'The Lunger' by Robert Service
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Jack would laugh an' joke all day;
Never saw a lad so gay;
Singin' like a medder lark,
Loaded to the Plimsoll mark
With God's sunshine was that boy;
Had a strangle-holt on Joy.
Held his head 'way up in air,
Left no callin' cards on Care;
Breezy, buoyant, brave and true;
Sent his sunshine out to you;
Cheerfulest when clouds was black --
Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!
Sittin' in my shack alone
I could hear him in his own,
Singin' far into the night,
Till it didn't seem just right
One man should corral the fun,
Live his life so in the sun;
Didn't seem quite natural
Not to have a grouch at all;
Not a trouble, not a lack --
Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!
He was plumbful of good cheer
Till he struck that low-down year;
Got so thin, so little to him,
You could most see day-light through him.
Never was his eye so bright,
Never was his cheek so white.
Seemed as if somethin' was wrong,
Sort o' quaver in his song.
Same old smile, same hearty voice:
"Bless you, boys! let's all rejoice!"
But old Doctor shook his head:
"Half a lung," was all he said.
Yet that half was surely right,
For I heard him every night,
Singin', singin' in his shack --
Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!
Then one day a letter came
Endin' with a female name;
Seemed to get him in the neck,
Sort o' pile-driver effect;
Paled his lip and plucked his breath,
Left him starin' still as death.
Somethin' had gone awful wrong,
Yet that night he sang his song.
Oh, but it was good to hear!
For there clutched my heart a fear,
So that I quaked listenin'
Every night to hear him sing.
But each day he laughed with me,
An' his smile was full of glee.
Nothin' seemed to set him back --
Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!
Then one night the singin' stopped . . .
Seemed as if my heart just flopped;
For I'd learned to love the boy
With his gilt-edged line of joy,
With his glorious gift of bluff,
With his splendid fightin' stuff.
Sing on, lad, and play the game!
O dear God! . . . no singin' came,
But there surged to me instead --
Silence, silence, deep and dread;
Till I shuddered, tried to pray,
Said: "He's maybe gone away."
Oh, yes, he had gone away,
Gone forever and a day.
But he'd left behind him there,
In his cabin, pinched and bare,
His poor body, skin and bone,
His sharp face, cold as a stone.
An' his stiffened fingers pressed
Somethin' bright upon his breast:
Locket with a silken curl,
Poor, sweet portrait of a girl.
Yet I reckon at the last
How defiant-like he passed;
For there sat upon his lips
Smile that death could not eclipse;
An' within his eyes lived still
Joy that dyin' could not kill.
An' now when the nights are long,
How I miss his cheery song!
How I sigh an' wish him back!
Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Lunger: An Analysis of Robert Service’s Classic Poem
Have you ever read a poem that just sticks with you? One that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished reading it? For me, that poem is Robert Service’s “The Lunger.” This haunting piece of poetry has captivated readers for over a century, and it’s not hard to see why.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I’ll be delving deep into the themes, symbolism, and imagery of “The Lunger,” exploring what makes it such a powerful and enduring work of art.
Overview of the Poem
First, let’s take a look at the poem as a whole. “The Lunger” was first published in Service’s collection “Ballads of a Cheechako” in 1909. The poem tells the story of a man who has contracted tuberculosis, commonly known as “the lung disease” or “the lungers” at the time. He is a wanderer, traveling from place to place in search of a cure, but ultimately succumbing to the illness.
The poem is written in Service’s signature ballad style, with a steady rhythm and rhyming couplets. However, it’s not a lighthearted ballad by any means. Instead, it’s a melancholy reflection on mortality and the human condition.
Themes
One of the central themes of “The Lunger” is the fragility of life. The protagonist is struck down by a disease that he can’t control, and despite his best efforts, he is unable to stave off death. Service highlights this theme through his use of vivid imagery, painting a picture of a man wasting away before our eyes.
Another theme is the search for meaning in life. The protagonist is a wanderer, traveling from place to place in search of a cure for his illness. He meets many people along the way, but ultimately is unable to find a sense of purpose or fulfillment. This theme is particularly poignant given the historical context of the poem – tuberculosis was a common and deadly disease at the time, and many people were forced to live their lives in search of a cure that was ultimately out of reach.
A third theme is the transience of life. The protagonist is constantly on the move, never staying in one place for long. He is a drifter, a transient figure who is ultimately forgotten by the world. This theme is underscored by Service’s use of repetition – the phrase “the world forgot” appears several times in the poem, emphasizing the protagonist’s isolation and alienation.
Symbolism
Symbolism is an important aspect of “The Lunger,” and Service uses it to great effect to convey deeper meaning. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the winter landscape. The protagonist is journeying through a barren, frozen landscape, which serves as a metaphor for his own isolation and despair. The cold and snow represent the harshness of life, while the barren trees and empty fields symbolize the protagonist’s own sense of emptiness and hopelessness.
Another important symbol is the protagonist’s cough. The cough is a constant reminder of his illness, and it serves as a symbol of his mortality. Every time he coughs, it’s a reminder that he is slowly wasting away, that his body is betraying him.
Finally, the protagonist’s wanderings can be seen as a symbol of the human condition. We are all on a journey through life, never quite sure where we’re going or what we’re looking for. The protagonist’s search for a cure is a metaphor for our own search for meaning and purpose in life.
Imagery
Service’s use of imagery is one of the most powerful aspects of “The Lunger.” He paints a vivid, haunting picture of the protagonist’s journey through life. The winter landscape, as mentioned above, is particularly striking. The snow and ice are described in great detail, creating a sense of desolation and despair. The imagery is so vivid that you can almost feel the cold wind and see the frost on the trees.
Another powerful image is the protagonist’s physical deterioration. Service describes the man’s body wasting away, his face growing thin and gaunt, his breath becoming shallower and more labored. This imagery is particularly effective because it creates a sense of empathy for the protagonist – we can feel his pain and suffering, and we can understand his desperation to find a cure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Lunger” is a powerful and enduring work of poetry that continues to captivate readers over a century after it was first published. Service’s use of themes, symbolism, and imagery create a haunting picture of a man struggling to find meaning and purpose in life, and ultimately succumbing to the inevitability of death. Despite its melancholy subject matter, the poem is a testament to the power of art to capture the human experience in all its beauty and tragedy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Lunger: A Poem of Hope and Despair
Robert Service’s poem, The Lunger, is a hauntingly beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of human suffering and the struggle for survival. Written in the early 20th century, the poem tells the story of a young man who is dying of tuberculosis, a disease that was rampant during that time. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal themes of hope, despair, and the search for meaning in life.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the young man’s physical condition. He is pale and thin, with a cough that wracks his body. He is a “lunger,” a term used to describe someone who is suffering from tuberculosis. The poem paints a bleak picture of his life, as he is forced to live in a sanatorium, away from his family and friends. He is surrounded by death and despair, and he is constantly reminded of his own mortality.
Despite his dire circumstances, the young man remains hopeful. He dreams of a better life, one where he is healthy and free. He longs to be reunited with his loved ones, and he yearns for the simple pleasures of life that he has been denied. He finds solace in the beauty of nature, and he takes comfort in the fact that he is not alone in his suffering.
The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal themes of hope, despair, and the search for meaning in life.
As the poem progresses, the young man’s condition worsens. He becomes weaker and more frail, and his dreams of a better life begin to fade. He is consumed by despair, and he begins to question the meaning of his existence. He wonders if his life has any purpose, and he struggles to find a reason to go on.
Despite his despair, the young man refuses to give up. He clings to the hope that he will one day be cured, and he finds strength in the love of his family and friends. He realizes that his life has meaning, and that he has touched the lives of those around him. He finds comfort in the fact that he has made a difference in the world, and he is at peace with his fate.
The poem ends with a powerful message of hope. The young man’s spirit lives on, even after his death. His memory is a source of inspiration for those who knew him, and his legacy lives on in the lives of those he touched. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and it reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
In conclusion, The Lunger is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the universal themes of hope, despair, and the search for meaning in life. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and it reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Robert Service’s masterful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and haunting portrait of a young man’s struggle for survival, and his ultimate triumph over adversity. The poem is a timeless classic, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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