The Cremation of Sam Mcgee
The narrative unfolds in the harsh, cold landscape of the Arctic, where a group of prospectors is searching for gold. Among them is Sam McGee, a man from Tennessee who is perpetually cold and longs for warmth. Despite his discomfort, he is drawn to the allure of gold in the North. On a particularly frigid Christmas Day, while traveling along the Dawson trail, Sam expresses his dread of dying in the icy wilderness and requests his companion to cremate him if he dies. As fate would have it, Sam succumbs to the cold, leaving his friend with the grim task of fulfilling his promise. The narrator struggles with the burden of transporting Sam's corpse, feeling increasingly tormented by the weight of his promise. He battles the elements and his own growing madness as he continues on the trail, haunted by the presence of his deceased friend. Eventually, he arrives at Lake Lebarge, where he discovers a derelict boat named the "Alice May." Seizing the opportunity, he constructs a makeshift crematorium using the boat's materials. He ignites a fire and prepares to fulfill Sam's last request. As he wrestles with fear and dread, he finally checks on the remains, only to find Sam sitting comfortably in the furnace, smiling and content. Sam expresses his relief at finally being warm, revealing the irony of his situation. The poem concludes with a reflection on the strange occurrences in the Arctic, emphasizing the bizarre and surreal nature of the events that transpired. The tale encapsulates themes of friendship, the struggle against nature, and the unexpected twists of fate, all set against the backdrop of the unforgiving wilderness.
By Robert W. Service · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Narrative, Humor · 1,183 words
First lines
There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee.
Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cremation of Sam Mcgee is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert W. Service, dated 1907 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert W. Service
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Narrative, Humor, Adventure, Dark Comedy
- Length: 1,183 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
- In A Disused Graveyard by Robert Frost
- The Reckoning by Robert W. Service
- Goody Blake And Harry Gill by William Wordsworth
- It Was Too Late For Man by Emily Dickinson
- Unforgotten by Robert W. Service
- The Men That Dont Fit In by Robert W. Service
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter characteristic of poetry.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story with a clear plot involving characters and events.
- Humor — The poem contains dark humor, particularly in the absurdity of cremating a friend in the Arctic.
- Adventure — The setting in the Arctic and the journey undertaken by the characters reflect themes of adventure.
Tags
Poem · Ballad · Literary · Classic · Canadian · Folklore · Tragic · Death · Mortality · Guilt · Regret · Redemption