'The Lunger' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a Rolling StoneJack would laugh an' joke all day;
Never saw a lad so gay;
Singin' like a medder lark,
Loaded to the Plimsoll mark
With God's sunshine was that boy;
Had a strangle-holt on Joy.
Held his head 'way up in air,
Left no callin' cards on Care;
Breezy, buoyant, brave and true;
Sent his sunshine out to you;
Cheerfulest when clouds was black --Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!Sittin' in my shack alone
I could hear him in his own,
Singin' far into the night,
Till it didn't seem just right
One man should corral the fun,
Live his life so in the sun;
Didn't seem quite natural
Not to have a grouch at all;
Not a trouble, not a lack --Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!He was plumbful of good cheer
Till he struck that low-down year;
Got so thin, so little to him,
You could most see day-light through him.
Never was his eye so bright,
Never was his cheek so white.
Seemed as if somethin' was wrong,
Sort o' quaver in his song.
Same old smile, same hearty voice:
"Bless you, boys! let's all rejoice!"
But old Doctor shook his head:
"Half a lung," was all he said.
Yet that half was surely right,
For I heard him every night,
Singin', singin' in his shack --Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!Then one day a letter came
Endin' with a female name;
Seemed to get him in the neck,
Sort o' pile-driver effect;
Paled his lip and plucked his breath,
Left him starin' still as death.
Somethin' had gone awful wrong,
Yet that night he sang his song.
Oh, but it was good to hear!
For there clutched my heart a fear,
So that I quaked listenin'
Every night to hear him sing.
But each day he laughed with me,
An' his smile was full of glee.
Nothin' seemed to set him back --Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!Then one night the singin' stopped . . .
Seemed as if my heart just flopped;
For I'd learned to love the boy
With his gilt-edged line of joy,
With his glorious gift of bluff,
With his splendid fightin' stuff.
Sing on, lad, and play the game!
O dear God! . . . no singin' came,
But there surged to me instead --
Silence, silence, deep and dread;
Till I shuddered, tried to pray,
Said: "He's maybe gone away."
Oh, yes, he had gone away,
Gone forever and a day.
But he'd left behind him there,
In his cabin, pinched and bare,
His poor body, skin and bone,
His sharp face, cold as a stone.
An' his stiffened fingers pressed
Somethin' bright upon his breast:
Locket with a silken curl,
Poor, sweet portrait of a girl.
Yet I reckon at the last
How defiant-like he passed;
For there sat upon his lips
Smile that death could not eclipse;
An' within his eyes lived still
Joy that dyin' could not kill.An' now when the nights are long,
How I miss his cheery song!
How I sigh an' wish him back!Happy Jack! Oh, Happy Jack!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Lunger by Robert Service: A Literary Masterpiece

You know those moments when you come across a piece of literature that just hits you right in the feels, leaving you in awe of the writer's ability to craft words that resonate with you on a deep level? That's how I felt when I first read Robert Service's classic poem, The Lunger.

At first glance, The Lunger might seem like a simple poem about a man suffering from tuberculosis, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there's so much more to it. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall message that Service is trying to convey.

Background Information

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to talk about the context in which The Lunger was written. Service wrote this poem during a time when tuberculosis was a major public health crisis in North America. In fact, Service himself suffered from the disease and spent time in a sanatorium in Quebec. It's clear that his personal experience with the illness informed his writing, and that he was using his art to shed light on the devastating effects of tuberculosis.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in The Lunger is the fragility of life. The narrator describes the lunger as "a ghost of a man," emphasizing how his illness has reduced him to a mere shadow of his former self. This theme is reinforced by the vivid imagery used throughout the poem, such as the "tattered robe of red" that the lunger wears and the "thin white hands" that are described as "so ghastly thin."

Another key theme in the poem is the idea of loneliness and isolation. The lunger is portrayed as someone who has been cast out from society, forced to live a life of solitude in the mountains. The narrator even refers to him as a "hermit" and describes the "solitary cabin where he dwells." This theme is further underscored by the fact that the lunger is unable to leave his cabin due to his illness, which has cut him off from the rest of the world.

Finally, The Lunger touches on the theme of mortality. The narrator describes the lunger as being "near to death," and the poem ends with the haunting image of the man's "thin white hands" settling into his lap "like snowflakes on a stone." This serves as a reminder that life is fleeting and that death is an inevitable part of the human experience.

Symbolism

Throughout The Lunger, Service uses various symbols to convey deeper meaning. One of the most striking examples is the "tattered robe of red" that the lunger wears. This robe serves as a symbol of the man's illness and the toll it has taken on his body. The color red is often associated with passion and vitality, but in this context, it represents the opposite - the destruction of the man's health and vitality.

Another symbol used in the poem is the "silver mist" that shrouds the mountains where the lunger lives. This mist represents the isolation and loneliness that the man experiences as a result of his illness. The mist serves to obscure the outside world, emphasizing the sense of separation that the lunger feels from society.

Finally, the snow that is mentioned throughout the poem serves as a symbol of the inevitability of death. The image of snowflakes settling on a stone is a powerful one, evoking a sense of finality and permanence. This symbol reinforces the theme of mortality that runs throughout the poem.

Literary Devices

Service's use of literary devices is a major reason why The Lunger is such an impactful read. One of the most notable devices used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "thin white hands" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the emaciated state of the lunger's body. This repetition serves to drive home the fragility of life and the toll that illness can take on the human body.

Another device used in the poem is imagery. Service's descriptions of the "tattered robe of red" and the "silver mist" are incredibly vivid, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. This imagery serves to reinforce the themes and symbols that are present throughout the poem, adding depth and nuance to the overall message.

Finally, Service's use of rhyme and meter is worth noting. The poem is written in the ballad form, with a consistent meter and rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of structure and stability, which stands in contrast to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the lunger's illness. This contrast serves to emphasize the fragility of life and the way that illness can disrupt the natural order of things.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Lunger is a literary masterpiece that tackles complex themes and ideas with grace and subtlety. Service's use of symbolism, literary devices, and vivid imagery all contribute to the power of the poem, making it a memorable and impactful read. The poem serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of empathy and compassion in the face of illness and death. Overall, The Lunger is a testament to the power of art to illuminate the human experience and to inspire us to greater heights of understanding and compassion.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Lunger: A Poem of Hope and Despair

Robert Service's "The Lunger" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the human condition. It is a poem of hope and despair, of life and death, of love and loss. The poem tells the story of a young man who is dying of tuberculosis, a disease that was once known as "the white plague" because of its deadly nature. The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living each day to the fullest.

The poem begins with the young man, who is referred to as "the lunger," sitting alone in his room. He is consumed by thoughts of his impending death and the life he has left behind. He thinks of his family and friends, and the life he once had before he became ill. He longs for the days when he was healthy and strong, when he could run and play and enjoy life without fear.

As the poem progresses, the lunger's thoughts turn to his illness and the pain and suffering he has endured. He describes the coughing fits that wrack his body and the blood that he coughs up. He talks about the sleepless nights and the constant pain that he feels. He wonders why he has been cursed with this disease and why he must suffer so much.

Despite his suffering, the lunger remains hopeful. He dreams of a cure for his illness and a return to health. He longs to be able to live a normal life again, to be able to breathe without pain and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. He clings to the hope that someday he will be cured and that he will be able to live a long and happy life.

The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of hope in the face of adversity. Despite his illness and his suffering, the lunger remains hopeful. He refuses to give up on life and on the possibility of a cure. His hope is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the human will.

The poem also explores the theme of love and loss. The lunger thinks of the people he has loved and lost, and the life he has left behind. He longs to be able to see his family and friends again, to be able to tell them how much he loves them and how much they mean to him. He is haunted by the thought that he will never be able to see them again, that he will never be able to tell them how much they mean to him.

The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of love in our lives. It reminds us that love is what gives our lives meaning and purpose, and that it is what sustains us in times of hardship and adversity. The lunger's love for his family and friends is what gives him the strength to keep fighting, to keep hoping, and to keep living.

The poem also explores the theme of death and the fear of the unknown. The lunger is afraid of what will happen to him after he dies. He wonders if there is an afterlife, and if he will be reunited with his loved ones. He is afraid of the unknown, of what lies beyond this life.

The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It reminds us that we are all mortal, and that we will all eventually die. It encourages us to live each day to the fullest, to cherish the people we love, and to make the most of the time we have.

In conclusion, Robert Service's "The Lunger" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the human condition. It is a poem of hope and despair, of life and death, of love and loss. It reminds us of the importance of hope, love, and resilience in the face of adversity, and it encourages us to live each day to the fullest. The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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