'The Outlaw' by Robert Service
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A wild and woeful race he ran
Of lust and sin by land and sea;
Until, abhorred of God and man,
They swung him from the gallows-tree.
And then he climbed the Starry Stair,
And dumb and naked and alone,
With head unbowed and brazen glare,
He stood before the Judgment Throne.
The Keeper of the Records spoke:
"This man, O Lord, has mocked Thy Name.
The weak have wept beneath his yoke,
The strong have fled before his flame.
The blood of babes is on his sword;
His life is evil to the brim:
Look down, decree his doom, O Lord!
Lo! there is none will speak for him."
The golden trumpets blew a blast
That echoed in the crypts of Hell,
For there was Judgment to be passed,
And lips were hushed and silence fell.
The man was mute; he made no stir,
Erect before the Judgment Seat . . .
When all at once a mongrel cur
Crept out and cowered and licked his feet.
It licked his feet with whining cry.
Come Heav'n, come Hell, what did it care?
It leapt, it tried to catch his eye;
Its master, yea, its God was there.
Then, as a thrill of wonder sped
Through throngs of shining seraphim,
The Judge of All looked down and said:
"Lo! here is ONE who pleads for him.
"And who shall love of these the least,
And who by word or look or deed
Shall pity show to bird or beast,
By Me shall have a friend in need.
Aye, though his sin be black as night,
And though he stand 'mid men alone,
He shall be softened in My sight,
And find a pleader by My Throne.
"So let this man to glory win;
From life to life salvation glean;
By pain and sacrifice and sin,
Until he stand before Me -- clean.
For he who loves the least of these
(And here I say and here repeat)
Shall win himself an angel's pleas
For Mercy at My Judgment Seat."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Outlaw by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
The Outlaw, a classic poem by Robert Service, is a thrilling tale of a man on the run. The poem is rich in literary devices, themes, and symbols, making it a compelling piece of literature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's structure, language, themes, and symbols to unravel its meaning and significance.
Background
Before we dive into the poem's analysis, let's have some background information about the author and the poem. Robert Service was a renowned Scottish-Canadian poet who gained worldwide fame for his poems about the Canadian North. The Outlaw was first published in his book, Rhymes of a Red-Cross Man, in 1916, during the First World War. The poem tells the story of an outlaw who is on the run, hunted by the law. The poem's setting is the Canadian wilderness, and the outlaw's fate is left to the reader's interpretation.
Analysis
Structure and Language
The Outlaw is a rhymed poem composed of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the rhythm is iambic tetrameter, with eight syllables per line. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, reflecting the outlaw's uncomplicated life. Service's use of rhyme and rhythm provides a musical quality to the poem, making it easier to read and remember.
Service's language in The Outlaw is vivid and descriptive, conveying the beauty and danger of the wilderness. He uses similes and metaphors to describe the outlaw's situation and emotions. For example, in the first stanza, he compares the outlaw's eyes to "a lynx's eyes," emphasizing the outlaw's alertness and the predator-prey dynamic in the wilderness. In the second stanza, Service uses a metaphor to describe the outlaw's solitude, saying he is "a wolf on the fold." The metaphor not only emphasizes the loneliness of the outlaw but also links him to the wilderness and its inhabitants.
Themes
The Outlaw is a poem rich in themes, ranging from nature and freedom to morality and justice. The most prominent themes are:
Nature and Freedom
The wilderness is a significant theme in The Outlaw. The poem describes the beauty and danger of the wilderness, emphasizing its power and unpredictability. The outlaw's decision to flee to the wilderness is an act of rebellion against society's constraints and a quest for freedom. The wilderness represents a space where he can be free from the law's reach and live on his terms.
Morality and Justice
The poem raises questions about morality and justice. The outlaw's actions are illegal and immoral, but the poem portrays him sympathetically. The outlaw is not a cold-blooded killer but a man who was pushed to the edge by circumstances. The poem questions the morality of the law and its ability to provide justice. The outlaw's fate is left to the reader's interpretation, leaving room for different ethical conclusions.
Symbols
The Outlaw is rich in symbols that contribute to the poem's meaning and significance. The most significant symbols are:
The Lynx
The lynx is a powerful predator that embodies the wilderness's strength and unpredictability. The outlaw's eyes are compared to a lynx's eyes, emphasizing his alertness and ability to survive in the wilderness. The lynx also symbolizes the outlaw's connection to nature and his rejection of society's rules and constraints.
The Wolf
The wolf is a symbol of solitude and loneliness. The poem compares the outlaw to a wolf, emphasizing his isolation and separation from society. The wolf also symbolizes the outlaw's connection to the wilderness and his ability to survive in harsh conditions.
The Law
The law is a symbol of authority and power. The poem portrays the law as a force that is hostile to the outlaw, hunting him down and threatening his freedom. The law also represents society's rules and constraints, which the outlaw rejects in his quest for freedom.
Interpretation
The Outlaw is a poem that can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a critique of society's rules and constraints. The outlaw's decision to flee to the wilderness is a rebellion against the law's authority, which he sees as unjust and oppressive. The wilderness represents a space where he can be free from the law's reach and live on his terms. The poem questions society's ability to provide justice and raises ethical questions about the law's morality.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of nature and its power. The wilderness is portrayed as a space of beauty and danger, where the outlaw can connect with the natural world and its inhabitants. The poem emphasizes the outlaw's connection to the lynx and the wolf, emphasizing his bond with the wilderness. The poem's ending, where the outlaw's fate is left to the reader's interpretation, can be seen as a tribute to the wilderness's unpredictability and power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Outlaw is a powerful poem that explores themes of nature, freedom, morality, and justice. Service's use of language, symbols, and structure creates a vivid and compelling story of a man on the run. The poem's interpretation is left to the reader's discretion, making it a work of literature that invites multiple readings and discussions. The Outlaw is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, reflecting the timeless themes of human existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Outlaw: A Tale of Adventure and Redemption
Robert Service's poem, The Outlaw, is a thrilling tale of adventure, love, and redemption. Set in the rugged landscape of the Yukon, the poem tells the story of a young man who becomes an outlaw after killing a man in self-defense. The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, with vivid descriptions of the wilderness, intense action scenes, and a powerful message about the human capacity for change and redemption.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, a young man named Dan McGrew. Dan is a rugged and fearless adventurer, who has spent his life exploring the wilds of the Yukon. He is a skilled hunter and trapper, and he knows the land like the back of his hand. However, Dan's life takes a dramatic turn when he is forced to kill a man in self-defense. Fearing for his life, Dan flees into the wilderness, becoming an outlaw and a fugitive from justice.
As Dan wanders through the wilderness, he meets a young woman named Rose. Rose is a beautiful and kind-hearted woman, who is immediately drawn to Dan's rugged charm. Despite his outlaw status, Rose falls in love with Dan, and the two become inseparable. Together, they explore the wilderness, living off the land and evading the law.
However, Dan's past catches up with him when he is captured by a group of Mounties. Facing a long prison sentence, Dan is given a chance at redemption when he is offered a deal by the Mounties. If he agrees to help them capture a notorious outlaw named Black Bart, they will reduce his sentence and allow him to go free.
Dan agrees to the deal, and he sets out to capture Black Bart. The two men engage in a thrilling chase through the wilderness, with Dan using all of his skills and knowledge to track down his prey. In the end, Dan is able to capture Black Bart, and he is hailed as a hero by the Mounties.
The poem ends with Dan and Rose reunited, and Dan reflecting on his journey of redemption. He realizes that he has been given a second chance at life, and he vows to use it to make amends for his past mistakes. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for change and redemption, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love and forgiveness.
One of the most striking features of The Outlaw is its vivid descriptions of the wilderness. Service's use of language is masterful, and he is able to paint a vivid picture of the rugged landscape of the Yukon. The reader can almost feel the biting cold of the winter wind, the crunch of the snow underfoot, and the vast expanse of the wilderness stretching out before them. Service's descriptions of the wilderness are not just beautiful, they are also integral to the story. The wilderness is a character in its own right, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the actions and motivations of the characters.
Another notable feature of The Outlaw is its intense action scenes. Service was a master of the action-adventure genre, and he is able to create scenes of heart-pumping excitement and danger. The chase between Dan and Black Bart is a prime example of this. The reader is on the edge of their seat as the two men race through the wilderness, with Dan using all of his skills and knowledge to track down his prey. The action scenes are not just thrilling, they are also integral to the story. They serve to heighten the tension and drama, and they keep the reader engaged and invested in the outcome.
However, perhaps the most powerful aspect of The Outlaw is its message of redemption. The poem is a powerful reminder that no matter how far we may have fallen, we always have the capacity to change and make amends for our past mistakes. Dan's journey from outlaw to hero is a testament to this. He is given a second chance at life, and he uses it to make amends for his past mistakes. The poem is a powerful reminder that no matter how dark our past may be, there is always hope for a brighter future.
In conclusion, The Outlaw is a masterpiece of storytelling, with vivid descriptions of the wilderness, intense action scenes, and a powerful message about the human capacity for change and redemption. Service's use of language is masterful, and he is able to create a world that is both beautiful and dangerous. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and forgiveness, and it is a powerful reminder that no matter how far we may have fallen, we always have the capacity to rise again.
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