Appreciating Poetry
Poem-10
Read the following poem and do the activities that follow.
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,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Questions:
a) Answer the following questions:
i. What does the "bar" symbolize in the poem?
The "bar" in the poem symbolizes the boundary between life and death. Tennyson uses this image to represent the passage from the physical world to the spiritual one, suggesting a crossing over into the unknown.
ii. How does the poet use imagery to describe the transition between life and death?
The poet uses calming and natural imagery, such as “sunset and evening star” and “twilight and evening bell,” to describe the transition. These images evoke a peaceful and serene passage, emphasizing acceptance rather than fear.
iii. What is the significance of the metaphor of the "Pilot" in the poem?
The “Pilot” is a metaphor for a guiding force, often interpreted as God or a higher power. By hoping to meet the “Pilot face to face,” Tennyson expresses a sense of trust and faith in his final journey.
iv. How does the poem reflect the theme of acceptance of death?
The poem reflects acceptance through its calm and reflective tone. The speaker does not fear death but sees it as a natural and inevitable part of life, hoping for a smooth and peaceful transition.
v. What message does the poem convey about the nature of life’s end?
The poem conveys that life’s end should be approached with peace and acceptance rather than sadness. The poet suggests that death is a return home, a completion of life’s journey.
b) Identify 3 metaphors and 3 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses.
Metaphors:
"Crossing the bar" – Represents the transition from life to death.
"The flood may bear me far" – Suggests the overwhelming nature of death taking him beyond earthly bounds.
"Pilot face to face" – Refers to meeting God or a guiding force after death.
Similes:(Note: Since the poem contains metaphors rather than explicit similes, hypothetical similes could be constructed based on its imagery, if needed.)
Purpose of their uses.
The purpose of these metaphors is to evoke a sense of calmness and faith. They help to depict death as a gentle transition and underscore the poet’s acceptance of life’s final journey.
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings.
After reading "Crossing the Bar," I feel a deep sense of peace and calm. The poem creates a gentle mood, using the images of a sunset, evening star, and twilight to show the end of a day. These symbols remind me of how everything in life has a beginning and an end, just like the day ends with nightfall. The way Tennyson describes going out to sea makes me think of moving into something new but unknown, like entering another world.
Instead of feeling afraid or sad about death, the poet sees it as a natural part of life’s journey. He uses the “bar” as a symbol for the boundary between life and whatever comes after, making the journey feel like a peaceful return home. The hope of meeting the “Pilot,” which could be God or a guiding spirit, adds a sense of comfort, as if he won’t be alone on this final journey.
Overall, the poem makes me think that we don’t need to fear the end. Just as the day naturally leads into night, life also has its time to move on. Tennyson’s words bring me a sense of acceptance and make me reflect on life’s beauty and its inevitable conclusion. I feel encouraged to approach the end of life with the same calmness and faith that he expresses, trusting that there’s something meaningful beyond the “bar.”
Theme of "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
The theme of Crossing the Bar focuses on the transition between life and death. The poet uses the metaphor of a "bar" (a sandbar or a shallow area in the sea) to symbolize the boundary between life and the afterlife. The "bar" represents the point at which the speaker must embark on a journey, symbolizing death, and cross over into the unknown.
The imagery of "sunset and evening star" and "twilight and evening bell" emphasizes the end of the day, which parallels the end of life. The speaker expresses a calm acceptance of this journey, hoping that there will be no sorrow or regrets ("no moaning of the bar" or "no sadness of farewell") when they face death.
The poet also introduces the idea of a "Pilot," who represents a divine or guiding figure, symbolizing hope for guidance and comfort in the afterlife. The speaker expresses confidence that after crossing the bar, they will meet the "Pilot face to face," implying the peace of knowing they will reunite with a higher power or a loved one in the afterlife.
Overall, the theme conveys acceptance, peace, and hope in the face of death, with an emphasis on the continuity of the soul and the belief in an eventual reunion with a divine or guiding force. It portrays death not as an end, but as a journey toward something greater, with an ultimate return "home" to a spiritual existence.
Vocabulary list from the poem Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, along with their meanings in English and Bangla:
Vocabulary | English Meaning | Bangla Meaning |
Sunset | The time when the sun goes down below the horizon | সূর্যাস্ত |
Evening star | A star visible in the evening, often Venus | সন্ধ্যাকালীন তারা |
Clear | Free from darkness, clouds, or obstructions | পরিষ্কার |
Call | A loud cry or summons | ডাক |
Moaning | A long, low sound expressing pain or discomfort | গোঙান, শোকের আওয়াজ |
Bar | A sandbank or barrier in a body of water | বন্দর প্রবাহ, বালির চর |
Put out to sea | To begin a sea voyage | সাগরে যাত্রা শুরু করা |
Tide | The rise and fall of the sea due to the moon's gravity | জোয়ার-ভাটা |
Asleep | In a state of sleep; inactive | ঘুমিয়ে, নিস্তেজ |
Sound | A noise or vibration | শব্দ |
Foam | Froth formed on the surface of a liquid | ফেনা |
Boundless | Without limits or boundaries | অসীম, সীমাহীন |
Deep | The deeper parts of the sea or ocean | গভীর, সমুদ্রের গভীরতা |
Turns | Changes direction or position | পরিবর্তন |
Home | A place of residence or origin | বাড়ি, গন্তব্য |
Twilight | The time of day just after sunset | গোধূলি |
Evening bell | A bell rung in the evening, often signaling the end of the day | সন্ধ্যার ঘণ্টা |
Dark | The absence of light | অন্ধকার |
Sadness | A feeling of sorrow or unhappiness | দুঃখ |
Farewell | A goodbye or parting | বিদায় |
Embark | To begin a journey or voyage | যাত্রা শুরু করা |
Bourne | A destination or goal, often used for a distant place | গন্তব্য |
Flood | A large amount of water, often rising above its normal level | বন্যা, প্রবাহ |
Bear | To carry or transport | বহন করা |
Far | At a great distance | দূরে |
Pilot | A person who guides ships through dangerous waters | নাবিক, পথপ্রদর্শক |
Face to face | Directly meeting or confronting | সরাসরি সাক্ষাৎ |
Crost | The past tense of "cross" | পার করা |
Bar (in context) | A sandbank at the mouth of a river or harbor | নদী বা বন্দর মুখের বালি |
Bangla Translation
Sunset and evening star,সূর্যাস্ত এবং সন্ধ্যার তারা,
And one clear call for me!আর আমাকে এক স্পষ্ট ডাক!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,আর যেন সেই সীমারেখায় কোন আর্তনাদ না থাকে,
When I put out to sea,যখন আমি সমুদ্রপথে যাত্রা শুরু করি,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,কিন্তু এমন এক জোয়ার, যা চলমান থাকলেও ঘুমন্ত মনে হয়,
Too full for sound and foam,যা শব্দ ও ফেনায় পূর্ণ হওয়ার চেয়ে শান্ত,
When that which drew from out the boundless deepযখন সেই অগাধ গভীর সমুদ্র থেকে যা আমাকে টানছে,
Turns again home.আবার বাড়ির পথে ফিরে আসে।
Twilight and evening bell,গোধূলি আর সন্ধ্যার ঘণ্টা ধ্বনি,
And after that the dark!এবং তারপর আসে অন্ধকার!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,আর যেন বিদায়ের কোন দুঃখ না থাকে,
When I embark;যখন আমি যাত্রা করি;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Placeকারণ, সময় ও স্থানের আমাদের এই সীমা থেকে,
The flood may bear me far,জোয়ার আমাকে বহুদূর বয়ে নিয়ে যেতে পারে,
I hope to see my Pilot face to faceআমি আশা করি আমার পথপ্রদর্শকের মুখোমুখি হতে,
When I have crost the bar.যখন আমি সেই সীমারেখা পার হবো।
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