'The Spell Of The Yukon' by Robert Service

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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesI wanted the gold, and I sought it,I scrabbled and mucked like a slave.
Was it famine or scurvy -- I fought it;I hurled my youth into a grave.
I wanted the gold, and I got it --Came out with a fortune last fall, --
Yet somehow life's not what I thought it,And somehow the gold isn't all.No! There's the land. (Have you seen it?)It's the cussedest land that I know,
From the big, dizzy mountains that screen itTo the deep, deathlike valleys below.
Some say God was tired when He made it;Some say it's a fine land to shun;
Maybe; but there's some as would trade itFor no land on earth -- and I'm one.You come to get rich (damned good reason);You feel like an exile at first;
You hate it like hell for a season,And then you are worse than the worst.
It grips you like some kinds of sinning;It twists you from foe to a friend;
It seems it's been since the beginning;It seems it will be to the end.I've stood in some mighty-mouthed hollowThat's plumb-full of hush to the brim;
I've watched the big, husky sun wallowIn crimson and gold, and grow dim,
Till the moon set the pearly peaks gleaming,And the stars tumbled out, neck and crop;
And I've thought that I surely was dreaming,With the peace o' the world piled on top.The summer -- no sweeter was ever;The sunshiny woods all athrill;
The grayling aleap in the river,The bighorn asleep on the hill.
The strong life that never knows harness;The wilds where the caribou call;
The freshness, the freedom, the farness --O God! how I'm stuck on it all.The winter! the brightness that blinds you,The white land locked tight as a drum,
The cold fear that follows and finds you,The silence that bludgeons you dumb.
The snows that are older than history,The woods where the weird shadows slant;
The stillness, the moonlight, the mystery,I've bade 'em good-by -- but I can't.There's a land where the mountains are nameless,And the rivers all run God knows where;
There are lives that are erring and aimless,And deaths that just hang by a hair;
There are hardships that nobody reckons;There are valleys unpeopled and still;
There's a land -- oh, it beckons and beckons,And I want to go back -- and I will.They're making my money diminish;I'm sick of the taste of champagne.
Thank God! when I'm skinned to a finishI'll pike to the Yukon again.
I'll fight -- and you bet it's no sham-fight;It's hell! -- but I've been there before;
And it's better than this by a damnsite --So me for the Yukon once more.There's gold, and it's haunting and haunting;It's luring me on as of old;
Yet it isn't the gold that I'm wantingSo much as just finding the gold.
It's the great, big, broad land 'way up yonder,It's the forests where silence has lease;
It's the beauty that thrills me with wonder,It's the stillness that fills me with peace.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Spell Of The Yukon: A Literary Masterpiece

There are some literary works that not only capture the essence of a particular time and place but also evoke emotions and memories that transcend generations. Robert Service's "The Spell of the Yukon" is one such work. This poem has been a favorite of many for over a century, and it is not difficult to see why. From its vivid imagery to its nostalgic tone, "The Spell of the Yukon" is a literary masterpiece that deserves to be studied and celebrated.

Overview of the Poem

"The Spell of the Yukon" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man who is lured to the Yukon by the call of adventure and the promise of gold. The poem is divided into three stanzas, and each stanza focuses on a different aspect of life in the Yukon.

The first stanza sets the scene by describing the beauty and majesty of the Yukon landscape. The speaker describes the snow-covered mountains, the frozen rivers, and the silence that prevails in this remote corner of the world. The stanza ends with the speaker acknowledging that it is the spell of the Yukon that has brought him here.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the people who live in the Yukon. The speaker describes the rugged miners, the hardworking trappers, and the women who have followed their men to this harsh land. He also talks about the camaraderie that exists among the people who live in the Yukon and how they all share a common bond.

The third stanza brings the poem to a close by describing the speaker's own experiences in the Yukon. He talks about the hardships he has faced, the dangers he has encountered, and the moments of joy that have made it all worthwhile. He ends the poem by acknowledging that he has been under the spell of the Yukon, and it is a spell that he will never break.

Analysis of the Poem

At its core, "The Spell of the Yukon" is a poem about the power of nature and the lure of adventure. The poem is filled with vivid imagery that brings the Yukon landscape to life. The snow-covered mountains, the frozen rivers, and the silence that pervades the land all contribute to the sense of isolation and otherworldliness that the speaker feels. The use of sensory details such as the "crisp and clean and cold" air, the "crackling" fire, and the "faintest whisper" of the wind all help to create a sense of time and place that is both beautiful and haunting.

The second stanza of the poem is particularly effective in capturing the spirit of the people who live in the Yukon. The rugged miners, the hardworking trappers, and the women who have followed their men to this harsh land are all portrayed as people of great strength and resilience. The speaker's admiration for these people is evident in the way he describes their camaraderie and their willingness to help each other in times of need.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most personal and introspective. Here, the speaker reflects on his own experiences in the Yukon and the impact that the land has had on him. He talks about the hardships he has faced and the dangers he has encountered, but he also acknowledges the moments of joy and wonder that have made it all worthwhile. The use of the first person in this stanza makes it clear that the speaker is speaking from his own experience and that his words are deeply felt.

Overall, "The Spell of the Yukon" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of a particular time and place. It is a poem that celebrates the beauty of nature, the strength of the human spirit, and the lure of adventure. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul and that has the power to transport the reader to another time and another place.

Themes and Motifs

At its core, "The Spell of the Yukon" is a poem about the power of nature and the lure of adventure. The poem celebrates the beauty and majesty of the Yukon landscape and the sense of adventure that it inspires in those who visit it. The natural world is portrayed as both beautiful and dangerous, and the speaker acknowledges the risks that come with living in such a remote and isolated place.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the strength of the human spirit. The people who live in the Yukon are portrayed as strong, resilient, and able to overcome the challenges that come with living in such a harsh environment. The speaker admires their camaraderie and their willingness to help each other in times of need.

The motif of the spell is also central to the poem. The speaker acknowledges that he has been under the spell of the Yukon ever since he arrived, and it is a spell that he will never break. The spell represents the allure of the land and the sense of adventure that it inspires. It is a reminder that the Yukon has a power over those who visit it, and that this power is both beautiful and dangerous.

Conclusion

"The Spell of the Yukon" is a literary masterpiece that deserves to be studied and celebrated. From its vivid imagery to its nostalgic tone, this poem captures the spirit of a particular time and place in a way that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature, the strength of the human spirit, and the lure of adventure. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul and that has the power to transport the reader to another time and another place. If you have not read "The Spell of the Yukon" before, I highly recommend that you do. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Spell of the Yukon: A Poetic Journey Through the Wild

The Yukon, a land of rugged beauty and untamed wilderness, has long captured the imagination of adventurers and poets alike. Among the latter, Robert Service stands out as one of the most celebrated and beloved voices of the North. His poem, The Spell of the Yukon, is a masterpiece of lyrical storytelling that transports the reader to a world of snow and ice, of wolves and moose, of gold and dreams.

At its core, The Spell of the Yukon is a celebration of the Yukon's allure and power, a tribute to the magic that draws people to this remote and challenging land. Service's love for the North shines through every line, as he describes the sights, sounds, and sensations of life in the Yukon with vivid and evocative language. From the opening stanza, the poem sets the stage for a journey of discovery and wonder:

"I wanted the gold, and I sought it,
I scrabbled and mucked like a slave.
Was it famine or scurvy—I fought it;
I hurled my youth into a grave.
I wanted the gold, and I got it—
Came out with a fortune last fall,—
Yet somehow life's not what I thought it,
And somehow the gold isn't all."

Here, Service introduces the central theme of the poem: the quest for gold and the price that must be paid for it. He acknowledges the hardships and sacrifices that miners must endure in order to strike it rich, but also hints at the disillusionment and emptiness that can come with success. The gold, it seems, is not enough to satisfy the soul.

As the poem unfolds, Service takes us on a journey through the Yukon's landscape and its inhabitants, painting a vivid picture of life in this harsh and beautiful land. He describes the "silent, sullen peoples" who live in the shadow of the mountains, the "lonely men" who seek their fortunes in the frozen streams, and the "wilderness whispering wizardry" that seems to infuse every rock and tree.

One of the most striking aspects of The Spell of the Yukon is its use of imagery and metaphor to convey the essence of the North. Service's descriptions are rich and evocative, drawing on a wide range of sensory experiences to create a sense of immersion in the landscape. Consider, for example, the following lines:

"There's a land where the mountains are nameless,
And the rivers all run God knows where;
There are lives that are erring and aimless,
And deaths that just hang by a hair;
There are hardships that nobody reckons;
There are valleys unpeopled and still;
There's a land—oh, it beckons and beckons,
And I want to go back—and I will."

Here, Service uses the image of nameless mountains and wandering rivers to convey the sense of vastness and mystery that characterizes the Yukon. He also touches on the theme of mortality, suggesting that life in the North is precarious and uncertain. Yet despite these challenges, the land itself exerts a powerful pull on the imagination, beckoning the speaker back again and again.

Another striking feature of The Spell of the Yukon is its use of rhythm and rhyme to create a sense of momentum and energy. Service's verses are full of lively, bouncing rhythms that capture the spirit of the North and its people. Consider, for example, the following lines:

"I've cached you a snug little nestle
In a place I have picked for the view,
A couple of books and a kettle,
A frying-pan, coffee for two;
And the skies of the world can be nothing
But purest and brightest and blue,
And I'll know when the world goes a-hunting,
I'm hunting along with you."

Here, the rhythm of the verse mimics the bouncing of a sled over rough terrain, conveying a sense of motion and excitement. The rhyme scheme also adds to the sense of playfulness and joy that permeates the poem, as the speaker invites his companion to share in the adventure of life in the North.

In conclusion, The Spell of the Yukon is a masterful work of poetry that captures the essence of the Yukon and its people. Through vivid imagery, lively rhythms, and evocative language, Robert Service takes us on a journey through a land of beauty and danger, of gold and dreams. His love for the North shines through every line, as he celebrates the magic and mystery of this remote and challenging land. Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or a lover of poetry, The Spell of the Yukon is a must-read for anyone who wants to experience the wild and untamed beauty of the North.

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