'Yellow' by Robert Service


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One pearly day of early May
I strolled upon the sand,
And saw, say half-a-mile away
A man with gun in hand;
A dog was cowering to his will,
As slow he sought to creep
Upon a dozen ducks so still
They seemed to be asleep,

When like a streak the dog dashed out,
The ducks flashed up in flight;
The fellow gave a savage shout
And cursed with all his might.
Then I stood somewhat amazed
And gazed with eyes agog,
With bitter rage his gun he raised
And blazed and shot the dog.

You know how dogs can yelp with pain;
Its blood soaked in the sand,
And yet it crawled to him again
And tried to lick his hand.
"Forgive me, Lord, for what I've done,"
It seemed as if it said,
But once again he raised his gun:
This time he shot it - dead.

What could I do? What could I say?
'Twas such a lonely place.
Tongue-tied I saw him stride away,
I never saw his face.
I should have bawled the bastard out:
A yellow dog he slew;
But worse, he proved beyond a doubt
That - I was yellow too.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Yellow: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Are you a fan of poetry that can paint a picture of a specific emotion or experience? If so, you might want to read Robert Service's Yellow.

Yellow is one of the most celebrated poems of the Canadian bard, Robert Service. It was published in 1907 in his first poetry collection, "Songs of a Sourdough," which became a best-seller in North America.

The poem is a vivid description of the Yukon gold rush, which was a historical event that started in 1896 when gold was found in the Klondike region of Canada. Thousands of people, mostly adventurers and miners, rushed to the area to try their luck in finding gold.

But Yellow is not just about the gold rush. It's a masterful piece of poetry that captures the essence of human ambition and greed, as well as the harsh and unforgiving nature of the wilderness.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes and symbols of Yellow and explore how Robert Service crafted this poem into a timeless masterpiece.

Overview of Yellow

Before we start analyzing the poem, let's first take a look at its structure and form.

Yellow is a narrative poem that tells a story in a straightforward and simple manner. It has four stanzas, each consisting of eight lines with a rhyme scheme of ABABCBCC.

The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker being an anonymous miner who is searching for gold in the wilderness. The poem is also written in a colloquial tone, which makes it more accessible to the readers.

Now that we know the basic structure of the poem, let's move on to the analysis of its themes and symbols.

Themes of Yellow

The main themes of Yellow are greed, ambition, and the destructive power of nature.

Greed

Yellow is a poem that portrays the destructive consequences of greed. The speaker of the poem is a miner who is obsessed with finding gold. He is willing to endure the harsh conditions of the wilderness, risking his life and health, all for the sake of finding more gold.

The line "Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!" that is repeated throughout the poem represents the miner's obsession with wealth. He is so consumed by his greed that he is blind to the dangers around him.

Ambition

The poem also explores the theme of ambition. The miner has a burning desire to strike it rich and become successful. He is driven by the hope of finding more gold and becoming wealthy.

However, his ambition blinds him to the reality of his situation. He fails to realize that the wilderness is unforgiving and that his pursuit of wealth is putting his life in danger.

The Destructive Power of Nature

Another theme of Yellow is the destructive power of nature. The wilderness is portrayed as a harsh and unforgiving environment that can kill those who are unprepared for its challenges.

The line "It's the great, big, broad land 'way up yonder" emphasizes the vastness of the wilderness and the difficulty of surviving in such an environment.

The poem also portrays the wilderness as a force that can destroy the miner's dreams and aspirations. The line "And it's go, my lad, or go under" suggests that the wilderness is a test of the miner's willpower and resilience.

Symbols of Yellow

Yellow is a poem that is rich in symbols. Each symbol conveys a deeper meaning and adds to the overall message of the poem.

Gold

The most significant symbol in Yellow is gold. Gold represents the miner's obsession with wealth and his desire to become successful. It also symbolizes the destructive power of greed, as the miner is willing to risk his life and health for the sake of finding more gold.

The Wilderness

The wilderness is another important symbol in Yellow. It represents the harsh and unforgiving environment that the miner must endure. It also symbolizes the destructive power of nature and the challenge that the miner must face to survive.

The Color Yellow

The color yellow is a symbol that represents gold. The title of the poem itself, Yellow, refers to the color of gold. The use of the color yellow throughout the poem emphasizes the importance of gold in the miner's life and the destructive power of his greed.

Interpretation of Yellow

Yellow is a poem that is open to interpretation. It can be read in different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experiences.

One interpretation of Yellow is that it is a warning against the destructive power of greed. The poem portrays the miner's obsession with wealth as a dangerous and destructive force that can lead to his downfall.

Another interpretation of Yellow is that it is a celebration of human ambition and perseverance. The poem portrays the miner's determination to succeed as a positive attribute that can lead to success.

Overall, Yellow is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of human ambition, greed, and the harsh and unforgiving nature of the wilderness. It is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today, over a century after it was first published.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Yellow: A Poem of Hope and Resilience

Robert Service’s poem Yellow is a beautiful and inspiring piece of literature that speaks to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and find hope in the darkest of times. The poem tells the story of a man who has lost everything, including his family, his home, and his possessions, and is left with nothing but his own will to survive. Despite the overwhelming despair and hopelessness that he feels, the man refuses to give up and instead finds solace in the beauty of nature and the simple pleasures of life. In this article, we will explore the themes and symbolism of Yellow and how they relate to the human experience.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the man’s surroundings, which are barren and desolate. The land is “bald and brown and sere” and the sky is “gray and grim and drear.” This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of bleakness and despair. The man is alone in this harsh landscape, with no one to turn to for help or comfort. He is “lost and lone and wandering” and has no idea where he is going or what he will find.

Despite his dire situation, the man does not give up hope. He finds beauty in the small things around him, such as the “yellow leaves” that are scattered on the ground. These leaves represent a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape. They are a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found in the world.

As the man continues on his journey, he encounters a stream that is “rippling, cool and clear.” This stream represents a source of life and renewal. It is a reminder that even in the midst of despair, there is still the possibility of growth and change. The man drinks from the stream and feels a sense of rejuvenation. He is reminded that he is still alive and that there is still hope for him.

The man then comes across a cabin that is “old and gray and weathered.” This cabin represents a sense of stability and security. It is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there are still places of refuge and safety. The man enters the cabin and finds a fire burning in the hearth. This fire represents a sense of warmth and comfort. It is a reminder that even in the coldest and darkest of times, there is still the possibility of finding warmth and light.

As the man sits by the fire, he reflects on his life and the things that he has lost. He realizes that he has been chasing after material possessions and worldly success, but that these things have not brought him true happiness. He realizes that true happiness comes from within and that it is possible to find joy in the simple things in life.

The man then falls asleep by the fire and has a dream in which he sees his family. This dream represents a sense of hope and reunion. It is a reminder that even in the midst of loss and separation, there is still the possibility of being reunited with loved ones. The man wakes up from his dream feeling renewed and hopeful.

The poem ends with the man continuing on his journey, but now with a sense of purpose and direction. He has found hope in the midst of despair and has realized that true happiness comes from within. He is no longer lost and wandering, but instead is moving forward with a sense of determination and resilience.

In conclusion, Yellow is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and find hope in the darkest of times. The themes and symbolism of the poem are universal and speak to the human experience. The man’s journey represents the journey that we all must take in life, with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of despair, there is still the possibility of finding beauty, renewal, and hope. It is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to persevere and find meaning in even the most difficult of circumstances.

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