'The Cremation Of Sam McGee' by Robert Service
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There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that he'd "sooner live in hell".
On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.
And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."
Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
"It's the cursed cold, and it's got right hold till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet 'tain't being dead -- it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."
A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.
There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say:
"You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."
Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows -- O God! how I loathed the thing.
And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.
Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May".
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."
Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared -- such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.
Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.
I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; . . . then the door I opened wide.
And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm --
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Cremation Of Sam McGee: A Journey Through Death and Redemption
Introduction
The Cremation of Sam McGee is a classic poem written by Robert Service in 1907 that tells the story of a man named Sam McGee and his journey through the frozen north of Canada. The poem is a narrative of adventure, death, and redemption, and it is one of the most popular and widely read poems in the history of Canadian literature.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used by Service to create a powerful and unforgettable narrative that has captured the imagination of readers for over a century.
Themes
One of the central themes of The Cremation Of Sam McGee is the idea of death and redemption. The poem is a journey through the frozen north, where death is a constant and ever-present danger. However, it is also a journey of redemption, as the narrator seeks to find a way to lay Sam McGee to rest in a manner that will bring peace to his restless soul.
Service uses vivid and evocative language to describe the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the north, where the wind is like a "whetted knife," and the cold can freeze a man's blood in his veins. The poem is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death, but it is also a celebration of the human spirit and its capacity for survival, even in the most extreme circumstances.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of friendship and loyalty. The narrator is a friend of Sam McGee, and he is determined to fulfill his promise to cremate Sam's body and lay him to rest in a manner that will bring him peace. The poem is a tribute to the power of friendship and the bonds that can be forged between people in even the most difficult of circumstances.
Symbols
Service uses a number of symbols in The Cremation of Sam McGee to reinforce the themes of the poem and to create a powerful and evocative narrative. One of the most important symbols in the poem is the gold that Sam McGee and the narrator are seeking. The gold represents the material wealth that people seek, but it is also a symbol of the desire for something more, the desire for a better life and a better future.
The gold is also a symbol of the danger and uncertainty of the north, where men risk their lives to seek their fortunes. Service describes the gold as "cursed" and "mocking," suggesting that it is a false promise that can lead to ruin and despair.
The cold and the snow are also important symbols in the poem. The cold represents the harsh and unforgiving nature of the north, while the snow symbolizes the silence and isolation that can be found in the wilderness. The snow covers everything, making it difficult to see and to find one's way, and it is a constant reminder of the dangers that lurk in the darkness.
Literary Devices
Service uses a number of literary devices in The Cremation of Sam McGee to create a powerful and evocative narrative. One of the most important devices is the use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in a ballad form, with an ABAB rhyme scheme and a consistent meter that gives the poem a sense of rhythm and melody. The use of rhyme and meter also helps to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem, tying together the various themes and symbols that Service uses.
Another important literary device used by Service is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats certain phrases and images, such as "the Arctic trails have their secret tales," and "I cremated Sam McGee." These repetitions create a sense of continuity and build momentum in the story, reinforcing the central themes and symbols of the poem.
Service also uses imagery and metaphor to create vivid and evocative descriptions of the north and its inhabitants. He describes the wind as a "whetted knife," the cold as a "thousand stings," and the north itself as a "land of gold and hope." These images help to create a sense of the danger and beauty of the north, and they contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Cremation of Sam McGee is a powerful and evocative poem that tells the story of a man's journey through death and redemption. Service uses a variety of literary devices, including rhyme, repetition, and imagery, to create a narrative that is both memorable and moving. The poem is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the power of friendship and loyalty, and it has become a classic of Canadian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Cremation of Sam McGee: A Classic Poem of Adventure and Survival
If you're a fan of classic poetry, you've probably heard of Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee." This poem has been captivating readers for over a century with its vivid imagery, gripping narrative, and haunting refrain. But what makes this poem so enduringly popular? Let's take a closer look.
First, let's set the scene. The poem takes place in the frozen wilderness of the Yukon, during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. The narrator, who is never named, is a fellow prospector who has struck up a friendship with Sam McGee, a fellow adventurer. The two men are traveling together on a sled, but as the poem begins, the narrator is growing increasingly concerned about Sam's health. He fears that Sam will not survive the harsh conditions of the Yukon winter.
The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the piece:
"There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee."
Right away, we get a sense of the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere of the Yukon wilderness. The "midnight sun" suggests a place where time and space are distorted, where the rules of the natural world don't quite apply. The "secret tales" of the Arctic trails hint at the danger and mystery that lurk in this remote corner of the world. And of course, the mention of the Northern Lights adds to the sense of wonder and strangeness.
But it's the final line of the stanza that really grabs our attention: "I cremated Sam McGee." This is a bold statement, and it raises all sorts of questions. Why did the narrator cremate Sam? What led up to this moment? And what does it mean for the narrator to have done this?
The rest of the poem answers these questions, but not in a straightforward way. Instead, Service takes us on a wild, unpredictable journey through the Yukon wilderness, full of twists and turns and unexpected revelations. Along the way, we encounter a cast of colorful characters, from the "lumber-camps" and "mining-camps" to the "huskies" and "sourdoughs" who populate this rugged landscape.
One of the most memorable characters we meet is Cap, the captain of a steamboat who agrees to take Sam and the narrator up the Yukon River. Cap is a gruff, no-nonsense type who doesn't suffer fools gladly. When the narrator asks him if he's ever cremated anyone before, Cap replies, "No, never; but I'm willing to try." This line is both funny and chilling, and it sets the stage for the rest of the poem's dark humor.
As the journey continues, the narrator becomes increasingly worried about Sam's health. He tries to keep Sam warm by building a fire in the sled, but Sam seems to be getting weaker and weaker. Finally, Sam tells the narrator that he doesn't want to be buried in the frozen ground. Instead, he asks the narrator to cremate him and take his ashes back to his hometown of Tennessee.
This is where the poem's title comes into play. The narrator agrees to cremate Sam, but he's not sure how to do it. He tries to build a fire on the frozen lake, but the wood won't catch. Finally, he remembers that Sam had a "fancy vest" made of "polar bear" fur. He decides to use the vest as kindling for the fire, and it works. The vest burns brightly, and Sam's body is consumed by the flames.
The poem's final stanza brings everything full circle:
"And the Northern Lights danced in the sky; And the huskies howled out of tune; And the stars were agleam, and the moon was a dream, And the fire was dead and gone. Yet there wasn't a breath in that land of death, And I hurried, horror-driven, With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, Because of a promise given; It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: 'You may tax your brawn and brains, But you promised true, and it's up to you To cremate those last remains.'"
This final stanza is both haunting and triumphant. The Northern Lights, huskies, stars, and moon all seem to be celebrating Sam's passing, as if they know that he has finally found peace. The narrator, meanwhile, is "horror-driven" by the task of carrying Sam's ashes back to Tennessee. But he's also determined to fulfill his promise, no matter what it takes.
In the end, "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a poem about adventure, survival, and the bonds of friendship. It's a story of two men who set out into the wilderness together, facing unimaginable challenges and dangers along the way. And it's a testament to the power of human connection, even in the face of death.
So if you haven't read this classic poem yet, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
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