'Dumb Swede' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowWith barbwire hooch they filled him full,
Till he was drunker than all hell,
And then they peddled him the bull
About a claim they had to sell.
A thousand bucks they made him pay,
Knowing that he had nothing more,
And when he begged it back next day,
And wept! - they kicked him from the door.They reckoned they were mighty slick,
Them two tinhorns from Idaho;
That poor dumb Swede could swing a pick,
but that was all he'd ever know.
So sitting in a poker game,
They lost the price for which they sold
To that bonehead a poor dud claim
That didn't have a speck of gold.My story's true as gospel creed
Of these bright boys from Idaho;
They made a sucker of that Swede
And laughed to see the poor boob go,
And work like nigger on his ground,
Bucked by the courage of despair . . .
Till lo! A rich pay-streak he found,
That made him twice a millionaire.So two smart Alecs, mighty sick,
Begged jobs at fifteen bucks a day.
Then said the Swede: "Give each a pick
And let them sweat to make their pay."
And though he don't know what it means,
Folks call that Swede "magnanimous"
- But picking nuggets big as beans,
you oughta' hear them fellers cuss!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Dumb Swede": A Masterpiece of Poetic Storytelling
Robert Service, the renowned Canadian poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry with his simple yet powerful storytelling style. His poems often revolve around common people and their struggles, portraying their lives with honesty and empathy. One such poem that stands out is "Dumb Swede," a masterpiece of poetic storytelling that captures the essence of immigrant life in early 20th-century America.
The Story
"Dumb Swede" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a Swedish immigrant named Olaf, who comes to America in search of a better life. Olaf is a simple man with limited education and language skills, which often make him the target of ridicule and derision. However, he is determined to make a good life for himself and his family, and he takes up various odd jobs to make ends meet.
The poem captures the struggles and hardships that Olaf faces as an immigrant, from the harsh winters to the discrimination he faces from his American co-workers. However, Olaf's resilience and determination shine through, and he eventually saves up enough money to buy a piece of land and start farming.
The poem's climax comes when Olaf's farm is threatened by a forest fire, and he must fight to save his livelihood. Despite the odds against him, Olaf's strength and ingenuity help him to come out victorious, and he emerges as a hero in the eyes of his fellow farmers.
The Poetic Style
What sets "Dumb Swede" apart from other narrative poems is Robert Service's masterful use of language and imagery. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style that mirrors Olaf's own simplicity, yet it is rich with vivid descriptions and powerful metaphors that bring the story to life.
For instance, in the opening stanza, Service describes Olaf's arrival in America:
He'd had a hankerin' fer liquor, and the town where he was born
Was dry as Prohibition, so he left it one fine morn.
He drifted to the railroad, and he bummed his way out West,
And he come at last to a camp of lumber-jacks in the forest of the blest.
Here, Service paints a picture of a young man with a thirst for adventure and a desire for something more in life. The use of colloquial language, such as "hankerin'" and "bummed," add to the poem's authenticity and create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the narrator.
Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery to convey the harsh realities of immigrant life. For example, in the stanza where Olaf is working on a railroad gang, Service writes:
He'd sweat and swear and suffer, and he'd break his back for pay,
And the lousy, greasy Swede-boss, he'd curse him every day;
But Olaf grinned and took it, for he knew some day he'd win
To a homestead on the prairie, where he'd build a house of tin.
Here, the use of alliteration in "lousy, greasy Swede-boss" creates a sense of anger and frustration, while the image of Olaf building a house of tin speaks to his practical and resourceful nature.
Themes and Interpretations
At its core, "Dumb Swede" is a story about overcoming adversity and achieving the American dream. Olaf's journey from a lowly railroad worker to a successful farmer is a testament to the power of hard work and determination, and his resilience in the face of discrimination and hardship is an inspiration.
However, the poem also speaks to the struggles and realities of immigrant life in early 20th-century America. Olaf's limited language skills and lack of education make him vulnerable to exploitation and ridicule, and the racism and discrimination he faces are all too familiar to many immigrants in America today.
Moreover, the poem can also be read as a critique of the American dream itself. Olaf's success is hard-won and fraught with danger, and the forest fire that threatens his farm serves as a reminder of the fragility of the American dream. In the end, Olaf's victory is a triumph, but it is also a reminder that the American dream is not always achievable for everyone.
Conclusion
In "Dumb Swede," Robert Service has created a masterpiece of poetic storytelling that captures the essence of immigrant life in early 20th-century America. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Service paints a picture of a young man's journey to achieve the American dream and the struggles he faces along the way.
The poem is a testament to the power of hard work and determination, but it also serves as a critique of the American dream and the challenges that immigrants face in achieving it. In the end, "Dumb Swede" is a powerful reminder of the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit, and a tribute to those who have overcome the odds to achieve their dreams.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The world of poetry is a vast and diverse one, with countless styles, themes, and forms to explore. One of the most beloved and enduring poets of the 20th century was Robert Service, a Canadian writer known for his vivid and often humorous depictions of life in the wilds of the Yukon. Among his many works, one of the most famous is the poem "The Dumb Swede," a rollicking tale of a hapless immigrant trying to make his way in a new land. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem, and examine why it continues to resonate with readers today.
First, let us consider the plot of "The Dumb Swede." The poem tells the story of a man named Olaf, who has recently arrived in America from Sweden. Olaf is a simple man, with little education or experience, but he is determined to make a new life for himself in this strange new land. He takes a job as a logger, working hard in the woods alongside his American colleagues. However, Olaf struggles to understand the language and customs of his new home, and often finds himself the butt of his coworkers' jokes. Despite this, he remains optimistic and determined, believing that he can succeed if he just keeps working hard.
The poem is structured as a series of vignettes, each one depicting a different episode in Olaf's life. We see him struggling to understand the slang and idioms of his coworkers ("He asked me if I 'spoke-a-da-English'"), getting lost in the woods, and even accidentally setting fire to the camp. Throughout it all, Olaf remains a sympathetic figure, his earnestness and good intentions shining through even in the face of adversity.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Dumb Swede" is its use of language. Service was known for his ability to capture the rhythms and cadences of everyday speech, and this poem is no exception. The dialogue between Olaf and his coworkers is rendered in a thick, phonetic accent, with misspellings and grammatical errors that convey the character's struggle to communicate. For example, when Olaf is asked if he knows how to swim, he replies, "Ya, sure, I ban a good swimmer. Ay ban yump in der lake und schwim like hell." This kind of language not only adds to the humor of the poem, but also serves to highlight the cultural divide between Olaf and his colleagues.
Another notable feature of "The Dumb Swede" is its use of humor. Service was a master of the comic verse, and this poem is full of witty one-liners and absurd situations. For example, when Olaf accidentally sets fire to the camp, he tries to put it out by "yumping on der flames." Later, when he gets lost in the woods, he is rescued by a group of Indians who mistake him for a bear. These moments of levity serve to lighten the mood of the poem, and make Olaf's struggles more relatable and endearing.
But beneath the humor and the phonetic accents, there is a deeper theme at work in "The Dumb Swede." This poem is ultimately a meditation on the immigrant experience, and the challenges faced by those who come to a new country with little knowledge or support. Olaf is a symbol of the many immigrants who have come to America over the years, seeking a better life but struggling to adapt to a new culture. His struggles with language, customs, and social norms are all too familiar to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in a new place.
At the same time, however, Olaf's story is also one of resilience and perseverance. Despite the many obstacles he faces, he never gives up or loses hope. He continues to work hard, to learn from his mistakes, and to believe in himself. In this way, he becomes a model for all those who have struggled to make a new life in a foreign land.
In conclusion, "The Dumb Swede" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its use of humor, language, and structure, it tells a timeless story of the immigrant experience, and the challenges faced by those who come to a new country seeking a better life. At the same time, it celebrates the resilience and determination of the human spirit, and reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we can always find a way to persevere.
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