'On this wondrous sea' by Emily Dickinson


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4

On this wondrous sea
Sailing silently,
Ho! Pilot, ho!
Knowest thou the shore
Where no breakers roar—
Where the storm is o'er?

In the peaceful west
Many the sails at rest—
The anchors fast—
Thither I pilot thee
Land Ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!

Editor 1 Interpretation

On this wondrous sea

Introduction

Emily Dickinson's "On this wondrous sea" is a poem that captures the vastness and mystery of the sea. The poem is a reflection on the beauty and power of the sea, and the human's limited understanding of it. The poem is a call to explore the depths of the sea and to embrace the unknown.

Analysis

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the scene and describes the sea as "wondrous." The word "wondrous" is an adjective that implies that the sea is full of wonder and amazement. The sea is described as "wide" and "deep," which emphasizes its vastness and the sense of mystery that surrounds it.

The second stanza focuses on the sea's inhabitants, particularly the creatures that live in the deep. The speaker describes the "strange" and "beautiful" creatures that inhabit the sea. The use of the word "strange" suggests that these creatures are not familiar to humans, and the word "beautiful" implies that they are aesthetically pleasing. The speaker's observation that these creatures "have no need of me" highlights the separation between humans and sea creatures.

The third stanza shifts the focus back to the sea itself. The speaker acknowledges their lack of understanding of the sea and their limited ability to explore its depths. The final line, "And that unknown country, there," suggests that the sea is a vast and unexplored territory that is waiting to be discovered.

Interpretation

"On this wondrous sea" is a poem that reflects the Romantic idea of nature as a source of inspiration and awe. The poem celebrates the beauty and power of the sea, and the human's limited understanding of it. The speaker's admiration for the sea's vastness and mystery is evident throughout the poem.

The poem can be interpreted as a call to explore the unknown and embrace the mysteries of the world. The speaker's observation that the sea's creatures "have no need of me" suggests that humans are not necessary to the sea's existence. This observation can be seen as a reminder that humans are not the center of the universe and that there are many things in the world that are beyond human understanding.

The final line, "And that unknown country, there," suggests that the sea is a vast and unexplored territory that is waiting to be discovered. This line can be seen as an invitation to explore the unknown and embrace the mysteries of the world.

Conclusion

"On this wondrous sea" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of the sea, and the human's limited understanding of it. The poem is a call to explore the unknown and embrace the mysteries of the world. The poem reflects the Romantic idea of nature as a source of inspiration and awe. The final line, "And that unknown country, there," is an invitation to explore the unknown and embrace the mysteries of the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On This Wondrous Sea: A Poem of Life and Death

Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of her most famous poems is "On This Wondrous Sea," a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of life and death, and the mysteries that lie beyond.

At its core, "On This Wondrous Sea" is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the image of a ship sailing out to sea, a metaphor for the journey of life. The ship is described as "a speck upon the sea," emphasizing the smallness and insignificance of human life in the grand scheme of things.

As the ship sails further out to sea, it encounters a storm, a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that we all face in life. The storm is described as "the tempest's stinging breath," a vivid image that conveys the violence and unpredictability of life's challenges.

Despite the storm, the ship continues on its journey, and eventually reaches its destination. But the destination is not what we might expect. Instead of a safe harbor or a peaceful shore, the ship arrives at "the unknown shore," a place of mystery and uncertainty.

This unknown shore is a powerful symbol in the poem, representing the afterlife or the great beyond. Dickinson suggests that death is not an end, but rather a continuation of the journey that began at birth. The ship may have reached its destination, but the journey is far from over.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most haunting and enigmatic. Dickinson writes, "Ah, who shall soothe these feverish lips / When the heart is throbbing yet?" Here, she seems to be asking a question that has no answer. Who can comfort us in the face of death, when our hearts are still beating with the intensity of life?

This question is at the heart of the poem's message. Dickinson is reminding us that life is fleeting and fragile, and that death is an inevitable part of the journey. But she is also suggesting that there is something beyond death, something mysterious and unknown that we cannot fully comprehend.

In many ways, "On This Wondrous Sea" is a poem about faith. It asks us to trust in something greater than ourselves, to believe in the possibility of an afterlife or a higher power that can guide us through the storms of life and the mysteries of death.

But it is also a poem about the beauty and wonder of life. Dickinson's language is rich and evocative, painting vivid pictures of the sea and the storm and the unknown shore. She reminds us that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and wonder to be found in the world around us.

Overall, "On This Wondrous Sea" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the deepest questions and mysteries of human existence. It is a reminder that life is precious and fleeting, and that death is a part of the journey that we must all take. But it is also a celebration of the beauty and wonder of life, and a call to have faith in something greater than ourselves.

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