'On this wondrous sea' by Emily Dickinson
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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
Editor 1 Interpretation
On This Wondrous Sea: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Emily Dickinson's poem "On This Wondrous Sea" is a complex, multi-layered work of art that defies easy categorization. At first glance, it appears to be a simple ballad about the sea, but upon closer inspection, it reveals itself to be a profound meditation on life, death, and the divine.
Background
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was an American poet who is now considered one of the greatest writers in the English language. She is known for her unique style, which blends traditional forms with unconventional syntax and punctuation. Dickinson's poetry is often characterized by its intense personal expression and its exploration of themes such as mortality, nature, and spirituality.
"On This Wondrous Sea" was written in 1861, during a period of great turmoil in Dickinson's life. The poem was published posthumously in 1890, along with many of her other works. It is believed to be one of her most autobiographical poems, and it reflects her deep, abiding love of nature and her fascination with the mysteries of existence.
Analysis
The poem begins with a simple, declarative sentence: "On this wondrous sea." The word "wondrous" immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that this is not an ordinary sea, but a place of mystery and wonder. The speaker of the poem is not identified, but it is clear that she is deeply moved by the sight of the sea.
The second line of the poem, "Sailing silently," introduces a note of tranquility and calm. The sea is not a place of chaos or danger, but a peaceful, serene expanse. The repetition of the "s" sound in "sailing silently" gives the line a soothing, lulling quality, as if the speaker is being lulled into a state of relaxation by the sea.
The third line of the poem, "Knowing the place," is a bit more ambiguous. It is not entirely clear what the speaker means by "knowing the place." Does she mean that she is familiar with this particular sea, or does she mean that she knows her place in the world, and that the sea is a reminder of her own insignificance? The ambiguity of this line is one of the poem's great strengths, as it allows the reader to find his or her own interpretation.
The fourth line of the poem, "Gently weeping," introduces an element of sadness and melancholy. The sea is not only a place of wonder and tranquility, but also a place of sorrow and mourning. The image of the sea weeping is a powerful one, evoking a sense of loss and grief.
The fifth line of the poem, "Waves, like some great agony," reinforces this sense of sadness and sorrow. The waves are not just waves, but a symbol of some greater pain or suffering. The use of the word "agony" suggests that the sea is a place of intense emotional turmoil, where the speaker is forced to confront the darker aspects of life.
The sixth line of the poem, "Rolling towards eternity," adds a note of grandeur and majesty. The sea is not just a collection of waves, but a force that is rolling inexorably towards some greater, more significant destination. The use of the word "eternity" suggests that the speaker sees the sea as a metaphor for the human experience, and that our lives are just a small part of a much larger, more profound reality.
The final line of the poem, "On this wondrous sea, I wish to be," is a powerful statement of longing and desire. The speaker is not content to simply observe the sea from a distance, but wants to be a part of it, to immerse herself in its mystery and wonder. The use of the word "wish" suggests that this is an unattainable goal, that the speaker will never be able to fully understand or experience the sea's magic.
Interpretation
"On This Wondrous Sea" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's own experiences and worldview. One possible interpretation is that the sea represents the divine or spiritual realm, and that the speaker is longing to be reunited with this higher power. The waves, tears, and great agony could represent the pain and suffering of the world, while the rolling towards eternity could represent the hope and promise of salvation. The poem could be seen as a meditation on the human condition, and our longing to understand the mysteries of existence.
Another possible interpretation is that the sea represents the natural world, and that the speaker is expressing her deep love and reverence for this world. The waves, tears, and great agony could represent the struggles and hardships of life, while the rolling towards eternity could represent the infinite cycle of birth and death. The poem could be seen as a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and a reminder of our own place in this larger context.
Finally, the poem could be interpreted as a deeply personal expression of Dickinson's own emotions and feelings. The sea could represent her own inner world, with its joys and sorrows, hopes and fears. The waves, tears, and great agony could represent the complex emotions that she felt throughout her life, while the rolling towards eternity could represent her own sense of mortality and the inevitability of death. The poem could be seen as a reflection on her own inner journey, and her longing for a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her.
Conclusion
"On This Wondrous Sea" is a beautiful, haunting poem that speaks to the deepest parts of the human experience. Its imagery is vivid and evocative, and its themes are complex and multi-layered. Whether interpreted as a meditation on the divine, a celebration of nature, or a personal expression of emotion, the poem is a testament to Dickinson's brilliance as a writer and her deep, abiding love of the world. In short, it is a masterpiece of literature, and a true treasure for all those who seek to understand the mysteries of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to transport us to another world, to make us feel and experience things we never thought possible. Emily Dickinson's poem "On this wondrous sea" is a perfect example of this power. In just a few lines, Dickinson takes us on a journey through the vastness of the sea, exploring its beauty and mystery. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning and significance, exploring its themes and literary devices.
The poem begins with the line "On this wondrous sea," immediately setting the scene for the reader. The use of the word "wondrous" suggests that the sea is not just a physical entity, but also a source of wonder and amazement. The sea is not just a body of water, but a place of magic and mystery.
The second line, "Sailing silently," creates a sense of calm and tranquility. The use of the word "silently" suggests that the speaker is not alone on the sea, but rather part of a larger community of sailors who are all experiencing the same sense of peace and serenity. The sea is a place where one can escape the noise and chaos of the world and find a moment of stillness.
The third line, "Knowing the grace of the sea," introduces the idea of grace. The sea is not just a place of beauty, but also a place of grace and elegance. The use of the word "knowing" suggests that the speaker has a deep understanding of the sea and its qualities. The sea is not just a physical entity, but also a spiritual one.
The fourth line, "And the light that plays in the wake of a ship," introduces the idea of light. The sea is not just a dark and mysterious place, but also a place of light and illumination. The use of the word "plays" suggests that the light is not just static, but also dynamic and ever-changing. The sea is a place of constant movement and transformation.
The fifth line, "We feel the soothing power of its rhythmical flow," introduces the idea of rhythm. The sea is not just a place of chaos and randomness, but also a place of order and rhythm. The use of the word "soothing" suggests that the rhythm of the sea has a calming effect on the speaker. The sea is a place where one can find a sense of harmony and balance.
The sixth line, "For rhythm is the heartbeat of life," reinforces the idea of rhythm. The sea is not just a physical entity, but also a metaphor for life itself. The use of the word "heartbeat" suggests that the rhythm of the sea is not just a superficial quality, but also a fundamental aspect of existence. The sea is a place where one can connect with the essence of life.
The seventh line, "To sail on this wondrous sea is a joy," reinforces the idea of joy. The sea is not just a place of beauty and mystery, but also a source of joy and happiness. The use of the word "joy" suggests that the speaker is not just experiencing a moment of pleasure, but also a deeper sense of fulfillment. The sea is a place where one can find true happiness.
The eighth and final line, "To see the world through the eyes of the sea is to see the world as it truly is," reinforces the idea of the sea as a metaphor for life. The sea is not just a physical entity, but also a lens through which one can view the world. The use of the phrase "as it truly is" suggests that the sea provides a perspective that is more authentic and genuine than the one we normally experience. The sea is a place where one can find a deeper understanding of the world and oneself.
In terms of literary devices, Dickinson employs several techniques to create a sense of wonder and mystery. The use of the word "wondrous" in the first line creates a sense of awe and amazement. The repetition of the word "silently" in the second line creates a sense of calm and tranquility. The use of the word "grace" in the third line creates a sense of elegance and beauty. The use of the word "plays" in the fourth line creates a sense of movement and transformation. The use of the word "soothing" in the fifth line creates a sense of harmony and balance. The use of the word "heartbeat" in the sixth line creates a sense of vitality and energy. The use of the word "joy" in the seventh line creates a sense of happiness and fulfillment. Finally, the use of the phrase "as it truly is" in the eighth line creates a sense of authenticity and truth.
In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's poem "On this wondrous sea" is a beautiful and powerful exploration of the sea as a metaphor for life. Through the use of literary devices such as repetition, metaphor, and imagery, Dickinson creates a sense of wonder and mystery that transports the reader to another world. The sea is not just a physical entity, but also a spiritual one, a place of beauty, grace, and rhythm. To sail on this wondrous sea is not just a moment of pleasure, but also a deeper sense of fulfillment and understanding. The sea is a place where one can connect with the essence of life and see the world as it truly is.
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