'The Ballad Of Gum-Boot Ben' by Robert Service
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He was an old prospector with a vision bleared and dim.
He asked me for a grubstake, and the same I gave to him.
He hinted of a hidden trove, and when I made so bold
To question his veracity, this is the tale he told.
"I do not seek the copper streak, nor yet the yellow dust;
I am not fain for sake of gain to irk the frozen crust;
Let fellows gross find gilded dross, far other is my mark;
Oh, gentle youth, this is the truth--I go to seek the Ark.
"I prospected the Pelly bed, I prospected the White;
The Nordenscold for love of gold I piked from morn till night;
Afar and near for many a year I led the wild stampede,
Until I guessed that all my quest was vanity and greed.
"Then came I to a land I knew no man had ever seen,
A haggard land, forlornly spanned by mountains lank and lean;
The nitchies said 'twas full of dread, of smoke and fiery breath,
And no man dare put foot in there for fear of pain and death.
"But I was made all unafraid, so, careless and alone,
Day after day I made my way into that land unknown;
Night after night by camp-fire light I crouched in lonely thought;
Oh, gentle youth, this is the truth--I knew not what I sought.
"I rose at dawn; I wandered on. 'Tis somewhat fine and grand
To be alone and hold your own in God's vast awesome land;
Come woe or weal, 'tis fine to feel a hundred miles between
The trails you dare and pathways where the feet of men have been.
"And so it fell on me a spell of wander-lust was cast.
The land was still and strange and chill, and cavernous and vast;
And sad and dead, and dull as lead, the valleys sought the snows;
And far and wide on every side the ashen peaks arose.
"The moon was like a silent spike that pierced the sky right through;
The small stars popped and winked and hopped in vastitudes of blue;
And unto me for company came creatures of the shade,
And formed in rings and whispered things that made me half afraid.
"And strange though be, 'twas borne on me that land had lived of old,
And men had crept and slain and slept where now they toiled for gold;
Through jungles dim the mammoth grim had sought the oozy fen,
And on his track, all bent of back, had crawled the hairy men.
"And furthermore, strange deeds of yore in this dead place were done.
They haunted me, as wild and free I roamed from sun to sun;
Until I came where sudden flame uplit a terraced height,
A regnant peak that seemed to seek the coronal of night.
"I scaled the peak; my heart was weak, yet on and on I pressed.
Skyward I strained until I gained its dazzling silver crest;
And there I found, with all around a world supine and stark,
Swept clean of snow, a flat plateau, and on it lay--the Ark.
"Yes, there, I knew, by two and two the beasts did disembark,
And so in haste I ran and traced in letters on the Ark
My human name--Ben Smith's the same. And now I want to float
A syndicate to haul and freight to town that noble boat."
I met him later in a bar and made a gay remark
Anent an ancient miner and an option on the Ark.
He gazed at me reproachfully, as only topers can;
But what he said I can't repeat--he was a bad old man.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad Of Gum-Boot Ben: A Masterful Narrative Poem
The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben is one of Robert Service's most famous and beloved poems. Originally published in Service's 1912 collection, Rhymes of a Red Cross Man, it tells the story of a Canadian prospector who strikes gold in the Klondike and becomes a wealthy man. However, instead of living the high life in the city, he chooses to remain in the wilderness, content with his simple life and his beloved gum boots.
The Narrative Structure
The poem is written in ballad form, which is a narrative poem that uses simple, rhyming stanzas to tell a story. The poem is divided into eight stanzas, each containing six lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. The ballad form is perfect for this story because it allows Service to tell the story in a clear and concise manner, while still maintaining the necessary emotional weight.
In the first stanza, Service introduces us to the character of Gum-Boot Ben, a simple man who loves his gum boots. The second stanza describes Ben's life in the wilderness, where he spends his days prospecting for gold and his nights sleeping under the stars. The third stanza sees Ben finally strike gold, but instead of heading to the city to spend his fortune, he chooses to stay in the wilderness.
The fourth and fifth stanzas describe Ben's life as a wealthy man, living in a grand cabin and enjoying the finer things in life. However, in the sixth stanza, we see Ben's contentment with his simple life return, and he gives away his wealth to those in need. The final two stanzas see Ben return to his old way of life, once again content with his gum boots and the wilderness.
The Theme of Materialism and Contentment
One of the central themes of The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben is materialism and contentment. Ben is introduced to us as a simple man who loves his gum boots, and he remains content with his life even after he strikes gold. He is not swayed by the allure of wealth and chooses to remain in the wilderness, living a simple life.
This theme is further explored in the fourth and fifth stanzas, where we see Ben living the high life in a grand cabin, surrounded by wealth and luxury. However, he quickly becomes disillusioned with this way of life and gives away his wealth to those in need.
Service is making a commentary on the destructive nature of materialism and the importance of finding contentment in the simple things in life. Ben's journey from a simple prospector to a wealthy man and back again emphasizes this theme and encourages the reader to question their own relationship with material possessions.
The Use of Imagery
Service's use of imagery in The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben is masterful. He creates vivid images of the wilderness, the gold rush, and Ben's life both before and after he strikes gold. The opening stanza sets the tone for the poem, with its description of the "wilderness of lonely lands" and the "pinch of want and the hope of pride."
In the second stanza, we see Ben sleeping "under the sky's great tent," evoking a sense of freedom and adventure. The description of Ben's discovery of gold in the third stanza is equally vivid, with its use of the imagery of "yellow pebbles gleaming bright" and "a vein of gold as thick as cream."
Service's imagery is not limited to the natural world, however. He also creates vivid images of Ben's life as a wealthy man, describing his grand cabin with its "carpets thick and curtains fine" and "a table set with silver rare." This contrast between Ben's simple life in the wilderness and his life as a wealthy man emphasizes the theme of materialism and contentment.
The Use of Language and Rhyme
Service's use of language and rhyme is also noteworthy in The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben. His use of simple, straightforward language complements the ballad form, allowing the story to be told clearly and concisely. The rhyme scheme is also well-suited to the story, with its use of couplets and repeated endings creating a sense of rhythm and musicality.
Service's use of language and rhyme also serves to reinforce the themes of the poem. The repeated use of the phrase "gum-boot Ben" emphasizes Ben's simple, unassuming nature, while the repetition of the word "content" emphasizes the importance of finding contentment in life.
Conclusion
The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben is a masterful narrative poem that explores themes of materialism and contentment through vivid imagery and simple, straightforward language. Service's use of the ballad form and rhyme scheme allows him to tell the story clearly and concisely, while also creating a sense of rhythm and musicality.
The poem encourages the reader to question their relationship with material possessions and to find contentment in the simple things in life. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today, making it a true classic of Canadian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben: A Tale of Adventure and Perseverance
Robert Service's "The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who overcomes adversity through sheer determination and resourcefulness. Set in the rugged wilderness of the Yukon, the poem is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, Gum-Boot Ben, a man who is down on his luck and struggling to survive in the harsh environment of the Yukon. He is described as a "worn-out wanderer" who has "tramped the whole creation" in search of a better life. Despite his hardships, Ben remains optimistic and determined to make a better life for himself.
The poem then takes us on a journey with Ben as he faces a series of challenges and obstacles. He encounters fierce storms, treacherous terrain, and dangerous wildlife, but he never gives up. Instead, he uses his wits and resourcefulness to overcome each obstacle in his path.
One of the most memorable scenes in the poem is when Ben is caught in a blizzard and forced to take shelter in a cave. With no food or water, he is faced with the prospect of freezing to death. But instead of giving up, he uses his gum boots to collect snow and melt it for drinking water. He then uses his knife to fashion a makeshift shelter and builds a fire to keep warm. This scene is a powerful example of Ben's resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.
Another memorable scene in the poem is when Ben encounters a grizzly bear. Instead of running away or trying to fight the bear, Ben uses his quick thinking to distract the bear and make his escape. He throws his hat in one direction and runs in the other, leaving the bear confused and disoriented. This scene is a testament to Ben's ability to think on his feet and adapt to changing circumstances.
Throughout the poem, we see Ben's determination and perseverance in action. He never gives up, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He is a true survivor, and his story is an inspiration to us all.
But the poem is more than just a tale of adventure and perseverance. It is also a commentary on the human condition and the struggle for survival. Ben's story is a reminder that life is not always easy, and that we must be prepared to face challenges and overcome obstacles if we want to succeed.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "The Ballad of Gum-Boot Ben" is a classic poem that tells a timeless tale of adventure and perseverance. Through the character of Gum-Boot Ben, we see the power of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up. It is a poem that inspires us to be resilient and resourceful in the face of adversity, and to never lose hope in the pursuit of our dreams.
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