'The Great Recall' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckI've wearied of so many things
Adored in youthful days;
Music no more my spirit wings,
E'en when Master play.
For stage and screen I have no heart,
Great paintings leave me cold;
Alas! I've lost the love of Art
That raptured me of old.Only my love of books is left,
Yet that begins to pall;
And if of it I am bereft,
I'll read no more at all.
Then when I am too frail to walk
I'll sit out in the sun,
And there with Nature I will talk . . .Last friend and dearest one.For Nature's all in all to me;
My other loves are vain;
Her bosom brought me forth and she
Will take me back again.
So I will let her have her way,
For I've a feeling odd,
Whatever wiser men may say,
That she herself is GOD.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Great Recall: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

When it comes to narrative poetry that tells a story, few poets can match the mastery of Robert Service. His epic poem, "The Great Recall," is a sweeping tale of adventure, love, and tragedy set against the backdrop of the Yukon gold rush. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and techniques used by Service to create a timeless work of art.

The Setting: The Yukon in the Gold Rush Era

The Yukon gold rush of the late 19th century was a defining moment in the history of North America. Thousands of adventurers from around the world flocked to the Yukon in search of fortune and adventure. Service was one of these adventurers, and his experience in the Yukon inspired much of his poetry. "The Great Recall" is set against this backdrop, and Service uses vivid imagery to bring the wilderness of the Yukon to life.

The opening lines of the poem set the stage:

Oh the lure of the ling'ring trail,
And the call of the great outdoors,
And the smell of the campfire smoke,
And the sound of the packhorse' neighs,
And the rhythm of the wind in the trees!

Here, Service captures the essence of the Yukon wilderness: the call of the trail, the smell of smoke, the sound of horses, and the rhythm of the wind. This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world.

The Story: Love and Tragedy in the Yukon

At its core, "The Great Recall" is a love story. It tells the tale of a man named Harry who falls in love with a woman named Alice while working in the Yukon gold fields. Harry and Alice are deeply in love, but their happiness is cut short when Alice dies in a tragic accident. The poem follows Harry as he tries to come to terms with his loss and find a way to move on.

The beauty of the poem lies in its simplicity. Service does not try to embellish the story with flowery language or convoluted metaphors. Instead, he uses straightforward language to convey the emotions of the characters. For example, when Harry first sees Alice, he describes her in simple, yet powerful terms:

She was slight, and she was brown,
And her eyes were big and clear,
And her hair was just the color
Of the sun-kissed atmosphere.

This description is both accurate and poetic. It gives the reader a clear picture of Alice while also conveying Harry's admiration for her.

As the story progresses, Service uses repetition to drive home the tragedy of Alice's death. For example, he repeats the phrase "gone beyond recall" several times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the finality of Alice's death and underscores the sense of loss that Harry feels.

The Themes: Love, Loss, and the Passage of Time

At its core, "The Great Recall" is a meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem explores the idea that love is both fleeting and eternal. Harry's love for Alice is intense and all-consuming, but it is also temporary. When Alice dies, Harry is left with a sense of emptiness and longing that he can never fully shake.

At the same time, the poem suggests that love is eternal in the sense that it leaves a lasting impact on the people who experience it. Harry's memories of Alice continue to shape his life long after she is gone. In this sense, Alice is never truly "gone beyond recall."

The poem also touches on the idea of the passage of time. Harry's journey through the wilderness of the Yukon is a metaphor for the journey through life. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges that test his resolve. By the end of the poem, Harry is a changed man. He has learned to accept the impermanence of life and the inevitability of loss.

The Techniques: Narrative Poetry at its Finest

Service's mastery of narrative poetry is on full display in "The Great Recall." The poem has a clear narrative structure that follows Harry's journey through the Yukon. Along the way, Service uses various poetic devices to create a rich and immersive experience for the reader.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of rhyme and meter. Service employs a simple, ABAB rhyme scheme that gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. This rhythm is reinforced by the use of iambic tetrameter, which creates a steady beat that propels the narrative forward. The result is a poem that is both easy to read and easy to listen to.

Service also makes use of vivid imagery to bring the Yukon wilderness to life. His descriptions of the landscape are full of sensory details that help the reader to imagine the sights, sounds, and smells of the wilderness. For example, he writes:

The Yukon wind is a chill wind,
And the Yukon sky is gray,
And the Yukon trails are lonely,
And the Yukon nights are long.

These lines create a vivid picture of the Yukon wilderness, with its cold winds, gray skies, and long nights.

Finally, Service uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, he repeats the phrase "ling'ring trail" several times throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the idea that the Yukon has a powerful hold on those who venture into it.

The Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

In conclusion, "The Great Recall" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry. Service's use of rhyme, meter, imagery, and repetition create a rich and immersive experience for the reader. The poem's exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time is both profound and poignant. It is a testament to Service's skill as a poet that his work remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published over a century ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time is Robert Service's "The Great Recall." This classic piece of literature is a masterpiece that captures the essence of nostalgia and the longing for the past. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore why it has remained relevant even after almost a century.

"The Great Recall" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of reminiscing about the past. It is a reflection on the memories that we hold dear and the longing to relive them. The poem is set in the context of a group of old soldiers who are gathered around a campfire, reminiscing about their past experiences. The speaker of the poem is one of these soldiers, and he takes us on a journey through his memories, as he recalls the sights, sounds, and smells of his past.

The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. The simplicity of the structure and rhyme scheme is intentional, as it allows the poem to flow smoothly and effortlessly, much like the memories that the speaker is recalling. The poem's simplicity also makes it accessible to a wide audience, as it is easy to read and understand.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker introduces the concept of the "great recall." He describes it as a "magic power" that allows him to relive his past experiences. The use of the word "magic" is significant, as it suggests that the power of memory is something that is beyond our control. It is a force that we cannot fully understand, but one that we can harness to transport us to different times and places.

In the second stanza, the speaker begins to describe his memories in more detail. He recalls the "smell of wood smoke" and the "taste of bacon and beans." These sensory details are important, as they help to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of smell and taste is particularly effective, as these senses are closely linked to memory. The speaker is not just recalling events, but also the sensations that he experienced at the time.

The third stanza is where the poem really comes to life. The speaker describes the "sound of the bugle" and the "tramp of feet." These details transport us to a different time and place, and we can almost hear the sounds that the speaker is describing. The use of onomatopoeia, such as "tramp" and "bugle," adds to the sensory experience and makes the poem more immersive.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker reflects on the passage of time. He acknowledges that the memories he is recalling are from a different era, and that the world has changed since then. However, he also notes that the memories are still vivid in his mind, and that they bring him comfort and joy. This stanza is significant, as it highlights the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. While it can bring us happiness, it can also remind us of what we have lost.

The fifth stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem. The speaker reflects on the fact that many of his comrades have passed away, and that he is one of the few remaining. He notes that they were once young and full of life, but that time has taken its toll. This stanza is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life, and the importance of cherishing the memories that we have.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker reflects on the power of memory. He notes that while the world may change, and people may come and go, the memories that we hold dear will always be with us. The final line of the poem, "And so I sit and smoke and dream and gently recall," is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. It suggests that the speaker is at peace with his memories, and that they bring him comfort and solace.

In terms of literary devices, "The Great Recall" is full of them. The use of sensory details, onomatopoeia, and imagery all contribute to the poem's effectiveness. The repetition of the phrase "great recall" throughout the poem is also significant, as it reinforces the central theme of the poem. The use of rhyme and rhythm also adds to the poem's musicality, and makes it more memorable.

In conclusion, "The Great Recall" is a timeless poem that captures the essence of nostalgia and the power of memory. It is a reflection on the human experience of reminiscing about the past, and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia. The poem's structure, literary devices, and use of sensory details all contribute to its effectiveness. Almost a century after it was written, "The Great Recall" remains a classic piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers.

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