'The Ballad Of Hank The Finn' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsNow Fireman Flynn met Hank the Finn where lights of Lust-land glow;
"Let's leave," says he, "the lousy sea, and give the land a show.
I'm fed up to the molar mark with wallopin' the brine;
I feel the bloody barnacles a-carkin' on me spine.
Let's hit the hard-boiled North a crack, where creeks are paved with gold."
"You count me in," says Hank the Finn. "Ay do as Ay ban told."And so they sought the Lonely Land and drifted down its stream,
Where sunny silence round them spanned, as dopey as a dream.
But to the spell of flood and fell their gold-grimed eyes were blind;
By pine and peak they paused to seek, but nothing did they find;
No yellow glint of dust to mint, just mud and mocking sand,
And a hateful hush that seemed to crush them down on every hand.
Till Fireman Flynn grew mean as sin, and cursed his comrade cold,
But Hank the Finn would only grin, and . . . do as he was told.Now Fireman Flynn had pieces ten of yellow Yankee gold,
Which every night he would invite his partner to behold.
"Look hard," says he; "It's all you'll see in this god-blasted land;
But you fret, I'm gonna let you hold them i your hand.
Yeah! Watch 'em gleam, then go and

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad of Hank the Finn: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

Have you ever heard of Robert Service? If not, then you're missing out on one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Service was a Canadian poet who gained international fame for his narrative poetry, which often dealt with the rugged life of the pioneers, miners, and adventurers who settled in the wilderness of North America. His most famous poems include "The Cremation of Sam McGee," "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," and "The Ballad of Hank the Finn." In this literary criticism, I will focus on the latter, which I consider to be a masterpiece of narrative poetry.

The Story of Hank the Finn

First, let me give you a brief summary of the poem's plot. "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" tells the story of a Finnish sailor named Hank who is shipwrecked on the coast of Alaska. He is rescued by a group of gold miners who take him in and teach him how to pan for gold. Hank proves to be a quick learner and soon becomes one of the most successful miners in the camp. However, his success attracts the envy of the other miners, who plot to rob him of his gold. In the end, Hank outwits his would-be robbers and sails off into the sunset with his hard-earned fortune.

The Power of Narrative Poetry

What makes "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" such a great poem? For one thing, it's a masterful example of narrative poetry, a genre that has been neglected in recent times. Narrative poetry, as the name suggests, tells a story in verse form. It combines the power of poetry with the power of storytelling, creating a unique form of art that can move and inspire readers in ways that prose cannot.

Service was a master of this genre, and "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a perfect example of his skill. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style that is easy to understand and follow, yet it's also full of vivid imagery and powerful language that captures the rugged beauty and harshness of the Alaskan wilderness. Service uses rhyme and rhythm to create a musical quality that adds to the poem's charm and memorability.

The Themes of the Poem

But "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is more than just a good story. It's also a poem that explores some important themes and ideas. One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its depiction of the struggle between individualism and collectivism.

Hank is a classic individualist who believes in the power of his own hard work and ingenuity to succeed. He is not afraid to take risks, and he is not dependent on anyone else for his success. This makes him a hero in the eyes of the other miners, who admire his courage and determination.

But Hank's success also threatens the collectivism of the mining camp. The other miners are jealous of his success and resentful of his independence. They plot to rob him of his gold, not because they need it, but because they want to punish him for being different.

In the end, Hank outwits his would-be robbers and sails away with his fortune. But the poem leaves us with the question of whether individualism or collectivism is the better way of life. Is it better to be independent and self-reliant, or to be part of a community and share one's resources with others?

The Poem's Relevance Today

This is a question that is still relevant today, perhaps even more so than when Service wrote the poem in 1907. In a world that is increasingly polarized between individualism and collectivism, "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" reminds us of the importance of balance and moderation. It shows us that both individualism and collectivism have their strengths and weaknesses, and that the key to success and happiness lies in finding the right balance between the two.

In conclusion, "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that tells a compelling story while also exploring important themes and ideas. It's a poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by readers of all ages and backgrounds. If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy today. You won't regret it!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad of Hank the Finn: A Tale of Adventure and Perseverance

Robert Service's "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man's journey through the wilderness of the Yukon. The poem is a ballad, a form of poetry that tells a story in a song-like manner. It is a tale of adventure, perseverance, and the human spirit.

The poem begins with the introduction of Hank, a man who is described as "a Finn of the Yukon." Hank is a rugged and determined man who has come to the Yukon in search of gold. He is a man who is not afraid of hard work and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for Hank's journey. The reader is introduced to the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Yukon. The poem describes the "ice-rips" and "snow-drifts" that Hank must navigate through as he makes his way through the wilderness.

As Hank continues on his journey, he faces many challenges. He must cross frozen rivers and climb steep mountains. He must also face the harsh weather conditions of the Yukon, including blizzards and freezing temperatures.

Despite these challenges, Hank remains determined to find gold. He continues to work hard and persevere through the difficult conditions. The poem describes how Hank "chopped and dug with tireless zeal" as he searched for gold.

As Hank continues on his journey, he encounters other men who are also searching for gold. These men are described as "hard-bitten" and "grizzled." They are men who have been in the Yukon for a long time and have faced many challenges.

Despite the harsh conditions and the competition from other gold seekers, Hank remains focused on his goal. He continues to work hard and never gives up. The poem describes how Hank "never lost his nerve" and "never lost his grip."

Finally, after many months of hard work and perseverance, Hank strikes gold. The poem describes how he "scooped and washed and weighed" the gold until he had a fortune. Hank's determination and hard work have paid off, and he has achieved his goal.

The poem ends with Hank leaving the Yukon and returning to his homeland. He is described as a man who has "won his fight" and "earned his right" to return home. Hank's journey through the Yukon has taught him many lessons, including the importance of hard work, perseverance, and never giving up.

Overall, "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a classic poem that tells a timeless tale of adventure and perseverance. It is a story that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. The poem's message of hard work and determination is one that is still relevant today, and it serves as a reminder that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and never give up.

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