'The Shooting of Dan McGrew' by Robert W. Service


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1A bunch of the boys were whooping it up in the Malamute saloon;
2The kid that handles the music-box was hitting a jag-time tune;
3Back of the bar, in a solo game, sat Dangerous Dan McGrew,
4And watching his luck was his light-o'-love, the lady that's known as Lou.

5When out of the night, which was fifty below, and into the din and the glare,
6There stumbled a miner fresh from the creeks, dog-dirty, and loaded for bear.
7He looked like a man with a foot in the grave and scarcely the strength of a louse,
8Yet he tilted a poke of dust on the bar, and he called for drinks for the house.
9There was none could place the stranger's face, though we searched ourselves for a clue;
10 But we drank his health, and the last to drink was Dangerous Dan McGrew.

11 There's men that somehow just grip your eyes, and hold them hard like a spell;
12 And such was he, and he looked to me like a man who had lived in hell;
13 With a face most hair, and the dreary stare of a dog whose day is done,
14 As he watered the green stuff in his glass, and the drops fell one by one.
15 Then I got to figgering who he was, and wondering what he'd do,
16 And I turned my head -- and there watching him was the lady that's known as Lou.

17 His eyes went rubbering round the room, and he seemed in a kind of daze,
18 Till at last that old piano fell in the way of his wandering gaze.
19 The rag-time kid was having a drink; there was no one else on the stool,
20 So the stranger stumbles across the room, and flops down there like a fool.
21 In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat, and I saw him sway;
22 Then he clutched the keys with his talon hands -- my God! but that man could play.

23 Were you ever out in the Great Alone, when the moon was awful clear,
24 And the icy mountains hemmed you in with a silence you most could hear;
25 With only the howl of a timber wolf, and you camped there in the cold,
26 A half-dead thing in a stark, dead world, clean mad for the muck called gold;
27 While high overhead, green, yellow and red, the North Lights swept in bars? --
28 Then you've a haunch what the music meant. . . hunger and night and the stars.

29 And hunger not of the belly kind, that's banished with bacon and beans,
30 But the gnawing hunger of lonely men for a home and all that it means;
31 For a fireside far from the cares that are, four walls and a roof above;
32 But oh! so cramful of cosy joy, and crowned with a woman's love --
33 A woman dearer than all the world, and true as Heaven is true --
34 (God! how ghastly she looks through her rouge, -- the lady that's known as Lou.)

35 Then on a sudden the music changed, so soft that you scarce could hear;
36 But you felt that your life had been looted clean of all that it once held dear;
37 That someone had stolen the woman you loved; that her love was a devil's lie;
38 That your guts were gone, and the best for you was to crawl away and die.
39 'Twas the crowning cry of a heart's despair, and it thrilled you through and through --
40 "I guess I'll make it a spread misere", said Dangerous Dan McGrew.

41 The music almost died away ... then it burst like a pent-up flood;
42 And it seemed to say, "Repay, repay," and my eyes were blind with blood.
43 The thought came back of an ancient wrong, and it stung like a frozen lash,
44 And the lust awoke to kill, to kill ... then the music stopped with a crash,
45 And the stranger turned, and his eyes they burned in a most peculiar way;
46 In a buckskin shirt that was glazed with dirt he sat, and I saw him sway;
47 Then his lips went in in a kind of grin, and he spoke, and his voice was calm,
48 And "Boys," says he, "you don't know me, and none of you care a damn;
49 But I want to state, and my words are straight, and I'll bet my poke they're true,
50 That one of you is a hound of hell. . .and that one is Dan McGrew."

51 Then I ducked my head, and the lights went out, and two guns blazed in the dark,
52 And a woman screamed, and the lights went up, and two men lay stiff and stark.
53 Pitched on his head, and pumped full of lead, was Dangerous Dan McGrew,
54 While the man from the creeks lay clutched to the breast of the lady that's known as Lou.

55 These are the simple facts of the case, and I guess I ought to know.
56 They say that the stranger was crazed with "hooch," and I'm not denying it's so.
57 I'm not so wise as the lawyer guys, but strictly between us two --
58 The woman that kissed him and -- pinched his poke -- was the lady that's known as Lou.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Shooting of Dan McGrew: A Literary Criticism

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Robert W. Service. If you haven't, let me introduce you to one of his most famous works: "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." This poem is a classic example of narrative poetry, which tells a story through verse. It's a thrilling tale of love, betrayal, and revenge set in the gold rush town of Dawson City, Yukon.

The Narrative Style

Service's use of narrative style is one of the most striking features of this poem. The story unfolds like a movie, complete with vivid descriptions and dramatic action. The reader is transported to the rugged wilderness of the Yukon, where the characters come to life in the mind's eye. The language is simple yet powerful, with a rhythm that echoes the beat of a heart pounding with anticipation.

There's no question that Service was a master storyteller. He knew how to capture the reader's attention and hold it until the very end. But what makes "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" truly exceptional is the way he weaves together different elements of the narrative, creating a cohesive and compelling whole.

The Characters

At the heart of this poem are the characters, each of whom is fully realized and unforgettable. There's Dan McGrew, the rough and rugged gambler who's as dangerous as he is charming. There's his lover, Lou, who's beautiful and cunning and willing to do whatever it takes to get what she wants. And there's the stranger, who comes into town with a mysterious purpose and ends up causing all kinds of trouble.

Service's ability to bring these characters to life is remarkable. He creates a sense of intimacy with them, drawing the reader into their world and making them care about what happens to them. Even the minor characters, like the men in the saloon and the bartender, are memorable and well-drawn.

The Theme

Underlying the action and the characters is a powerful theme that resonates long after the poem is finished. At its core, "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" is about the destructive power of greed and the consequences of pursuing wealth at any cost.

This theme is embodied in the characters themselves. Dan McGrew is driven by his desire for money and power, which ultimately leads to his downfall. Lou is willing to betray him to get what she wants, and the stranger is a reminder of what happens when greed is left unchecked.

But the theme is also present in the setting, which is a town built on the pursuit of wealth. The gold rush brought a flood of people to the Yukon, all hoping to strike it rich. But as the poem makes clear, this kind of wealth comes at a cost. It's a theme that's as relevant today as it was when Service wrote the poem more than a century ago.

The Symbolism

Another element that adds depth and complexity to the poem is the use of symbolism. From the opening lines, Service creates a sense of foreboding with images of darkness and danger. The town is described as "a place where the wild men go" and the night as "a time when the wolves howl."

This sense of danger is mirrored in the characters themselves. Dan McGrew is compared to a wolf, and Lou is described as having eyes "that smoldered like the smoke." Even the stranger is associated with darkness, with his black hat and cloak.

But there are other symbols at work here as well. The gold, which is at the center of the town's economy, is a symbol of the corrupting influence of wealth. The gun, which ultimately kills Dan McGrew, is a symbol of the violence that comes with greed. And the song that the stranger plays on the piano is a haunting reminder of the power of music to evoke emotion and memory.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" is a masterful work of narrative poetry that combines vivid description, compelling characters, powerful themes, and rich symbolism. It's a poem that's as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1907, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked greed and the importance of staying true to our values.

Service's legacy as a storyteller lives on in this poem, which continues to captivate readers more than a century after it was written. If you haven't read "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" yet, I highly recommend that you do. It's a literary masterpiece that deserves to be celebrated and enjoyed for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Shooting of Dan McGrew: A Classic Poem that Captures the Wild Spirit of the Yukon

Robert W. Service's "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" is a classic poem that has captured the imagination of readers for over a century. The poem tells the story of a rough and tumble gold rush town in the Yukon, where men are men and life is cheap. It is a tale of violence, greed, and passion, set against the backdrop of the frozen north. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this iconic poem, and examine why it has endured as a beloved piece of literature.

The poem begins with a description of the town of Dawson, a place where "the men are tough and the women are few." The narrator sets the scene with vivid imagery, describing the "dancing lights" of the saloons and the "wilderness of snow" that surrounds the town. The language is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a place that is both beautiful and dangerous.

The focus then shifts to the eponymous Dan McGrew, a man who is "dangerous" and "desperate." The narrator describes him as a "gambler" and a "sport," a man who is "reckless" and "bold." The language used to describe McGrew is full of energy and excitement, conveying the sense that he is a man who lives life to the fullest.

The poem then introduces a mysterious stranger, a man who enters the saloon and takes a seat at the bar. The stranger is described as "a man in a dusty coat" with "eyes that were steel." The language used to describe the stranger is ominous and foreboding, suggesting that he is not to be trifled with.

As the night wears on, the tension in the saloon grows. The men become restless, and the air is thick with the smell of whiskey and tobacco. The narrator describes the scene in vivid detail, capturing the sense of anticipation and danger that permeates the room.

Finally, the moment arrives. Dan McGrew enters the saloon, and the stranger rises to meet him. The two men face off, and the tension is palpable. The language used to describe the scene is spare and powerful, conveying the sense of violence that is about to erupt.

In the end, it is the stranger who emerges victorious. He shoots Dan McGrew dead, and the saloon erupts in chaos. The narrator describes the scene in vivid detail, capturing the sense of horror and disbelief that grips the onlookers.

The poem ends with a haunting image of Dan McGrew's corpse lying in the snow, surrounded by the "dancing lights" of the saloon. The language used to describe the scene is stark and powerful, conveying the sense of tragedy and loss that permeates the poem.

So why has "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" endured as a classic piece of literature? There are several reasons. First, the poem captures the wild spirit of the Yukon during the gold rush era. The language used to describe the town of Dawson and its inhabitants is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a place that is both beautiful and dangerous.

Second, the poem explores themes of violence, greed, and passion, which are universal and timeless. The characters in the poem are driven by their desires, whether it be for money, power, or love. These themes resonate with readers across time and place, making the poem relevant even today.

Finally, the language used in the poem is powerful and evocative. Service's use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem is a masterclass in the use of language to convey emotion and meaning.

In conclusion, "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" is a classic poem that has endured for over a century. It captures the wild spirit of the Yukon during the gold rush era, exploring themes of violence, greed, and passion that are universal and timeless. The language used in the poem is powerful and evocative, creating a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both haunting and beautiful. It is a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.

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