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Difficulty: MediumAnalysis of Prescribed Non-African Poems

Read the extract below from Alfred Lord Tennyson's prescribed non-African poem 'Crossing the Bar':

"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,"

In the extract above, what does the phrase "put out to sea" figuratively represent?

  1. The speaker's peaceful departure from mortal life into deathAnswer
  2. B
    A literal maritime voyage across the ocean embarking on a physical journey
  3. C
    The speaker's intense fear and anxiety about encountering unknown spiritual dangers
  4. D
    Alfred Lord Tennyson's historical decision to abandon writing poetry in his old age

Answer

The phrase 'put out to sea' figuratively represents the speaker's peaceful departure from mortal life into death.
In Alfred Lord Tennyson's 'Crossing the Bar', the phrase 'put out to sea' is a key metaphor where embarking on a sea voyage represents the soul leaving the physical world and passing into death with tranquil acceptance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the figurative language and central imagery of the poem
Identify that images like 'sunset', 'evening star', and 'putting out to sea' use a nautical metaphor to signify the end of day and life.
Tennyson employs the voyage beyond the harbor bar as an allegory for passing from life into the afterlife.
2
Evaluate the speaker's tone in the stanza
Recognize that the request for 'no moaning of the bar' reflects serene acceptance of mortality rather than fear or distress.
The desire for a peaceful departure without sorrow underscores a tranquil transition.

Key Concept

Metaphorical Representation of Death in Non-African Poetry
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Analysis of Prescribed Non-African Poems

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