'Log Jam, The' by William Henry Drummond
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Dere 'a s beeg jam up de reever, w'ere rapide is runnin' fas',
An' de log we cut las' winter is takin' it all de room;
So boss of de gang is swearin', for not'ing at all can pass
An' float away down de current till somebody break de boom.
"Here 's for de man will tak' de job, holiday for a week
Extra monee w'en pay day come, an' ten dollar suit of clothes.
'T is n't so hard work run de log, if only you do it quick--
W'ere 's de man of de gang den is ready to say, ` Here goes?'"
Dere was de job for a feller, handy an' young an' smart,
Willin' to tak' hees chances, willin' to risk hees life.
'Cos many a t'ing is safer, dan tryin' de boom to start,
For if de log wance ketch you, dey 're cuttin' you lak a knife.
Aleck Lachance he lissen, an' answer heem right away
"Marie Louise dat 's leevin' off on de shore close by
She 's sayin' de word was mak' me mos' happies' man to-day
An' if you ax de reason I 'm ready to go, dat 's w'y."
Pierre Delorme he 's spikin' den, an' O! but he 's lookin' glad.
"Dis morning de sam' girl tole me, she mus' say to me, ` Good-bye Pierre.'
So no wan can stop me goin', for I feel I was comin' mad
An' wedder I see to-morrow, dat 's not'ing, for I don't care."
Aleck Lachance was steady, he 's bully boy all aroun',
Alway sendin' de monee to hees moder away below,
Now an' den savin' a leetle for buyin' de house an' groun',
An' never done t'inkin', t'inkin' of Marie Louise Lebeau.
Pierre was a half-breed feller, we call heem de grand Nor' Wes'--
Dat is de place he 's leevin' w'en he work for de Compagnie,
Dey say he 's marry de squaw dere, never min' about all de res'--
An' affer he get hees monee, he 's de boy for de jamboree!
Ev'ry wan start off cheerin' w'en dey pass on de log out dere
Jompin' about lak monkey, Aleck an' Pierre Delorme.
Workin' de sam' as twenty, an' runnin' off ev'ryw'ere,
An' busy on all de places, lak beaver before de storm.
Den we hear some wan shoutin', an' dere was dat crazy girl,
Marie Louise, on de hillside, cryin' an' raisin' row.
Could n't do not'ing worser! mos' foolish t'ing on de worl'
For Pierre Delorme an' Aleck was n't workin' upon de scow.
Bote of dem turn aroun' dere w'en girl is commencin' cry,
Lak woman I wance remember, got los' on de bush t'ree day,
"Look how de log is movin'! I 'm seein' it wit' ma eye,
Come back out of all dem danger!" an' den she was faint away.
Ten year I been reever driver, an' mebbe know somet'ing too,
An' dere was n't a man don't watch for de minute dem log she go;
But never a word from de boos dere, stannin' wit' all hees crew,
So how she can see dem movin' don't ax me, for I dunno.
Hitch dem all up togeder, t'ousan' horse crazy mad--
Only a couple of feller for han'le dem ev'ry wan,
Scare dem wit' t'onder an' lightning, an' den 't is n't half so bad
As log runnin' down de rapide, affer de boom she 's gone.
See dem nex' day on de basin, you t'ink dey was t'roo de fight
Cut wit' de sword an' bullet, lyin' along de shore
You 'd pity de log, I 'm sure, an' say 't was terrible sight
But man goin' t'roo de sam' t'ing, you 'd pity dat man some more.
An' Pierre w'en he see dem goin' an' log jompin' up an' down
De sign of de cross he 's makin' an' dive on de water dere,
He know it 's all up hees chances, an' he rader be goin' drown
Dan ketch by de rollin' timber, an' dat 's how he go, poor Pierre.
Aleck's red shirt is blazin' off w'ere we hear de log
Crackin' away an' bangin', sam' as a honder gun,
Lak' sun on de morning tryin' to peep t'roo de reever fog--
But Aleck's red shirt is redder dan ever I see de sun.
An' w'en dey 're tryin' wake her: Marie Louise Lebeau,
On her neck dey fin' a locket, she 's kipin' so nice an' warm,
An' dey 're tolin' de funny story, de funnies' I dunno--
For de face, Baptême! dey see dere, was de half-breed Pierre Delorme!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Log Jam: A Critique and Interpretation
Log Jam is a poem written by William Henry Drummond in 1896. As one of his most famous poems, it has been widely studied and celebrated for its portrayal of the struggle between man and nature. In this critique and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in this poem, as well as its historical and cultural context.
Historical and Cultural Context
To fully appreciate the themes and literary devices in Log Jam, it is important to examine the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Drummond was a Canadian poet, born in 1854, who wrote extensively about the everyday lives of the working-class people in Quebec during the late 19th century. At the time, logging was a major industry in Quebec, and many men worked as log drivers, transporting logs down the rivers to the sawmills.
Log driving was a dangerous and physically demanding job, and accidents were common. Drummond's poem reflects the harsh realities of this industry and portrays the struggle between man and nature in vivid detail. The poem also reflects the cultural and linguistic heritage of Quebec, with the use of French-Canadian dialect and colloquialisms.
Themes
One of the main themes in Log Jam is the struggle between man and nature. The poem begins with a description of the "mighty river" and the "raging rapids" that the log drivers must navigate. The log drivers are portrayed as brave and skilled, but they are also at the mercy of the river and the elements. The poem emphasizes the power and unpredictability of nature, and the ways in which it can overwhelm even the strongest and most experienced men.
Another theme in Log Jam is the importance of teamwork and cooperation. The log drivers must work together to break up the log jam and clear the river. The poem celebrates the camaraderie and solidarity of the log drivers, who risk their lives to help each other and ensure the success of the mission.
Finally, Log Jam explores the idea of sacrifice and risk-taking. The log drivers are willing to put their lives on the line to complete their work, and the poem suggests that this kind of sacrifice is necessary for progress and economic growth. However, the poem also acknowledges the toll that this kind of work takes on the men, both physically and emotionally.
Literary Devices
Drummond uses a variety of literary devices in Log Jam to create a vivid and compelling portrait of the log driving industry. One of the most notable devices is the use of dialect and colloquialisms. The poem is written in a French-Canadian dialect, which adds authenticity and local color to the narrative. The use of colloquialisms also gives the poem a sense of immediacy and realism.
Another important device in Log Jam is the use of imagery. Drummond uses vivid and detailed descriptions to bring the river and the log drivers to life. For example, he describes the "angry torrent" of the river and the "heaving masses" of logs that the men must navigate. These images create a sense of danger and excitement, and help to convey the physical and emotional challenges faced by the log drivers.
Finally, Drummond uses repetition and parallel structure to reinforce the poem's themes. For example, he repeatedly uses the phrase "the jam is broke" to signal the success of the log drivers' efforts. This repetition creates a sense of momentum and progress, and emphasizes the importance of teamwork and cooperation in achieving a common goal.
Interpretation
Log Jam can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see the poem as a celebration of hard work and sacrifice, and as a tribute to the bravery and skill of the log drivers. Others may see it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of industrialization and the exploitation of natural resources.
One possible interpretation is that Log Jam reflects the tensions between progress and tradition in Quebec during the late 19th century. The log driving industry represented a new and rapidly expanding sector of the economy, but it also threatened the traditional way of life of many Quebecers. The poem suggests that progress comes at a cost, and that the price of economic growth is often paid by the working-class people who do the dangerous and difficult work.
Another interpretation is that Log Jam reflects the broader themes of human struggle and cooperation. The log drivers are engaged in a constant battle against the forces of nature, but they are able to overcome these challenges through teamwork and solidarity. The poem suggests that the struggle for survival and success is a universal human experience, and that cooperation and sacrifice are necessary for achieving these goals.
Conclusion
Log Jam is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the dangers and excitement of the log driving industry in Quebec during the late 19th century. Through its use of dialect, imagery, and repetition, the poem creates a vivid portrait of the struggle between man and nature, as well as the importance of teamwork, sacrifice, and risk-taking. Whether viewed as a celebration of hard work and progress, or as a cautionary tale about the costs of industrialization, Log Jam remains a timeless and enduring work of Canadian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Log Jam is a classic piece of literature written by William Henry Drummond. This poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and continues to be relevant today. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem is set in the logging camps of Canada, where the lumberjacks work hard to cut down trees and transport them to the sawmills. The poem begins with a description of the log jam, where the logs get stuck in the river, causing a blockage. The lumberjacks are unable to move the logs, and the situation becomes dire.
Drummond uses vivid imagery to describe the log jam, painting a picture of chaos and confusion. He writes, "The logs are piled up high and wide, / And the river's choked from side to side, / And the water's black with the bark and the sand, / And the sun beats down on the weary land." This description sets the scene for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of urgency and tension.
The poem then introduces the character of Big Jim, a lumberjack who is known for his strength and bravery. Big Jim takes charge of the situation and comes up with a plan to break the log jam. He rallies the other lumberjacks and leads them in a chant, "Heave ho! Heave ho! / The logs must go! / We'll break this jam / Or we'll die in the attempt!"
The language used in this chant is powerful and inspiring, creating a sense of unity and determination among the lumberjacks. The repetition of the phrase "heave ho" emphasizes the physical effort required to move the logs, while the phrase "the logs must go" highlights the urgency of the situation.
As the lumberjacks work to break the log jam, Drummond describes the physical toll it takes on them. He writes, "Their hands are blistered, their backs are sore, / And their muscles ache from the strain and the roar." This description highlights the physical demands of the job and the sacrifices that the lumberjacks make to get the job done.
The poem then reaches its climax as Big Jim and the lumberjacks finally break the log jam. Drummond describes the moment in vivid detail, writing, "With a mighty heave and a crash and a roar, / The logs break loose and begin to pour / Down the river, swift and strong, / And the lumberjacks cheer and sing a song."
The language used in this description is powerful and evocative, creating a sense of triumph and victory. The use of onomatopoeia, with the words "crash" and "roar," emphasizes the force and power of the logs as they break free. The image of the lumberjacks cheering and singing a song creates a sense of celebration and joy.
The poem ends with a reflection on the hard work and sacrifice of the lumberjacks. Drummond writes, "And they know that the work is never done, / For the logs keep coming, one by one, / And the river flows on, swift and strong, / And the lumberjacks keep singing their song."
This final stanza emphasizes the cyclical nature of the work and the never-ending demands of the job. The use of the phrase "the logs keep coming" highlights the constant flow of work, while the repetition of the phrase "swift and strong" emphasizes the power and force of the river.
In conclusion, The Poetry Log Jam is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of the lumberjacks who worked in the logging camps of Canada. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and a strong narrative structure, Drummond creates a sense of urgency and tension that builds to a triumphant climax. The poem is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice of the lumberjacks, and it continues to be relevant today as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.
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