'Wreck of the "Julie Plante": A Legend of Lac St. Pierre, The' by William Henry Drummond


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On wan dark night on Lac St. Pierre,
De win' she blow, blow, blow,
An' de crew of de wood scow "Julie Plante"
Got scar't an' run below—
For de win' she blow lak hurricane,
Bimeby she blow some more,
An' de scow bus' up on Lac St. Pierre
Wan arpent from de shore.

De captinne walk on de fronte deck,
An' walk de hin' deck too—
He call de crew from up de hole,
He call de cook also.
De cook she 's name was Rosie,
She come from Montreal,
Was chambre maid on lumber barge,
On de Grande Lachine Canal.

De win' she blow from nor' -eas' -wes',--
De sout' win' she blow too,
W'en Rosie cry, "Mon cher captinne,
Mon cher, w'at I shall do ?"
Den de captinne t'row de beeg ankerre,
But still de scow she dreef,
De crew he can't pass on de shore,
Becos' he los' hees skeef.

De night was dark lak wan black cat,
De wave run high an' fas',
W'en de captinne tak' de Rosie girl
An' tie her to de mas'.
Den he also tak' de life preserve,
An' jomp off on de lak',
An' say, "Good-bye, ma Rosie dear,
I go drown for your sak'."

Nex' morning very early
'Bout ha'f-pas' two—t'ree—four—
De captinne—scow—an' de poor Rosie
Was corpses on de shore,
For de win' she blow lak hurricane,
Bimeby she blow some more,
An' de scow bus' up on Lac St. Pierre,
Wan arpent from de shore.

MORAL

Now all good wood scow sailor man
Tak' warning by dat storm
An' go an' marry some nice French girl
An' leev on wan beeg farm.
De win' can blow lak hurricane
An' s'pose she blow some more,
You can't get drown on Lac St. Pierre
So long you stay on shore.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Tragic Beauty of Wreck of the "Julie Plante"

As a lover of poetry, I have come across various captivating pieces that have left me in awe. However, none have quite resonated with me like William Henry Drummond's "Wreck of the Julie Plante: A Legend of Lac St. Pierre."

The poem tells the story of a steamboat, the Julie Plante, and its tragic end in the waters of Lac St. Pierre in Quebec, Canada. Drummond's use of vivid imagery, descriptive language, and emotional undertones make this poem a masterpiece that stands the test of time.

The Setting

Drummond begins by setting the scene with his opening lines, " 'Twas in the bleak December, / And the winds blew strong and chill, / On the banks of the lake St. Pierre, / That frozen, ghostly still."

In these lines, he sets a bleak and eerie tone, describing the frozen stillness of the lake, the chilling winds, and the desolate surroundings. The use of the word "ghostly" evokes a sense of foreboding and sets the stage for the tragedy that is to come.

The Characters

The poem's main character is the steamboat, Julie Plante. Drummond personifies the boat, giving it a voice and a personality. The boat becomes a symbol of human perseverance in the face of adversity.

As the boat navigates the treacherous waters, it faces several obstacles that threaten to derail its journey. However, the crew of the Julie Plante refuses to give up, and they push forward with determination.

Drummond also introduces a secondary character, a young man named Joe, who is in love with Julie Plante. Joe's love for the boat is evident in his dedication to maintaining and caring for it. He is willing to risk his life to save the boat, even as it sinks to the bottom of the lake.

The Narrative

The poem is structured in a narrative format, with each stanza serving as a progression of the story. The first stanza sets the scene, while the second introduces the boat and its crew.

As the boat continues its journey, Drummond describes the various obstacles it faces, such as the icebergs and the strong winds. In stanza nine, the boat strikes a rock, causing it to begin to sink.

The final stanza is the most poignant, as Drummond describes the boat sinking to the bottom of the lake. He writes, "But still on the summer evenings, / When the lake is still and blue, / The fishermen in their boats glide by / The spot where the Julie Plante lies low."

This final stanza is a testament to the boat's endurance and legacy. Even in its tragic end, the Julie Plante remains a symbol of human resilience and perseverance.

The Use of Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Drummond's use of imagery. He paints a vivid picture of the frozen lake, the windswept shores, and the boat itself.

In stanza five, he describes the boat as it cuts through the icy waters: "And the steamer's bell rang out so clear, / And the seething waves did mock her, / As she dashed thro' the angry breakers, / Where the white sea foam was thicker."

Drummond's use of descriptive language here creates a sense of urgency and danger. The boat is depicted as a brave and courageous vessel, facing down the perils of the sea with determination.

The Emotional Undertones

Finally, the poem is infused with emotional undertones that make it a deeply moving piece. Drummond's use of personification gives the boat a personality and a voice, making it more than just a vessel.

The boat's sinking is portrayed as a tragic event, and the final stanza is particularly poignant. Drummond's evocative language captures the sense of loss and sadness that surround the Julie Plante's demise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, William Henry Drummond's "Wreck of the Julie Plante: A Legend of Lac St. Pierre" is a masterpiece that combines vivid imagery, descriptive language, and emotional undertones to create a deeply moving piece of poetry. The poem's themes of perseverance and resilience are timeless, and its tragic end serves as a testament to the enduring nature of the human spirit.

As a lover of poetry, I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced this incredible piece of literature. It is a reminder of the power of words and the beauty of storytelling, and I will treasure it always.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The classic poem "The Wreck of the Julie Plante: A Legend of Lac St. Pierre" by William Henry Drummond is a masterpiece of Canadian literature. It is a ballad that tells the story of a steamboat named Julie Plante that sank in Lac St. Pierre, a lake in Quebec, Canada. The poem is written in a unique style that blends French and English, and it captures the essence of Canadian culture and history.

The poem begins with a description of the steamboat Julie Plante, which was a "famous craft" that sailed on Lac St. Pierre. The narrator describes the boat as "a grand old craft" that was "built for speed and comfort." The boat was named after a woman named Julie Plante, who was known for her beauty and grace.

The poem then takes a dramatic turn as the boat encounters a storm on the lake. The wind howls and the waves crash against the boat, causing it to sway and rock. The passengers on the boat are terrified, and they pray for their safety. The captain of the boat, however, remains calm and steady, and he steers the boat through the storm.

As the storm intensifies, the boat begins to take on water. The passengers and crew work frantically to keep the boat afloat, but their efforts are in vain. The boat begins to sink, and the passengers and crew are forced to abandon ship.

The poem then shifts to a more humorous tone as the narrator describes the fate of the passengers and crew. The men are all rescued, but the women are left to fend for themselves. They are forced to swim to shore, and they are greeted by a group of French-Canadian fishermen.

The fishermen are amused by the women's plight, and they tease them mercilessly. The women, however, are not amused, and they retaliate by throwing mud and rocks at the fishermen. The narrator describes the scene in vivid detail, and the reader can almost hear the laughter and shouting.

The poem ends with a tribute to the steamboat Julie Plante. The narrator describes the boat as a "noble craft" that was "built to last." He praises the captain and crew for their bravery and skill, and he laments the loss of such a fine vessel.

Overall, "The Wreck of the Julie Plante" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of Canadian culture and history. The blending of French and English in the poem reflects the bilingual nature of Canada, and the humor and drama in the poem reflect the resilience and spirit of the Canadian people.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of language. The poem is written in a unique style that blends French and English, and it captures the essence of Canadian culture and history. The use of French words and phrases adds a sense of authenticity to the poem, and it reflects the bilingual nature of Canada.

For example, the poem uses French words like "chanson" (song), "ma chere" (my dear), and "mon Dieu" (my God). These words add a sense of depth and richness to the poem, and they help to create a sense of place and culture.

The poem also uses English words and phrases that are specific to Canadian culture. For example, the poem refers to "Lac St. Pierre," which is a lake in Quebec, Canada. The poem also refers to "French-Canadian fishermen," which is a specific cultural group in Canada.

The use of language in the poem is not only a reflection of Canadian culture, but it also adds to the overall tone and mood of the poem. The blending of French and English creates a sense of humor and playfulness, which is evident in the scene where the women throw mud and rocks at the fishermen.

Another notable feature of the poem is its use of humor. The poem is full of humorous moments, such as the scene where the women throw mud and rocks at the fishermen. The humor in the poem adds a sense of lightness and playfulness, which is a reflection of the Canadian spirit.

The humor in the poem also serves to balance out the more dramatic moments, such as the sinking of the steamboat. The humor helps to create a sense of resilience and strength, which is a reflection of the Canadian people.

The poem also has a strong sense of place and culture. The poem is set in Quebec, Canada, and it captures the essence of the French-Canadian culture. The use of French words and phrases, as well as the reference to French-Canadian fishermen, adds to the sense of place and culture.

The poem also captures the essence of Canadian history. The steamboat Julie Plante was a real boat that sailed on Lac St. Pierre in the late 1800s. The sinking of the boat was a real event, and the poem serves as a tribute to the boat and its crew.

In conclusion, "The Wreck of the Julie Plante" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of Canadian culture and history. The use of language, humor, and sense of place and culture all contribute to the overall tone and mood of the poem. The poem is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Canadian people, and it serves as a tribute to the steamboat Julie Plante and its crew.

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