'Athabaska Dick' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a Rolling StoneWhen the boys come out from Lac Labiche in the lure of the early Spring,
To take the pay of the "Hudson's Bay", as their fathers did before,
They are all a-glee for the jamboree, and they make the Landing ring
With a whoop and a whirl, and a "Grab your girl", and a rip and a skip and a roar.
For the spree of Spring is a sacred thing, and the boys must have their fun;
Packer and tracker and half-breed Cree, from the boat to the bar they leap;
And then when the long flotilla goes, and the last of their pay is done,
The boys from the banks of Lac Labiche swing to the heavy sweep.
And oh, how they sigh! and their throats are dry, and sorry are they and sick:
Yet there's none so cursed with a lime-kiln thirst as that Athabaska Dick.He was long and slim and lean of limb, but strong as a stripling bear;
And by the right of his skill and might he guided the Long Brigade.
All water-wise were his laughing eyes, and he steered with a careless care,
And he shunned the shock of foam and rock, till they came to the Big Cascade.
And here they must make the long portage, and the boys sweat in the sun;
And they heft and pack, and they haul and track, and each must do his trick;
But their thoughts are far in the Landing bar, where the founts of nectar run:
And no man thinks of such gorgeous drinks as that Athabaska Dick.'Twas the close of day and his long boat lay just over the Big Cascade,
When there came to him one Jack-pot Jim, with a wild light in his eye;
And he softly laughed, and he led Dick aft, all eager, yet half afraid,
And snugly stowed in his coat he showed a pilfered flask of "rye".
And in haste he slipped, or in fear he tripped, but -- Dick in warning roared --
And there rang a yell, and it befell that Jim was overboard.Oh, I heard a splash, and quick as a flash I knew he could not swim.
I saw him whirl in the river swirl, and thresh his arms about.
In a queer, strained way I heard Dick say: "I'm going after him,"
Throw off his coat, leap down the boat -- and then I gave a shout:
"Boys, grab him, quick! You're crazy, Dick! Far better one than two!
Hell, man! You know you've got no show! It's sure and certain death. . . ."
And there we hung, and there we clung, with beef and brawn and thew,
And sinews cracked and joints were racked, and panting came our breath;
And there we swayed and there we prayed, till strength and hope were spent --
Then Dick, he threw us off like rats, and after Jim he went.With mighty urge amid the surge of river-rage he leapt,
And gripped his mate and desperate he fought to gain the shore;
With teeth a-gleam he bucked the stream, yet swift and sure he swept
To meet the mighty cataract that waited all a-roar.
And there we stood like carven wood, our faces sickly white,
And watched him as he beat the foam, and inch by inch he lost;
And nearer, nearer drew the fall, and fiercer grew the fight,
Till on the very cascade crest a last farewell he tossed.
Then down and down and down they plunged into that pit of dread;
And mad we tore along the shore to claim our bitter dead.And from that hell of frenzied foam, that crashed and fumed and boiled,
Two little bodies bubbled up, and they were heedless then;
And oh, they lay like senseless clay! and bitter hard we toiled,
Yet never, never gleam of hope, and we were weary men.
And moments mounted into hours, and black was our despair;
And faint were we, and we were fain to give them up as dead,
When suddenly I thrilled with hope: "Back, boys! and give him air;
I feel the flutter of his heart. . . ." And, as the word I said,
Dick gave a sigh, and gazed around, and saw our breathless band;
And saw the sky's blue floor above, all strewn with golden fleece;
And saw his comrade Jack-pot Jim, and touched him with his hand:
And then there came into his eyes a look of perfect peace.
And as there, at his very feet, the thwarted river raved,
I heard him murmur low and deep:"Thank God! the

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Athabaska Dick by Robert Service

Athabaska Dick is a classic poem by Robert Service that tells the story of a trapper who lived in the Athabaska region of Canada. In this poem, Service uses vivid imagery and powerful language to vividly capture the life and struggles of a trapper who embodies the spirit of the Canadian wilderness.

Historical Context

Before digging deeper into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which Athabaska Dick was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is often regarded as the "Bard of the Yukon," due to his poems about the Klondike Gold Rush and the Canadian wilderness.

Service's poetry often celebrated the rugged individualism and adventurous spirit of the Canadian people, as well as the beauty and harshness of the natural environment. Athabaska Dick was published in 1920, during a time when the Canadian wilderness was being explored and exploited by trappers, prospectors, and other adventurers.

Structure and Form

Athabaska Dick is a long narrative poem that is divided into six stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The poem is written in a regular rhyme scheme (ABCBDEDE) and contains a total of forty-eight lines.

The poem follows the story of Athabaska Dick, a trapper who lives in the wilderness and is dependent on the game he catches for his survival. In the first stanza, we are introduced to Dick and his dog, who are described as "partners in crime." The second stanza describes the harshness of the wilderness and the challenges that Dick must face in order to survive.

The third stanza is where the poem begins to take on a more serious tone. We learn that Dick has been injured and is unable to hunt. He is forced to rely on charity from his fellow trappers, which he accepts with reluctance. In the fourth stanza, we see Dick struggling to come to terms with his dependence on others.

The fifth stanza is the climax of the poem. Dick is out hunting when he encounters a grizzly bear. He manages to kill the bear, but not before he is seriously injured. The final stanza serves as a conclusion to the poem, reflecting on the themes of independence, survival, and the beauty of the Canadian wilderness.

Themes and Interpretation

At its core, Athabaska Dick is a poem about the struggle for survival in the Canadian wilderness. The poem is full of contrasts between the beauty of nature and the harshness of the environment. Service uses vivid imagery to describe the wilderness, from the "blue-white cold of the moon" to the "wild wolf howling at the moon."

The poem also explores the theme of independence versus dependence. Dick is a fiercely independent individual who is used to relying on his own skills and resources to survive. However, when he is injured, he is forced to rely on the generosity of his fellow trappers. This creates a conflict within Dick, as he struggles to come to terms with his dependence on others.

The conflict between independence and dependence is one that is still relevant today. We live in a world where people are increasingly interconnected, but also increasingly individualistic. The theme of Athabaska Dick is a reminder that sometimes, we need to rely on others in order to survive.

Another theme of the poem is the beauty and power of nature. Service's descriptions of the wilderness are both beautiful and terrifying. The poem serves as a reminder that nature is both a force to be reckoned with and a source of incredible beauty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Athabaska Dick is a powerful poem that captures the spirit of the Canadian wilderness and the struggle for survival within it. Robert Service's vivid imagery and powerful language make the poem a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. If you are a fan of poetry or Canadian literature, Athabaska Dick is definitely a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Athabaska Dick: A Classic Tale of the Wild North

If you're a fan of classic poetry, you've likely heard of Robert Service, the renowned poet who captured the spirit of the wild north in his works. One of his most famous poems is "The Cremation of Sam McGee," but today we're going to focus on another classic: "The Ballad of Athabaska Dick."

This poem tells the story of a man named Athabaska Dick, who lived in the Yukon during the gold rush. He was a rough and tumble character, known for his strength and his love of adventure. The poem begins with a description of the landscape, with Service painting a vivid picture of the rugged terrain and the harsh conditions that the people of the north had to endure.

But the focus quickly shifts to Athabaska Dick himself, and we learn that he was a man who lived life on his own terms. He was a "hard-bitten, hard-drinking, hard-fighting man," who was always up for a challenge. He was a skilled hunter and trapper, and he was known for his ability to survive in the wilderness.

The poem then takes us on a journey with Athabaska Dick, as he sets out on a quest to find a legendary gold mine. He faces many challenges along the way, including treacherous terrain, dangerous animals, and harsh weather conditions. But he never gives up, and he never loses his sense of adventure.

As the poem progresses, we see Athabaska Dick's character develop even further. He becomes more than just a rough and tumble adventurer; he becomes a symbol of the spirit of the north. He embodies the resilience and determination that it takes to survive in such a harsh environment, and he inspires those around him to do the same.

But the poem doesn't have a happy ending. Athabaska Dick never finds the gold mine he's been searching for, and he dies alone in the wilderness. But even in death, he remains a legend, a symbol of the wild north and the spirit of adventure that it embodies.

So what makes "The Ballad of Athabaska Dick" such a classic poem? For one thing, it's Service's masterful use of language. He paints a vivid picture of the landscape and the characters, using words that are both poetic and accessible. He captures the spirit of the north in a way that few other writers have been able to do.

But it's also the themes that the poem explores that make it so timeless. It's a story about the human spirit, about the resilience and determination that it takes to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. It's a story about the power of adventure, about the thrill of the unknown and the excitement of the journey.

And it's a story about the north itself, about the rugged beauty and the wildness that make it such a unique and special place. Service's poem captures all of these themes in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "The Ballad of Athabaska Dick" is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who loves poetry, adventure, or the wild north. It's a story that captures the spirit of a place and a people, and it's a testament to the power of the human spirit. So if you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

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