'The Man From Eldorado' by Robert Service


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Ballads of a CheechakoHe's the man from Eldorado, and he's just arrived in town,In moccasins and oily buckskin shirt.
He's gaunt as any Indian, and pretty nigh as brown;He's greasy, and he smells of sweat and dirt.
He sports a crop of whiskers that would shame a healthy hog;Hard work has racked his joints and stooped his back;
He slops along the sidewalk followed by his yellow dog,But he's got a bunch of gold-dust in his sack.He seems a little wistful as he blinks at all the lights,And maybe he is thinking of his claim
And the dark and dwarfish cabin where he lay and dreamed at nights,(Thank God, he'll never see the place again!)
Where he lived on tinned tomatoes, beef embalmed and sourdough bread,On rusty beans and bacon furred with mould;
His stomach's out of kilter and his system full of lead,But it's over, and his poke is full of gold.He has panted at the windlass, he has loaded in the drift,He has pounded at the face of oozy clay;
He has taxed himself to sickness, dark and damp and double shift,He has labored like a demon night and day.
And now, praise God, it's over, and he seems to breathe againOf new-mown hay, the warm, wet, friendly loam;
He sees a snowy orchard in a green and dimpling plain,And a little vine-clad cottage, and it's--Home.IIHe's the man from Eldorado, and he's had a bite and sup,And he's met in with a drouthy friend or two;
He's cached away his gold-dust, but he's sort of bucking up,So he's kept enough to-night to see him through.
His eye is bright and genial, his tongue no longer lags;
`His heart is brimming o'er with joy and mirth;
He may be far from savory, he may be clad in rags,
`But to-night he feels as if he owns the earth.Says he: "Boys, here is where the shaggy North and I will shake;I thought I'd never manage to get free.
I kept on making misses; but at last I've got my stake;There's no more thawing frozen muck for me.
I am going to God's Country, where I'll live the simple life;I'll buy a bit of land and make a start;
I'll carve a little homestead, and I'll win a little wife,And raise ten little kids to cheer my heart."They signified their sympathy by crowding to the bar;They bellied up three deep and drank his health.
He shed a radiant smile around and smoked a rank cigar;They wished him honor, happiness and wealth.
They drank unto his wife to be--that unsuspecting maid;They drank unto his children half a score;
And when they got through drinking very tenderly they laidThe man from Eldorado on the floor.IIIHe's the man from Eldorado, and he's only starting inTo cultivate a thousand-dollar jag.
His poke is full of gold-dust and his heart is full of sin,And he's dancing with a girl called Muckluck Mag.
She's as light as any fairy; she's as pretty as a peach;She's mistress of the witchcraft to beguile;
There's sunshine in her manner, there is music in her speech,And there's concentrated honey in her smile.Oh, the fever of the dance-hall and the glitter and the shine,The beauty, and the jewels, and the whirl,
The madness of the music, the rapture of the wine,The languorous allurement of a girl!
She is like a lost madonna; he is gaunt, unkempt and grim;But she fondles him and gazes in his eyes;
Her kisses seek his heavy lips, and soon it seems to himHe has staked a little claim in Paradise."Who's for a juicy two-step?" cries the master of the floor;The music throbs with soft, seductive beat.
There's glitter, gilt and gladness; there are pretty girls galore;There's a woolly man with moccasins on feet.
They know they've got him going; he is buying wine for all;They crowd around as buzzards at a feast,
Then when his poke is empty they boost him from the hall,And spurn him in the gutter like a beast.He's the man from Eldorado, and he's painting red the town;Behind he leaves a trail of yellow dust;
In a whirl of senseless riot he is ramping up and down;There's nothing checks his madness and his lust.
And soon the word is passed around--it travels like a flame;They fight to clutch his hand and call him friend,
The chevaliers of lost repute, the dames of sorry fame;Then comes the grim awakening--the end.IVHe's the man from Eldorado, and he gives a grand affair;There's feasting, dancing, wine without restraint.
The smooth Beau Brummels of the bar, the faro men, are there;The tinhorns and purveyors of red paint;
The sleek and painted women, their predacious eyes aglow--Sure Klondike City never saw the like;
Then Muckluck Mag proposed the toast, "The giver of the show,The livest sport that ever hit the pike."The "live one" rises to his feet; he stammers to reply--And then there comes before his muddled brain
A vision of green vastitudes beneath an April sky,And clover pastures drenched with silver rain.
He knows that it can never be, that he is down and out;Life leers at him with foul and fetid breath;
And then amid the revelry, the song and cheer and shout,He suddenly grows grim and cold as death.He grips the table tensely, and he says: "Dear friends of mine,I've let you dip your fingers in my purse;
I've crammed you at my table, and I've drowned you in my wine,And I've little left to give you but--my curse.
I've failed supremely in my plans; it's rather late to whine;My poke is mighty weasened up and small.
I thank you each for coming here; the happiness is mine--And now, you thieves and harlots, take it all."He twists the thong from off his poke; he swings it o'er his head;The nuggets fall around their feet like grain.
They rattle over roof and wall; they scatter, roll and spread;The dust is like a shower of golden rain.
The guests a moment stand aghast, then grovel on the floor;They fight, and snarl, and claw, like beasts of prey;
And then, as everybody grabbed and everybody swore,The man from Eldorado slipped away.VHe's the man from Eldorado, and they found him stiff and dead,Half covered by the freezing ooze and dirt.
A clotted Colt was in his hand, a hole was in his head,And he wore an old and oily buckskin shirt.
His eyes were fixed and horrible, as one who hails the end;The frost had set him rigid as a log;
And there, half lying on his breast, his last and only friend,There crouched and whined a mangy yellow dog.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Man From Eldorado: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were on an adventure? A poem that takes you to a faraway land full of mystery and wonder? If not, then you need to read "The Man From Eldorado" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece of storytelling and imagination. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem to create a thrilling and unforgettable experience for the reader.

The Plot

Before we dive into the analysis, let's recap the plot of "The Man From Eldorado". The poem tells the story of a man who travels to Eldorado, a legendary city of gold. He goes through a series of dangerous and challenging adventures, including crossing treacherous rivers, climbing steep mountains, and avoiding deadly traps set by the natives. Despite all the obstacles, the man persists in his quest and eventually reaches Eldorado. However, he discovers that the city is not made of gold but of love, kindness, and hospitality. The man realizes that he has found true riches, and he decides to stay in Eldorado forever.

The Themes

One of the most prominent themes in "The Man From Eldorado" is the search for wealth and material possessions. The man's journey to Eldorado represents the human desire to acquire material wealth and the lengths people are willing to go to attain it. The poem shows that this pursuit of wealth can be dangerous and often leads to disappointment and disillusionment.

Another theme in the poem is the power of perseverance and determination. The man faces countless obstacles on his journey, but he remains steadfast in his pursuit of the city of gold. His determination ultimately pays off when he reaches Eldorado and discovers the true treasures of life.

The poem also explores the concept of the journey as a metaphor for life. The man's journey to Eldorado represents the human experience of life, which is full of challenges, obstacles, and unexpected turns. The poem suggests that the journey itself is more important than the destination, as it is through the process of overcoming obstacles that we learn and grow as individuals.

The Symbols

The poem is rich in symbolism, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. One of the most significant symbols is Eldorado itself. The city represents the ultimate goal that people strive for in life. The fact that the man finds love, kindness, and hospitality instead of gold in Eldorado suggests that the true riches in life are intangible and cannot be bought with money.

Another symbol in the poem is the journey itself. The man's journey represents the human experience of life, with all its ups and downs, twists and turns. The journey is full of symbolism, including the rivers that the man has to cross, which represent the obstacles and challenges that people face in life. The steep mountains symbolize the difficulties that people encounter on their path to success, and the traps set by the natives symbolize the dangers and pitfalls that await those who pursue material wealth.

The Literary Devices

"The Man From Eldorado" is a masterclass in the use of literary devices to create a compelling narrative. One such device is imagery, which is used to create vivid and sensory descriptions that transport the reader to the world of the poem. For example, the description of the "sweep of the desert, rank with sage" (line 4) creates a vivid mental image of the barren landscape that the man must traverse on his journey.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition, which is used to emphasize certain ideas and themes. For example, the phrase "the heart of the wilderness" is repeated several times throughout the poem (lines 8, 16, 24), emphasizing the dangerous and untamed nature of the environment that the man is traveling through.

The poem also makes use of metaphors, which are used to compare one thing to another to create a deeper meaning. One example is the metaphor "the gold of the grass" (line 13), which compares the color of the grass to the color of gold, emphasizing the man's obsession with material wealth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Man From Eldorado" is a timeless poem that explores themes of wealth, perseverance, and the human experience of life. Through its rich symbolism and expert use of literary devices, the poem creates a vivid and unforgettable world full of danger, adventure, and wonder. This literary criticism and interpretation only scratch the surface of the many layers of meaning and complexity in the poem, and I encourage you to read it for yourself and discover its many treasures.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Man From Eldorado: A Poetic Journey of Hope and Dreams

Robert Service's "The Man From Eldorado" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man's journey to find his fortune in the gold mines of Eldorado. The poem is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of the human spirit and its unrelenting pursuit of dreams and aspirations.

The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, a man who is determined to find his fortune in the gold mines of Eldorado. The man is described as a "hardy soul" who is "bent on wealth and fame." He is driven by his desire to succeed and is willing to risk everything to achieve his goals.

As the man sets out on his journey, he encounters various obstacles and challenges. He faces harsh weather conditions, treacherous terrain, and dangerous animals. Despite these challenges, the man remains determined and continues on his quest.

The poem then takes a turn as the man begins to question his motives and the true meaning of his journey. He wonders if his pursuit of wealth and fame is worth the sacrifices he has made. He reflects on the beauty of nature and the simple pleasures of life that he has left behind in his pursuit of gold.

The man's doubts and fears are further amplified when he finally reaches Eldorado. He finds that the gold mines are not what he had imagined them to be. The mines are filled with greed, corruption, and violence. The man realizes that his pursuit of wealth has led him to a place of darkness and despair.

However, the man's journey is not in vain. He learns a valuable lesson about the true meaning of life and the importance of pursuing one's dreams with integrity and purpose. The man realizes that true wealth and happiness come from within and that material possessions are not the key to a fulfilling life.

The poem ends with the man returning to his homeland, a changed man. He has gained a new perspective on life and is grateful for the lessons he has learned. The man is content with his simple life and is no longer driven by the desire for wealth and fame.

"The Man From Eldorado" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human spirit and its unrelenting pursuit of dreams and aspirations. The poem is a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come from within and that material possessions are not the key to a fulfilling life.

The poem is also a commentary on the dangers of greed and the corrupting influence of wealth. The man's journey to Eldorado is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing wealth at any cost. The poem reminds us that the pursuit of wealth and fame can lead to a life of darkness and despair.

In conclusion, "The Man From Eldorado" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the human spirit and its unrelenting pursuit of dreams and aspirations. The poem is a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come from within and that material possessions are not the key to a fulfilling life. The poem is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the corrupting influence of wealth. It is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and enlighten readers for generations to come.

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