ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robert service was born in Lancashire, England On Jan 16, 1874. He moved to Scotland and at 14, he started to apprentice at a Scotland Bank. In 1896 he set out to Canada to become a rancher. After working at this goal for some time he chose to take up banking again in Vancouver. In 1905 he was posted in a Whitehorse bank. It was around that time when he wrote his two most famous ballads: The Cremation of Sam McGee, andThe shooting of Dan McGrew. Service then challenged himself with writing a book of poems about the Klondike. He titled his book Songs of Sourdough, and sent it and a cheque to a Toronto publisher. When he later received a letter from the publisher in it was his cheque and a contract offer. It has been said that this book alone has made over one million dollars (that’s back in the day too).
...AND THE ILLUSTRATOR
Edward Hardy Harrison was born August 28th, 1926 in England. He attributes his early interest in art and design to encouragement from his parents. At 17 years of age, he began to study art and design in earnest in the West Hartlepool College of Art but his education was interrupted by National Service. After the war, he returned to art school and in 1950, received a Diploma of Design. The following year he received a teaching certificate from the University of Durham and began a twenty-eight year career in Education. He taught school in England, Malaysia, New Zealand and finally went to the Yukon in 1967 where he received a job to teach in "the land of the mighty Moose - where weaklings need not apply". He settled in Carcross and in 1970 moved to Whitehorse where he taught art to secondary school students and adults until 1979. After that time, he began to work as an artist full time. In 1993, he moved to Victoria, British Columbia where he currently lives and works.
WHY THE BOOK WAS CHOSEN
I have heard the story "Cremation of Sam McGee" for the first time when I was about seven. It instantly made an impression on me and resulted in a memory that has lasted over twenty years now. In my later elementary years my teacher had us study the poem by having assigning the introduction and a one verse to memorize. As far as poetry assignments went, I doubt I looked at it as one of those "Yuck!" assignments, and even to this day I can recite the intro and several other segments with ease. So once I started to give thought to the picture book assignment, it was an obvious choice. It has been a poem I have enjoyed more than most. As a picture book, it has an appreciable selection of art that brings the story to life and magically paints the Yukon in the way that Robert Service probably envisioned as he wrote the piece.
-Dave.
LITERATURE INTERPRETATION
This work provides an easy read. Its use of rhythm and language is lends itself effortlessly to most any age of audience. Its simplicity allows the reader to sit back and visualize the story as it unfolds. The images of mystery and looming darkness provide a weight to the tale.
Outlining the Sam McGee's character, the reader quickly identifies with the loathing that he feels towards the cold of the north and the grip that the north holds a man searching for his fortune. The weight of the story falls in our laps just three verses into the poem as Sam asks our main character not to "refuse my last request." The burden of this request becomes an obligation upon our character as " A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail". As the day weighs on Sam slips away and by the night only his corpse remains. As the story goes on our character and his burden come upon a paddle-wheeler named the Alice May. Within the old boat rests a boiler that fittingly becomes a "cre-ma-tor-eum".
At this point the weight of the story darkens and soon lifts as irony sets in. This is the part of the where this poem makes its mark. An ironic twist and a dash of humour leaves the reader with an unexpected smile as "the queerest thing they ever did see" unveils itself. And lastly we are left with the lasting refrain of the story: "There are strange things done in the midnight sun…"
ART APPRECIATION OF THE BOOK
In this picture book, Ted Harrison's images of the Yukon provide emphasis of a rugged, cold and clean land. His use of hues and shades enhances the dark tone of the story. The images are also depicted in dramatic and cartoonish color choice which gives the reader room to imagine more than what is presented. The paintings throughout are well balanced, easy to look at and add elements of nature that aids the readers imagination as well as keeping a sense of lightness to the story.
THEMES OF THE CREMATION OF SAM MCGEE
The story covers the following themes:
Mortality: The reference to death was continuous throughout the poem.
The poem’s speaker tells us a story about his friend, Sam McGee, who freezes to death on the trail.
“And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee”.
Friendship: If Sam was to die on this trip, the narrator swore he “would not fail” to cremate his corpse.
Man and Nature/ Suffering: Despite the fact that the “land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell”, Sam would often say in his “homely way that he’d sooner live in hell”. This quote describes Sam’s suffering as a result of search for his riches.
Perseverance: The promise was kept even though it was a heavy burden that the narrator loathed every step of the way; “With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given”.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WOULD LIKE TO READ IT
This book would be an attractive choice for middle school students because:
1-It is easy to understand: The language used is fitting for all ages. There are a few words that most students would be unfamiliar with, but that would offer up learning opportunities
2-It has illustrators notes: These notes help the reader to understand elements of the poem that they otherwise may not have.
3-The rhythm adds nicely to the reading: It would be hard not to get caught up in the rhythm of the story; the wording format enables a reader to seamlessly recite (mentally or out-loud) the poem line for line while providing a rhythm that pulls the audience into the dark, heavy tone of the story.
4- It has a weird and amusing ending: By providing an ironic twist at the end the audience gets pulled out of the dark and gloomy atmosphere of the story and almost has to ask "Did that just happen"? Making this story a wonderful surprise to most any reader.
References
McLeod, Susan. Robert W Service, Canada's Poet: Robert Service Wrote Poems about the Yukon and its People. Retrieved February 09, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/robert-w-service-canadas-poet-a34168
McLeod, Susan. Robert W Service, Canada's Poet: Robert Service Wrote Poems about the Yukon and its People. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/robert-w-service-canadas-poet-a34168
No Author. The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service: The Cremation of Sam McGee Themes. Shmoop, n.d. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.shmoop.com/cremation-sam-mcgee/themes.html
Service, Robert W. , Harrison, Ted and Berton, Pierre. The Cremation of Sam McGee. Toronto: Kids Can Press Ltd, 2006. Print
Robert service was born in Lancashire, England On Jan 16, 1874. He moved to Scotland and at 14, he started to apprentice at a Scotland Bank. In 1896 he set out to Canada to become a rancher. After working at this goal for some time he chose to take up banking again in Vancouver. In 1905 he was posted in a Whitehorse bank. It was around that time when he wrote his two most famous ballads: The Cremation of Sam McGee, andThe shooting of Dan McGrew. Service then challenged himself with writing a book of poems about the Klondike. He titled his book Songs of Sourdough, and sent it and a cheque to a Toronto publisher. When he later received a letter from the publisher in it was his cheque and a contract offer. It has been said that this book alone has made over one million dollars (that’s back in the day too).
...AND THE ILLUSTRATOR
Edward Hardy Harrison was born August 28th, 1926 in England. He attributes his early interest in art and design to encouragement from his parents. At 17 years of age, he began to study art and design in earnest in the West Hartlepool College of Art but his education was interrupted by National Service. After the war, he returned to art school and in 1950, received a Diploma of Design. The following year he received a teaching certificate from the University of Durham and began a twenty-eight year career in Education. He taught school in England, Malaysia, New Zealand and finally went to the Yukon in 1967 where he received a job to teach in "the land of the mighty Moose - where weaklings need not apply". He settled in Carcross and in 1970 moved to Whitehorse where he taught art to secondary school students and adults until 1979. After that time, he began to work as an artist full time. In 1993, he moved to Victoria, British Columbia where he currently lives and works.
Ted Harrison's distinctive painting style is colourful and sophisticated which illustrates his love of the land and the people of Yukon. He is also an internationally recognized author and illustrator of children's books and has spent much of his career teaching art to children of all ages.
WHY THE BOOK WAS CHOSEN
I have heard the story "Cremation of Sam McGee" for the first time when I was about seven. It instantly made an impression on me and resulted in a memory that has lasted over twenty years now. In my later elementary years my teacher had us study the poem by having assigning the introduction and a one verse to memorize. As far as poetry assignments went, I doubt I looked at it as one of those "Yuck!" assignments, and even to this day I can recite the intro and several other segments with ease. So once I started to give thought to the picture book assignment, it was an obvious choice. It has been a poem I have enjoyed more than most. As a picture book, it has an appreciable selection of art that brings the story to life and magically paints the Yukon in the way that Robert Service probably envisioned as he wrote the piece.
-Dave.
LITERATURE INTERPRETATION
This work provides an easy read. Its use of rhythm and language is lends itself effortlessly to most any age of audience. Its simplicity allows the reader to sit back and visualize the story as it unfolds. The images of mystery and looming darkness provide a weight to the tale.
Outlining the Sam McGee's character, the reader quickly identifies with the loathing that he feels towards the cold of the north and the grip that the north holds a man searching for his fortune. The weight of the story falls in our laps just three verses into the poem as Sam asks our main character not to "refuse my last request." The burden of this request becomes an obligation upon our character as " A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail". As the day weighs on Sam slips away and by the night only his corpse remains. As the story goes on our character and his burden come upon a paddle-wheeler named the Alice May. Within the old boat rests a boiler that fittingly becomes a "cre-ma-tor-eum".
At this point the weight of the story darkens and soon lifts as irony sets in. This is the part of the where this poem makes its mark. An ironic twist and a dash of humour leaves the reader with an unexpected smile as "the queerest thing they ever did see" unveils itself. And lastly we are left with the lasting refrain of the story: "There are strange things done in the midnight sun…"
ART APPRECIATION OF THE BOOK
In this picture book, Ted Harrison's images of the Yukon provide emphasis of a rugged, cold and clean land. His use of hues and shades enhances the dark tone of the story. The images are also depicted in dramatic and cartoonish color choice which gives the reader room to imagine more than what is presented. The paintings throughout are well balanced, easy to look at and add elements of nature that aids the readers imagination as well as keeping a sense of lightness to the story.
THEMES OF THE CREMATION OF SAM MCGEE
The story covers the following themes:
Mortality: The reference to death was continuous throughout the poem.
The poem’s speaker tells us a story about his friend, Sam McGee, who freezes to death on the trail.
“And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee”.
Friendship: If Sam was to die on this trip, the narrator swore he “would not fail” to cremate his corpse.
Man and Nature/ Suffering: Despite the fact that the “land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell”, Sam would often say in his “homely way that he’d sooner live in hell”. This quote describes Sam’s suffering as a result of search for his riches.
Perseverance: The promise was kept even though it was a heavy burden that the narrator loathed every step of the way; “With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given”.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WOULD LIKE TO READ IT
This book would be an attractive choice for middle school students because:
1-It is easy to understand: The language used is fitting for all ages. There are a few words that most students would be unfamiliar with, but that would offer up learning opportunities
2-It has illustrators notes: These notes help the reader to understand elements of the poem that they otherwise may not have.
3-The rhythm adds nicely to the reading: It would be hard not to get caught up in the rhythm of the story; the wording format enables a reader to seamlessly recite (mentally or out-loud) the poem line for line while providing a rhythm that pulls the audience into the dark, heavy tone of the story.
4- It has a weird and amusing ending: By providing an ironic twist at the end the audience gets pulled out of the dark and gloomy atmosphere of the story and almost has to ask "Did that just happen"? Making this story a wonderful surprise to most any reader.
References
McLeod, Susan. Robert W Service, Canada's Poet: Robert Service Wrote Poems about the Yukon and its People. Retrieved February 09, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/robert-w-service-canadas-poet-a34168
McLeod, Susan. Robert W Service, Canada's Poet: Robert Service Wrote Poems about the Yukon and its People. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/robert-w-service-canadas-poet-a34168
No Author. The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service: The Cremation of Sam McGee Themes. Shmoop, n.d. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.shmoop.com/cremation-sam-mcgee/themes.html
Service, Robert W. , Harrison, Ted and Berton, Pierre. The Cremation of Sam McGee. Toronto: Kids Can Press Ltd, 2006. Print
