'The Man From Athabaska' by Robert Service
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Oh the wife she tried to tell me that 'twas nothing but the thrumming
Of a wood-pecker a-rapping on the hollow of a tree;
And she thought that I was fooling when I said it was the drumming
Of the mustering of legions, and 'twas calling unto me;
'Twas calling me to pull my freight and hop across the sea.
And a-mending of my fish-nets sure I started up in wonder,
For I heard a savage roaring and 'twas coming from afar;
Oh the wife she tried to tell me that 'twas only summer thunder,
And she laughed a bit sarcastic when I told her it was War;
'Twas the chariots of battle where the mighty armies are.
Then down the lake came Half-breed Tom with russet sail a-flying,
And the word he said was "War" again, so what was I to do?
Oh the dogs they took to howling, and the missis took to crying,
As I flung my silver foxes in the little birch canoe:
Yes, the old girl stood a-blubbing till an island hid the view.
Says the factor: "Mike, you're crazy! They have soldier men a-plenty.
You're as grizzled as a badger, and you're sixty year or so."
"But I haven't missed a scrap," says I, "since I was one and twenty.
And shall I miss the biggest? You can bet your whiskers -- no!"
So I sold my furs and started . . . and that's eighteen months ago.
For I joined the Foreign Legion, and they put me for a starter
In the trenches of the Argonne with the Boche a step away;
And the partner on my right hand was an apache from Montmartre;
On my left there was a millionaire from Pittsburg, U. S. A.
(Poor fellow! They collected him in bits the other day.)
But I'm sprier than a chipmunk, save a touch of the lumbago,
And they calls me Old Methoosalah, and `blagues' me all the day.
I'm their exhibition sniper, and they work me like a Dago,
And laugh to see me plug a Boche a half a mile away.
Oh I hold the highest record in the regiment, they say.
And at night they gather round me, and I tell them of my roaming
In the Country of the Crepuscule beside the Frozen Sea,
Where the musk-ox runs unchallenged, and the cariboo goes homing;
And they sit like little children, just as quiet as can be:
Men of every crime and colour, how they harken unto me!
And I tell them of the Furland, of the tumpline and the paddle,
Of secret rivers loitering, that no one will explore;
And I tell them of the ranges, of the pack-strap and the saddle,
And they fill their pipes in silence, and their eyes beseech for more;
While above the star-shells fizzle and the high explosives roar.
And I tell of lakes fish-haunted, where the big bull moose are calling,
And forests still as sepulchres with never trail or track;
And valleys packed with purple gloom, and mountain peaks appalling,
And I tell them of my cabin on the shore at Fond du Lac;
And I find myself a-thinking: Sure I wish that I was back.
So I brag of bear and beaver while the batteries are roaring,
And the fellows on the firing steps are blazing at the foe;
And I yarn of fur and feather when the `marmites' are a-soaring,
And they listen to my stories, seven `poilus' in a row,
Seven lean and lousy poilus with their cigarettes aglow.
And I tell them when it's over how I'll hike for Athabaska;
And those seven greasy poilus they are crazy to go too.
And I'll give the wife the "pickle-tub" I promised, and I'll ask her
The price of mink and marten, and the run of cariboo,
And I'll get my traps in order, and I'll start to work anew.
For I've had my fill of fighting, and I've seen a nation scattered,
And an army swung to slaughter, and a river red with gore,
And a city all a-smoulder, and . . . as if it really mattered,
For the lake is yonder dreaming, and my cabin's on the shore;
And the dogs are leaping madly, and the wife is singing gladly,
And I'll rest in Athabaska, and I'll leave it nevermore.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Man From Athabaska: A Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Have you ever come across a poem that left you in awe? One that spoke to your soul and left you with a deep sense of appreciation for the art of poetry? I have, and that poem is The Man from Athabaska by Robert Service. This classic poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the rugged North and the indomitable spirit of the people who inhabit it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in this poem to demonstrate why it is a timeless piece of literature that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem, it is essential to provide a brief background and context of the author and the setting of the poem. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He was a prolific writer who gained popularity for his poems about the North, where he spent several years working as a bank clerk in the Yukon during the Gold Rush. The Man from Athabaska was published in 1916 and is part of his collection of poems titled "Ballads of a Cheechako."
The setting of the poem is in the North, specifically in Athabaska, a region in Canada known for its harsh weather and rugged terrain. The poem explores the life and struggles of a man who has lived in this unforgiving environment for years and has become a symbol of the resilience and strength of the people who inhabit the North.
Themes
At the heart of The Man from Athabaska is the theme of survival. The poem portrays the North as a hostile environment where only the strong survive. The man from Athabaska is a prime example of this resilience, having lived in the region for years and enduring the harsh weather, isolation, and loneliness. The poem celebrates the spirit of the people who inhabit the North and their ability to persevere despite the odds.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of freedom. The man from Athabaska is portrayed as a free spirit who has chosen to live in the North and embrace its challenges. He is described as having no need for material possessions or the trappings of civilization, preferring instead the independence and solitude of the wilderness.
Finally, the poem touches on the theme of mortality. The man from Athabaska is depicted as a solitary figure living in a harsh environment with no companionship except for his dog. The poem suggests that he is aware of his mortality and has come to terms with the fact that his life may come to an end in this remote and desolate place.
Symbolism
The poem makes use of several symbols to convey its themes and message. The most prominent of these symbols is the North itself. It is depicted as a vast and unforgiving wilderness that tests the limits of human endurance. The North is also portrayed as a place of freedom, where one can live according to their own rules and principles, away from the constraints of society.
The man from Athabaska is another symbol used in the poem. He represents the resilience and strength of the people who inhabit the North. He is also a symbol of freedom and independence, having chosen to live in the wilderness and embrace its challenges.
The dog that accompanies the man from Athabaska is another symbol used in the poem. Dogs are a common sight in the North and are often used for transportation and hunting. In the poem, the dog represents companionship and loyalty, the only source of comfort and companionship for the man from Athabaska.
Literary devices
The Man from Athabaska makes use of several literary devices to convey its themes and message. The most prominent of these devices is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the North, its environment, and its inhabitants. The imagery used in the poem helps to paint a picture of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the region.
Another literary device used in the poem is personification. The North is personified as a living entity with the power to test human endurance and challenge the limits of human strength. This personification helps to convey the idea that the North is not just a place but a force that shapes the lives of those who inhabit it.
Finally, the poem makes use of rhyme and meter to create a musical quality that adds to its aesthetic appeal. The rhyme scheme used in the poem is AABB, which gives it a sing-song quality that makes it easy to remember and recite.
Conclusion
The Man from Athabaska is a classic poem that captures the essence of the North and the resilience of its inhabitants. The themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in the poem all work together to create a powerful message about survival, freedom, and mortality. The poem is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers even after a century since its publication. Robert Service was a master of his craft, and The Man from Athabaska is just one of the many examples of his genius. I encourage everyone to read this poem and appreciate the beauty and power of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Man From Athabaska: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's one of the most famous poets of the 20th century, known for his vivid descriptions of the rugged landscapes and hardy people of the Canadian North. One of his most popular poems is "The Man From Athabaska," a stirring tribute to the resilience and courage of the men who worked in the frozen wilderness of the Athabaska River.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at "The Man From Athabaska," analyzing its themes, structure, and language to understand why it has endured as a beloved classic of Canadian literature.
The Setting: The Frozen North
The poem is set in the Athabaska River valley, a remote and inhospitable region in northern Alberta. The river itself is a major tributary of the Mackenzie River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean. The Athabaska is known for its treacherous rapids, frigid temperatures, and abundant wildlife, including moose, caribou, and grizzly bears.
Service paints a vivid picture of this harsh landscape in the opening stanza:
The ice-road rattled and roared beneath
The bony feet of a team of Cree;
High in the air the old sledge-springs creaked,
And the snow was as fine as flour to the knee;
The northern lights o'er the prairie danced,
And the pole-star was blazing bright;
And the bitter wind of the night-time wailed
Like a lost child's cry in the night.
Here, we see the team of Cree (Indigenous people of Canada) traveling on an "ice-road," a frozen path that allows them to cross the river. The "old sledge-springs" suggest that this is a well-worn route, but the "fine" snow and "bitter wind" remind us that it's still a treacherous journey. The northern lights and pole-star add a touch of magic to the scene, but the "lost child's cry" hints at the danger and loneliness that lurk in the wilderness.
The Man From Athabaska: A Heroic Figure
The titular character of the poem is a man who works on the Athabaska River, hauling timber and supplies to the remote settlements that dot its banks. He's described as a "giant" of a man, with "shoulders broad as a grizzly's back" and a "voice like a bull's deep bellow." He's also a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes:
He'd come from the land of the midnight sun,
Where the frozen rivers run their race;
From the land of the muskeg and the moose,
From the land of the wolf and the lynx and the bear;
And he'd fought his way through the forests dim,
And he'd crossed the plains of the bitter cold,
And he'd faced the gales of the Arctic night,
And he'd won to the land of gold.
This stanza establishes the man's credentials as a true Northerner, someone who has endured the harshest conditions and emerged victorious. The repetition of "the land of" emphasizes the vastness and diversity of the North, while the list of animals he's encountered suggests his familiarity with the wildlife of the region. The phrase "fought his way" implies that he's had to overcome obstacles and challenges, and the final line, "he'd won to the land of gold," suggests that he's achieved a kind of triumph or success.
The man's physical strength and endurance are also emphasized in the poem:
He'd hewn the logs of the giant pine,
And he'd lashed them tight with the caribou thong;
He'd driven the dog-train mile on mile,
And he'd sung his song as he trudged along;
He'd broken the trail through the deep, deep snow,
And he'd camped in the teeth of the blizzard's blast;
And he'd laughed at the devil and all his works,
For he was a man, and he'd done his last.
Here, we see the man engaged in a variety of tasks that require physical strength and endurance, from chopping down trees to driving a dog sled. The repetition of "he'd" emphasizes his accomplishments, while the phrase "sung his song" suggests his resilience and good humor in the face of adversity. The final line, "he was a man, and he'd done his last," implies that he's reached the end of his journey, but also that he's achieved a kind of fulfillment or completion.
The Man From Athabaska: A Symbol of the North
While the man himself is a heroic figure, he also represents something larger: the spirit of the North itself. Service uses the man's story to convey a sense of the North's rugged beauty, its harshness and danger, and its potential for adventure and discovery.
In the final stanza of the poem, the man is described as a "son of the North," someone who embodies the region's values and traditions:
He was a son of the North, and he knew
The secrets of its heart and soul;
He had lived its life, and he loved its ways,
And he'd made its spirit his own control;
And he'd die as he'd lived, with a smile on his lips,
And a heart that was brave and bold;
For he was a man of the North, and he knew
That the North was his own to hold.
Here, we see the man as a kind of ambassador for the North, someone who has absorbed its culture and ethos and made it his own. The phrase "secrets of its heart and soul" suggests that the North is a place of mystery and depth, while the repetition of "he'd" emphasizes the man's connection to the region. The final line, "the North was his own to hold," suggests that the man has achieved a kind of ownership or mastery over the region, but also that he recognizes its power and majesty.
Conclusion
"The Man From Athabaska" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the Canadian North and the men who worked and lived there. Through vivid descriptions of the landscape, the man's physical strength and endurance, and his symbolic role as a representative of the North, Robert Service creates a powerful tribute to a region that has inspired generations of adventurers, artists, and writers. Whether you're a fan of poetry or just curious about the North, "The Man From Athabaska" is a must-read.
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