Sea Fever Poem Analysis (Coursework Sample)

"Sea Fever" by John Masefield blends narrative and lyric poetry to express the speaker's love of the sea and desire for a maritime adventure. It explores the speaker's emotional and introspective wish to return to the sea. Narrative Poetry Narrative poetry tells a story in order, generally beginning, middle, and end. Despite its brevity, "Sea Fever" tells a true story. The poem's structure centers on the speaker's desperate wish to return to the water. The poem's narrative provides a coherent scenario for the reader. The poem begins with "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky," setting the tone (Masefield, line 1). The orator wants to return to the ocean and explore and thrill. The phone call starts the story. The protagonist (speaker) is considering a return to the sea expedition or mission. The speaker discusses their marine excursion goals and needs. They describe seafaring's "wheel's kick" and "wind's song" and yearn for "a tall ship and a star to steer her by." These elements enhance the narrative by showing the speaker's intended path. The poem's narrative arc peaks with the lines, "And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, / And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over" (Masefield, lines 11 & 12). The speaker in this discourse articulates not just their want for exploration but also their aspiration for camaraderie and the satisfaction that accompanies a prosperous expedition. This denotes the culmination of the narrative, wherein the speaker visualizes a gratifying homecoming following their maritime journey. Lyric Poetry Although "Sea Fever" exhibits a narrative form, it also encompasses notable characteristics of lyric poetry. Lyric poetry is distinguished by its emphasis on the speaker's affective, cognitive, and introspective aspects. In contrast to narrative forms, lyric poetry frequently explores the emotional and reflective elements of the speaker's thoughts and observations about a specific subject matter. The poem "Sea Fever" prominently displays the speaker's emotional state and particular affinity towards the water. The poem's title, "Sea Fever," alludes to the underlying emotional essence of the piece. The term "fever" connotes a profound and genuine yearning or craving. The initial statement establishes the foundation for the poetic element of expressing the speaker's deep emotions and aspirations. The poem effectively conveys the speaker's emotional response to the sea. They evoke longing, unrest, and a strong bond with the water. The feelings shown in the poem are not merely conveyed through description. Still, instead, they are actively felt by the reader due to the utilization of sensory elements and vibrant imagery. In this instance, the author effectively evokes sensory experiences through vivid imagery. The phrase "And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying" elicits a palpable sensation of saline mist, auditory perception of seagull cries, and an imaginative depiction of the untamed and captivating allure of the sea (Masefield, line 8). The inclusion of sensory elements profoundly engages the reader in the speaker's emotional encounter, establishing it as an essential characteristic of lyric poetry. Additionally, using first-person pronouns such as "I" and "my" within the poem accentuates the individualistic and subjective quality of the speaker's sentiments. The poem exhibits a profound introspection into the speaker's internal realm, a characteristic feature commonly found in the genre of lyric poetry. Themes Sea Fever" by John Masefield is a classic poem that explores several interrelated themes, all of which are deeply connected to the sea and the experiences of sailors. In this analysis, we will delve into the prominent themes of adventure, longing, and the powerful allure of the sea. The Theme of Adventure In the poem “Sea Fever,” the theme of adventure appears central, and the speaker's longing is to return to the sea, which comes across as exciting and an experience. That line, “I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,” has a hunger in it, a need to explore, and a yearning to be lost in the immensity of the ocean (Masefield, line 1). Lonely speaks to separation, being solitary in a world that favors group living, but is shown as a critical, beautiful piece of the trip. The phrases “tall ship” and “star to steer her by” convey an adventurous theme (Masefield, line 2). It was that image of a grand vessel guided across the ocean through stars. The Theme of Longing The key theme here is the unbearable desire in “Sea Fever.” The speaker’s deep craving for the ocean is evident when they say, “And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by” (Masefield, line 2). This is not just some passing whim but a desperate and enduring longing. The speaker seems so entwined with the sea that their identity is wrapped in how it exists for them. In the poem, longing is portrayed as a vital force affecting the decisions and actions of an individual. The speaker’s deep longing for the sea becomes an immense catalyst for new ventures and takes refuge, or solace, in the ocean’s arms surrounding it. Desire is one of those motifs that resonate emotionally with the reader who has ever felt the same desiration for something in their own life. The Allure of the Sea The poem "Sea Fever" prominently features the water as a primary character, effectively portraying its captivating and irresistible attractiveness. The orator uses vivid sensory descriptions to capture the reader's imagination when depicting the water. Using phrases such as "the wheel's kick and the wind's song" and "a grey mist on the sea's face" elicits a vivid sensory encounter that effectively transfers the reader to the periphery of the ocean (Masefield, line 3). The depiction of the sea in the text is characterized by its active and alluring nature rather than being presented as a passive backdrop. The speaker finds both inspiration and solace in it. The water's irresistible allure can supersede all other factors, repeatedly beckoning the individual toward its encompassing presence. Sound Devices Alliteration in "Sea Fever" Alliteration enhances the poem's audio texture and the reader's maritime journey by evoking marine sensory and emotional experiences. "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky," Masefield intentionally repeats the "s" sound in "seas," "sea," and "sky" to produce a solid sensory experience. This alliteration conveys the sea's grandeur and peace. The relaxing "s" sounds mirror the rhythm of waves crashing on the shore. Readers can practically hear the sea's whispers and experience the tranquility of a desolate coastline. From sea to sky, "s" sounds represent the boundless horizon. This alliteration connects these two natural components, underlining their relationship. The "s" sounds also convey a sense of solitude and isolation, as though the speaker is drawn to the sea's seclusion and endless sky. "And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying." The alliteration of "s" in "flung spray" and "blown spume" conveys the sea's turbulence. It simulates waves pounding against the ship's hull, sea spray, and wind-whipped froth. One can almost feel the sea's salty mist on their skin and hear the waves crashing due to the repeating "s" sound. Alliteration in "sea-gulls crying" mimics the seagulls' sorrowful calls as they turn and cry over the ship. The quiet, melancholy "s" sounds make one feel on deck watching the sea life. This line's alliteration underlines the sea's changeability. Throughout the poem, it reminds us that the sea is both beautiful and powerful. Assonance in "Sea Fever" Assonance, repeating vowel sounds in adjoining words, gives the poetry depth and emotional resonance, strengthening the speaker-sea link. "And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;" This line's assonance comes from repeating the long "a" sound in "ask," "tall," and "star." This repetition serves various reasons in the poem (Masefield, line 2). First and foremost, it conveys deep yearning and aspiration. The elongated "a" sound sounds like a sigh of passion, as though the speaker's soul is tied to sailing under the sky. The word "ask" matters here. It implies that the speaker's desire for a seafaring experience is simple and heartfelt—a basic need. The lengthy "a" sound emphasizes the speaker's sincerity, showing that their yearning is not a transient whim but an integral part of who they are. Assonance adds rhythm and melody to the poetry, generating a beautiful cadence that resembles a ship swaying on the sea. This emphasizes that the speaker's desire for the water is about both the goal and the trip. "And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over" The "ee" and "ea" sounds in "sleep," "sweet," and "dream" create assonance in this line. This usage of assonance gives the reader a relaxing sound experience, echoing the words' calmness. The repeated "ee" sound in "sleep" and "sweet" evokes calm. It seems like the speaker wants a good night's sleep after a lengthy maritime voyage (Masefield, line 12). This contrasts with the earlier enthusiasm and craving for adventure, illustrating the sailor's great longing and repose cycle. The delicate, dreamlike "ea" sound in "dream" enhances this serenity. It suggests the speaker slipping into happy fancies after the "long trick" or ship duty. The assonance emphasizes the need for calm by contrasting the sea's physical obstacles with dreams' mental comfort. Consonance in "Sea Fever" "And the flung spray and the blown spume" The poem uses consonance to portray the sea's dynamic essence and maritime travel feelings. In this line, the repetition of "s" and "p" sounds creates a dramatic feeling of turbulence and movement, suggesting waves pounding against ...