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Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

How does the poet present death as a voyage in crossing the bar?

The poet sees death as a homecoming, an event as natural, sure, and peaceful as the flowing of a river into the ocean that is its home. On its way to the ocean, a river takes with it the sediment that creates a sandbar (also called a bar).

What message about death does the poem Crossing the Bar give?

“Crossing the Bar” is a poem in which a speaker confronts the reality of imminent death—and finds a kind of peace in the thought of dying. Rather than being scared by death, the speaker presents it as a mere transition into another kind of life (specifically, the Christian afterlife).

How does the poet visualize the scene of his death in Crossing the Bar?

He uses the image of the sea to present the barriers of life and death. He also tries to convey that when he dies people shouldn’t be sad as he will go up to heaven.

What does the poem Crossing the Bar reflect about the voyage of life?

“Crossing The Bar” As a Representative of Death: As this poem is about death, the poet says that he hears someone calling him from the sea. The call indicates that the evening of his life has approached, and soon he is going to start a new journey. He compares his life to tide to express his feelings.

What is the voyage in Crossing the Bar?

A ship is scheduled to sail on a long voyage at sunset when the evening star (Venus) has risen in the sky. After a formal announcement, the “one clear call”, the ship would sail out of the harbour, across the sand bar into the vast ocean. Allegorically, the poem describes the final journey of a man towards death.

Which voyage is poet referring to in Crossing the Bar?

The poet has used the metaphor of a ship sailing into the sea to represent the journey of life across a sand bar.

Is sailing an effective metaphor for death?

If the sea represents death, well then sailing represents that long, slow journey toward death. Setting out from the safe harbor of life and into the great unknown of death is the central metaphor of “Crossing the Bar,” and while it may seem obvious, it’s definitely worth a closer look.

What is the possible conclusion of the poem Crossing the Bar?

Conclusion- “Crossing the Bar” means navigating a difficult spot. The poem portrays the life voyage we all must take, hoping that we all will find acceptance on crossing the bar of life. Death is never an end, rather a new beginning, making the journey of life one complete cycle.

Why could the poet not stop death?

“Because I could not stop for death” is an exploration of both the inevitability of death and the uncertainties that surround what happens when people actually die. In the poem, a woman takes a ride with a personified “Death” in his carriage, by all likelihood heading towards her place in the afterlife.

Which words in the poem suggest old age which ones suggest death?

The mention of “sunset” and “twilight” imply that old age is simultaneously a death and a rebirth.

What theme does the poem Crossing the Bar highlight?

The main themes in “Crossing the Bar” are the acceptance of death, journeys and homecomings, and God and faith. The acceptance of death: The poem approaches the transition from life to death with wisdom, acceptance, and even anticipation.

What are the major theme of the poem?

The theme of a poem is the message an author wants to communicate through the piece. The theme differs from the main idea because the main idea describes what the text is mostly about. Supporting details in a text can help lead a reader to the main idea.

What does Twilight symbolize in Crossing the Bar?

Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar” begins at “Sunset,” which is a time of day often used in poetry to symbolize dying or death. Indeed, the sun setting over the horizon, and thus the light of day fading into the dark of night, seems a fitting symbol for the end of a human life.

Which words in the poem suggest old age which ones suggest death?

The mention of “sunset” and “twilight” imply that old age is simultaneously a death and a rebirth.



How is the poem Crossing the Bar an elegy?

Lord Tennyson’s favourite poem, Crossing the Bar is a perfect elegy, possessing all the essential elements to qualify as one. Secondly, the emotions portrayed in the poem are deep and multi-layered, which is a good reason why it continues to be a subject of study even after 120 years since it was written.

What does moaning of the bar mean?

Waves must crash against a sandbar in order to reach the shore, which makes a sound that Tennyson calls “the moaning of the bar.” The speaker is not worried about crossing the actual sandbar, he is pondering the actual barrier between life and death or life and afterlife.

Why could the poet not stop death?

“Because I could not stop for death” is an exploration of both the inevitability of death and the uncertainties that surround what happens when people actually die. In the poem, a woman takes a ride with a personified “Death” in his carriage, by all likelihood heading towards her place in the afterlife.