'Pullman Porter' by Robert Service


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The porter in the Pullman car
Was charming, as they sometimes are.
He scanned my baggage tags: "Are you
The man who wrote of Lady Lou?"
When I said "yes" he made a fuss -
Oh, he was most assiduous;
And I was pleased to think that he
Enjoyed my brand of poetry.

He was forever at my call,
So when we got to Montreal
And he had brushed me off, I said:
"I'm glad my poems you have read.
I feel quite flattered, I confess,
And if you give me your address
I'll send you (autographed, of course)
One of my little books of verse."

He smiled - his teeth were white as milk;
He spoke - his voice was soft as silk.
I recognized, depite his skin,
The perfect gentleman within.
Then courteously he made reply:
"I thank you kindly, Sir, but I
With many other cherished tome
Have all your books of verse at home.

"When I was quite a little boy
I used to savour them with joy;
And now my daughter, aged three,
Can tell the tale of Sam McGee;
While Tom, my son, that's only two
Has heard the yarn of Dan McGrew. . . .
Don't think your stuff I'm not applaudin' -
My taste is Eliot and Auden."

So we gravely bade adieu
I felt quite snubbed - and so would you,
And yet I shook him by the hand,
Impressed that he could understand
The works of those two tops I mention,
So far beyond my comprehension -
A humble bard of boys and barmen,
Disdained, alas! by Pullman carmen.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Pullman Porter by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

When it comes to the world of poetry, Robert Service is a name that is highly respected and revered. His works have been read and enjoyed by countless people around the world, and his poems have been the subject of many discussions and analyses. One of his most famous works is the poem "Pullman Porter," which is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that deserves to be explored in great detail. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and meanings of this wonderful poem.

The Poem: Pullman Porter

Before we begin our analysis, let us first take a look at the poem itself:

The porter in the Pullman car Was charming, as they sometimes are. He scanned my baggage tags: “Are you The gentleman who travels through To Montreal?” I answered “Yes.” “Well, Mr. So-and-So, I guess You know Miss So-and-So?” said he; “Her father’s wealth is new to me; But I’ll be pleased to meet them both.” Forthwith he proved he knew his troth, By lifting up my heavy load, And tottering with it down the road. I followed through the Pullman door, And marked him walking on before, A figure of the proudest port, A king, a potentate, a court. My spirits rose, my heart beat high; I felt as though a lord were nigh. And so I followed to the station, And envied his administration, And longed that I could bear a hand Like his, so deftly and so grand. Yet as I mused there came a lurch; The train set forward with a lurch. The porter stumbled, swayed and fell, And I—well, I’m a dog to tell— I jumped upon him with a thud, And beat him with my baggage. Blood Gushed from his nose and mouth and ears, I own I beat him without tears. He lay there bleeding on the floor. I never felt so mean before. And then the train began to sway, And we were off, away, away.

Theme: Power and Authority

One of the most important themes of "Pullman Porter" is that of power and authority. The poem explores the relationship between the porter and the passenger, and how the porter's power and authority are perceived by the passenger. At the beginning of the poem, the porter is described as charming, and the passenger is clearly impressed by him. The porter is able to lift the passenger's heavy load with ease, and the passenger follows him to the station, envying his administration.

However, this perception of the porter's power and authority is shattered when the train lurches forward and the porter falls. At this point, the passenger jumps on him and beats him with his baggage, causing the porter to bleed from his nose, mouth, and ears. The passenger's power and authority over the porter is suddenly revealed, and he realizes how mean he has been.

This theme of power and authority is important because it highlights how easily power can be abused, and how important it is to recognize and respect the power and authority of others.

Symbolism: The Pullman Porter

Another important aspect of "Pullman Porter" is the symbolism of the Pullman porter himself. The porter is portrayed as a king, a potentate, a court, and a figure of the proudest port. This imagery is important because it highlights the power and authority that the porter holds, as well as his importance in the world of transportation.

Furthermore, the porter's position as a Pullman porter is significant. Pullman porters were African American men who worked on passenger trains and were responsible for attending to the needs of passengers. They were often treated poorly by white passengers, and their working conditions were harsh. However, despite this, many Pullman porters took pride in their work and were respected by their fellow African Americans.

In "Pullman Porter," the porter's position as a Pullman porter is important because it highlights the struggles and challenges faced by African American workers during this time period. The poem serves as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of these men, and their importance in the transportation industry.

Interpretation: The Consequences of Abuse of Power

Ultimately, "Pullman Porter" is a cautionary tale about the consequences of abusing power. The passenger's initial admiration and envy of the porter's power and authority is quickly replaced by a realization of how easily that power can be abused. The passenger's violent actions towards the porter highlight the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of recognizing and respecting the power and authority of others.

Furthermore, the poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the treatment of African American workers during this time period. Despite their hard work and dedication, Pullman porters were often mistreated and disrespected by white passengers. The passenger's violent actions towards the porter serve as a reminder of the injustices faced by African American workers and the need for greater respect and recognition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Pullman Porter" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores important themes of power and authority, as well as the struggles faced by African American workers during this time period. The symbolism of the Pullman porter serves as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of these men, while the cautionary tale of the consequences of abusing power is a valuable reminder of the importance of recognizing and respecting the power and authority of others. Robert Service's words continue to resonate with readers today, and "Pullman Porter" is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire thought and reflection.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Pullman Porter: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, is known for his ability to capture the essence of life in his poems. One of his most famous works is Pullman Porter, a poem that tells the story of a train porter and his life on the rails. The poem is a masterpiece of storytelling, and it captures the spirit of the American railroad in the early 20th century. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "The porter in the Pullman car was charming, as they sometimes are." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it introduces us to the protagonist of the story, the porter. The word "charming" is used to describe the porter, which suggests that he is a likable character. The use of the word "sometimes" implies that not all porters are charming, but this one is.

The next few lines of the poem describe the porter's appearance. He is described as being "coal-black," which is a reference to his skin color. This is significant because it highlights the racial divide that existed in America at the time. The porter's skin color would have made him a target for discrimination and prejudice, but the fact that he is described as charming suggests that he is able to rise above these challenges.

The poem then goes on to describe the porter's job. He is a Pullman porter, which means that he works on a train that is part of the Pullman Company. The Pullman Company was a famous American railroad company that was known for its luxurious trains. The fact that the porter works for this company suggests that he is a skilled worker who is able to provide a high level of service to his passengers.

The poem then describes the porter's duties. He is responsible for making up the beds in the sleeping cars, shining shoes, and providing general assistance to the passengers. The fact that he is described as doing these tasks with "dignity and grace" suggests that he takes pride in his work and is committed to providing the best possible service to his passengers.

The next few lines of the poem describe the porter's interactions with the passengers. He is described as being "courteous and kind," which suggests that he is well-liked by the passengers. The fact that he is able to maintain this level of professionalism despite the challenges of his job suggests that he is a skilled worker who is able to handle difficult situations with ease.

The poem then goes on to describe the porter's life outside of work. He is described as having a wife and children, which suggests that he is a family man who is committed to his loved ones. The fact that he is able to balance his work and family life suggests that he is a responsible and dedicated individual.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as it describes the porter's experiences with racism. He is described as being the victim of "sneers and jeers" from some of the passengers. This suggests that despite his professionalism and dedication to his job, he is still subject to discrimination and prejudice. The fact that he is able to rise above these challenges and continue to provide excellent service to his passengers is a testament to his strength of character.

The poem then ends with the line, "The porter in the Pullman car was charming, as they sometimes are." This line brings the poem full circle, as it returns to the opening line. The fact that the porter is described as charming once again suggests that despite the challenges he faces, he is able to maintain his positive attitude and commitment to his job.

In conclusion, Pullman Porter is a classic poem that tells the story of a train porter and his life on the rails. The poem captures the spirit of the American railroad in the early 20th century and highlights the challenges faced by African Americans during this time. The fact that the porter is able to rise above these challenges and provide excellent service to his passengers is a testament to his strength of character. Robert Service's masterful storytelling and use of language make this poem a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.

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