'The Squaw Man' by Robert Service


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The cow-moose comes to water, and the beaver's overbold,
The net is in the eddy of the stream;
The teepee stars the vivid sward with russet, red and gold,
And in the velvet gloom the fire's a-gleam.
The night is ripe with quiet, rich with incense of the pine;
From sanctuary lake I hear the loon;
The peaks are bright against the blue, and drenched with sunset wine,
And like a silver bubble is the moon.

Cloud-high I climbed but yesterday; a hundred miles around
I looked to see a rival fire a-gleam.
As in a crystal lens it lay, a land without a bound,
All lure, and virgin vastitude, and dream.
The great sky soared exultantly, the great earth bared its breast,
All river-veined and patterned with the pine;
The heedless hordes of caribou were streaming to the West,
A land of lustrous mystery -- and mine.

Yea, mine to frame my Odyssey: Oh, little do they know
My conquest and the kingdom that I keep!
The meadows of the musk-ox, where the laughing grasses grow,
The rivers where the careless conies leap.
Beyond the silent Circle, where white men are fierce and few,
I lord it, and I mock at man-made law;
Like a flame upon the water is my little light canoe,
And yonder in the fireglow is my squaw.

A squaw man! yes, that's what I am; sneer at me if you will.
I've gone the grilling pace that cannot last;
With bawdry, bridge and brandy -- Oh, I've drank enough to kill
A dozen such as you, but that is past.
I've swung round to my senses, found the place where I belong;
The City made a madman out of me;
But here beyond the Circle, where there's neither right or wrong,
I leap from life's straight-jacket, and I'm free.

Yet ever in the far forlorn, by trails of lone desire;
Yet ever in the dawn's white leer of hate;
Yet ever by the dripping kill, beside the drowsy fire,
There comes the fierce heart-hunger for a mate.
There comes the mad blood-clamour for a woman's clinging hand,
Love-humid eyes, the velvet of a breast;
And so I sought the Bonnet-plumes, and chose from out the band
The girl I thought the sweetest and the best.

O wistful women I have loved before my dark disgrace!
O women fair and rare in my home land!
Dear ladies, if I saw you now I'd turn away my face,
Then crawl to kiss your foot-prints in the sand!
And yet -- that day the rifle jammed -- a wounded moose at bay --
A roar, a charge . . . I faced it with my knife:
A shot from out the willow-scrub, and there the monster lay. . . .
Yes, little Laughing Eyes, you saved my life.

The man must have the woman, and we're all brutes more or less,
Since first the male ape shinned the family tree;
And yet I think I love her with a husband's tenderness,
And yet I know that she would die for me.
Oh, if I left you, Laughing Eyes, and nevermore came back,
God help you, girl! I know what you would do. . . .
I see the lake wan in the moon, and from the shadow black,
There drifts a little, empty birch canoe.

We're here beyond the Circle, where there's never wrong nor right;
We aren't spliced according to the law;
But by the gods I hail you on this hushed and holy night
As the mother of my children, and my squaw.
I see your little slender face set in the firelight glow;
I pray that I may never make it sad;
I hear you croon a baby song, all slumber-soft and low --
God bless you, little Laughing Eyes! I'm glad.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Squaw Man: A Journey into the Heart of the Wild West

The Squaw Man is an epic poem written by Robert Service that tells the story of a man who leaves his comfortable life in the city to seek adventure in the wild west. The poem is a journey into the heart of the west, exploring the rugged terrain, the dangerous animals and the people who call it home. It is a story of courage, survival, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The story

The Squaw Man tells the story of a man who leaves his wife and family in the city to seek adventure in the west. He is drawn to the rugged terrain, the open spaces, and the promise of a life free from the constraints of civilization. He sets out on his journey with nothing but his wits and his determination to succeed.

As he travels deeper into the west, he encounters a variety of challenges. He must navigate treacherous terrain, fend off dangerous animals, and contend with the harsh elements. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, including cowboys, Indians, and other adventurers.

Through it all, the Squaw Man remains resolute in his quest. He never loses his sense of purpose or his determination to succeed. Despite the many obstacles he faces, he emerges victorious in the end, having achieved his goal of living a life of adventure and excitement.

The themes

There are several themes that run throughout The Squaw Man. Perhaps the most prominent of these is the idea of the individual versus society. The Squaw Man is a man who has chosen to live outside the constraints of society. He has rejected the values and norms of his culture in favor of a life of adventure and excitement. This theme is explored throughout the poem as the reader is asked to consider the costs and benefits of such a lifestyle.

Another theme that is explored in The Squaw Man is the idea of survival. The Squaw Man must navigate a variety of challenges as he travels through the west. He must learn to fend for himself in the face of dangerous animals, harsh terrain, and unpredictable weather. This theme is closely tied to the idea of the individual versus society, as the Squaw Man is forced to rely on his own resources in order to survive.

Finally, The Squaw Man is a poem that celebrates the human spirit. Despite the many challenges that the Squaw Man faces, he never loses his sense of purpose or his determination to succeed. He is a symbol of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The language

One of the most striking features of The Squaw Man is the language that Robert Service uses. The poem is written in a style that is both simple and direct. It is a style that is well-suited to the subject matter of the poem, which is the wild west.

Service uses a variety of literary devices in order to create a sense of excitement and adventure. He uses vivid imagery to describe the landscape of the west, bringing it to life in the mind of the reader. He also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and energy.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the language in The Squaw Man is the use of dialect. Service uses dialect to give the poem a sense of authenticity and to capture the unique character of the west. This dialect can be challenging for some readers, but it is an essential part of the poem's charm and appeal.

The interpretation

The Squaw Man is a poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. One possible interpretation is that it is a celebration of the wild west and the values that it represents. The Squaw Man embodies these values, which include independence, self-reliance, and courage.

Another interpretation of The Squaw Man is that it is a cautionary tale. The Squaw Man has rejected the values and norms of his society in favor of a life of adventure and excitement. This rejection has come at a cost, as he has lost his connection to his family and to the broader community. This interpretation suggests that there is a price to be paid for living outside the constraints of society.

The conclusion

The Squaw Man is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who leaves his comfortable life in the city to seek adventure in the wild west. It is a story of courage, survival, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The poem is written in a style that is both simple and direct, using vivid imagery and dialect to create a sense of excitement and adventure. The Squaw Man is a poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but it remains a timeless celebration of the wild west and the values that it represents.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Squaw Man: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's a Canadian poet who's known for his narrative poems that tell stories of adventure, love, and life in the wild. One of his most famous works is "The Squaw Man," a poem that tells the story of a man who falls in love with a Native American woman and the challenges they face as a couple.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of the land where the story takes place. He talks about the mountains, the rivers, and the forests, and how they all come together to create a breathtaking landscape. But then he introduces the main character, a man who's known as the Squaw Man. The Squaw Man is a white man who's lived among the Native Americans for many years. He's learned their ways and speaks their language, and he's respected by the tribe.

The Squaw Man falls in love with a Native American woman, and they have a child together. But their love is not accepted by the tribe, who see the Squaw Man as an outsider. The speaker describes how the Squaw Man is shunned by the tribe, and how he's forced to leave his home and his family behind. He's left alone in the wilderness, with nothing but his memories of the woman he loves.

The poem is a powerful commentary on the challenges faced by interracial couples, especially in a time when such relationships were not accepted by society. The Squaw Man is a symbol of the struggle faced by those who dare to love outside of their race or culture. He's a man who's torn between two worlds, and who's rejected by both.

But the poem is also a celebration of love, and of the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. The Squaw Man's love for the Native American woman is pure and true, and it's a love that transcends race and culture. It's a love that's worth fighting for, even if it means facing rejection and isolation.

The poem is also a tribute to the beauty of the natural world, and to the power of nature to heal and restore. The Squaw Man finds solace in the wilderness, where he's surrounded by the beauty of the land and the animals that inhabit it. He's able to find peace and comfort in the midst of his pain and sorrow.

Overall, "The Squaw Man" is a classic poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It's a poem that celebrates love, nature, and the resilience of the human spirit. It's a poem that's as relevant today as it was when it was first written, and it's a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift.

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