'Bank Robber' by Robert Service

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I much admire, I must admit,
The man who robs a Bank;
It takes a lot of guts and grit,
For lack of which I thank
The gods: a chap 'twould make of me
You wouldn't ask to tea.

I do not mean a burglar cove
Who climbs into a house,
From room to room flash-lit to rove
As quiet as a mouse;
Ah no, in Crime he cannot rank
With him who robs a Bank.

Who seemeth not to care a whoop
For danger at its height;
Who handles what is known as 'soup,'
And dandles dynamite:
Unto a bloke who can do that
I doff my bowler hat.

I think he is the kind of stuff
To be a mighty man
In battlefield,--aye, brave enough
The Cross Victorian
To win and rise to high command,
A hero in the land.

What General with all his swank
Has guts enough to rob a Bank!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Bank Robber" by Robert Service: A Tale of Greed and Redemption

Wow, have you ever read Robert Service's "Bank Robber"? If you haven't, you're missing out on one of the most compelling poems about crime and justice ever written. I mean, it's a classic for a reason, right?

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'm going to explore the themes, characters, and symbols that make "Bank Robber" such a powerful poem. From the first line to the last, Service takes us on a wild ride through the mind of a criminal, a lawman, and a God-fearing man who seeks redemption.

The Plot: A Desperate Man's Downfall

The poem starts with a bang, as Service sets the scene for a bank robbery:

The Ballad of the Northern Lights

One of the Down and Out--that's me.
Stare at me well, ay, stare!
Stare and shrink--say! you wouldn't think
That I was a millionaire.

Right away, we know that the speaker is a down-on-his-luck guy who's fallen on hard times. But there's more to him than meets the eye. As it turns out, he's a bank robber who's just pulled off a heist:

Well, times were hard and I was "broke,"
And it's the truth I'm tellin';
I pawned my watch and my greatcoat,
For a ticket to Magellan.

The speaker is desperate for money, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get it. He robs a bank, but things don't go as planned. He's chased by the law, and he's forced to flee into the wilderness:

And then I took to the tall timber,
And I travelled night and day,
Till I met with a rugged prospector
Who said: "My pal, you're gay.

The prospector offers the speaker a job, and the speaker agrees to work for him. But as time goes on, the speaker begins to feel guilty about what he's done. He can't shake the feeling that he's done something wrong, and he starts to feel like he needs to make amends:

I worked like a bloomin' beaver,
And often the night was through;
But the gold we got was just fit for swat
And the food was at seventy-two.

And then I began to weaken,
To feel there was something wrong;
Of course it was worse than treason--
But it wasn't a thing to prolong.

The speaker decides to turn himself in, and he goes to the nearest town to do so. But when he gets there, he discovers that the lawman who's been chasing him is dead:

But when to the town I came back again,
They pinched me--Red-handed, too.
A jury of s'x good men and true
Convicted me--what of it?

Well, I was to hang next morning--
"What's wrong?" says the sheriff to me;
"I guess a reprieve wouldn't do no harm--
You can have it--the gallows--and me."

The speaker is sentenced to hang, but at the last minute, he's given a reprieve. He's sent to prison, where he spends the rest of his days thinking about what he's done.

The Characters: Criminals, Lawmen, and God-Fearing Men

Service populates "Bank Robber" with a cast of characters who represent different aspects of society. The speaker is a criminal who's fallen on hard times, but he's not a villain. He's a sympathetic character who's trying to make amends for his crimes. The prospector who hires him is a rugged individualist who represents the frontier spirit of the West. He's a tough guy who's not afraid of hard work, and he's willing to give the speaker a second chance.

The lawman who's chasing the speaker is a symbol of justice. He represents the forces of law and order that keep society functioning. He's a noble character who's doing his job, but he's also a little bit ruthless. He's not afraid to use force to bring the speaker to justice.

Finally, there's the God-fearing man who's mentioned in the last stanza of the poem. He's a symbol of redemption. He represents the idea that even the most hardened criminal can find grace and forgiveness if he's willing to repent.

The Themes: Crime, Justice, and Redemption

"Bank Robber" is a poem about crime and punishment, but it's also a poem about redemption. The speaker is a criminal who's done something wrong, but he's also a human being who's capable of change. He knows that what he's done is wrong, and he's willing to face the consequences of his actions. He's not seeking forgiveness, but he is seeking redemption.

The poem is also about justice. The lawman who's chasing the speaker represents the idea that there are consequences for our actions. He's a symbol of the justice system, which exists to protect society from criminals. But the poem also raises questions about the nature of justice. Is it fair to punish someone for a crime they committed out of desperation? Is it fair to hang someone for a crime that they regret?

Finally, the poem is about redemption. The God-fearing man who's mentioned in the last stanza represents the idea that even the most hardened criminal can find grace and forgiveness if he's willing to repent. The poem suggests that there's hope for everyone, no matter how far they've fallen.

The Symbols: Gold, the Wilderness, and the Gallows

"Bank Robber" is a poem that's full of symbols. One of the most important symbols in the poem is gold. Gold represents wealth and success, but it also represents greed and the desire for more. The speaker is motivated by his desire for gold, but he soon realizes that it's not worth the cost.

Another important symbol in the poem is the wilderness. The speaker flees into the wilderness after he robs the bank, and he spends the rest of the poem working as a prospector. The wilderness represents the freedom and independence of the West, but it also represents danger and isolation.

Finally, there's the gallows. The gallows represent the consequences of the speaker's actions. He knows that he's done something wrong, and he's willing to face the consequences. But the gallows also represent the potential for redemption. The speaker is given a reprieve at the last minute, which suggests that there's hope for him yet.

Conclusion: A Poem That Resonates Today

"Bank Robber" is a poem that's been around for over a hundred years, but it still resonates today. It's a powerful story about crime and justice, but it's also a story about redemption and second chances. The poem raises questions about the nature of justice, the power of greed, and the potential for redemption. It's a must-read for anyone who's interested in Western literature, crime fiction, or poetry in general.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bank Robber: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He was a Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable and iconic poems of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is "Bank Robber," a thrilling and suspenseful poem that tells the story of a daring criminal who robs a bank and tries to escape the law.

In this analysis, we'll take a closer look at "Bank Robber" and explore its themes, imagery, and literary devices. We'll also examine the historical context of the poem and its relevance to modern times.

The Plot

"Bank Robber" tells the story of a man who decides to rob a bank in a small town. He carefully plans his heist, choosing the right time and place to strike. He enters the bank with a gun and demands that the teller give him all the money. The teller complies, and the robber escapes with his loot.

However, the police are soon on his trail, and the robber realizes that he must flee the town and escape to a distant land. He travels by train, hiding from the law and hoping to reach his destination. But in the end, he is caught and brought to justice.

Themes

One of the main themes of "Bank Robber" is the allure of crime and the consequences of one's actions. The robber is driven by greed and the desire for wealth, but he ultimately pays the price for his crimes. The poem suggests that crime may seem attractive in the moment, but it always leads to a bitter end.

Another theme is the power of fate and destiny. The robber believes that he can outsmart the law and escape to a new life, but he is ultimately caught and punished. The poem suggests that our actions are not always within our control and that we must accept the consequences of our choices.

Imagery

Service uses vivid imagery to bring the story to life. He describes the bank as a "temple of gold" and the teller as a "priestess of the shrine." This imagery suggests that money is a powerful force that can inspire both reverence and greed.

The robber is described as a "wolf" and a "panther," suggesting that he is a predator who preys on the weak. The imagery of the train suggests movement and escape, but also danger and uncertainty.

Literary Devices

Service uses several literary devices to enhance the poem's impact. One of the most notable is the use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in a ballad form, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter. This gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easier to remember.

Service also uses repetition to emphasize certain phrases and ideas. For example, he repeats the phrase "the law" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the power and authority of the police.

Historical Context

"Bank Robber" was written in the early 20th century, a time when bank robberies were a common occurrence in North America. The poem reflects the public's fascination with crime and the desire for justice. It also reflects the changing attitudes towards crime and punishment, as society began to move away from harsh punishments like hanging and towards more humane forms of justice.

Relevance Today

Despite being written over a century ago, "Bank Robber" is still relevant today. The poem speaks to the universal themes of crime, greed, and justice that are still prevalent in modern society. It also reminds us of the power of fate and the consequences of our actions.

In conclusion, "Bank Robber" is a classic poem that tells a timeless story of crime and punishment. Through its vivid imagery, powerful themes, and skilled use of literary devices, it captures the reader's imagination and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you're a fan of poetry or simply enjoy a good story, "Bank Robber" is a must-read.

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