'Black Moran' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowThe mule-skinner was Bill Jerome, the passengers were three;
Two tinhorns from the dives of Nome, and Father Tim McGee.
And as for sunny Southland bound, through weary woods they sped,
The solitude that ringed them round was silent as the dead.Then when the trail crooked crazily, the frost-rimed horses reared,
And from behind a fallen tree a grim galoot appeared;
He wore a parki white as snow, a mask as black as soot,
And carelesslike weaved to and fro a gun as if to shoot."Stick up yer mitts an' freeze 'em there!" his raucous voice outrang,
And shaving them by just a hair a blazing rod went bang.
The sleigh jerked to a sharp stand-still: "Okay," drawled Bill Jerome,
"Could be, this guy who aims to kill is Black Moran from Nome.""You lousy crooks," the bandit cried; "You're slickly heeled I know;
Come, make it snappy, dump outside your booty in the snow."
The gambling pair went putty pale; they crimped as if with cold.
And heaved upon the icy trail two hefty pokes of gold.Then softly stepping from the sleigh came Father Tim McGee,
And speaking in his gentle way: :Accept my Cross," said he.
"For other treasures have I none, their guilty gold to swell . . .
Please take this crucifix, my son, and may it serve you well."The bandit whispered in his ear: "Jeez-crize, you got me wrong.
I wouldn't rob you Father dear - to your
Editor 1 Interpretation
Black Moran: A Poem of Desperation and Hope
Robert Service's poem, Black Moran, is a moving depiction of a man's struggle to survive in the harsh and unforgiving wilderness of the Yukon. The poem is a masterful portrayal of the human condition, exploring themes of desperation, hope, and the indomitable spirit of the human soul. Through vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and stirring verse, Service captures the essence of the human experience in all of its complexity and depth, in a way that few other writers have been able to match.
The Setting: A Harsh and Unforgiving Wilderness
The poem is set in the Yukon, a vast wilderness of snow and ice, where the harsh conditions make survival a daily struggle for the people who call it home. Service does an excellent job of conveying the bleak and desolate landscape through his vivid descriptions of the snow and ice, the bitter cold, and the endless expanse of wilderness in all directions.
Through his use of vivid imagery, Service creates a sense of isolation and despair that is almost palpable. For instance, in the first stanza of the poem, he writes:
From the snow-drifted ridge of the sun-forsaken hills
To the sunless, sunken valleys where the river of death distills,
There's a land as bleak as a land can be, where the winter stays half the year;
And the only thing that moves on the face of the dead is the white man's fear.
These lines evoke a sense of desolation and hopelessness, as if the world around the speaker is a place of death and decay. The use of words like "sun-forsaken," "sunless," and "sunken" all contribute to this sense of darkness and despair. The image of the "white man's fear" moving across the landscape is a powerful one, suggesting that even the hardiest of men are afraid in the face of such overwhelming forces of nature.
The Characters: A Man Alone
The protagonist of the poem is an unnamed man who is struggling to survive in this harsh and unforgiving landscape. He is a man who has been pushed to the very limits of his endurance, and who is fighting against overwhelming odds to stay alive.
Service does an excellent job of capturing the man's sense of desperation and hopelessness through his use of language and symbolism. For instance, in the second stanza of the poem, he writes:
He has fought and starved and suffered, and his eyes are deep and wild,
And the skin of his face is parchment, and the hunger has driven him mild;
And sometimes he mutters a prayer, in a tongue that is strange and grim,
As he looks at the blackening sky, and the shadow that creeps on the rim.
These lines offer a powerful image of a man who has been pushed to the brink of madness by the harshness of his surroundings. The use of words like "starved," "suffered," and "wild" all contribute to this sense of a man who has been pushed past his limits. The reference to the man's skin being like "parchment" is a powerful one, suggesting that he has become almost mummified by his ordeal. The fact that he mutters a prayer in a "tongue that is strange and grim" is also significant, suggesting that he has been forced to resort to desperate measures in order to survive.
The Themes: Desperation and Hope
At its core, Black Moran is a poem about the struggle to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. It explores the themes of desperation and hope, and the way that these two forces interact with one another in the human soul.
The theme of desperation is explored through the man's struggle to survive in the harsh wilderness. He is a man who has been pushed to the limits of his endurance, and who is fighting for his life every moment of every day. Service captures the sense of desperation that the man feels through his use of language and imagery, creating a powerful sense of tension and anxiety that runs throughout the poem.
The theme of hope is also present in the poem, although it is a more subtle presence than the theme of desperation. The man's will to survive, his refusal to give up even in the face of overwhelming odds, is a testament to the power of hope. Despite the fact that he is alone in the wilderness, facing death at every turn, he never gives up hope that he will survive.
The Conclusion: A Triumph of the Human Spirit
In the end, Black Moran is a poem about the triumph of the human spirit. It is a testament to the indomitable nature of the human soul, and the way that even in the darkest of circumstances, hope can still shine through. Through his vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and stirring verse, Service captures the essence of the human experience in all of its complexity and depth.
As the man in the poem struggles to survive, we are reminded of our own struggles in life. Like him, we all face challenges and hardships that threaten to overwhelm us. But through our own strength of will and the power of hope, we too can triumph, and emerge from our struggles stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Black Moran is a remarkable poem, one that will stay with the reader long after the last verse has been read. Its themes of desperation and hope, its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, and its triumphant conclusion all combine to create a work of literature that is both timeless and universal. This is a poem that speaks to the human soul in a way that few others can, and it is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a writer that he was able to create such a powerful work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Black Moran: A Poem of Adventure and Romance
Robert Service’s “Black Moran” is a classic poem that tells the story of a daring pirate and his love for a beautiful maiden. With its vivid imagery, thrilling action, and romantic themes, this poem has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers for generations.
The poem begins with a description of the Black Moran, a notorious pirate who sails the seas with his crew of cutthroats. The narrator describes the Moran as a “devil of a fellow” with a “black beard” and “eyes like coals.” He is feared and respected by all who know him, and his ship is a symbol of his power and authority.
But despite his fearsome reputation, the Moran is not immune to love. He falls deeply in love with a beautiful maiden named Mary, who lives in a small village by the sea. The narrator describes Mary as “fair as a lily” with “eyes like the dawn” and a “voice like a thrush.” She is the object of the Moran’s desire, and he will stop at nothing to win her heart.
The poem then shifts to a scene of action and adventure, as the Moran and his crew set sail to capture a Spanish galleon. The battle is fierce and bloody, with swords clashing and cannons roaring. The Moran proves himself to be a skilled and fearless warrior, leading his men to victory against overwhelming odds.
But even in the midst of battle, the Moran cannot forget his love for Mary. He longs to return to her and make her his own. As the battle rages on, he imagines her waiting for him on the shore, her eyes filled with love and longing.
The poem ends with a bittersweet note, as the Moran returns to Mary’s village and sees her once again. He realizes that he can never have her, that his life as a pirate has made him unworthy of her love. He leaves her with a heavy heart, knowing that he will never forget her.
“Black Moran” is a poem that captures the spirit of adventure and romance. It is a tale of a man who is both feared and loved, who lives a life of danger and excitement but longs for the simple pleasures of love and companionship. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful emotions, and it has a timeless quality that makes it relevant to readers of all ages.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Service paints a vivid picture of the Black Moran, describing him as a “devil of a fellow” with a “black beard” and “eyes like coals.” This image is both terrifying and alluring, capturing the dual nature of the Moran’s character. He is a man who is feared and respected, but also admired and desired.
Similarly, the description of Mary is full of rich imagery. She is “fair as a lily” with “eyes like the dawn” and a “voice like a thrush.” These images create a sense of beauty and purity, setting her apart from the rough and dangerous world of the pirates. She is a symbol of hope and redemption, a reminder that even the most hardened of men can be touched by love.
The poem also uses language to create a sense of excitement and adventure. The battle scene is full of action and drama, with swords clashing and cannons roaring. The Moran is portrayed as a skilled and fearless warrior, leading his men to victory against overwhelming odds. This scene is both thrilling and terrifying, capturing the danger and excitement of life on the high seas.
But despite the excitement of the battle scene, the heart of the poem is the Moran’s love for Mary. This love is both passionate and tragic, as the Moran realizes that he can never have her. His life as a pirate has made him unworthy of her love, and he must leave her behind with a heavy heart. This theme of love and loss is a powerful one, and it resonates with readers of all ages.
In conclusion, “Black Moran” is a classic poem that captures the spirit of adventure and romance. It is a tale of a man who is both feared and loved, who lives a life of danger and excitement but longs for the simple pleasures of love and companionship. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful emotions, and it has a timeless quality that makes it relevant to readers of all ages. Whether you are a fan of poetry, adventure, or romance, “Black Moran” is a poem that is sure to capture your heart and imagination.
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