'The Ballad Of How Macpherson Held The Floor' by Robert Service
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Bar-Room BalladsSaid President MacConnachie to Treasurer MacCall:
"We ought to have a piper for our next Saint Andrew's Ball.
Yon squakin' saxophone gives me the syncopated gripes.
I'm sick of jazz, I want to hear the skirling of the pipes."
"Alas! it's true," said Tam MacCall. "The young folk of to-day
Are fox-trot mad and dinna ken a reel from Strathspey.
Now, what we want's a kiltie lad, primed up wi' mountain dew,
To strut the floor at supper time, and play a lilt or two.
In all the North there's only one; of him I've heard them speak:
His name is Jock MacPherson, and he lives on Boulder Creek;
An old-time hard-rock miner, and a wild and wastrel loon,
Who spends his nights in glory, playing pibrochs to the moon.
I'll seek him out; beyond a doubt on next Saint Andrew's night
We'll proudly hear the pipes to cheer and charm our appetite.Oh lads were neat and lassies sweet who graced Saint Andrew's Ball;
But there was none so full of fun as Treasurer MacCall.
And as Maloney's rag-time bank struck up the newest hit,
He smiled a smile behind his hand, and chuckled: "Wait a bit."
And so with many a Celtic snort, with malice in his eye,
He watched the merry crowd cavort, till supper time drew nigh.
Then gleefully he seemed to steal, and sought the Nugget Bar,
Wherein there sat a tartaned chiel, as lonely as a star;
A huge and hairy Highlandman as hearty as a breeze,
A glass of whisky in his hand, his bag-pipes on his knees.
"Drink down your
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad Of How Macpherson Held The Floor by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Poetry is more than just the arrangement of words and the rhythm that it creates. It is a form of art that allows us to explore the depths of human emotions and experiences. The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor, written by Robert Service, is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the essence of a moment and convey it to the reader in a way that is both powerful and moving.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, characters, and literary devices used in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the work.
Themes
The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor explores several themes that are relevant to the human experience. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the power of storytelling. Macpherson, the protagonist of the poem, holds the attention of the entire crowd with his captivating tales of adventure and heroism.
The poem also touches on the theme of the individual versus society. Macpherson is a lone voice in a sea of conformity, as he refuses to conform to the rules and expectations of his society. This theme is further explored in the final stanza of the poem, where Macpherson is exiled from his community for his non-conformist behavior.
Another theme in the poem is the importance of tradition and cultural heritage. Macpherson's stories are rooted in the traditions and customs of his Scottish ancestors. He uses these stories to connect with his audience and to remind them of their shared cultural heritage.
Characters
The poem centers around the character of Macpherson, a Scottish storyteller who refuses to conform to the expectations of his community. Macpherson is portrayed as a larger-than-life figure, with a booming voice and an unyielding spirit. He is a natural storyteller, and his tales of adventure and heroism captivate the audience.
The other characters in the poem are the members of the community who are listening to Macpherson's stories. They are portrayed as a homogeneous group, conforming to the rules and expectations of their society. They are fascinated by Macpherson's tales, but ultimately reject him for his non-conformist behavior.
Literary Devices
Robert Service employs several literary devices in The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor to convey his message and create a powerful and memorable work. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is rhyme. The poem is written in a ballad form, with a consistent rhyme scheme that adds to the musicality of the piece.
Service also uses repetition to great effect in the poem. The phrase "he held the floor" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing Macpherson's power as a storyteller and the attention he commands from the crowd.
The use of imagery is another powerful literary device in the poem. Service uses vivid descriptions to bring Macpherson's stories to life, painting a picture in the reader's mind of the adventures and heroism that he describes.
Finally, the use of symbolism is another important literary device in the poem. Macpherson's stories are symbolic of the traditions and cultural heritage of his Scottish ancestors. His refusal to conform to the expectations of his society is symbolic of the individual's struggle against conformity and the pressure to conform to social norms.
Interpretation
The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor is a powerful and moving work that explores several themes that are relevant to the human experience. The power of storytelling is a central theme in the poem, and Service uses his own storytelling abilities to great effect to convey this message.
The poem also touches on the theme of individualism versus conformity. Macpherson's refusal to conform to the expectations of his society is a powerful message about the importance of individuality and the struggle against conformity.
Finally, the poem is a celebration of tradition and cultural heritage. Macpherson's stories are rooted in the traditions and customs of his Scottish ancestors, and he uses these stories to connect with his audience and to remind them of their shared cultural heritage.
In conclusion, The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the power of storytelling, the struggle against conformity, and the importance of tradition and cultural heritage. Robert Service's use of literary devices such as rhyme, repetition, imagery, and symbolism adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it a powerful and moving work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor: A Classic Poetry Analysis
Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating and thought-provoking works. One of his most celebrated poems, The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This classic poem is a perfect example of Service's ability to weave together a compelling narrative with vivid imagery and poetic language. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices to understand why it has become a timeless classic.
The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man named Macpherson who attends a social gathering and captivates the audience with his storytelling skills. The poem is written in the form of a ballad, a traditional form of poetry that tells a story in a simple and direct manner. The ballad is characterized by its use of repetition, rhyme, and a strong narrative structure. Service masterfully employs these elements to create a poem that is both engaging and memorable.
The poem begins with the introduction of Macpherson, a man who is known for his ability to hold an audience's attention with his stories. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem:
Macpherson he was a piper, a piper of renown,
And he played upon a lily-white pipe
And the tune he played was "The Bonnie Lass o' Dundee"
Oh, the Bonnie Lass o' Dundee.
The repetition of the phrase "Bonnie Lass o' Dundee" creates a sense of rhythm and melody that is reminiscent of the music that Macpherson plays. The use of alliteration in the first line, with the repetition of the "p" sound, adds to the musical quality of the poem. The stanza also establishes Macpherson's reputation as a skilled piper, which sets the stage for the events that follow.
The second stanza introduces the setting of the poem, a social gathering where Macpherson is expected to perform:
Now every maiden listened, and every young man too,
And even the babe unborn was stirred
And the hostess' eyes were bright and the host's face was red
As he welcomed Macpherson's word.
The use of hyperbole in the second line, with the suggestion that even the "babe unborn" was stirred by Macpherson's storytelling, adds to the sense of anticipation and excitement that is building in the poem. The third line introduces the host and hostess, who are eager to hear Macpherson's stories. The fourth line, with the use of the adjective "bright" to describe the hostess' eyes and the verb "red" to describe the host's face, creates a vivid image of the scene and the emotions of the characters.
The third stanza introduces Macpherson's first story, which is about a man named Tam o' the Lin who is caught stealing:
He told them of a fellow who went down to hell
And they called him Tam o' the Lin
But he's stolen a sheep and he's broke a fence
And he's got to be punished for his sin.
The use of rhyme in this stanza, with the repetition of the "ell" sound, creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. The story of Tam o' the Lin is a cautionary tale about the consequences of breaking the law, which is a common theme in ballads. The stanza also demonstrates Macpherson's storytelling skills, as he is able to capture the audience's attention with his vivid descriptions and dramatic delivery.
The fourth stanza introduces Macpherson's second story, which is about a man named Rob MacGraw who is caught poaching:
He told them of a poacher who lived up in the hills
And they called him Rob MacGraw
But he's stolen a salmon out of the Spey
And he's got to be punished by the law.
Like the previous stanza, this one also uses rhyme to create a sense of unity in the poem. The story of Rob MacGraw is another cautionary tale about the consequences of breaking the law. The use of alliteration in the first line, with the repetition of the "p" sound, adds to the musical quality of the poem. The stanza also demonstrates Macpherson's ability to create suspense and tension in his storytelling.
The fifth stanza introduces Macpherson's third story, which is about a man named Jamie Telfer who is kidnapped:
He told them of a raid that was made upon a house
And of one Jamie Telfer of the fair Dodhead
How he was stolen away by the ruthless Armstrongs
And how sorely his kinfolk did grieve and did mourn.
The use of repetition in the first line, with the repetition of the word "of," creates a sense of rhythm and melody in the poem. The story of Jamie Telfer is a tragic tale about the consequences of violence and conflict, which is a common theme in ballads. The stanza also demonstrates Macpherson's ability to create empathy and emotion in his storytelling.
The sixth stanza introduces Macpherson's final story, which is about a man named Johnnie Armstrong who is executed:
He told them of a man who was hanged upon a tree
And they called him Johnnie Armstrong
For he's been a right bold captain of a band of Border thieves
And he's paid the price for his ill-doing.
The use of repetition in the first line, with the repetition of the word "of," creates a sense of rhythm and melody in the poem. The story of Johnnie Armstrong is a cautionary tale about the consequences of a life of crime, which is a common theme in ballads. The stanza also demonstrates Macpherson's ability to create a sense of tragedy and loss in his storytelling.
The seventh stanza concludes the poem, with the audience applauding Macpherson's storytelling skills:
Then up and spake the hostess, she was never heard to speak so free
"Oh, where got ye your stories, and where got ye your skill?
For never was a piper played like that in fair Scotland
And verily I think that ye must be the devil himself."
The use of dialogue in this stanza adds to the sense of realism and authenticity in the poem. The hostess's comment about Macpherson being the devil himself is a humorous and lighthearted way to end the poem. The stanza also demonstrates the impact that Macpherson's storytelling has had on the audience, with the hostess acknowledging his skill and talent.
In conclusion, The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor is a classic poem that showcases Robert Service's mastery of the ballad form. The poem's themes of storytelling, law and order, violence and conflict, and the consequences of one's actions are timeless and universal. The poem's structure, with its use of repetition, rhyme, and a strong narrative structure, creates a sense of unity and coherence that is both engaging and memorable. The poem's literary devices, such as alliteration, hyperbole, and dialogue, add to the poem's musical quality and sense of realism. Overall, The Ballad of How Macpherson Held the Floor is a masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
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