'The Man From Cook's' by Robert Service
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"You're bloody right - I was a Red,"
The Man from Cook's morosely said.
And if our chaps had won the War
Today I'd be the Governor
Of all Madrid, and rule with pride,
Instead of just a lousy guide.
"For I could talk in Councils high
To draw down angels from the sky.
They put me seven years in gaol, -
You see how I am prison-pale . . .
Death sentence! Each dawn I thought
They'd drag me out and have me shot.
"Maybe far better if they had:
Suspense like that can make one mad.
Yet here I am serene and sane,
And at your service to explain
That gory battlefield out there,
The Cité Universitaire.
"See! Where the Marzanillo flows,
The women used to wash our cloths;
And often, even in its flood,
It would be purpled by our blood.
Contemptuous of shot and shell
Our women sang and - fought like hell.
"Deep trenches there ran up and down,
And linked us with the sightless town;
And every morn and every night
We sallied savagely to fight . . .
By yon ravine in broken clad
I shot and killed a soldier lad.
"Such boys they were: methinks that one
Looked to me like my only son.
He might have been; they told my wife
Before Madrid he lost his life.
Sweet Mary! Oh if I but knew
It was not my own son I slew. . . ."
So spoke that man with eye remote
And stains of gravy on his coat;
I offered him a cigarette,
And as he sighed with vain regret,
Said he: "Don't change your dollars - wait:
I'll get you twice the market rate."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Man From Cook's: A Classic of Adventure Poetry
Have you ever read a poem that makes you feel like you're in the middle of an epic adventure? That's exactly how I felt when I read "The Man From Cook's" by Robert Service. This classic poem tells the story of a man who travels to the Arctic in search of gold, only to face extreme danger and hardship. Through Service's vivid descriptions and powerful language, we are transported to a place of danger and excitement - a place where survival is never guaranteed.
The Story
"The Man From Cook's" tells the story of a young man named Jim, who travels to the Arctic in search of gold. He is accompanied by a team of fellow adventurers, including a grizzled old prospector named Bill. They travel by sled and dog team, battling treacherous weather and dangerous terrain along the way.
As they journey deeper into the Arctic, they encounter all kinds of obstacles. They face blizzards and whiteouts, dangerous crevasses, and even attacks from wolves. Through it all, Jim remains determined to find the gold that he believes is hidden somewhere in the frozen landscape.
Finally, after many weeks of hardship, they arrive at their destination. But just as they are about to start digging for gold, disaster strikes. A sudden storm hits, and Jim is separated from the rest of the group. He is forced to fend for himself in the midst of the blizzard, with no food or shelter to protect him.
Despite the odds against him, Jim manages to survive. He eventually finds his way back to civilization, having learned valuable lessons about courage, determination, and the power of the human spirit.
The Language
One of the things that makes "The Man From Cook's" such a powerful poem is the language that Service uses. His words are simple and direct, but they carry a tremendous amount of weight. He describes the Arctic with such vividness that you can almost feel the cold biting at your skin and the wind howling in your ears.
For example, in the opening stanza, Service writes:
There was a man named Peter, Who sailed the Arctic Seas; He ploughed up all the ocean, From Spitzbergen to the Brees.
These lines create an immediate sense of adventure and excitement. You can almost hear the creaking of the ship's timbers as it battles the icy waters of the Arctic. Service's use of rhyme and rhythm adds to the sense of urgency - you feel like you're on a journey that can't be stopped.
Later in the poem, when Jim is lost in the blizzard, Service's language becomes even more powerful. He describes Jim's struggle with the cold and the hunger in such visceral detail that you can almost feel it yourself:
His fingers were cold and numb, His feet were like lumps of stone; He stumbled and staggered blindly, And fell in a drift alone.
These lines are so effective because they tap into our own fears and anxieties. We can all imagine what it would be like to be lost in a blizzard, with no food or shelter to protect us. Service's language makes that fear feel real and immediate.
The Theme
At its heart, "The Man From Cook's" is a poem about the human spirit. It's about the way that we can push ourselves to the limits of our physical and emotional endurance in order to achieve our goals. Jim's determination to find gold is what drives him through all the hardships he faces in the Arctic. And even when he is separated from his team and faced with almost certain death, he perseveres.
Service's poem reminds us that there is a strength within all of us that we can tap into when we need it most. It's a message that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. We all face challenges in our lives, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. But if we can find that inner reserve of strength and courage, we can overcome almost anything.
Conclusion
"The Man From Cook's" is a classic of adventure poetry for good reason. Robert Service's vivid language and powerful storytelling make this poem a thrilling and inspiring read. Through the story of Jim's journey to the Arctic, we are reminded of the power of the human spirit and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it. It's a true masterpiece of the genre.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Man From Cook's: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service, the famous Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable and beloved poems of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is "The Man From Cook's," a poem that tells the story of a man who leaves his mundane life behind to seek adventure in the wilds of the Yukon. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the narrator describing the man from Cook's, a man who "had a face like a hatchet, and a voice like a saw." This description immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that the man is rugged, tough, and perhaps a bit rough around the edges. We learn that the man is a cook, working in a restaurant in a small town, but he dreams of something more. He longs to escape the monotony of his life and explore the vast, untamed wilderness of the Yukon.
The man's desire for adventure is a central theme of the poem. He is not content with his mundane existence, and he yearns for something more exciting and fulfilling. This desire is reflected in the poem's vivid imagery, which paints a picture of the rugged, untamed landscape of the Yukon. The man imagines himself exploring the vast, snow-covered mountains, hunting wild game, and living off the land. He dreams of a life that is free from the constraints of civilization, where he can be his own master and live by his own rules.
The poem's symbolism is also worth exploring. The man's decision to leave his job at Cook's and venture into the wilderness represents a rejection of the conventional values of society. He is choosing to live a life that is outside the norms of civilization, and in doing so, he is embracing a more primal, instinctual way of being. This is reflected in the poem's imagery, which often depicts the man as a wild, untamed creature, at one with the natural world around him.
Another important symbol in the poem is the man's sled dog. The dog represents the man's connection to the natural world and his ability to survive in the harsh environment of the Yukon. The man relies on the dog for transportation, companionship, and protection, and in doing so, he is acknowledging his dependence on the natural world. This is a theme that is common in Service's poetry, as he often celebrates the rugged, independent spirit of those who live in the wilds of Canada.
The poem's use of literary devices is also worth noting. Service employs a variety of techniques to create a vivid, memorable portrait of the man from Cook's. One of the most effective of these is his use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Service repeats certain phrases and images, such as the man's "face like a hatchet" and his "voice like a saw." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, driving the poem forward and reinforcing its central themes.
Another literary device that Service employs is his use of vivid, sensory imagery. He describes the man's journey through the Yukon in rich detail, painting a picture of the rugged, snow-covered landscape and the wild animals that inhabit it. This imagery helps to create a sense of place and atmosphere, immersing the reader in the world of the poem.
In conclusion, "The Man From Cook's" is a classic poem that celebrates the rugged, independent spirit of those who choose to live outside the norms of society. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and effective use of literary devices, the poem creates a memorable portrait of a man who longs for adventure and freedom. Whether you're a fan of classic poetry or simply looking for a compelling story, "The Man From Cook's" is a poem that is sure to captivate and inspire.
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