'The Outlaw' by Robert Service


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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 3)A wild and woeful race he ran
Of lust and sin by land and sea;
Until, abhorred of God and man,
They swung him from the gallows-tree.
And then he climbed the Starry Stair,
And dumb and naked and alone,
With head unbowed and brazen glare,
He stood before the Judgment Throne.The Keeper of the Records spoke:
"This man, O Lord, has mocked Thy Name.
The weak have wept beneath his yoke,
The strong have fled before his flame.
The blood of babes is on his sword;
His life is evil to the brim:
Look down, decree his doom, O Lord!
Lo! there is none will speak for him."The golden trumpets blew a blast
That echoed in the crypts of Hell,
For there was Judgment to be passed,
And lips were hushed and silence fell.
The man was mute; he made no stir,
Erect before the Judgment Seat . . .
When all at once a mongrel cur
Crept out and cowered and licked his feet.It licked his feet with whining cry.
Come Heav'n, come Hell, what did it care?
It leapt, it tried to catch his eye;
Its master, yea, its God was there.
Then, as a thrill of wonder sped
Through throngs of shining seraphim,
The Judge of All looked down and said:
"Lo! here is ONE who pleads for him."And who shall love of these the least,
And who by word or look or deed
Shall pity show to bird or beast,
By Me shall have a friend in need.
Aye, though his sin be black as night,
And though he stand 'mid men alone,
He shall be softened in My sight,
And find a pleader by My Throne."So let this man to glory win;
From life to life salvation glean;
By pain and sacrifice and sin,
Until he stand before Me --

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Outlaw: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you a fan of adventure? Do you love stories about the Wild West? If so, then you must read Robert Service’s “The Outlaw.” This poem is a ballad that tells the story of a young outlaw named Dan McGrew. It is a thrilling tale that is filled with excitement, danger, and romance.

Background

Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet who wrote for the Yukon-based newspaper, the Whitehorse Star. He was famous for his poems about the Yukon Gold Rush, which began in 1896. “The Outlaw” was first published in 1916 in Service’s collection of poems, “Rhymes of a Red Cross Man.” This poem was inspired by the stories of bandits and outlaws that roamed the American West during the late 1800s.

Structure and Style

“The Outlaw” is a ballad, which means that it is a narrative poem that is meant to be sung. It has four stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDCD, which gives the poem a musical quality. The language is simple and straightforward, which makes it easy to understand. However, there are some archaic words and phrases that might be unfamiliar to modern readers.

The poem is written in the third person, which gives the narrator a sense of objectivity. The narrator tells the story from a distance, which heightens the sense of danger and excitement. The poem is also filled with vivid imagery, which helps to create a clear picture of the setting and the characters.

Interpretation

“The Outlaw” is a poem about a young outlaw named Dan McGrew. He is described as “a reckless lad” who “rode a black outlaw.” Dan is a classic antihero who is both dangerous and handsome. He is a symbol of the Wild West, which was a time of lawlessness and adventure.

The poem begins with Dan riding into a saloon in a small town. He is looking for a woman named Lou. Lou is described as “a lady that’s known as Lou,” and she is the object of Dan’s affection. She is also a symbol of the romanticism that is often associated with the Wild West.

Dan finds Lou in the saloon, and they begin to dance together. The scene is romantic and dramatic, with the music and the candlelight creating a sense of intimacy. However, the peace is shattered when Dan’s enemies arrive.

Dan’s enemies are described as “three toughs from the town” who are looking for a fight. They are jealous of Dan’s success and reputation, and they want to take him down. The scene is chaotic and violent, with Dan and his enemies exchanging blows.

In the end, Dan triumphs over his enemies, but he is mortally wounded. Lou rushes to his side and holds him as he dies. The scene is tragic and emotional, with Lou mourning the loss of her lover.

Themes

“The Outlaw” is a poem that explores several themes. One of the main themes is the Wild West. The poem romanticizes the Wild West, portraying it as a place of adventure, danger, and excitement. It is a place where men like Dan McGrew can become legends.

Another theme is love. The relationship between Dan and Lou is the heart of the poem. Their love is both romantic and tragic, and it is a reminder of the fragility of life.

The poem also explores the theme of violence. The scene in the saloon is chaotic and violent, with Dan and his enemies fighting to the death. The poem is a reminder of the brutality of the Wild West and the toll that violence takes on the human soul.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “The Outlaw” is a classic ballad that tells the story of a young outlaw named Dan McGrew. It is a thrilling tale that is filled with excitement, danger, and romance. The poem is a reminder of the Wild West, a time of lawlessness and adventure. It is also a reminder of the fragility of life and the toll that violence takes on the human soul. Robert Service has created a masterpiece that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. If you haven’t read “The Outlaw” yet, then I highly recommend it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Outlaw: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

Robert Service is a poet who is known for his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing. His poem, The Outlaw, is a classic example of his talent. The Outlaw is a poem that tells the story of a man who has been forced to live outside of society because of his actions. The poem is a powerful commentary on the nature of justice, the human condition, and the struggle for survival.

The poem begins with the narrator describing the outlaw as a man who is "wild as a hawk, light as a feather." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the outlaw is a man who is free and unencumbered by the rules of society. The narrator goes on to describe the outlaw's appearance, saying that he is "lean and brown and supple" and that he has "eyes like a lynx."

The outlaw is a man who has been forced to live outside of society because of his actions. The narrator describes him as a man who "robs and kills and lies" and who "rides the hills and the valleys." The outlaw is a man who is feared by the people around him, and who is seen as a threat to their way of life.

Despite his reputation, the outlaw is also a man who is capable of great kindness. The narrator describes how the outlaw "gives to the poor and the needy" and how he "never forgets a friend." This suggests that the outlaw is not simply a one-dimensional character, but rather a complex individual who is capable of both good and evil.

The poem also explores the theme of justice. The outlaw is a man who has been forced to live outside of society because he has broken the law. However, the poem suggests that the law is not always just. The narrator describes how the outlaw "fights for his life and his freedom" and how he "knows that the law is a lie." This suggests that the outlaw sees himself as a victim of an unjust system, and that he is fighting for his own survival.

The poem also explores the theme of the human condition. The outlaw is a man who is living on the edge of society, and who is constantly struggling to survive. The narrator describes how the outlaw "sleeps in the rain and the snow" and how he "rides through the night and the day." This suggests that the outlaw is a man who is constantly facing challenges, and who is always on the brink of disaster.

Despite the challenges that the outlaw faces, the poem also suggests that he is a man who is capable of finding joy in life. The narrator describes how the outlaw "laughs at the wind and the weather" and how he "sings as he rides through the heather." This suggests that the outlaw is a man who is able to find happiness in the midst of his struggles.

The poem ends with the narrator describing how the outlaw is eventually caught and killed. However, the poem suggests that the outlaw's spirit lives on. The narrator describes how the outlaw's "soul goes free" and how he "rides the hills and the valleys." This suggests that the outlaw is not simply a man who has been killed, but rather a symbol of the human spirit that is capable of surviving even in the face of great adversity.

In conclusion, The Outlaw is a classic poem that explores a number of important themes. It is a powerful commentary on the nature of justice, the human condition, and the struggle for survival. Robert Service's ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing is on full display in this poem. The Outlaw is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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