'The Atavist' by Robert Service
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What are you doing here, Tom Thorne, on the white top-knot o' the world,
Where the wind has the cut of a naked knife and the stars are rapier keen?
Hugging a smudgy willow fire, deep in a lynx robe curled,
You that's a lord's own son, Tom Thorne -- what does your madness mean?
Go home, go home to your clubs, Tom Thorne! home to your evening dress!
Home to your place of power and pride, and the feast that waits for you!
Why do you linger all alone in the splendid emptiness,
Scouring the Land of the Little Sticks on the trail of the caribou?
Why did you fall off the Earth, Tom Thorne, out of our social ken?
What did your deep damnation prove? What was your dark despair?
Oh with the width of a world between, and years to the count of ten,
If they cut out your heart to-night, Tom Thorne, her name would be graven there!
And you fled afar for the thing called Peace, and you thought you would find it here,
In the purple tundras vastly spread, and the mountains whitely piled;
It's a weary quest and a dreary quest, but I think that the end is near;
For they say that the Lord has hidden it in the secret heart of the Wild.
And you know that heart as few men know, and your eyes are fey and deep,
With a "something lost" come welling back from the raw, red dawn of life:
With woe and pain have you greatly lain, till out of abysmal sleep
The soul of the Stone Age leaps in you, alert for the ancient strife.
And if you came to our feast again, with its pomp and glee and glow,
I think you would sit stone-still, Tom Thorne, and see in a daze of dream,
A mad sun goading to frenzied flame the glittering gems of the snow,
And a monster musk-ox bulking black against the blood-red gleam.
I think you would see berg-battling shores, and stammer and halt and stare,
With a sudden sense of the frozen void, serene and vast and still;
And the aching gleam and the hush of dream, and the track of a great white bear,
And the primal lust that surged in you as you sprang to make your kill.
I think you would hear the bull-moose call, and the glutted river roar;
And spy the hosts of the caribou shadow the shining plain;
And feel the pulse of the Silences, and stand elate once more
On the verge of the yawning vastitudes that call to you in vain.
For I think you are one with the stars and the sun, and the wind and the wave and the dew;
And the peaks untrod that yearn to God, and the valleys undefiled;
Men soar with wings, and they bridle kings, but what is it all to you,
Wise in the ways of the wilderness, and strong with the strength of the Wild?
You have spent your life, you have waged your strife where never we play a part;
You have held the throne of the Great Unknown, you have ruled a kingdom vast:
. . . . .
But to-night there's a strange, new trail for you, and you go, O weary heart!
To the place and rest of the Great Unguessed . . . at last, Tom Thorne, at last.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Atavist by Robert Service: An Exploration of Human Nature
Robert Service's poem, The Atavist, is a haunting exploration of the dark side of human nature. It is a poem that speaks to the primal instincts that lie within all of us, and the struggle between civilization and savagery that has defined humanity since its dawn. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, language, and imagery of the poem, and examine the ways in which Service uses them to create a powerful and thought-provoking work of art.
The Themes of The Atavist
At its core, The Atavist is a meditation on the struggle between civilization and the wild, untamed impulses that lurk within us all. The poem speaks to the fear that lies at the heart of this struggle - the fear that one day, the thin veneer of civilization that separates us from our more primitive selves will shatter, and we will be consumed by the darkness within.
The theme of fear is woven throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the terror that the atavist - the primal, savage self - inspires in those around him. The speaker notes that even the bravest men are afraid of the atavist, for they know that he represents a force that they cannot control. And yet, the speaker himself is drawn to the atavist - he sees in him something primal and powerful that he cannot resist.
The Language of The Atavist
Service's use of language in The Atavist is both powerful and evocative. He employs a range of literary devices - from alliteration to metaphor - to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both intense and foreboding.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "I fear and I fear" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and repetition that mirrors the speaker's own fear and anxiety. Similarly, the repetition of the phrase "the atavist" reinforces the sense of the primal, animalistic nature of the figure that the speaker is describing.
Service also employs metaphor to great effect in the poem. The atavist is described as a "wolf" and a "tiger", reinforcing the sense of his wild, predatory nature. The speaker himself is described as a "moth" drawn to the flame of the atavist, again emphasizing the sense of danger and risk that surrounds this figure.
The Imagery of The Atavist
The imagery of The Atavist is rich and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the savage landscape that the speaker is describing. The poem is set in a wilderness - a place where civilization has yet to take hold, and where the atavist can roam free.
Service describes this landscape in vivid detail, painting a picture of a place that is both beautiful and terrifying. The "purple night" and "silver stars" suggest a sense of beauty and wonder, while the description of the "howling wolves" and "savage bears" creates a sense of danger and fear.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the atavist himself. Service paints a picture of a man who is both human and animal - a figure who embodies the primal instincts that lie within us all. The image of the atavist standing "naked in the moon" suggests a sense of vulnerability and raw power, while the description of his "wild, red-rimmed eyes" creates a sense of danger and menace.
Interpretation of The Atavist
At its core, The Atavist is a poem about the struggle between civilization and savagery - a struggle that has defined humanity since its beginnings. The poem suggests that we all carry within us a primal, animalistic nature, and that this nature is both terrifying and alluring.
The speaker's fear of the atavist is, in many ways, a fear of himself - a fear that he too could succumb to the darker impulses that lie within him. And yet, there is also a sense of attraction and fascination with the atavist - a sense that he represents a power and vitality that is missing from the ordered, civilized world.
Ultimately, The Atavist is a poem that speaks to the complexity of human nature - to the fact that we are all capable of great good and great evil. It is a haunting and thought-provoking work of art that challenges us to confront the darker aspects of ourselves, and to grapple with the age-old question of what it means to be human.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Atavist: A Poem of the Wild
Robert Service's "The Atavist" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the wild and the primal instincts that lie within us all. The poem is a powerful exploration of the human psyche and the forces that drive us to seek adventure and explore the unknown.
At its core, "The Atavist" is a poem about the call of the wild. It tells the story of a man who is drawn to the wilderness and the freedom it offers. The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the natural world, with its "purple peaks" and "crimson sunsets." He then goes on to describe the wild animals that inhabit this world, from the "grizzly bear" to the "lynx and wolverine."
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more enamored with the wild. He speaks of the "thrill of the chase" and the "joy of the kill." He revels in the freedom that the wilderness offers, and he longs to be a part of it. He speaks of the "wilderness call" that he hears, and he knows that he must answer it.
The poem is filled with vivid imagery that captures the beauty and danger of the wild. Service's use of language is masterful, and he paints a picture of a world that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The poem is also filled with powerful metaphors that help to convey the speaker's emotions and desires.
One of the most striking metaphors in the poem is the comparison of the speaker to an "atavist." An atavist is someone who exhibits traits that are more commonly associated with an earlier, more primitive stage of human evolution. In the context of the poem, the speaker is an atavist because he is drawn to the wild and the primal instincts that lie within him.
The use of this metaphor is particularly effective because it highlights the tension between civilization and the wild. The speaker is torn between the comforts of civilization and the call of the wild. He knows that he should be content with his life in the city, but he cannot ignore the primal urges that drive him to seek adventure and explore the unknown.
Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the speaker to a "wolf." This metaphor is used to convey the speaker's sense of freedom and his desire to be a part of the wild. The wolf is a symbol of the untamed wilderness, and the speaker longs to be a part of that world.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality. The speaker knows that the wild is a dangerous place, and he is aware of the risks that come with exploring it. He speaks of the "grim reaper" that waits for him in the wild, and he knows that he may not return from his adventures.
Despite this knowledge, the speaker is still drawn to the wild. He knows that life is short, and he wants to make the most of it. He speaks of the "joy of the kill" and the "thrill of the chase," and he knows that these experiences are worth the risk.
In conclusion, "The Atavist" is a powerful poem that explores the human desire for adventure and the call of the wild. It is a poem that speaks to the primal instincts that lie within us all, and it captures the beauty and danger of the natural world. Robert Service's use of language and metaphor is masterful, and he paints a vivid picture of a world that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. If you have not read this classic poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a true masterpiece of poetry, and it will leave you with a sense of wonder and awe.
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