'The Shooting Of Dan McGrew' by Robert Service
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A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malamute saloon;
The kid that handles the music-box was hitting a jag-time tune;
Back of the bar, in a solo game, sat Dangerous Dan McGrew,
And watching his luck was his light-o'-love, the lady that's known as Lou.
When out of the night, which was fifty below, and into the din and the glare,
There stumbled a miner fresh from the creeks, dog-dirty, and loaded for bear.
He looked like a man with a foot in the grave and scarcely the strength of a louse,
Yet he tilted a poke of dust on the bar, and he called for drinks for the house.
There was none could place the stranger's face, though we searched ourselves for a clue;
But we drank his health, and the last to drink was Dangerous Dan McGrew.
There's men that somehow just grip your eyes, and hold them hard like a spell;
And such was he, and he looked to me like a man who had lived in hell;
With a face most hair, and the dreary stare of a dog whose day is done,
As he watered the green stuff in his glass, and the drops fell one by one.
Then I got to figgering who he was, and wondering what he'd do,
And I turned my head -- and there watching him was the lady that's known as Lou.
His eyes went rubbering round the room, and he seemed in a kind of daze,
Till at last that old piano fell in the way of his wandering gaze.
The rag-time kid was having a drink; there was no one else on the stool,
So the stranger stumbles across the room, and flops down there like a fool.
In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat, and I saw him sway;
Then he clutched the keys with his talon hands -- my God! but that man could play.
Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when the moon was awful clear,
And the icy mountains hemmed you in with a silence you most could HEAR;
With only the howl of a timber wolf, and you camped there in the cold,
A half-dead thing in a stark, dead world, clean mad for the muck called gold;
While high overhead, green, yellow and red, the North Lights swept in bars? --
Then you've a haunch what the music meant . . . hunger and night and the stars.
And hunger not of the belly kind, that's banished with bacon and beans,
But the gnawing hunger of lonely men for a home and all that it means;
For a fireside far from the cares that are, four walls and a roof above;
But oh! so cramful of cosy joy, and crowned with a woman's love --
A woman dearer than all the world, and true as Heaven is true --
(God! how ghastly she looks through her rouge, -- the lady that's known as Lou.)
Then on a sudden the music changed, so soft that you scarce could hear;
But you felt that your life had been looted clean of all that it once held dear;
That someone had stolen the woman you loved; that her love was a devil's lie;
That your guts were gone, and the best for you was to crawl away and die.
'Twas the crowning cry of a heart's despair, and it thrilled you through and through --
"I guess I'll make it a spread misere," said Dangerous Dan McGrew.
The music almost died away . . . then it burst like a pent-up flood;
And it seemed to say, "Repay, repay," and my eyes were blind with blood.
The thought came back of an ancient wrong, and it stung like a frozen lash,
And the lust awoke to kill, to kill . . . then the music stopped with a crash,
And the stranger turned, and his eyes they burned in a most peculiar way;
In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat, and I saw him sway;
Then his lips went in in a kind of grin, and he spoke, and his voice was calm,
And "Boys," says he, "you don't know me, and none of you care a damn;
But I want to state, and my words are straight, and I'll bet my poke they're true,
That one of you is a hound of hell . . . and that one is Dan McGrew."
Then I ducked my head, and the lights went out, and two guns blazed in the dark,
And a woman screamed, and the lights went up, and two men lay stiff and stark.
Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead, was Dangerous Dan McGrew,
While the man from the creeks lay clutched to the breast of the lady that's known as Lou.
These are the simple facts of the case, and I guess I ought to know.
They say that the stranger was crazed with "hooch", and I'm not denying it's so.
I'm not so wise as the lawyer guys, but strictly between us two --
The woman that kissed him and -- pinched his poke -- was the lady that's known as Lou.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Shooting Of Dan McGrew: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! We are going to dive deep into the classic poem, The Shooting Of Dan McGrew, written by none other than Robert Service. This poem has been a fan favorite for over a century, and for good reason. It's a thrilling tale of love, greed, and revenge that has captured the hearts of readers everywhere. So, let's get started!
Background Information
Before we begin our analysis, let's take a moment to set the stage. The Shooting Of Dan McGrew was first published in 1907 in Robert Service's book, Songs of a Sourdough (also known as The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses). The poem takes place in the Yukon during the gold rush of the late 1800s. The narrator is a patron of the Malamute Saloon, where the titular character, Dan McGrew, is shot and killed. The poem is written in the form of a ballad, a narrative poem that tells a story in a simple and direct manner.
Analysis
Now that we have some context, let's dive into the poem itself. The Shooting Of Dan McGrew is a complex work that touches on themes of greed, revenge, and the dangers of the frontier. Service's use of language and imagery helps to create a vivid and immersive world that draws the reader in.
Structure
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABACBCBC, giving the poem a musical quality. The repetition of the AB rhyme scheme helps to create a sense of unity and cohesion throughout the poem. Additionally, the use of repetition in the form of the refrain, "The Shooting of Dan McGrew," helps to reinforce the central event of the poem and adds to its memorability.
Language and Imagery
Service's use of language and imagery is one of the highlights of the poem. The description of the Malamute Saloon as a "hell upon earth" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "hell" is a strong choice, as it immediately conjures up images of danger and violence. The description of the patrons as "all rugged and rough" adds to this sense of danger and sets the scene for the violence to come.
The use of personification is also prevalent in the poem, particularly in the description of the Arctic night as "crouched like a beast." This personification helps to create a sense of foreboding and adds to the overall atmosphere of danger.
One of the most striking uses of language in the poem is the repetition of the phrase "a woman there" in the second and fifth stanzas. This repetition helps to create a sense of mystery and sets the woman apart from the other characters in the poem. Additionally, the description of her as "pretty and proud" adds to her intrigue and makes the reader wonder what her role in the story will be.
Themes
The Shooting Of Dan McGrew touches on a number of themes, including greed, revenge, and the dangers of the frontier. The central event of the poem, the shooting of Dan McGrew, is driven by greed. The woman in the poem is described as having "eyes that were blue and blazing" and "lips that were hungry and red." These descriptions suggest that she is motivated by a desire for wealth and power.
Revenge is also a prominent theme in the poem. The narrator describes Dan McGrew as a man who "had a score to settle" and implies that his death was the result of a long-standing feud. The woman's involvement in the shooting suggests that her desire for revenge played a role in the event as well.
Finally, the poem touches on the dangers of the frontier. The description of the patrons of the Malamute Saloon as "rugged and rough" and the personification of the Arctic night as a "beast" create a sense of danger and uncertainty. Additionally, the fact that the shooting takes place in a saloon, a place of excessive drinking and gambling, underscores the dangers of the frontier lifestyle.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? The Shooting Of Dan McGrew is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and revenge. The woman in the poem is driven by a desire for wealth and power, which ultimately leads to Dan McGrew's death. The poem suggests that this kind of greed is dangerous and can have deadly consequences.
Additionally, the poem highlights the dangers of the frontier lifestyle. The patrons of the Malamute Saloon are described as rugged and rough, and the saloon itself is a place of excessive drinking and gambling. The shooting takes place in this lawless environment, underscoring the dangers of life on the frontier.
Finally, The Shooting Of Dan McGrew is a celebration of storytelling. The poem is written in the form of a ballad, a traditional narrative poem that has been passed down through generations. Service's use of language and imagery helps to create a vivid world that draws the reader in and makes them feel like they are a part of the story.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Shooting Of Dan McGrew is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Service's use of language and imagery creates a vivid and immersive world that draws the reader in. The poem touches on themes of greed, revenge, and the dangers of the frontier, and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of these things. Ultimately, The Shooting Of Dan McGrew is a celebration of storytelling and the power of narrative to captivate and inspire.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Shooting Of Dan McGrew: A Classic Poem That Will Leave You Breathless
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service's "The Shooting Of Dan McGrew." This poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, with vivid imagery and a thrilling plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The Plot
The poem tells the story of a man named Dan McGrew, who is a rough and tough character known for his love of gambling and drinking. One night, he finds himself in a saloon in the town of Dawson, Yukon, where he meets a beautiful woman named Lou. As the night wears on, tensions rise, and a stranger named Soapy Smith enters the saloon. Soapy is a notorious criminal, and he and Dan have a history. The two men exchange words, and a gunfight ensues. In the end, both men are killed, and Lou is left alone to mourn their deaths.
Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the danger of living a reckless and wild lifestyle. Dan McGrew is a man who lives life on the edge, taking risks and indulging in vices like gambling and drinking. His lifestyle ultimately leads to his demise, as he finds himself in a deadly gunfight with a criminal. The poem serves as a cautionary tale, warning readers of the dangers of living a life without restraint.
Another theme of the poem is the power of fate. Throughout the poem, there are several instances where fate seems to be at work. For example, Dan McGrew's arrival at the saloon is described as being "fated." Similarly, the arrival of Soapy Smith seems to be predestined, as if the two men were always destined to meet in a deadly confrontation. The poem suggests that fate is a powerful force that can shape our lives in ways we cannot control.
Symbolism
The poem is rich in symbolism, with several objects and images representing deeper meanings. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the saloon itself. The saloon represents a place of temptation and danger, where people can indulge in vices and engage in risky behavior. It is a place where fate seems to be at work, drawing people together in unexpected ways.
Another symbol in the poem is the gold rush. The poem takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush, a time when people were flocking to the Yukon in search of riches. The gold rush represents the allure of wealth and the dangers that come with it. Dan McGrew is a man who is driven by his desire for money, and his pursuit of wealth ultimately leads to his downfall.
Literary Devices
Service employs several literary devices in the poem, including rhyme, meter, and repetition. The poem is written in a ballad form, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter. This gives the poem a musical quality, making it easy to read aloud and remember.
Repetition is also used throughout the poem, with certain phrases and lines repeated for emphasis. For example, the line "The music almost died away...then burst like a pent-up flood" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of tension and anticipation.
Conclusion
"The Shooting Of Dan McGrew" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a thrilling tale of danger, fate, and the consequences of living a reckless life. Service's use of symbolism, literary devices, and vivid imagery make the poem a masterpiece of storytelling. If you haven't read this poem before, I highly recommend it. It will leave you breathless and wanting more.
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