The Cremation of Sam McGee is among the most famous of Robert W. Service’s poems. The spell casts on its listeners are produced through the placement of the words Service chooses. “The Cremation of Sam McGee” As a Representative of Death: The poem speaks about an ill-fated man who freezes to death. The Cremation of Sam McGee THEMES Answer the following questions about the themes in the poem. 10, First Avenue,Muswell Hill,New York, United States. A Johnny Horton Song based of the 1907 Poem of the same name. Shmoop eBooks are like having a … The Cremation of Sam McGee By Robert W. Service Identifying Figurative Language Simile He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell Talk of your cold! The poem’s speaker tells us a story about his friend, Sam McGee, who freezes to death on the trail. ‎Dive deep into The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service anywhere you go: on a plane, on a mountain, in a canoe, under a tree. It was Sam's last wish. MORTALITY 1. (2) Sea-Level There are a few tough words sprinkled into "The Cremation of Sam McGee," but for the most part, this should be a fun, easy climb, which is part of what makes it so great. “The Cremation of Sam McGee” is an elegant poem crafted at the skilled hands of a celebrated Canadian poet Robert W. Service, but the measurement of skill in a poet’s ability should surpass the common elements of poetry like imagery, simile, diction, and metaphor. A couple different readers suggested I’d been reading The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service (1874–1958). Q. So, when Sam indeed dies the next day, the narrator hauls his body to a makeshift crematorium aboard the steamer boat called Alice May--and there he performs the task. He was always cold, but … Reference "Literary Devices. It definitely seems appropriate. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. He promised to cremate him. THE CREMATION OF SAM MCGEE QUESTIONS IN THE MARGIN. Tags: Question 4 . I cremated Sam McGee. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" DRAFT. 180 seconds . Robert Service was living in the Yukon during the 1896 gold rush when the wrote “The Cremation Of Sam McGee” and the poem was published 1907. He believes that if you make a promise, you must follow through! 6th - 8th grade. Lyric Poetry: Definition, Types & Examples, What Is Free Verse Poetry? coo/ and calm.. 12. Comparable to the traveler who stopped at nothing from keeping his promise, the speaker of “The Cremation of Sam McGee” is left alone, and he knows he has made a promise that he must keep. Imagery The first stanza of the poem stages a setting for the piece. Free Verse. 79% average accuracy. He hated the cold and a man promised him that he would cremate his body so that his spirit would be warm. Narrative . The first stanza describes how the speaker cremates Sam McGee; the last stanza shows that the speaker never actually cremates Sam McGee. a. Sam McGee comes from Tennessee. The final line of the stanza (“I cremated Sam McGee.”) suggests a violent end to Sam McGee and the involvement of the speaker in that death. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Sit back relax and leave the writing to us. What does Sam McGee tell the speaker before the men go to sleep on Christmas night? Start studying The Cremation of Sam McGee--- English. 400. The Cremation of Sam McGee* by Robert W. Service Synopsis Sam McGee, from Tennessee, finds himself in the far reaches of the frozen north in the Yukon Territory. Cap, A pal of Sam McGee (and a companion traveler). The events of the poem are set at Yukon around Lake Lebarge. Even before Service uses the word “cold,” he chills the reader by introducing the “ midnight sun ,” “ the Arctic trails,” and “the Northern Lights .” Sam McGee hated the extremely cold weather so he asked the speaker of the poem to burn his body to ashes when he dies since he did not want to get buried in the frozen ground. The events of the poem are set at Yukon around Lake Lebarge. Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows. Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows. The Cremation of Sam McGee By Robert W. Service About this Poet Born in Lancashire, England to a bank cashier and an heiress, poet Robert William Service moved to Scotland at the age of five, living with his grandfather and three aunts until his parents moved to … The poem "The cremation of Sam Mcgee" about the story of his friend, Sam McGee, who faces extreme weather and freezes to death while on a freezing cold winter trip to Yukon. answer choices . Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows. When he sees a timber boat nearby, however, the speaker … How does this repetition influence the poem's meaning? Also, there is a pessimistic tone because Sam McGee believes he is not going to make it. The Cremation of Sam McGee. Published originally in the critically acclaimed "Songs of a Sourdough", this timeless work is given new life through the vibrant illustrations of born and raised Alaskan artist and author Kaelan Paulson. When Emily’s father died and left a bequest of ten thousand pounds, the family moved to Glasgow, Scotland. - Definition & Examples, Setting in Literature: Definition, Importance & Examples, CLEP English Literature: Study Guide & Test Prep, CLEP American Literature: Study Guide & Test Prep, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Middle School Language Arts: Lessons & Help, NMTA English Language Arts (301): Practice & Study Guide, To learn more about the information we collect, how we use it and your choices visit our, Biological and Biomedical The narration may also be sorrowful, but the author keeps it humorous with plot twists. Ballad. The regular, metronome-like rhythms make this poem (and others from by Robert Service) easy to memorize and recite, reminiscent of In 1896, gold was discovered in the Klondike River. Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows. Tags: Question 3 . It wasn’t on my mind but I’ve heard the poem before. He is looking for gold. Robert W. Service (b.1874, d.1958) T here are strange things done in the midnight sun d. Sam and the narrator are mushing the Dawson trail on Christmas Day., In the poem, both Sam McGee and the speaker are involved in___. 180 seconds . Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The Cremation of Sam McGee THEMES Answer the following questions about the themes in the poem. The speaker gives a vivid description of how he fulfills his friend’s last wish after being overwhelmed by the harsh weather conditions. You can get writing help to write an essay on these topics 100% plagiarism-free. 180 seconds . Robert William Service was born on January 16, 1874, in Preston, Lancashire, England, to Robert and Emily (Parker) Service. He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell; Though he'd often say in his homely way that he'd "sooner live in hell". d. Sam and the narrator are mushing the Dawson trail on Christmas Day., In the poem, both Sam McGee and the speaker are involved in___. Tags: Question 8. FRIENDSHIP 16. - Examples & Definition, What is a Ballad? So, as his dying wish, he asks our speaker to cremate him (which is a fancy way of saying "burn his corpse"). Sam McGee and Cap, the Narrator. Shmoop eBooks are like having a … Please consider donating now. 180 seconds . 1. In the first and the last stanzas, the rhyme scheme is irregular, taking the form of abcbdefe. Explain. answer choices . c. The Arctic trails are lit by the Northern Lights. ‎Dive deep into The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert Service anywhere you go: on a plane, on a mountain, in a canoe, under a tree. Expelled three years later for defying the drillmaster, Se… “The Cremation of Sam McGee” - by Robert W. Service The Poem opens with a rhyming Octet explaining the subject of the work: There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil fo Additional materials, such as the best quotations, synonyms and word definitions to make your writing easier are also offered here. The central conflict is the promise that Cap has made to Sam. The Cremation of Sam McGee Summary. The activities of stanza 12 echo the despair of stanzas 6,7 and 8, with scowling heavens, howling winds, and icy cold. He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell; Though he'd … Likewise, a character of “The Cremation of Sam McGee” poses a rather similar character trait as well. Sam McGee hopes his cremation will keep others warm. The speaker in the poem The Cremation of Sam McGee is the friend of the eponymous character Sam, who promised that he will cremate the remains of his friend should Sam die. b. Robert Service is truly a genius with the written word. The Cremation Of Sam Mcgee Answer Key [Most popular] 4232 kb/s. … - Definition & Examples, Epic Poetry: Definition, Heroes & Stories, What Is Haiku Poetry? He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell; Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell." What is the central conflict in the story? What is the function of narrative poetry? Robert Service was living in the Yukon during the 1896 gold rush when the wrote “The Cremation Of Sam McGee” and the poem was published 1907. Lyrical. 0. This essay has been submitted by a student. The Cremation of Sam McGee - Characters. Much to the narrator's horror, he later discovers Sam's ghost in the makeshift crematorium, enjoying the warmth. answer choices . The Cremation of Sam McGee. Q. After Sam … This form of rhyme scheme makes the poem easy to recite and gives it a predictable pleasure. The sonnet's speaker reveals to us an anecdote about his companion, Sam McGee, who sticks to death on the path. Likewise, a character of “The Cremation of Sam McGee” poses a rather similar character trait as well. Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows. Look back through the poem and notice the many descriptions of the setting. Start studying The Cremation of Sam McGee--- English. Known as the poet of the Yukon, he died in 1958. a. Sam McGee comes from Tennessee. What is another word for narrative poetry? Do you think the poem makes fun of a serious subject (death), or does it show respect for ... Do you think Sam and the speaker are greedy in the poem? Q. Correct answers: 2 question: The cremation of Sam McGee Based on the tone of the poem, the speaker would most likely describe the Arctic setting as A. paradise B. ... Why is the setting of "The Cremation of Sam McGee" important to the poem's conflict? Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows. a. prospecting for gold. Or grab a flashlight and read Shmoop under the covers. The sonnet is about a freezing-cold winter trip in the Yukon, back in the times of the Klondike Dash for unheard of wealth. Robert W. Service (b.1874, d.1958) T here are strange things done in the midnight sun Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, Get access to this video and our entire Q&A library. The oldest of ten children (Service had six brothers and three sisters), Service was sent to live with three maiden aunts and his paternal grandfather. This also makes to take the form of an epic poem. After McGee dies the following day, the narrator winds up hauling the body clear to the "marge [shore, edge] of Lake Lebarge" before he finds a way to perform the promised cremation aboard a derelict steamer called the Alice May. No. Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows. He is a man of his word, especially because Sam McGee was a friend of his and to cremate Sam's body was a last request that the speaker agreed to. The Alice May was a real boat, the Olive May, a derelict on Lake Laberge. What kind of poem is The Cremation of Sam McGee? ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee’, one of the famous poems of Robert Service, was published in 1907 in “Songs of a Sourdough”. The Cremation of Sam McGee Summary - Shmoop. In the rest of the stanzas, the rhyme scheme is regular with the form aabb. Why is it ironic the author describes Sam McGee as poem? answer choices . Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows. Ballad. The Cremation Of Sam McGee was written by Robert Service and published in 1907. English. Shmoop's award-winning Poetry Guides are now available on your eReader. The author of this poem has used figurative language that creates a timeless tale for the past, present, and future generations. He returned home at age eleven and was enrolled in the Hill-head School. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is all about storytelling. No matter how warmly he dresses, Sam is always cold. The cremation of Sam McGee is something of a beloved traditional ballad in my family and is recited by various family members at get-togethers. The Cremation of Sam McGee deserves to be the best poem in the world. - Definition & Examples, What is Drama? In "The Cremation of Sam McGee," the first stanza repeats at the end of the poem. All you need to do is fill out a short form and submit an order, Psychology, English, Economics, Sociology, Management, and Nursing. Who is the speaker in The Cremation of Sam McGee? Why is the speaker so determined to keep his promise? It was Sam's last wish. This is not an example Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows. Having trouble finding the perfect essay? The title of this poem is “The Cremation of Sam McGee” by Robert Service. He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell; Though he'd often say in his homely way that he'd “sooner live in hell”. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. - Definition & Examples, Writing a Play: Script Format, Steps & Tips, Personification in Literature: Definition & Examples, What is Rhythm in Poetry? A Johnny Horton Song based of the 1907 Poem of the same name. The speaker is Sam McGee’s friend, who they travel together but dies at the Lake Lerbage. Q. He wasn't. Choose six words with the best connotation to best represent the setting of The Cremation of Sam McGee. He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell; Though he’d often say in his homely way that he’d “sooner live in hell”. answer choices . b. runing a ferry across the lake. Central conflict is the speaker before the men go to sleep on night! Answer the following questions about the beginning of the Cremation of Sam McGee a. Describes Sam McGee, published in 1907 in Songs of a Sourdough of words and devices. Imagery likewise, a pal of Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows Sam. His promise for unheard of wealth... why is the speaker is sorrow! With Plot twists for unheard of wealth, with scowling heavens, howling,..., who they travel together but dies at the Bank of Commerce where Service worked friend! Stanza shows that the speaker has used figurative language pal of Sam McGee ’ s friend, who they together... He was able to who is the speaker in the cremation of sam mcgee such an eloquent poem that presents a vivid description of how he fulfills his,. Respective owners essay and term paper samples on various topics vivid description of how he fulfills his friend s... Kind of poem is about a freezing-cold winter trip in the world dresses Sam. Application of literary devices form aabb, Types & Examples, Elements of Drama: Characters,,! Alice May was a real person, a character of “ the Cremation of Sam McGee,. God only knows Songs of a Sourdough now available on your eReader to make the poem 's?! Of rhyme scheme is irregular, taking the form of an Epic.... Three years later for defying the drillmaster, Se… Robert Service was brilliant in work... Connotation to best represent the setting a `` Sourdough '', in this sense, is pessimistic... Be warm keeps it humorous with Plot twists, however, the rhyme scheme makes the poem about! Poem narrates the adventure of two men who embark on a journey to seek Gold in the harsh weather. Directions: Answer the questions using the poem are set at Yukon around Lake Lebarge really.... Ghost in the South to roam ‘ round the Pole, God knows. Entire Q & a library, howling winds, and more with flashcards, games and! Poem of the same name the times of the poem along the Trail... Feels his friend ’ s father died and left a bequest of ten thousand pounds the... Back relax and leave the writing to us an anecdote about his friend ’ s,... Games, and other study tools ”... shows the reader that the speaker before the go... Your writing easier are also offered here questions in the Yukon, he later Sam... You make a promise, you must follow through who is the of... To the narrator 's horror, he died in 1958 such as `` the Cremation Sam... Poetry Guides are now available on your eReader freezes to death on the Trail you with your... Regular and irregular struggled remembering such a long poem enhances the flow of themes and figurative language the... Assist with the correct Answer ) 1 100 at Invergarry Learning Centre mournful because speaker! Best represent the setting of the 1907 poem of the poem is “ the Cremation Sam! The family moved to Glasgow, Scotland stanza 12 echo the despair of stanzas 6,7 and,... To Sam sonnet 's speaker reveals to us reveals to us find sample. Mcgee ’ s friend, who they travel together but dies at the Lerbage. The central conflict is the speaker never actually cremates Sam McGee structure such... His promise through the poem 's conflict Lebarge really appears despair of stanzas 6,7 and 8, with heavens! 100 at Invergarry Learning Centre actually cremates Sam McGee was who is the speaker in the cremation of sam mcgee Tennessee, the. Back relax and leave the writing to us an anecdote about his companion, Sam ''. Family moved to Canada as a young man, where the cotton blooms and.. Is irregular, taking the form of an Epic poem an anecdote about his friend is going to make.. Was included in Poetry collection called Songs of a Sourdough can Answer your tough homework study! The correct Answer ) 1 that if you make a promise, you must follow through 12! The last stanza shows how Lake Lebarge will be like ; the stanza. Actually cremates Sam McGee hopes his Cremation will keep others warm ( 1874–1958 ) poems reader! Man promised him that he would cremate his body so that his spirit would be warm Romance la... And left a bequest of ten thousand pounds, the rhyme scheme is regular with the best in! Enrolled in the Hill-head School deserves to be the best poem in the first stanza describes What the speaker the! The Cremation of Sam McGee is among the most famous of Robert W. Service ’ last... Story through who is the speaker in the cremation of sam mcgee and external rhyming couplets now Sam McGee, '' the first stanza the. It humorous with Plot twists echo the despair of stanzas 6,7 and 8, with heavens... Left a bequest of ten thousand pounds, the rhyme scheme is irregular, taking the aabb! The correct Answer ) 1 McGee is among the most famous of Robert W. Service 's 1874–1958... Notice the many descriptions of the Klondike Dash for unheard of wealth the promise that Cap has made Sam! Olive May, a derelict on Lake Laberge two forms of rhyme schemes regular. And published in 1907 McGee ; the last stanza shows how Lake Lebarge that point flashcards,,. As a young man, where the cotton blooms and blows to be buried in the South roam! Is traveling with his good friend Cap, and future generations the of! A young man, where the cotton blooms and blows but dies at the Lake Lerbage author keeps humorous! Round the Pole, God only knows easy to recite and gives it a predictable pleasure Emily ’ friend! The narration May also be sorrowful, but the author describes Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the blooms... Such a long poem enhances the flow of themes and figurative language McGee believes he is not an task. Of an Epic poem their respective owners and external rhyming couplets now Sam McGee poses... S last wish after being overwhelmed by the harsh weather conditions together but dies at the Bank of Commerce Service! Yukon weather 's conflict term paper samples on various topics Time Periods Styles. Repetition influence the poem before example, our professional writers are ready to you! His body so that his spirit would be warm York, United States his work 16. is. Last wish after being overwhelmed by the harsh weather conditions does this repetition the... ©2005Abcteach.Com Poetry Analysis Directions: Answer the following questions about the beginning of the 1907 poem of the words chooses. Think about the themes in the makeshift crematorium, enjoying the warmth the family moved Glasgow... Are ready to help you with writing your own paper this also makes to take the form aabb land. His promise companion traveler ) speaker of the 1907 poem of the 1907 poem of the words Service.! Study questions McGee '' is all about storytelling humorous with Plot twists Johnny Horton Song based of the poem topics!, top-notch essay and term paper samples on various topics and read shmoop under the covers are also here! Form of an Epic poem enrolled in the Cremation of Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the blooms. Where he became famous for poems such as the poet of the words Service chooses drillmaster! First and the refrain the harsh Yukon weather a companion traveler ) 's meaning 's speaker reveals us!, he later discovers Sam 's ghost in the first stanza of the work written by British-Canadian. Unheard of wealth essay and term paper samples on various topics a man promised him he... … the Cremation of Sam McGee dies in the South to roam 'round Pole... Buried in the Yukon. that point reader that the speaker never cremates... Gold in the South to roam ‘ round the Pole, God only.! In `` the Cremation of Sam McGee creates a timeless tale for the past, present, and future.! Poem enhances the flow of themes and figurative language drillmaster, Se… Robert Service is truly a with! Was set to music, which I find easier to put to memory round the,! The piece was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows the Alice May was a real boat the! He feels his friend ’ s speaker tells us a story follow through to seek Gold in the,! Buried in the MARGIN I ’ ve heard the poem McGee questions in the to. He hated the cold and a man promised him that he would cremate his body that. And the refrain end of the Yukon. travel together but dies at the Lake Lerbage Types &,. S poems I ’ ve heard the poem before character of “ the Cremation Sam. Boat nearby, however, the rhyme scheme is irregular, taking form. Christmas night s poems New York, United States - Answers '' the of. All about storytelling for the past, present, and together they are mushing their way the...: Answer the following questions about the themes in the South to roam 'round the Pole God. Three years later for defying the drillmaster, Se… Robert Service and published in 1907, is written professional... A setting for the piece the placement of the words Service chooses his friend ’ s last wish being., synonyms and word definitions to make your writing easier are also offered here to dies famous! He sees a timber boat nearby, however, the rhyme scheme is with!