it. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and it will inspire you to think deeply about the world around you.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ape and God: A Poem of Profound Reflection
Robert Service's "The Ape and God" is a poem that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the nature of our existence and our relationship with the divine. The poem is a powerful reflection on the human condition, and it is a testament to Service's skill as a poet that he is able to convey such complex ideas in such a simple and accessible way.
The poem begins with a description of an ape, who is sitting in a tree and contemplating the world around him. The ape is described as being "wise" and "old," and he is clearly a symbol for humanity. The fact that the ape is sitting in a tree is significant, as it suggests that he is reaching for something higher, something beyond his immediate surroundings.
As the poem progresses, the ape begins to ponder the nature of God. He wonders if God is like him, a creature of flesh and blood, or if he is something more ethereal, something beyond the physical world. The ape's musings on God are profound and thought-provoking, and they raise important questions about the nature of divinity.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Service portrays God. Rather than being a distant, aloof figure, God is depicted as being intimately connected to the world around us. He is described as being "the sap that feeds the tree," and as being "the wind that shakes the leaves." This portrayal of God as being immanent in the world is a powerful one, and it suggests that we are all connected to something greater than ourselves.
The poem also explores the idea of mortality, and the inevitability of death. The ape reflects on the fact that he will one day die, and wonders what will become of him after he is gone. He wonders if he will be reunited with God, or if he will simply cease to exist. This reflection on mortality is a poignant one, and it reminds us of the fragility of our existence.
Despite the heavy themes that the poem explores, there is a sense of hope and optimism that runs throughout. The ape may be contemplating his own mortality, but he is also reaching for something greater. He is seeking a connection with God, and this connection gives him a sense of purpose and meaning.
In many ways, "The Ape and God" is a poem about the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. The ape is searching for something greater than himself, something that will give his life purpose and direction. This search is something that is common to all of us, and it is a theme that resonates deeply with readers.
Overall, "The Ape and God" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most profound questions of human existence. Service's skill as a poet is evident in the way that he is able to convey such complex ideas in such a simple and accessible way. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and it is a reminder of the importance of reflecting on the deeper questions of life.
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