'The Trapper's Christmas Eve' by Robert Service
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It's mighty lonesome-like and drear.
Above the Wild the moon rides high,
And shows up sharp and needle-clear
The emptiness of earth and sky;
No happy homes with love a-glow;
No Santa Claus to make believe:
Just snow and snow, and then more snow;
It's Christmas Eve, it's Christmas Eve.
And here am I where all things end,
And Undesirables are hurled;
A poor old man without a friend,
Forgot and dead to all the world;
Clean out of sight and out of mind . . .
Well, maybe it is better so;
We all in life our level find,
And mine, I guess, is pretty low.
Yet as I sit with pipe alight
Beside the cabin-fir
take to-night
The backward trail of fifty year.
The school-house and the Christmas tree;
The children with their cheeks a-glow;
Two bright blue eyes that smile on me . . .
Just half a century ago.
Again (it's maybe forty years),
With faith and trust almost divine,
These same blue eyes, abrim with tears,
Through depths of love look into mine.
A parting, tender, soft and low,
With arms that cling and lips that cleave . . .
Ah me! it's all so long ago,
Yet seems so sweet this Christmas Eve.
Just thirty years ago, again . . .
We say a bitter, last good-bye;
Our lips are white with wrath and pain;
Our little children cling and cry.
Whose was the fault? it matters not,
For man and woman both deceive;
It's buried now and all forgot,
Forgiven, too, this Christmas Eve.
And she (God pity me) is dead;
Our children men and women grown.
I like to think that they are wed,
With little children of their own,
That crowd around their Christmas tree . . .
I would not ever have them grieve,
Or shed a single tear for me,
To mar their joy this Christmas Eve.
Stripped to the buff and gaunt and still
Lies all the land in grim distress.
Like lost soul wailing, long and shrill,
A wolf-howl cleaves the emptiness.
Then hushed as Death is everything.
The moon rides haggard and forlorn . . .
"O hark the herald angels sing!"
God bless all men -- it's Christmas morn.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Trapper's Christmas Eve by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a wonderful poem! The Trapper's Christmas Eve by Robert Service is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of the holiday season and the ruggedness of the wilderness. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and imagery used in the poem and explore how they create a powerful narrative.
Overview
The Trapper's Christmas Eve tells the story of a lone trapper who spends the night in his cabin on Christmas Eve. The trapper is far away from civilization, and he has only his dog for company. As he sits by the fire, he reminisces about his past and his lost love. The poem is a beautiful blend of nostalgia, melancholy, and hope.
Themes
The Trapper's Christmas Eve is a poem that explores several themes, including:
Loneliness
The trapper is all alone in his cabin, and the only company he has is his dog. He is far away from civilization, and there is no one to share his joy or his sorrow. The poem highlights the loneliness that is often associated with living in the wilderness. The trapper longs for human companionship, but he has learned to accept his solitude.
Nostalgia
As the trapper sits by the fire, he reminisces about his past. He remembers the times he spent with his lost love, and he feels a deep sense of nostalgia. The poem captures the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, where the trapper longs for the past but also accepts that it is gone forever.
Hope
Despite the trapper's loneliness and nostalgia, there is a sense of hope in the poem. The trapper is looking forward to Christmas Day, and he believes that he will be reunited with his lost love in the afterlife. The poem offers a message of hope and redemption, even in the face of adversity.
Symbols
The Trapper's Christmas Eve uses several symbols to deepen the meaning of the poem. These symbols include:
The Cabin
The trapper's cabin represents his isolation from civilization. It is a safe haven in the wilderness, but it also serves as a reminder of his loneliness.
The Fire
The fire in the cabin represents the trapper's warmth and comfort. It is a source of light and heat, and it also symbolizes his hope for the future.
The Dog
The trapper's dog is his only companion in the wilderness. The dog represents loyalty and companionship, and it serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always someone who cares.
The Lost Love
The trapper's lost love is a symbol of his past. She represents the nostalgia that the trapper feels and his hope for the future. She is also a reminder that even though she is gone, she will always be a part of his life.
Imagery
The Trapper's Christmas Eve uses vivid imagery to create a powerful narrative. Some of the most striking examples of imagery in the poem include:
"The trapper's only friend was gone, / Dead on this bitter Christmas Eve."
This line creates a powerful image of the trapper's loneliness. His only companion, his dog, has died, leaving him completely alone.
"And there, as in my lonely heart / I heard it in my lonely heart."
This line creates a beautiful image of the trapper's nostalgia. He hears the sound of his lost love's voice in his heart, reminding him of the past.
"The fire was warm, the room was bright / And in my heart there shone a light."
This line creates a powerful image of the trapper's hope. The fire in the cabin represents his warmth and comfort, and the light in his heart represents his hope for the future.
Conclusion
The Trapper's Christmas Eve is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the holiday season and the ruggedness of the wilderness. Through its themes, symbols, and imagery, the poem offers a message of hope and redemption, even in the face of adversity. It is a testament to the power of literature to touch our hearts and souls, and it will continue to be a beloved classic for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Trapper's Christmas Eve: A Poem of Survival and Hope
Robert Service's The Trapper's Christmas Eve is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the holiday season in a unique and powerful way. Written in 1907, the poem tells the story of a trapper who is stranded in the wilderness on Christmas Eve, facing the harsh realities of nature and the loneliness of his own thoughts. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and a deep understanding of human nature, Service creates a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the universal themes of survival, hope, and the power of the human spirit.
The poem begins with a description of the trapper's situation: he is alone in the wilderness, with no one to share his Christmas Eve with except his faithful dog. The snow is falling heavily, and the wind is howling through the trees. The trapper is cold, hungry, and tired, but he knows that he must keep moving if he wants to survive. He sets out on his journey, with his dog by his side, and begins to reflect on his life and his choices.
As he walks through the snow, the trapper thinks about the past and the present. He remembers the days when he was young and full of hope, dreaming of a better life. He thinks about the mistakes he has made, the people he has lost, and the hardships he has faced. He wonders if he will ever find happiness and peace in this world.
Despite his doubts and fears, the trapper keeps moving forward, driven by a fierce determination to survive. He knows that he must find shelter and warmth if he wants to make it through the night. He searches for a place to rest, but all he finds is a small cave, barely big enough for him and his dog. He huddles inside, trying to keep warm, and begins to pray for a miracle.
And then, in a moment of pure magic, the trapper's prayers are answered. He hears the sound of sleigh bells in the distance, and he knows that help is on the way. He rushes outside, calling out for the stranger who is approaching. And there, in the snow, he sees a vision of hope and joy: a man in a red suit, with a sleigh full of gifts, and a smile on his face.
The trapper is overwhelmed with emotion as he realizes that he has been visited by none other than Santa Claus himself. He watches in awe as Santa unloads his sleigh, handing out presents to the trapper and his dog. He listens as Santa sings a song of hope and love, filling the air with the sound of his voice. And he feels a sense of wonder and gratitude that he has never felt before.
As Santa prepares to leave, the trapper thanks him from the bottom of his heart. He knows that he has been given a gift that he will never forget: the gift of hope. He watches as Santa disappears into the night, leaving behind a trail of magic and wonder. And he knows that, no matter what happens in the future, he will always remember this moment, and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest of times.
In conclusion, The Trapper's Christmas Eve is a classic poem that speaks to the universal themes of survival, hope, and the power of the human spirit. Through vivid imagery, rich language, and a deep understanding of human nature, Robert Service creates a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of the holiday season in a unique and powerful way. Whether you are facing the challenges of the wilderness, or the challenges of everyday life, this poem reminds us that we are never truly alone, and that there is always hope for a better tomorrow. So, as you celebrate this holiday season, remember the trapper's journey, and the magic of Santa Claus. And may you find the hope and joy that you need to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
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