'The Rhyme of the Remittance Man' by Robert W. Service


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There's a four-pronged buck a-swinging in the shadow of my cabin,
And it roamed the velvet valley till to-day;
But I tracked it by the river, and I trailed it in the cover,
And I killed it on the mountain miles away.
Now I've had my lazy supper, and the level sun is gleaming
On the water where the silver salmon play;
And I light my little corn-cob, and I linger, softly dreaming,
In the twilight, of a land that's far away.

Far away, so faint and far, is flaming London, fevered Paris,
That I fancy I have gained another star;
Far away the din and hurry, far away the sin and worry,
Far away -- God knows they cannot be too far.
Gilded galley-slaves of Mammon -- how my purse-proud brothers taunt me!
I might have been as well-to-do as they
Had I clutched like them my chances, learned their wisdom, crushed my fancies,
Starved my soul and gone to business every day.

Well, the cherry bends with blossom and the vivid grass is springing,
And the star-like lily nestles in the green;
And the frogs their joys are singing, and my heart in tune is ringing,
And it doesn't matter what I might have been.
While above the scented pine-gloom, piling heights of golden glory,
The sun-god paints his canvas in the west,
I can couch me deep in clover, I can listen to the story
Of the lazy, lapping water -- it is best.

While the trout leaps in the river, and the blue grouse thrills the cover,
And the frozen snow betrays the panther's track,
And the robin greets the dayspring with the rapture of a lover,
I am happy, and I'll nevermore go back.
For I know I'd just be longing for the little old log cabin,
With the morning-glory clinging to the door,
Till I loathed the city places, cursed the care on all the faces,
Turned my back on lazar London evermore.

So send me far from Lombard Street, and write me down a failure;
Put a little in my purse and leave me free.
Say: "He turned from Fortune's offering to follow up a pale lure,
He is one of us no longer -- let him be."
I am one of you no longer; by the trails my feet have broken,
The dizzy peaks I've scaled, the camp-fire's glow;
By the lonely seas I've sailed in -- yea, the final word is spoken,
I am signed and sealed to nature. Be it so.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Rhyme of the Remittance Man: A Tale of Duality and Redemption

As I read "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" by Robert W. Service, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and intrigue. The poem tells the story of a wealthy man who has lost his way and seeks redemption in the rugged, unforgiving landscape of the Canadian wilderness.

At its core, the poem is a tale of duality - of wealth and poverty, of pride and humility, of sin and redemption. The Remittance Man, a character whose very name implies privilege and entitlement, is forced to confront his own limitations and mortality in the face of the harsh Canadian landscape. In doing so, he finds a kind of spiritual renewal that is both beautiful and haunting.

The Rhyme of the Remittance Man: A Poem of Contrast

One of the most striking aspects of "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" is the contrast between the Remittance Man's former life of luxury and his new existence in the wilderness. This is evident from the very beginning of the poem, as the speaker describes the Remittance Man's "palace-home" and "radiant bride." These images of wealth and luxury are sharply contrasted with the barren, inhospitable landscape of the Canadian wilderness. The speaker describes the "ragged scar" of the mountains and the "sullen, angry sky" that hangs over the landscape, creating a sense of foreboding and danger.

The Remittance Man's journey into the wilderness is also a journey into a different kind of morality. In his former life, he was driven by pride and a sense of entitlement, but in the wilderness, he is forced to confront his own limitations and the harsh reality of nature. The poem suggests that it is only through this process of humility and self-discovery that the Remittance Man is able to find redemption and renewal.

The Remittance Man's Journey of Redemption

The Remittance Man's journey of redemption is a central theme of the poem. At the beginning of the poem, he is described as a man who has "sinned against the light" and "squandered golden hours." He is consumed by pride and a sense of entitlement, and his life is characterized by excess and indulgence. However, as he sets out into the wilderness, he begins to experience a kind of spiritual renewal.

This is evident in the way that the Remittance Man begins to appreciate the natural beauty of the wilderness. He is struck by the "noble pines" and the "ivory gleam" of the moonlight on the snow. These moments of appreciation are important because they demonstrate the Remittance Man's growing humility and his willingness to see the world in a new light.

As the Remittance Man's journey progresses, he also begins to confront his own mortality. This is evident in the way that he describes the cold and the wind as "his comrades." The Remittance Man is no longer insulated from the harsh realities of the world, and he is forced to confront the fact that he is a small and insignificant part of a much larger universe.

The Haunting Beauty of "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man"

One of the most haunting aspects of "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" is the way that it suggests that redemption is not easy or straightforward. The Remittance Man's journey is not a simple process of repentance and forgiveness, but rather a complex and difficult process of self-discovery and humility.

This complexity is reflected in the way that the speaker describes the Remittance Man's experience in the wilderness. The landscape is both beautiful and dangerous, and the Remittance Man's journey is fraught with peril and uncertainty. There is a sense that the Remittance Man's redemption is not guaranteed, and that he must continue to work at it every day.

The final lines of the poem are particularly haunting, as the speaker suggests that the Remittance Man's redemption may ultimately be futile. The Remittance Man is described as "a ghost that's lost its way," and the poem ends with the haunting image of his "frozen smile" and "lifeless stare." This image is a reminder that even the most sincere efforts at redemption may ultimately fail, and that we are all subject to the whims of fate and circumstance.

Conclusion: A Poem of Beauty and Complexity

"The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" is a poem of beauty and complexity. It tells the story of a wealthy man who seeks redemption in the harsh landscape of the Canadian wilderness, and it explores themes of duality, humility, and mortality. The poem is both haunting and beautiful, and it suggests that redemption is a complex and difficult process that requires ongoing effort and self-discovery.

As I finished reading the poem, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. Robert W. Service has crafted a work of art that is both beautiful and haunting, and that speaks to the complexity of the human experience. "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" is a poem that will stay with me for a long time, and I look forward to revisiting it again and again in the years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Rhyme of the Remittance Man: A Classic Poem of Adventure and Redemption

Robert W. Service's "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who has lost everything and must start anew. The poem is a tale of adventure, redemption, and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, the Remittance Man. He is a man who has been sent to Canada with a monthly allowance from his family in England. He is a man who has lost everything, including his reputation, and is now trying to start a new life in a new country.

The Remittance Man is a man who is haunted by his past. He is a man who has made mistakes and is now trying to make amends. He is a man who is trying to find redemption and a new purpose in life.

The poem is written in a rhyming style, which adds to its charm and appeal. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which means that the first and second lines rhyme, as do the third and fourth lines. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which makes the poem easy to read and enjoyable to listen to.

The Remittance Man is a man who is determined to make a new life for himself. He is a man who is not afraid of hard work and is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. He is a man who is determined to prove himself to the people of Canada and to his family back in England.

The poem is set in the Canadian wilderness, which adds to its sense of adventure and excitement. The Remittance Man is a man who is not afraid of the dangers of the wilderness and is willing to take risks to achieve his goals.

The poem is also a commentary on the nature of wealth and privilege. The Remittance Man is a man who has been given everything in life, but has lost it all due to his own mistakes. He is a man who is now trying to make a new life for himself, but is still haunted by his past.

The poem is a reminder that wealth and privilege do not guarantee happiness or success. It is a reminder that we must work hard and make our own way in life, regardless of our background or circumstances.

The Remittance Man is a man who is determined to make a new life for himself, but he is also a man who is haunted by his past. He is a man who is trying to find redemption and a new purpose in life. He is a man who is willing to take risks and face the dangers of the wilderness to achieve his goals.

The poem is a classic tale of adventure and redemption. It is a reminder that we must never give up on ourselves, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. It is a reminder that we must always strive to be the best version of ourselves, and that we must never let our past mistakes define us.

In conclusion, "The Rhyme of the Remittance Man" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who has lost everything and must start anew. It is a tale of adventure, redemption, and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. The poem is a reminder that we must never give up on ourselves, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. It is a reminder that we must always strive to be the best version of ourselves, and that we must never let our past mistakes define us.

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