'Athabaska Dick' by Robert Service
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When the boys come out from Lac Labiche in the lure of the early Spring,
To take the pay of the "Hudson's Bay", as their fathers did before,
They are all a-glee for the jamboree, and they make the Landing ring
With a whoop and a whirl, and a "Grab your girl", and a rip and a skip and a roar.
For the spree of Spring is a sacred thing, and the boys must have their fun;
Packer and tracker and half-breed Cree, from the boat to the bar they leap;
And then when the long flotilla goes, and the last of their pay is done,
The boys from the banks of Lac Labiche swing to the heavy sweep.
And oh, how they sigh! and their throats are dry, and sorry are they and sick:
Yet there's none so cursed with a lime-kiln thirst as that Athabaska Dick.
He was long and slim and lean of limb, but strong as a stripling bear;
And by the right of his skill and might he guided the Long Brigade.
All water-wise were his laughing eyes, and he steered with a careless care,
And he shunned the shock of foam and rock, till they came to the Big Cascade.
And here they must make the long portage, and the boys sweat in the sun;
And they heft and pack, and they haul and track, and each must do his trick;
But their thoughts are far in the Landing bar, where the founts of nectar run:
And no man thinks of such gorgeous drinks as that Athabaska Dick.
'Twas the close of day and his long boat lay just over the Big Cascade,
When there came to him one Jack-pot Jim, with a wild light in his eye;
And he softly laughed, and he led Dick aft, all eager, yet half afraid,
And snugly stowed in his coat he showed a pilfered flask of "rye".
And in haste he slipped, or in fear he tripped, but -- Dick in warning roared --
And there rang a yell, and it befell that Jim was overboard.
Oh, I heard a splash, and quick as a flash I knew he could not swim.
I saw him whirl in the river swirl, and thresh his arms about.
In a queer, strained way I heard Dick say: "I'm going after him,"
Throw off his coat, leap down the boat -- and then I gave a shout:
"Boys, grab him, quick! You're crazy, Dick! Far better one than two!
Hell, man! You know you've got no show! It's sure and certain death. . . ."
And there we hung, and there we clung, with beef and brawn and thew,
And sinews cracked and joints were racked, and panting came our breath;
And there we swayed and there we prayed, till strength and hope were spent --
Then Dick, he threw us off like rats, and after Jim he went.
With mighty urge amid the surge of river-rage he leapt,
And gripped his mate and desperate he fought to gain the shore;
With teeth a-gleam he bucked the stream, yet swift and sure he swept
To meet the mighty cataract that waited all a-roar.
And there we stood like carven wood, our faces sickly white,
And watched him as he beat the foam, and inch by inch he lost;
And nearer, nearer drew the fall, and fiercer grew the fight,
Till on the very cascade crest a last farewell he tossed.
Then down and down and down they plunged into that pit of dread;
And mad we tore along the shore to claim our bitter dead.
And from that hell of frenzied foam, that crashed and fumed and boiled,
Two little bodies bubbled up, and they were heedless then;
And oh, they lay like senseless clay! and bitter hard we toiled,
Yet never, never gleam of hope, and we were weary men.
And moments mounted into hours, and black was our despair;
And faint were we, and we were fain to give them up as dead,
When suddenly I thrilled with hope: "Back, boys! and give him air;
I feel the flutter of his heart. . . ." And, as the word I said,
Dick gave a sigh, and gazed around, and saw our breathless band;
And saw the sky's blue floor above, all strewn with golden fleece;
And saw his comrade Jack-pot Jim, and touched him with his hand:
And then there came into his eyes a look of perfect peace.
And as there, at his very feet, the thwarted river raved,
I heard him murmur low and deep:
"Thank God! the whiskey's saved."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Athabaska Dick: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that transports you to another time and place, where the beauty of nature and the complexities of human relationships come to life? Athabaska Dick, written by Robert Service, is just that kind of poem. This classic work of literature is a tribute to the untamed wilderness of northern Canada, and the rugged spirit of the men who made their living there.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and style of Athabaska Dick. We will delve into its rich imagery, its use of language and sound, and its underlying message about the human condition. So, let's strap on our snowshoes and venture into the wilds of Service's poetic world.
Background on Robert Service
Before we begin our analysis of Athabaska Dick, let's take a moment to learn about the man who wrote it. Robert Service was a Scottish-born poet and novelist who lived from 1874 to 1958. He spent much of his life in Canada, where he worked as a banker, a ranch hand, and a war correspondent. However, it was his poetry that made him famous, particularly his verses about the Yukon Gold Rush of the late 1800s.
Service's poems were known for their vivid descriptions of nature, their wry humor, and their celebration of the rugged individualism of the frontier. Although some critics dismissed his work as simplistic and sentimental, others praised him for his ability to capture the spirit of the Canadian wilderness and the people who lived there.
Summary of Athabaska Dick
Athabaska Dick is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man named Dick, who spends his life trapping animals in the frozen north. The poem begins with a description of Dick's cabin, which is "built of spruce and cedar poles, / And the roof was low and thatched with fur." We learn that Dick is a solitary man who is content with his simple life, and who takes pride in his ability to survive in the harsh climate.
However, the poem takes a darker turn when Dick falls in love with a woman named Lou, who visits him one winter. Despite his rough exterior and his reluctance to show his emotions, Dick is deeply smitten with Lou, and he longs to be with her. However, Lou is already engaged to another man, and she leaves Dick to return to her fiance.
The rest of the poem is a meditation on the loneliness that comes with living in the wilderness, and the anguish of unrequited love. We see Dick struggling to come to terms with his feelings for Lou, and the impossibility of ever being with her. The poem ends on a melancholy note, with Dick resigned to his fate, but still haunted by his memories of Lou.
Themes and Symbolism in Athabaska Dick
At its core, Athabaska Dick is a poem about the human need for connection and intimacy. Dick is a solitary figure who has chosen to live in the wilderness, but he is not immune to the pangs of loneliness and desire. His love for Lou represents his longing for human companionship, and his inability to fulfill that desire represents the tragedy of the human condition.
One of the key symbols in the poem is Dick's cabin. The cabin represents his isolation from the rest of society, and his retreat into a world of his own making. However, it also represents his self-sufficiency and his ability to survive in a harsh environment. The fact that the cabin is made of natural materials, such as spruce and cedar poles, emphasizes Dick's connection to the natural world.
Similarly, the animals that Dick traps and hunts are symbolic of his relationship with the wilderness. They represent the challenges and dangers that he faces, and the importance of his skills as a trapper. However, they also represent the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and the respect that Dick has for it.
Finally, Lou is perhaps the most important symbol in the poem. She represents the possibility of human connection and intimacy, but also the pain and heartache that can come with it. She is both the object of Dick's desire and the cause of his suffering.
Style and Language in Athabaska Dick
One of the most striking aspects of Athabaska Dick is its use of language and sound. Service was known for his ability to create vivid imagery with his words, and this poem is no exception. The descriptions of the wilderness, with its "roaring red aurora" and "purple sky" are breathtakingly beautiful, while the depiction of Dick's cabin is both rugged and cozy.
Service also uses sound to great effect in the poem. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "alone with the silence and the snow" and "the stillness of the northern night," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality that draws the reader into the poem. The use of alliteration and internal rhyme, such as "the soughing of the spruce" and "the crackling of the cedar," adds to the musicality of the poem.
Another aspect of Service's style that is evident in Athabaska Dick is his use of humor. Although the poem is ultimately a serious meditation on the human condition, there are moments of levity throughout. For example, in one stanza, Service describes how Dick "shaved on a chunk of looking-glass, / And combed his hair with a porcupine quill." This image is both humorous and poignant, emphasizing the rustic simplicity of Dick's life.
Interpretation of Athabaska Dick
So, what can we take away from our analysis of Athabaska Dick? At its heart, this poem is a tribute to the human spirit of resilience and self-reliance. It celebrates the ability of people to survive in even the harshest of environments, and the courage of those who choose to live on the fringes of society.
However, the poem also acknowledges the loneliness and isolation that can come with such a life. It reminds us of the human need for connection and intimacy, and the pain that can come with unrequited love. In this way, Athabaska Dick is a powerful meditation on the complexity of the human condition, and the ways in which we navigate the joys and sorrows of life.
In conclusion, Athabaska Dick is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by anyone who loves literature. Its vivid descriptions of the natural world, its use of language and sound, and its themes of resilience and loneliness make it a work of art that transcends time and place. So, the next time you find yourself longing for adventure and exploration, take a journey into the poetic world of Robert Service, and discover the beauty and complexity of Athabaska Dick.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Athabaska Dick: A Poem of Adventure and Survival
Robert Service’s Athabaska Dick is a classic poem that tells the story of a man’s journey through the harsh Canadian wilderness. The poem is a thrilling adventure that captures the spirit of survival and the human will to overcome adversity. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with the introduction of the protagonist, Athabaska Dick, a man who has spent his life in the wilds of Canada. The opening lines set the tone for the poem, describing the rugged and unforgiving landscape that Dick has called home. The imagery used in the first stanza is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and dangerous.
“Beyond the valley’s heat and dust, I caught the blue of glinting steel, Up the sharp slope of rugged rust, That fringed the forest at my heel.”
The use of color in this stanza is particularly effective, with the blue of the steel contrasting with the heat and dust of the valley. The sharp slope and rugged rust of the forest create a sense of danger and uncertainty, setting the stage for the adventure to come.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about Athabaska Dick and his life in the wilderness. He is a man who is at home in the wild, able to survive and thrive in even the harshest conditions. The language used to describe Dick is powerful and evocative, painting a picture of a man who is both strong and resilient.
“He knew the trail of moose and bear, He knew the windings of the stream, He knew the rocks, the trees, the lair Of every wild thing in his dream.”
The repetition of “he knew” in this stanza emphasizes Dick’s knowledge and experience, highlighting his ability to survive in the wilderness. The use of the word “dream” at the end of the stanza is particularly effective, suggesting that the wilderness is not just a place where Dick lives, but a part of who he is.
As the poem progresses, we see Dick facing a series of challenges and obstacles. He is forced to cross a treacherous river, climb a steep mountain, and face down a pack of wolves. Each of these challenges is described in vivid detail, with the language used to create a sense of danger and urgency.
“He fought the river’s icy grip, He scaled the mountain’s dizzy crest, He faced the wolves with quivering lip, And flung them snarling from his breast.”
The use of the word “fought” in the first line of this stanza creates a sense of struggle and conflict, emphasizing the danger of the river. The description of the mountain as “dizzy” creates a sense of vertigo, highlighting the difficulty of the climb. The use of the word “flung” in the final line of the stanza is particularly effective, suggesting that Dick is not just fighting the wolves, but actively throwing them off of him.
Throughout the poem, we see Dick’s determination and resilience in the face of adversity. He is a man who refuses to give up, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. This is perhaps best exemplified in the final stanza of the poem, where Dick is faced with a blizzard that threatens to kill him.
“Then came the blizzard’s blinding breath, And all the world was lost to sight, And Athabaska Dick was death, A frozen form in endless night.”
The use of the word “breath” in the first line of this stanza is particularly effective, creating a sense of the blizzard as a living thing that is actively trying to kill Dick. The description of Dick as a “frozen form” in the final line of the stanza is powerful and evocative, emphasizing the danger and finality of his situation.
Despite this, however, Dick refuses to give up. He fights against the blizzard, struggling to stay alive even as his body begins to shut down.
“But still his heart was beating strong, And still his will was like a flame, And still he fought the storm so long, Until the morning’s glory came.”
The use of the word “still” in this stanza emphasizes Dick’s determination and resilience, highlighting his refusal to give up even in the face of death. The description of his will as a “flame” is particularly effective, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is still a spark of life and hope.
In conclusion, Athabaska Dick is a classic poem that captures the spirit of adventure and survival in the Canadian wilderness. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert Service tells the story of a man who refuses to give up in the face of adversity. The poem is a testament to the human will to overcome even the most difficult challenges, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still hope.
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