'Little Moccasins' by Robert Service
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Come out, O Little Moccasins, and frolic on the snow!
Come out, O tiny beaded feet, and twinkle in the light!
I'll play the old Red River reel, you used to love it so:
Awake, O Little Moccasins, and dance for me to-night!
Your hair was all a gleamy gold, your eyes a corn-flower blue;
Your cheeks were pink as tinted shells, you stepped light as a fawn;
Your mouth was like a coral bud, with seed pearls peeping through;
As gladdening as Spring you were, as radiant as dawn.
Come out, O Little Moccasins! I'll play so soft and low,
The songs you loved, the old heart-songs that in my mem'ry ring;
O child, I want to hear you now beside the campfire glow!
With all your heart a-throbbing in the simple words you sing.
For there was only you and I, and you were all to me;
And round us were the barren lands, but little did we fear;
Of all God's happy, happy folks the happiest were we. . . .
(Oh, call her, poor old fiddle mine, and maybe she will hear!)
Your mother was a half-breed Cree, but you were white all through;
And I, your father was -- but well, that's neither here nor there;
I only know, my little Queen, that all my world was you,
And now that world can end to-night, and I will never care.
For there's a tiny wooden cross that pricks up through the snow:
(Poor Little Moccasins! you're tired, and so you lie at rest.)
And there's a grey-haired, weary man beside the campfire glow:
(O fiddle mine! the tears to-night are drumming on your breast.)
Editor 1 Interpretation
Little Moccasins: A Poem Analysis
Introduction
Little Moccasins is a classic poem written by Robert Service, an American poet, in the early 20th century. The poem tells the story of a young Native American girl and her journey across the prairies of North America.
In this literary criticism, we will analyze the themes, symbols, and literary techniques used in Little Moccasins, and explore how they contribute to the overall meaning and message of the poem.
Summary
The poem begins with the introduction of the main character, a young Native American girl who is described as "slender and brown" and wears "beaded moccasins". She is on a journey across the prairie, and the poem describes her surroundings as she travels, including the "rolling hills" and the "wide, blue sky".
As the girl travels, she encounters various obstacles, including a fierce storm and a group of hostile cowboys. However, she perseveres and continues on her journey, eventually reaching her destination.
The poem ends with a powerful message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, as the girl reflects on her journey and the challenges she has overcome.
Themes
One of the main themes of Little Moccasins is the idea of perseverance in the face of adversity. Throughout the poem, the young Native American girl encounters numerous obstacles and challenges, but she continues on her journey regardless, demonstrating a strong will and determination to reach her destination.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of cultural identity and heritage. The girl's traditional clothing and moccasins are an important symbol of her Native American heritage, and the poem celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of this culture.
Symbols
The moccasins worn by the young girl are a powerful symbol in the poem, representing her cultural identity and heritage. The beaded design on the moccasins is described in intricate detail in the poem, emphasizing their beauty and importance.
The storm that the girl encounters on her journey is also a symbol, representing the challenges and obstacles that she must overcome. The storm is described as "wrathful" and "wild", emphasizing the danger and difficulty of the situation.
Literary Techniques
Robert Service uses a variety of literary techniques in Little Moccasins to create a vivid and engaging poem. One of the most prominent techniques is imagery, with Service using detailed descriptions to create a clear picture of the girl's surroundings and the challenges she faces.
The poem also makes use of repetition, with the phrase "little moccasins" appearing multiple times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the importance and significance of the moccasins in the girl's journey.
Another literary technique used in the poem is personification, with the storm described as having a "wrathful" and "wild" nature. This personification creates a sense of danger and tension, adding to the drama of the poem.
Interpretation
Little Moccasins is a powerful poem that celebrates the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Through the story of the young Native American girl, the poem emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage and identity, and the need to persevere in the face of adversity.
The use of vivid imagery and literary techniques creates a sense of drama and tension in the poem, drawing the reader into the story and emphasizing the importance of the themes and symbols presented.
Overall, Little Moccasins is a masterpiece of American poetry, and a powerful tribute to the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Little Moccasins: A Poem of Love and Loss
Robert Service’s Little Moccasins is a classic poem that tells the story of a young Indigenous girl who falls in love with a white man. The poem is a poignant exploration of the complexities of love and the challenges of cultural differences. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service captures the heartbreak and tragedy of a love that cannot be.
The poem begins with a description of the young girl, who is “lithe and brown and merry” and wears “little moccasins of deerskin”. The imagery here is evocative of the natural world and the girl’s connection to it. The use of the word “lithe” suggests a sense of grace and agility, while “brown” and “merry” convey a sense of warmth and joy. The mention of the moccasins is significant, as they represent the girl’s cultural identity and heritage.
The girl’s encounter with the white man is described in the second stanza, where she is “startled” by his presence. The use of the word “startled” suggests a sense of fear or unease, which is understandable given the historical context of Indigenous people’s experiences with white settlers. However, the girl’s fear is quickly replaced by curiosity and attraction, as she “gazed with eyes of wonder” at the white man.
The third stanza is where the poem really begins to explore the complexities of the girl’s feelings. She is described as being “torn between her love and duty”, which suggests that she is aware of the cultural differences between herself and the white man. The use of the word “duty” implies a sense of obligation to her people and her heritage, while “love” suggests a deep emotional connection to the white man.
The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as it describes the girl’s decision to leave her people and follow the white man. The language here is emotive and vivid, with phrases like “her heart was like a wild bird flying” and “her feet were winged with joy”. The use of bird imagery is significant, as it suggests a sense of freedom and liberation. However, the girl’s decision is not without consequences, as the final line of the stanza ominously warns that “the trail she trod was wet with tears”.
The fifth stanza is a brief interlude that describes the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. The use of natural imagery here is once again significant, as it suggests the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.
The sixth stanza is where the tragedy of the poem really begins to unfold. The girl is described as being “lonely, weary, sick and sad”, which suggests that her decision to leave her people has not brought her the happiness she had hoped for. The use of the word “sick” is particularly poignant, as it suggests a sense of physical and emotional deterioration.
The seventh stanza is where the poem reaches its climax, as the girl dies in the white man’s arms. The language here is powerful and emotive, with phrases like “her spirit passed like summer rain” and “her heart was like a broken bird”. The use of rain imagery is significant, as it suggests a sense of cleansing and renewal. However, the girl’s death is also a tragic reminder of the cultural differences that ultimately drove her to leave her people.
The final stanza is a reflection on the girl’s life and death, and the legacy she leaves behind. The use of the word “ghost” is significant, as it suggests a sense of haunting and the idea that the girl’s spirit lives on. The final line, “her little moccasins are worn away”, is a poignant reminder of the girl’s cultural identity and the sacrifices she made in the name of love.
In conclusion, Little Moccasins is a powerful and emotive poem that explores the complexities of love and the challenges of cultural differences. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert Service captures the heartbreak and tragedy of a love that cannot be. The poem is a poignant reminder of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous people, and a tribute to the resilience and strength of their culture and heritage.
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