'The Low-Down White' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
This is the pay-day up at the mines, when the bearded brutes come down;
There's money to burn in the streets to-night, so I've sent my klooch to town,
With a haggard face and a ribband of red entwined in her hair of brown.
And I know at the dawn she'll come reeling home with the bottles, one, two, three --
One for herself, to drown her shame, and two big bottles for me,
To make me forget the thing I am and the man I used to be.
To make me forget the brand of the dog, as I crouch in this hideous place;
To make me forget once I kindled the light of love in a lady's face,
Where even the squalid Siwash now holds me a black disgrace.
Oh, I have guarded my secret well! And who would dream as I speak
In a tribal tongue like a rogue unhung, 'mid the ranch-house filth and reek,
I could roll to bed with a Latin phrase and rise with a verse of Greek?
Yet I was a senior prizeman once, and the pride of a college eight;
Called to the bar -- my friends were true! but they could not keep me straight;
Then came the divorce, and I went abroad and "died" on the River Plate.
But I'm not dead yet; though with half a lung there isn't time to spare,
And I hope that the year will see me out, and, thank God, no one will care --
Save maybe the little slim Siwash girl with the rose of shame in her hair.
She will come with the dawn, and the dawn is near; I can see its evil glow,
Like a corpse-light seen through a frosty pane in a night of want and woe;
And yonder she comes by the bleak bull-pines, swift staggering through the snow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Low-Down White: A Masterpiece of Poetic Storytelling
The Low-Down White is a haunting and powerful poem written by Robert Service, one of the most popular poets of the 20th century. It tells the story of a sled dog named White Fang, who is mistreated by his owner and finally killed in a brutal dogfight. The poem is a masterful example of Service's ability to create vivid and memorable characters, and to use poetic language to tell a story that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level.
The Story
The Low-Down White begins with the description of a sled dog named White Fang, who is described as a "low-down white" with "eyes like yellow flame". The dog is owned by a man named Jim, who treats him cruelly and beats him with a club. The narrator of the poem, who is not identified, sympathizes with White Fang and wishes that he could help him.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about White Fang's life and his relationship with Jim. We see him pulling a sled through the snow, enduring the harsh conditions of life in the Canadian wilderness. We also see him being mistreated by Jim, who is described as a "low-down cuss" and a "devil from the pit". Despite his abuse, White Fang remains loyal to Jim, and even saves his life from a pack of wolves.
The climax of the poem comes when Jim enters White Fang into a dogfight, where he is pitted against a stronger and more experienced dog. White Fang fights bravely, but is eventually killed in the brutal battle. The poem ends with the narrator lamenting White Fang's death and expressing his hope that Jim will one day face justice for his cruel treatment of the dog.
The Language
The beauty of The Low-Down White lies not only in its story, but also in its language. Service uses vivid and evocative words to create a picture of the Canadian wilderness and the harsh conditions of life there. He also uses poetic devices such as alliteration and repetition to give the poem a musical quality that is both haunting and powerful.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Service's use of animal imagery to describe White Fang and the other characters in the story. Jim is described as a "low-down cuss" and a "devil from the pit", while White Fang is compared to a "yellow flame". This use of animal imagery serves to emphasize the primal nature of the story, and to create a sense of the wildness and danger of life in the Canadian wilderness.
The Themes
The Low-Down White deals with several important themes, including the nature of cruelty and the importance of loyalty. Jim's cruel treatment of White Fang is a powerful example of the harm that can be done by those who abuse their power over others. The fact that White Fang remains loyal to Jim despite his abuse also serves to highlight the importance of loyalty and the bonds that can form between humans and animals.
Another important theme of the poem is the struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment. The poem vividly portrays the harsh conditions of life in the Canadian wilderness, and the struggle that sled dogs like White Fang must endure in order to survive. This theme is one that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level, as it speaks to the universal human struggle for survival in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Low-Down White is a masterpiece of poetic storytelling that has touched the hearts of readers for generations. Through its vivid characters, evocative language, and powerful themes, it speaks to the human experience in profound and meaningful ways. As we read the poem, we are reminded of the importance of kindness, loyalty, and the struggle for survival, and we are left with a deep sense of the beauty and tragedy of life in all its forms.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Low-Down White: A Poem of the Wild West
Robert Service's poem "The Low-Down White" is a classic piece of literature that captures the essence of the Wild West. The poem tells the story of a white horse that is mistreated and abused by its owner, a cowboy who is down on his luck. The poem is a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of life in the Wild West, where survival often depended on one's ability to be tough and ruthless.
The poem begins with a description of the horse, which is described as "a low-down white." The term "low-down" is a colloquialism that means "dishonest" or "untrustworthy," and it is clear from the start that the horse is not well-regarded by its owner. The horse is described as "scrawny" and "bony," with "ribs like a washboard" and "eyes like a rat." These descriptions paint a vivid picture of a horse that is not well-cared for and is suffering from neglect.
The cowboy who owns the horse is also described in unflattering terms. He is "a no-good bum" who is "down on his luck." He is described as having "a face like a weasel" and "a heart like a snake." These descriptions make it clear that the cowboy is not a sympathetic character, and that he is not someone who is likely to treat his horse well.
The poem goes on to describe the harsh conditions of life in the Wild West. The cowboy and his horse are "out on the range," where they must fend for themselves in a harsh and unforgiving environment. The poem describes the "burning sun" and the "freezing cold," as well as the "rattlesnakes" and "coyotes" that are a constant threat. These descriptions make it clear that life in the Wild West was not easy, and that survival often depended on one's ability to be tough and resourceful.
As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the cowboy is mistreating his horse. He "whips and spurs" the horse, and he "rides it hard" even when it is exhausted. The horse is described as "lame" and "bleeding," and it is clear that it is suffering from the cowboy's abuse. The poem makes it clear that the cowboy has no regard for the welfare of his horse, and that he is only interested in using it for his own purposes.
Despite the horse's suffering, it remains loyal to its owner. It "never balks" and it "never complains," even when it is being mistreated. This loyalty is a testament to the horse's strength and resilience, and it is a reminder that even in the harshest of conditions, there is still room for loyalty and compassion.
The poem reaches its climax when the cowboy is killed in a gunfight. The horse is left alone on the range, with no one to care for it. The poem describes the horse as "whinnying and neighing," as if it is calling out for its owner. This scene is a powerful reminder of the bond that can exist between humans and animals, and it is a poignant moment in the poem.
In the end, the horse is left to fend for itself on the range. The poem ends with the lines, "And the low-down white / Was a king in his own right." These lines are a testament to the horse's strength and resilience, and they suggest that even in the face of adversity, there is still room for hope and triumph.
Overall, "The Low-Down White" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the Wild West. It is a reminder of the harsh realities of life in that time and place, and it is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human and animal spirit. Robert Service's use of vivid imagery and colloquial language makes the poem come alive, and it is a classic piece of literature that is still relevant today.
Editor Recommended Sites
Typescript Book: The best book on learning typescript programming language and reactCrypto Jobs - Remote crypto jobs board: Remote crypto jobs board
Devsecops Review: Reviews of devsecops tooling and techniques
Learn Terraform: Learn Terraform for AWS and GCP
Data Integration - Record linkage and entity resolution & Realtime session merging: Connect all your datasources across databases, streaming, and realtime sources
Recommended Similar Analysis
Us by Anne Sexton analysisHoly Sonnet X: Death Be Not Proud by John Donne analysis
The Collar by George Herbert analysis
The Answer by Carl Sandburg analysis
Beat ! Beat! Drums! by Walt Whitman analysis
Abraham to kill him- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Easter Wings by George Herbert analysis
Into My Own by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Bathed In War's Perfume by Walt Whitman analysis
Vantage Point, The by Robert Lee Frost analysis