'Dumb Swede' by Robert Service
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With barbwire hooch they filled him full,
Till he was drunker than all hell,
And then they peddled him the bull
About a claim they had to sell.
A thousand bucks they made him pay,
Knowing that he had nothing more,
And when he begged it back next day,
And wept! - they kicked him from the door.
They reckoned they were mighty slick,
Them two tinhorns from Idaho;
That poor dumb Swede could swing a pick,
but that was all he'd ever know.
So sitting in a poker game,
They lost the price for which they sold
To that bonehead a poor dud claim
That didn't have a speck of gold.
My story's true as gospel creed
Of these bright boys from Idaho;
They made a sucker of that Swede
And laughed to see the poor boob go,
And work like nigger on his ground,
Bucked by the courage of despair . . .
Till lo! A rich pay-streak he found,
That made him twice a millionaire.
So two smart Alecs, mighty sick,
Begged jobs at fifteen bucks a day.
Then said the Swede: "Give each a pick
And let them sweat to make their pay."
And though he don't know what it means,
Folks call that Swede "magnanimous"
- But picking nuggets big as beans,
you oughta' hear them fellers cuss!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dumb Swede by Robert Service: A Poem that Celebrates the Human Spirit
Robert Service's poem, "Dumb Swede," is a thought-provoking and heart-warming piece that tells the story of the protagonist, Sven, who overcomes adversity and ridicule to prove his worth. Service's language and poetic devices effectively convey Sven's emotional journey, and his triumph over obstacles is inspiring. This paper is a literary criticism and interpretation of "Dumb Swede," exploring the poem's themes, structure, and language.
Structure of the Poem
"Dumb Swede" is a ballad, a narrative poem that tells a story in a simple and direct style. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, which creates a sense of closure and resolution. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, a rhythm that consists of four stressed and four unstressed syllables in each line. This rhythmic pattern creates a sense of momentum and energy that propels the narrative forward.
The poem is divided into two parts, with the first two stanzas describing Sven's situation and the third and fourth stanzas describing his triumph. The first two stanzas introduce the reader to Sven, a "dumb Swede" who is maligned and ridiculed by his fellow miners. The third stanza marks a turning point in the poem, where Sven discovers a vein of gold that nobody else has found. In the final stanza, Sven's fortune turns, and he becomes the richest man in the mining camp.
Themes of the Poem
The themes of "Dumb Swede" are perseverance, the power of the human spirit, and the value of hard work. The poem celebrates the triumph of the underdog, as Sven overcomes adversity and proves his worth to his peers. The poem also highlights the importance of perseverance, as Sven's success is the result of his tireless efforts to find gold. The poem's message is that success comes not from innate talent, but from hard work and determination.
Another theme of the poem is the power of the human spirit. Despite being ridiculed and dismissed as "dumb," Sven perseveres, and his discovery of gold is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. The poem celebrates the dignity of labor, as Sven's success comes from his willingness to work hard and his refusal to give up in the face of adversity.
Language of the Poem
Service's language is simple and direct, reflecting the plain-spoken nature of the ballad form. The language is also evocative, with vivid imagery that brings the mining camp to life. The opening lines, "In Stockholm, he'd be Jim or Joe, / My Swede, and he was Scowling," introduce the reader to Sven and establish his outsider status. The use of the word "scowling" suggests that Sven is an angry and defensive person, which is later revealed to be the result of his mistreatment by his peers.
Service's use of repetition is also effective in conveying Sven's journey. The repetition of the phrase "dumb Swede" reinforces Sven's outsider status and the ridicule he faces. However, the repetition of the word "glory" in the final stanza underscores Sven's triumph and the transformation of his fortunes.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Dumb Swede" is a poem that celebrates the human spirit and the triumph of the underdog. Sven's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work, and his discovery of gold is a metaphor for the rewards that come from determination and effort. The poem also highlights the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, as Sven's peers learn to appreciate him only after he proves his worth.
The poem's language is evocative, with vivid imagery that brings the mining camp to life. The repetition of the phrase "dumb Swede" is effective in conveying Sven's outsider status and the ridicule he faces. However, the repetition of the word "glory" in the final stanza underscores Sven's ultimate triumph and the transformation of his fortunes.
Overall, "Dumb Swede" is a poem that celebrates the human spirit and the value of hard work. Service's language and poetic devices effectively convey Sven's emotional journey, and his triumph over obstacles is inspiring. The poem is a testament to the power of perseverance and the rewards that come from determination and effort.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dumb Swede: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Have you ever read a poem that made you laugh, cry, and think all at the same time? If not, then you need to read "Dumb Swede" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece of humor, irony, and social commentary. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem tells the story of a Swedish immigrant named Lars Larsson, who moves to the United States to seek his fortune. Lars is a hardworking and honest man, but he is also naive and gullible. He falls prey to a series of scams and swindles, losing all his money and ending up in jail. The poem is a satire of the American Dream, exposing the dark side of capitalism and the exploitation of immigrants.
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, introducing Lars as a "dumb Swede" who is "green as grass." The use of the word "dumb" is ironic, as Lars is not actually stupid, but simply ignorant of the ways of the world. The word "green" reinforces this idea, suggesting that Lars is inexperienced and innocent. The stanza also establishes the rhyme scheme of the poem, which is AABBCCDD.
The second stanza describes Lars's journey to America, where he is "full of hope and cheer." The use of the word "full" suggests that Lars is optimistic and enthusiastic, despite his lack of knowledge about the country he is going to. The stanza also introduces the theme of the American Dream, which is a central motif of the poem. Lars believes that he can achieve success and prosperity in America, but he soon discovers that the reality is very different from his expectations.
The third stanza introduces Lars's first encounter with a con artist, who sells him a "gold brick" that turns out to be worthless. The use of the word "brick" is significant, as it suggests that Lars has been duped by something solid and tangible, rather than a more abstract scam. The stanza also contains a pun on the word "gold," which can mean both the precious metal and something that is valuable or desirable. Lars's desire for wealth and success has blinded him to the reality of the situation.
The fourth stanza describes Lars's second encounter with a con artist, who sells him a "silver mine" that turns out to be a fraud. The use of the word "mine" is significant, as it suggests that Lars has been lured by the promise of something that is hidden and valuable. The stanza also contains a pun on the word "silver," which can mean both the precious metal and something that is second-best or inferior. Lars's desire for success has led him to settle for something that is not what it seems.
The fifth stanza describes Lars's third encounter with a con artist, who sells him a "diamond mine" that turns out to be a hoax. The use of the word "diamond" is significant, as it suggests that Lars has been tempted by something that is rare and precious. The stanza also contains a pun on the word "mine," which can mean both a place where minerals are extracted and a source of wealth or advantage. Lars's desire for success has led him to pursue something that is beyond his reach.
The sixth stanza describes Lars's final downfall, as he is arrested for passing counterfeit money. The use of the word "counterfeit" is significant, as it suggests that Lars has been trying to fake his way to success, rather than earning it through hard work and honesty. The stanza also contains a pun on the word "passing," which can mean both the act of giving something to someone and the act of succeeding or progressing. Lars's desire for success has led him to take shortcuts that have ultimately led to his failure.
The seventh and final stanza is the most poignant and powerful of the poem, as it describes Lars's realization that he has been "done." The use of the word "done" is significant, as it suggests that Lars has been cooked or finished, like a piece of meat. The stanza also contains a pun on the word "done," which can mean both completed and defeated. Lars's dream of success has been shattered, and he is left with nothing but regret and despair.
In conclusion, "Dumb Swede" is a classic poem that combines humor, irony, and social commentary to expose the dark side of the American Dream. Robert Service uses a variety of literary devices, including irony, puns, and repetition, to create a powerful and memorable work of art. The poem is a warning to all those who believe that success can be achieved through shortcuts and scams, rather than hard work and honesty. It is a reminder that the pursuit of wealth and power can lead to ruin and despair, and that the true measure of success is not what we have, but who we are.
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