'Poor Cock Robin' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowMy garden robin in the Spring
Was rapturous with glee,
And followed me with wistful wing
From pear to apple tree;
His melodies the summer long
He carolled with delight,
As if he could with jewelled song
Find favour in my sight.And now that Autumn's in the air
He's singing singing still,
And yet somehow I cannot bear
The frenzy of his bill;
The keen wind ruffs his ruddy breast
As to bare boughs he clings;
The sun is sullen in the West
Yet still he sings and sings.Soon, soon the legions of the snow
Will pitch their tents again,
And round my window-sill I know
He'll call for crumbs in vein;
The pulsing passion of his throat
Has hint of Winter woe;
The piercing sweetness of his note
entreats me not to go.In vein, in vain, Oh valiant one,
You sing to bid me stay!
For all my life is in the sun
And I must fly away.
yet by no gold or orange glow
Will I be comforted,
Seeing blood-bright in bitter snow -
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poor Cock Robin: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Poor Cock Robin! A classic poem written by the great Robert Service, this literary masterpiece has stood the test of time and continues to touch the hearts of readers today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, poetic devices, and overall meaning of this poem.
Background
Before we dive into the analysis, it's important to understand the context in which this poem was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer, known for his works about the Canadian West and the Klondike Gold Rush. Poor Cock Robin was published in 1930, during Service's later years, and is one of his lesser-known works. The poem is a ballad, a form of poetry that tells a story and is often set to music. Service was a master of the ballad form, and Poor Cock Robin is no exception.
Summary
Poor Cock Robin is a tragic tale of a bird who falls in love with a hen, only to be rejected in favor of another rooster. The poem opens with a description of Cock Robin's "red, red breast" and his "proud, proud crest." We are immediately drawn into the story, feeling sympathy for this proud and handsome bird.
As the poem progresses, we see Cock Robin's love for the hen grow stronger. He sings to her, he brings her gifts, he even fights off other roosters to protect her. But despite his efforts, the hen chooses another suitor. Cock Robin is heartbroken, and the poem ends with him lying dead on the ground.
Themes
At its core, Poor Cock Robin is a poem about unrequited love and rejection. It explores the theme of love and loss, and the pain that comes with loving someone who does not love you back. The poem also touches on themes of jealousy and competition, as other roosters vie for the hen's affections.
The theme of death is also present in the poem, as Cock Robin dies at the end. This adds a layer of tragedy to the story, as we see the ultimate consequence of his unrequited love.
Imagery
Service's use of imagery in Poor Cock Robin is powerful and evocative. He paints a vivid picture of the countryside and the birds that inhabit it. The descriptions of Cock Robin's red breast and proud crest create a striking image of a proud and confident bird. The hen is described as "brown as a berry," which gives us a clear picture of her appearance.
Service also uses imagery to convey the emotions of the characters. When Cock Robin is rejected by the hen, he is described as "drooping his wings in despair." We can almost feel his sadness and disappointment. The image of him lying dead on the ground at the end of the poem is a haunting and tragic one.
Poetic Devices
Service's use of poetic devices in Poor Cock Robin is masterful. He employs rhyme and meter to give the poem a musical quality, which is appropriate for a ballad. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of repetition and adds to the poem's overall rhythm.
Service also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. The repetition of the "r" sound in the first stanza ("red, red breast," "robin redbreast") creates a strong sense of identity for Cock Robin.
Interpretation
Poor Cock Robin can be interpreted in a number of ways. On the surface, it is a simple story about a bird who is rejected by a mate. But on a deeper level, the poem speaks to the pain of unrequited love and the struggle to find meaning in a world where our desires are not always fulfilled.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the struggle for love and acceptance in a competitive world. Cock Robin's efforts to win the hen's affection are ultimately in vain, as she chooses another rooster. This can be seen as a metaphor for the struggle to stand out and be noticed in a crowded and competitive world.
Ultimately, Poor Cock Robin is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. Its themes of rejection, competition, and death make it a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poor Cock Robin is a classic poem that showcases Robert Service's mastery of the ballad form. Its themes, imagery, and poetic devices are powerful and evocative, and the story of Cock Robin's unrequited love is both tragic and universal. Whether read for its beauty or its deeper meaning, Poor Cock Robin is a work of literature that deserves to be remembered and appreciated for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poor Cock Robin: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you are a fan of classic poetry, then you must have come across the famous poem, Poor Cock Robin, written by Robert Service. This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and emotional depth. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem, analyzing its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem tells the story of a robin who is struggling to survive in the harsh winter months. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as we are introduced to the bleak and unforgiving landscape:
"Poor Cock Robin, he is dead, All his merry notes are fled, Gone to meet his Maker's dread, Poor Cock Robin!"
The repetition of the word "poor" emphasizes the bird's unfortunate fate, while the use of the word "dead" creates a sense of finality and loss. The line "Gone to meet his Maker's dread" suggests that the robin has passed away and is now facing judgment in the afterlife.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about the robin's struggles to survive. The second stanza describes how the bird's feathers have become ragged and worn, leaving him vulnerable to the cold:
"Feathers plucked from out his breast Were his beddng in the nest Which upon a leafy crest Poor Cock Robin!"
The use of the word "plucked" suggests that the robin has had to sacrifice his own feathers to keep warm, highlighting the harshness of his environment. The image of the nest on a "leafy crest" creates a sense of fragility and vulnerability, as if the robin is perched on the edge of a precipice.
The third stanza introduces a new character, a sparrow who is also struggling to survive in the winter:
"Sparrow, Sparrow, fluff your wing, Winter comes, you'll feel the sting, But Robin nevermore will sing, Poor Cock Robin!"
The repetition of the word "sparrow" creates a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is trying to get the bird's attention. The line "Winter comes, you'll feel the sting" suggests that the sparrow is not prepared for the harshness of the season, while the final line "Poor Cock Robin!" reminds us of the bird's tragic fate.
The fourth stanza introduces a new theme, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life:
"Life is brief, and very frail, Flitting like a shadowy sail, While the winds of time prevail, Poor Cock Robin!"
The use of the word "frail" emphasizes the fragility of life, while the image of a "shadowy sail" creates a sense of transience and impermanence. The line "While the winds of time prevail" suggests that life is subject to forces beyond our control, highlighting the inevitability of death.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker reflects on the robin's legacy:
"Robin's dead, and in his stead All the trees are draped in red, And the snow is stained and spread, Poor Cock Robin!"
The use of the word "stead" suggests that the robin has left a void that cannot be filled, while the image of the trees draped in red and the snow stained and spread creates a sense of mourning and loss. The final line "Poor Cock Robin!" serves as a poignant reminder of the bird's tragic fate.
In terms of structure, the poem is composed of five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines rhyming with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, while also emphasizing the repetition of key words and phrases.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several techniques to create its vivid imagery and emotional depth. These include:
- Repetition: The repeated use of the word "poor" emphasizes the bird's unfortunate fate, while the repetition of the word "sparrow" creates a sense of urgency.
- Imagery: The use of vivid imagery, such as the image of the robin's feathers plucked from his breast, creates a sense of the bird's vulnerability and the harshness of his environment.
- Personification: The personification of the robin and the sparrow creates a sense of empathy and emotional connection with the reader.
- Metaphor: The metaphor of life as a "shadowy sail" creates a sense of transience and impermanence.
In conclusion, Poor Cock Robin is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and emotional depth. Through its portrayal of a bird struggling to survive in the harsh winter months, the poem explores themes of mortality, fragility, and the fleeting nature of life. With its symmetrical structure and effective use of literary devices, Poor Cock Robin is a masterpiece of classic poetry that deserves to be celebrated and remembered for generations to come.
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