'Dance-Hall Girls' by Robert Service
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Where are the dames I used to know
In Dawson in the days of yore?
Alas, it's fifty years ago,
And most, I guess, have "gone before."
The swinging scythe is swift to mow
Alike the gallant and the fair;
And even I, with gouty toe,
Am glad to fill a rocking chair.
Ah me, I fear each gaysome girl
Who in champagne I used to toast,
or cozen in the waltz's whirl,
In now alas, a wistful ghost.
Oh where is Touch The Button Nell?
Or Minnie Dale or Rosa Lee,
Or Lorna Doone or Daisy Bell?
And where is Montreal Maree?
Fair ladies of my lusty youth,
I fear that you are dead and gone:
Where's Gertie of the Diamond Tooth,
And where the Mare of Oregon?
What's come of Violet de Vere,
Claw-fingered Kate and Gumboot Sue?
They've crossed the Great Divide, I fear;
Remembered now by just a few.
A few who like myself can see
Through half a century of haze
A heap of goodness in their glee
And kindness in their wanton ways.
Alas, my sourdough days are dead,
Yet let me toss a tankard down . . .
Here's hoping that you wed and bred,
And lives of circumspection led,
Gay dance-hall girls o Dawson Town!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Excitement and Despair in Dance-Hall Girls
Robert Service's "Dance-Hall Girls" is a poem that explores the lives of women who work in the dance-hall industry, and the desperation that often leads them to that profession. The poem is a haunting portrayal of the lives of women who are forced to sell their bodies for survival, and the emotional toll that this takes on them. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a poignant narrative, Service delivers a searing critique of the societal structures that push women into these circumstances, and a moving tribute to the strength and resilience of those who survive them.
Desperation and Exploitation
The poem begins with a powerful image of the women who work in the dance-halls: "They're like a line of cattle / Crunched up against a rail, / A-lookin' at the horizon white / And waitin' for the mail." The comparison of the women to cattle emphasizes the way in which they are dehumanized and commodified by their work; they are reduced to mere objects, waiting for their clients to arrive like packages in the mail. The metaphor also highlights the sense of hopelessness and confinement that these women feel; they are trapped in their circumstances, unable to escape the cycle of exploitation and poverty that has brought them there.
Service goes on to describe the dance-halls themselves, painting a vivid picture of the garish lights, the smell of smoke and alcohol, and the frenzied atmosphere of the dance floor. He captures the excitement and energy of the scene, but also the sense of desperation that underlies it: "There's laughter, song and music, / There's wine and whiskey too, / But the thing that holds you spellbound / Is the dance-hall girls with you." The women are the main attraction of the dance-halls; they are the ones who draw in the crowds and keep them coming back for more. But this popularity comes at a price; they are objectified and exploited, and must constantly perform for their clients in order to survive.
The Toll of Survival
Service does not shy away from the toll that this life takes on the women who live it. He describes their physical exhaustion, their emotional pain, and the toll that their work takes on their self-esteem and sense of worth. "The dance-hall girls are weary, / But they keep on dancin' still, / Though their feet are sore and blistered, / And they're achin' fit to kill." The repetition of "still" emphasizes the sense of determination and resilience that these women possess; they continue to dance and perform, no matter how exhausted they are, because they have no other choice. But the imagery of sore and blistered feet also highlights the physical toll that this work takes on them, and the sense of pain and weariness that they must constantly endure.
Service also explores the emotional toll that this life takes on the women, particularly their sense of shame and degradation. "They know the eyes that watch them / Are eyes that would not greet / A sister or a sweetheart / That's walkin' down the street." The women are acutely aware of the way in which they are judged by society, and the sense of shame and isolation that this brings. They know that they are seen as lesser, as degraded, and as unworthy of respect or love. This sense of isolation and self-loathing is captured in Service's powerful final lines, in which he describes the women as "ghostly grey and tragic, / In the land of the Midnight Sun." The image of the women as "ghostly" emphasizes their sense of otherness and isolation, while the reference to the "land of the Midnight Sun" suggests the sense of perpetual darkness and despair that surrounds them.
A Tribute to Resilience
Despite the bleakness of the poem, Service also offers a tribute to the strength and resilience of the women who work in the dance-halls. He acknowledges the sense of determination and perseverance that they possess, and the courage that it takes to survive in their circumstances. "They're gamblers, every one of them, / And in their heart of hearts / They hope they'll strike it lucky / And be rid of dance-hall smarts." The women are not passive victims; they are actively fighting to survive and to find a way out of their circumstances. They are gamblers, taking a chance on their own futures, and hoping that they will be able to escape the cycle of poverty and exploitation that has brought them to the dance-halls.
Service's poem is a powerful and moving exploration of the lives of women who work in the dance-hall industry. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a poignant narrative, he captures both the desperation and exploitation of their circumstances, and the strength and resilience that they possess. His poem is a searing critique of the societal structures that push women into these circumstances, and a moving tribute to those who survive them.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dance-Hall Girls: A Poem of the Wild West
Robert Service's poem "Dance-Hall Girls" is a vivid and exciting portrayal of the wild and lawless world of the American West. With its fast-paced rhythm and colorful imagery, the poem captures the energy and danger of the dance halls and saloons that were a central part of life in the frontier towns of the late 19th century.
The poem begins with a description of the dance-hall girls themselves, who are portrayed as "wild and reckless" women with "eyes that blaze with fire." These women are not the demure and proper ladies of Victorian society, but rather bold and daring figures who are unafraid to take risks and live life on their own terms.
The poem goes on to describe the dance hall itself, which is a place of "sweat and smoke and beer." This is not a refined or elegant establishment, but rather a rough and tumble venue where men come to drink, gamble, and dance with the girls.
Despite the rough and dangerous nature of the dance hall, the poem suggests that there is a certain allure to this world. The girls are described as having a "magic spell" that draws men in, and the atmosphere of the dance hall is portrayed as intoxicating and exciting.
However, the poem also acknowledges the darker side of this world. The girls are described as being "cruel and cold" at times, and the men who frequent the dance hall are portrayed as being "lost and lonely" souls who are searching for something that they cannot find.
In many ways, the poem is a commentary on the social and cultural changes that were taking place in America at the time. The frontier was rapidly disappearing, and with it the old ways of life that had defined the West for generations. The dance hall girls and the rough and tumble world they inhabited were a product of this changing landscape, and the poem suggests that they were both a symptom of and a response to the upheaval and uncertainty of the times.
At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of the wild and untamed spirit of the American West. The dance hall girls are portrayed as being free and independent women who are unafraid to take risks and live life on their own terms. They are not constrained by the social norms and conventions of their time, but rather are free to pursue their own desires and passions.
In this sense, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the American spirit of individualism and self-reliance. The dance hall girls are not victims or pawns in a larger social and cultural struggle, but rather active agents who are shaping their own destinies and carving out their own place in the world.
Overall, "Dance-Hall Girls" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the energy and excitement of the American West. With its vivid imagery and fast-paced rhythm, the poem transports the reader to a world that is both dangerous and alluring, and offers a glimpse into the social and cultural changes that were taking place in America at the time. Whether read as a commentary on the changing landscape of the West or as a celebration of the American spirit of individualism, the poem remains a classic and enduring work of American literature.
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