'Room Ghost' by Robert Service

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Lyrics of a Low BrowThough elegance I ill afford,
My living-room is green and gold;
The former tenant was a lord
Who died of drinking, I am told.
I fancy he was rather bored;
I don't think he was over old.And where on books I dully browse,
And gaze in rapture at the sea,
My predecessor world carouse
In lavish infidelity
With ladies amoral as cows;
But interesting, you'll agree.I'm dull as water in a ditch,
Making these silly bits of rhyme;
My Lord, I'm told, was passing rich
And must have has a lovely time;
With champagne and a pretty bitch
No need to heed the church-bell chime.My living-room is marble floored,
And on its ceiling cherubs play;
But like my lord I'm often bored
And put my sullen books away;
And though my people say I snored,
I dream of indiscretions gay.And often in the niggard night,
When sweet sleep I fail to drown,
I seem to see that noble sprite
In monocle and dressing-gown:
A glass of brandy to the light
He holds and winks and drinks it down.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Room Ghost: A Literary Criticism

Room Ghost is a poem written by Robert Service in his typical narrative style. Service was a prolific Scottish-Canadian poet and writer, known for his ballads, stories, and songs of the Yukon in northwestern Canada.

Room Ghost is a deeply evocative poem that speaks to the human condition, exploring themes of loss, grief, and the persistence of memories. The poem is set in a room where the narrator once lived, but which is now abandoned and empty. However, the room is not really empty, as the narrator can feel the presence of a ghost that lingers on.

Poetic Elements

The poem is written in free verse, which gives Service the freedom to use a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. One of the most effective devices that Service employs is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats the phrase "the room is still," which creates a sense of stillness and quiet, but also a sense of foreboding.

Service also uses enjambment to great effect, creating a sense of momentum and urgency. Lines flow into one another, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. This is particularly effective in the second stanza, where the narrator describes the ghost's presence:

I feel a presence, though invisible,
That stillness gives the room a sense of sound,
A ghostly something, sensitive, impalpable,
That seems to float, yet ever keeps the ground.

The use of enjambment here creates a sense of the ghost's fluidity and ephemeral nature, as it seems to float and yet remain grounded.

Service also employs imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. He describes the room as "dusk-blue," which creates a sense of twilight and shadow. He also describes the ghost as "sensitive" and "impalpable," which creates a sense of otherworldliness and mystery.

Interpretation

At its core, Room Ghost is a poem about memory and the persistence of the past. The narrator is haunted by the memory of a ghost that lingers in the room, representing the memories of a time that has passed. The ghost is a reminder of what once was, but is now gone.

The poem speaks to the human condition, as we all carry with us memories of the past that we cannot escape. The room represents the human mind, which is a repository of memories and experiences. Just as the room is not really empty, even though it appears so, our minds are never truly empty, as they are filled with memories, thoughts, and emotions.

The ghost represents the persistence of memory, as it remains in the room even though the narrator has moved on. The ghost is a reminder that memories are not easily forgotten, and that they can linger on, haunting us like a ghost.

The poem is also a meditation on loss and grief. The narrator has lost something precious, which is represented by the ghost. The ghost is a reminder of what has been lost, and a symbol of the narrator's grief. The stillness of the room represents the narrator's sense of loss and emptiness, as if something has been taken away that can never be replaced.

Conclusion

Room Ghost is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human condition. Through its use of poetic devices such as repetition, enjambment, and imagery, the poem creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both haunting and beautiful.

The poem's themes of memory, loss, and grief are universal, and will resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Service's skill as a writer is evident in the way he captures the essence of these themes, creating a poem that is both poignant and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Room Ghost is a masterpiece of modern poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who is interested in the power of language and the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Room Ghost: A Haunting Tale of Love and Loss

Are you a fan of ghost stories? Do you enjoy reading about the supernatural and the unexplained? If so, then you are in for a treat with Robert Service's classic poem, "The Poetry Room Ghost."

First published in 1910, "The Poetry Room Ghost" tells the story of a young woman who haunts a poetry room in a library. The poem is a haunting tale of love and loss, and it has captivated readers for over a century.

The poem begins with the narrator describing the poetry room as a place of peace and solitude. It is a place where one can escape from the noise and chaos of the outside world and immerse oneself in the beauty of poetry. However, the peace of the poetry room is disturbed by the presence of a ghostly figure.

The ghost is described as a young woman with "eyes like starshine on a sea of dreams." She is dressed in a white gown and appears to be lost and alone. The narrator is initially frightened by the ghost, but as he observes her more closely, he begins to feel a sense of compassion for her.

The poem then takes a turn as the narrator begins to tell the story of the ghost. He explains that she was once a young woman who loved poetry and spent many hours in the poetry room. She was in love with a young man who also loved poetry, and they would often read together in the poetry room.

However, their love was not meant to be. The young man was called away to war, and he never returned. The young woman was heartbroken and spent the rest of her life in the poetry room, waiting for her love to return.

The poem ends with the narrator expressing his own love for the poetry room and the ghostly figure that haunts it. He says that he will continue to visit the poetry room and that he hopes to one day meet the ghostly figure and offer her some comfort.

So, what makes "The Poetry Room Ghost" such a captivating poem? There are several factors that contribute to its enduring popularity.

Firstly, the poem is beautifully written. Robert Service was a master of language, and his use of imagery and metaphor in this poem is truly stunning. The description of the ghost as having "eyes like starshine on a sea of dreams" is particularly evocative and creates a vivid image in the reader's mind.

Secondly, the poem taps into universal themes of love and loss. The story of the young woman who waits for her love to return is a timeless one, and it is easy for readers to empathize with her plight. The poem also speaks to the power of poetry to provide solace and comfort in times of sorrow.

Finally, the poem has a haunting quality that lingers with the reader long after they have finished reading it. The image of the ghostly figure in the poetry room is one that is difficult to forget, and it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

In conclusion, "The Poetry Room Ghost" is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers over a century after its initial publication. It is a haunting tale of love and loss that speaks to the power of poetry to provide solace and comfort in times of sorrow. If you are a fan of ghost stories or simply appreciate beautiful writing, then this poem is definitely worth a read.

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