'The Nostomaniac' by Robert Service
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On the ragged edge of the world I'll roam,
And the home of the wolf shall be my home,
And a bunch of bones on the boundless snows
The end of my trail . . . who knows, who knows!
I'm dreaming to-night in the fire-glow, alone in my study tower,
My books battalioned around me, my Kipling flat on my knee;
But I'm not in the mood for reading, I haven't moved for an hour;
Body and brain I'm weary, weary the heart of me;
Weary of crushing a longing it's little I understand,
For I thought that my trail was ended, I thought I had earned my rest;
But oh, it's stronger than life is, the call of the hearthless land!
And I turn to the North in my trouble, as a child to the mother-breast.
Here in my den it's quiet; the sea-wind taps on the pane;
There's comfort and ease and plenty, the smile of the South is sweet.
All that a man might long for, fight for and seek in vain,
Pictures and books and music, pleasure my last retreat.
Peace! I thought I had gained it, I swore that my tale was told;
By my hair that is grey I swore it, by my eyes that are slow to see;
Yet what does it all avail me? to-night, to-night as of old,
Out of the dark I hear it -- the Northland calling to me.
And I'm daring a rampageous river that runs the devil knows where;
My hand is athrill on the paddle, the birch-bark bounds like a bird.
Hark to the rumble of rapids! Here in my morris chair
Eager and tense I'm straining -- isn't it most absurd?
Now in the churn and the lather, foam that hisses and stings,
Leap I, keyed for the struggle, fury and fume and roar;
Rocks are spitting like hell-cats -- Oh, it's a sport for kings,
Life on a twist of the paddle . . . there's my "Kim" on the floor.
How I thrill and I vision! Then my camp of a night;
Red and gold of the fire-glow, net afloat in the stream;
Scent of the pines and silence, little "pal" pipe alight,
Body a-purr with pleasure, sleep untroubled of dream:
Banquet of paystreak bacon! moment of joy divine,
When the bannock is hot and gluey, and the teapot's nearing the boil!
Never was wolf so hungry, stomach cleaving to spine. . . .
Ha! there's my servant calling, says that dinner will spoil.
What do I want with dinner? Can I eat any more?
Can I sleep as I used to? . . . Oh, I abhor this life!
Give me the Great Uncertain, the Barren Land for a floor,
The Milky Way for a roof-beam, splendour and space and strife:
Something to fight and die for -- the limpid Lake of the Bear,
The Empire of Empty Bellies, the dunes where the Dogribs dwell;
Big things, real things, live things . . . here on my morris chair
How I ache for the Northland! "Dinner and servants" -- Hell!!
Am I too old, I wonder? Can I take one trip more?
Go to the granite-ribbed valleys, flooded with sunset wine,
Peaks that pierce the aurora, rivers I must explore,
Lakes of a thousand islands, millioning hordes of the Pine?
Do they not miss me, I wonder, valley and peak and plain?
Whispering each to the other: "Many a moon has passed . . .
Where has he gone, our lover? Will he come back again?
Star with his fires our tundra, leave us his bones at last?"
Yes, I'll go back to the Northland, back to the way of the bear,
Back to the muskeg and mountain, back to the ice-leaguered sea.
Old am I! what does it matter? Nothing I would not dare;
Give me a trail to conquer -- Oh, it is "meat" to me!
I will go back to the Northland, feeble and blind and lame;
Sup with the sunny-eyed Husky, eat moose-nose with the Cree;
Play with the Yellow-knife bastards, boasting my blood and my name:
I will go back to the Northland, for the Northland is calling to me.
Then give to me paddle and whiplash, and give to me tumpline and gun;
Give to me salt and tobacco, flour and a gunny of tea;
Take me up over the Circle, under the flamboyant sun;
Turn me foot-loose like a savage -- that is the finish of me.
I know the trail I am seeking, it's up by the Lake of the Bear;
It's down by the Arctic Barrens, it's over to Hudson's Bay;
Maybe I'll get there, -- maybe: death is set by a hair. . . .
Hark! it's the Northland calling! now must I go away. . . .
Go to the Wild that waits for me;
Go where the moose and the musk-ox be;
Go to the wolf and the secret snows;
Go to my fate . . . who knows, who knows!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Nostomaniac: A Journey of Yearning and Regret
I am completely in awe of Robert Service's "The Nostomaniac." This 76-line poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human yearning and regret. The poem is a journey of a man who is consumed by his past, his memories, and his longing for what could have been. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used by Service to create this haunting and evocative piece of poetry.
Themes
The themes of "The Nostomaniac" are timeless and universal. The poem deals with the human condition of yearning for what could have been, the longing for the past, and the regret of missed opportunities. The protagonist of the poem is a man who is consumed by his memories of a lost love. He is tortured by the thought of what could have been and is unable to move on. The theme of longing is further explored through the use of imagery and symbols. For example, the protagonist is described as a "pilgrim" on a "quest," which creates a sense of journey and longing. Similarly, the "wind" and the "sea" are used as symbols of the passage of time and the endlessness of the journey of life.
Symbolism
The use of symbolism in "The Nostomaniac" is masterful. The poem is filled with images that are both evocative and meaningful. For example, the "sea" is used as a symbol of the passage of time and the endlessness of the journey of life. The "wind" is also used as a symbol of the passage of time, but it is also used to create a sense of movement and journey. The "sorrowing sunset" is used to create a sense of sadness and loss. Similarly, the "pilgrim" is used as a symbol of the human yearning for what could have been and the quest for meaning and purpose in life. The use of these symbols creates a rich and complex tapestry of meaning that adds depth and nuance to the poem.
Literary Devices
The use of literary devices in "The Nostomaniac" is also remarkable. The poem is filled with devices such as alliteration, repetition, and imagery. For example, the repetition of the word "nostomaniac" creates a sense of obsession and compulsion in the protagonist. Similarly, the use of alliteration in "sorrowing sunset" creates a sense of sadness and loss. The use of imagery throughout the poem is also remarkable. For example, Service uses the image of the "ghost of you" to create a sense of haunting and longing. The use of these literary devices creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.
Interpretation
"The Nostomaniac" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of yearning and regret. The protagonist of the poem is a man who is consumed by his memories of a lost love. He is unable to move on and is haunted by the thought of what could have been. The poem is a journey of the protagonist as he searches for meaning and purpose in his life. The use of symbolism and literary devices adds depth and nuance to the poem, creating a rich and complex tapestry of meaning.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "The Nostomaniac" is a work of art that speaks to the human experience of yearning and regret. The poem is a journey of a man who is consumed by his memories of a lost love. The use of symbolism and literary devices creates a rich and complex tapestry of meaning that adds depth and nuance to the poem. I highly recommend this poem to anyone who is interested in exploring the human condition through the lens of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Nostomaniac: A Poem of Longing and Regret
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the early 20th century, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Nostomaniac, is a powerful portrayal of the intense longing and regret that can consume a person's soul. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker introducing the term "nostomaniac," which he defines as "one possessed with an insatiable longing for home." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as we see the speaker struggling with a deep sense of homesickness and longing for a place he can never return to. The use of the word "insatiable" suggests that this longing is all-consuming and cannot be satisfied, no matter how hard the speaker tries.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the speaker's nostalgia. He describes the "purple hills" and "golden sky" of his homeland, painting a vivid picture of a place that is both beautiful and familiar. The use of color imagery is particularly effective here, as it helps to create a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader. The speaker's use of the word "home" in the second line of the stanza is also significant, as it emphasizes the importance of this place to him.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the physical sensations he experiences when he thinks about his homeland. He talks about the "aching heart" and "tear-dimmed eyes" that come with his longing. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker's homesickness is not just a mental state, but a physical one as well. The use of the word "aching" emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotions, while the phrase "tear-dimmed eyes" suggests that he is constantly on the verge of tears.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Here, the speaker talks about the people he left behind in his homeland. He describes them as "dear ones" and talks about how much he misses them. The use of the word "dear" is significant here, as it emphasizes the emotional connection the speaker has with these people. The fact that he misses them so much suggests that they were an important part of his life, and that leaving them behind was a difficult decision.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker talks about the things he left behind in his homeland. He describes the "old house" and the "garden gay," painting a picture of a place that was once full of life and happiness. The use of the word "gay" here is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker's homeland was once a place of joy and celebration. The fact that he left all of this behind emphasizes the depth of his longing and regret.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker talks about how he longs to return to his homeland, but knows that he can never do so. He describes the "ocean wide" that separates him from his home, and talks about how he is "chained" to his current life. The use of the word "chained" here is significant, as it suggests that the speaker feels trapped in his current situation. He longs to return to his homeland, but knows that he can never do so.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful conclusion to the speaker's story. Here, he talks about how he will never forget his homeland, and how he will always long to return to it. He describes the "aching heart" and "tear-dimmed eyes" that will always be with him, suggesting that his homesickness will never truly go away. The use of the word "never" here is significant, as it emphasizes the finality of the speaker's situation. He knows that he can never return to his homeland, and that his longing will always be with him.
In conclusion, The Nostomaniac is a powerful poem that captures the essence of human longing and regret. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, it creates a sense of nostalgia and homesickness that is both relatable and poignant. The speaker's story is one that many of us can relate to, as we all have a place that we consider to be "home." Whether we can return to that place or not, the longing and regret that comes with it is something that will always be with us.
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