'The Heart Of The Sourdough' by Robert Service


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There where the mighty mountains bare their fangs unto the moon,
There where the sullen sun-dogs glare in the snow-bright, bitter noon,
And the glacier-glutted streams sweep down at the clarion call of June.

There where the livid tundras keep their tryst with the tranquil snows;
There where the silences are spawned, and the light of hell-fire flows
Into the bowl of the midnight sky, violet, amber and rose.

There where the rapids churn and roar, and the ice-floes bellowing run;
Where the tortured, twisted rivers of blood rush to the setting sun --
I've packed my kit and I'm going, boys, ere another day is done.

* * * * *

I knew it would call, or soon or late, as it calls the whirring wings;
It's the olden lure, it's the golden lure, it's the lure of the timeless things,
And to-night, oh, God of the trails untrod, how it whines in my heart-strings!

I'm sick to death of your well-groomed gods, your make believe and your show;
I long for a whiff of bacon and beans, a snug shakedown in the snow;
A trail to break, and a life at stake, and another bout with the foe.

With the raw-ribbed Wild that abhors all life, the Wild that would crush and rend,
I have clinched and closed with the naked North, I have learned to defy and defend;
Shoulder to shoulder we have fought it out -- yet the Wild must win in the end.

I have flouted the Wild. I have followed its lure, fearless, familiar, alone;
By all that the battle means and makes I claim that land for mine own;
Yet the Wild must win, and a day will come when I shall be overthrown.

Then when as wolf-dogs fight we've fought, the lean wolf-land and I;
Fought and bled till the snows are red under the reeling sky;
Even as lean wolf-dog goes down will I go down and die.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Heart of the Sourdough by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you ready to embark on a journey to the heart of the Yukon, where life is tough and men are rugged? Then let's delve into Robert Service's classic poem, The Heart of the Sourdough. This poem, written in 1907, is a masterpiece of narrative poetry, which captures the essence of the Yukon gold rush and the spirit of the men who sought their fortunes in the frozen North.

The Poem's Structure and Form

The Heart of the Sourdough is a 92-line poem, divided into nine stanzas, each consisting of ten lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or strict meter. However, the poem's structure and form are not haphazard or arbitrary. Instead, they reflect the rugged, raw, and unpolished nature of the Yukon and its inhabitants.

The poem begins with a powerful opening line: "There where the mighty mountains bare their fangs unto the moon." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, conveying a sense of awe, grandeur, and danger. The poem's language is simple and direct, yet vivid and evocative. The poet uses concrete images and sensory details to bring the Yukon landscape to life, such as "the ice-worms coil and cling" and "the aurora borealis flaming coldly overhead."

The Poem's Themes

The Heart of the Sourdough is a poem that explores several themes, including the human condition, the struggle for survival, and the search for meaning and purpose. The poem's central theme is the heart of the sourdough, which represents the essence of the Yukon's inhabitants. The sourdough is a type of bread that is made from a fermented dough, which is a metaphor for the tough, resilient, and enduring nature of the men who lived in the Yukon.

The poem also explores the contrast between civilization and wilderness, as well as the tension between individualism and community. The poem's narrator is a newcomer to the Yukon, who is amazed and fascinated by the ruggedness and independence of the sourdoughs. He admires their courage, their resourcefulness, and their resilience, but he also recognizes the harshness and loneliness of their lives. He sees the sourdoughs as a kind of heroic figure, who embody the virtues of self-reliance, determination, and perseverance.

Analysis of the Poem

The Heart of the Sourdough is a poem that invites multiple readings and interpretations. On one level, the poem can be seen as a celebration of the Yukon's inhabitants, who are portrayed as heroic and admirable figures. On another level, the poem can be read as a critique of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the Yukon, and the toll it takes on those who live there.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the Yukon landscape, which is portrayed as both beautiful and dangerous. The mountains are described as "mighty" and "bare their fangs unto the moon," while the rivers are "sullen" and "slippery" and the ice is "treacherous." This opening stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem, which explores the lives of the sourdoughs who inhabit this challenging environment.

In the second stanza, the narrator introduces the sourdoughs, describing them as "rough and ready" men who live by their wits and their instincts. He recognizes the sourdoughs as a distinct and unique group, who have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Yukon and developed their own culture and way of life. The sourdoughs are portrayed as independent, self-sufficient, and proud, but also as lonely and isolated.

The third stanza introduces the concept of the sourdough's heart, which represents their essence and their character. The heart of the sourdough is described as "a simple thing, but clean," which reflects the sourdough's honesty, integrity, and simplicity. The sourdough's heart is also portrayed as enduring and resilient, able to withstand the hardships and challenges of life in the Yukon.

The fourth stanza explores the idea of the sourdough's soul, which represents their innermost thoughts and feelings. The sourdough's soul is described as "a thing apart," which suggests that it is separate from their physical body and their external circumstances. The sourdough's soul is also portrayed as mysterious and elusive, something that cannot be easily understood or grasped.

The fifth stanza introduces the idea of the sourdough's dreams, which represent their hopes and aspirations. The sourdough's dreams are described as "of place and power, of wealth and fame," which reflects their desire for success and recognition. However, the poem also acknowledges the harsh reality of life in the Yukon, where dreams can be shattered by the unforgiving environment and the harshness of human nature.

The sixth stanza explores the idea of the sourdough's past, which represents their memories and experiences. The sourdough's past is described as "a tale that's told and old," which suggests that it is something that is fixed and unchangeable. The sourdough's past is also portrayed as a source of wisdom and knowledge, something that can be passed down from generation to generation.

The seventh stanza introduces the idea of the sourdough's present, which represents their current circumstances and situation. The sourdough's present is described as "a lonely trail and long," which reflects the isolation and solitude of their lives. The sourdough's present is also portrayed as a time of struggle and hardship, where survival is the primary concern.

The eighth stanza explores the idea of the sourdough's future, which represents their hopes and fears for what is to come. The sourdough's future is described as "a dim and distant haze," which suggests that it is uncertain and unpredictable. The sourdough's future is also portrayed as something that is shaped by their choices and actions, something that they have the power to control.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the narrator reflecting on the sourdough's heart and their enduring spirit. The poem ends on a note of admiration and respect for these rugged and resilient men, who have carved out a life in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Yukon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Heart of the Sourdough is a masterpiece of narrative poetry, which captures the spirit and essence of the Yukon gold rush and the people who lived through it. The poem explores several themes, including the human condition, the struggle for survival, and the search for meaning and purpose. The poem's structure and form reflect the rugged, raw, and unpolished nature of the Yukon and its inhabitants, while the language is simple and direct, yet vivid and evocative. The Heart of the Sourdough is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers more than a century after it was written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Heart of the Sourdough: A Poem That Captures the Spirit of the Yukon

Robert Service's "The Heart of the Sourdough" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the Yukon during the gold rush. The poem is a tribute to the men who braved the harsh conditions of the north to seek their fortunes. It is a celebration of the rugged individualism and determination that characterized the pioneers of the Yukon.

The poem is written in Service's signature style, which is characterized by its simple, direct language and its use of rhyme and meter. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the story.

The first stanza sets the scene. It describes the harsh conditions of the north, where the "snow lies deep and the sun won't shine." It introduces the protagonist of the poem, the sourdough, who is described as a man who has "seen the Northern Lights a-flashing" and who has "heard the big moose calling."

The second stanza describes the sourdough's life in the Yukon. It tells of his cabin, which is "built of logs and the roof of sod." It describes his dog, which is "his comrade and his friend." It also tells of the sourdough's gold, which he has "panned from the creeks and the river."

The third stanza is the heart of the poem. It tells of the sourdough's philosophy of life. He is a man who has "known the hunger of the wolf, the cold and the pain." He is a man who has "faced death and fought it." He is a man who has "learned the lesson of the trail, how to be humble and kind." He is a man who has "found peace in the silence of the hills."

The fourth and final stanza is a tribute to the sourdough. It tells of the respect that he commands from the other men of the Yukon. They know that he is a man who has "faced the worst and come out on top." They know that he is a man who has "lived the life that they all dream of." They know that he is a man who has "the heart of the sourdough."

The poem is a celebration of the spirit of the Yukon. It is a tribute to the men who braved the harsh conditions of the north to seek their fortunes. It is a reminder that the pioneers of the Yukon were not just seeking gold, but were seeking something deeper and more meaningful. They were seeking a way of life that was free from the constraints of civilization, a way of life that was based on self-reliance, determination, and courage.

The poem is also a tribute to Robert Service himself. Service was a man who lived the life that he wrote about. He was a poet who was born in England but who spent most of his life in the Yukon. He was a man who knew the sourdoughs and who understood their way of life. He was a man who captured the spirit of the Yukon in his poetry.

In conclusion, "The Heart of the Sourdough" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of the Yukon during the gold rush. It is a celebration of the rugged individualism and determination that characterized the pioneers of the north. It is a tribute to the sourdoughs, the men who braved the harsh conditions of the north to seek their fortunes. It is a reminder that the pioneers of the Yukon were not just seeking gold, but were seeking something deeper and more meaningful. They were seeking a way of life that was free from the constraints of civilization, a way of life that was based on self-reliance, determination, and courage.

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