BREAK, BREAK, BREAK : A poem summary.

 91. BREAK, BREAK, BREAK

- Alfred Lord Tennyson

In Poetry, there is a long tradition of experiencing loss through literature. Jennyson wrote several works belonging to this literary tradition and "BREAK, BREAK, BREAK" is one of them. Written in 1833, but published a decade later, the friend, Author Henry Hallam and the emotional impact it had on him.

    On the surface, the poem seens relatively simple and straightforward and the feeling easy to recognize and understand. The poem consists of four stanzas of four times each with symbolizing  playing a distinct role.

    The poet invoke (calls) the sea to come and "break" its waves on the "cold grey stones" symbolizing tears washing against the dreary  tombstones. Moreover, he feels that the nature can gives vent to its feeling thus expressing the loss which he  is unable to do.

    In the second stanza, the poet sees the fishermen's son and daughter shouting and playing. The sailor's son is in his boat singing, Thus expressing his feelings. These children are innocent and untouched by any such losses.

    In the third stanza, the poet sees the "Stately ship" moving to their "heaven". That is, the port - Their destination. His grief has no end as he years for the touch of his friends "vanished" hand and the "sound of a voice" that has been silenced by death.

    The stanza finales, the poet invoking the sea once again to break its waves on the "rocky crags". The waves come again and again braking on the rugged wall of rock.

    A renowned critics saphar explain that the realization must have downed on him that this action was futile and fruitless. Both the sea and the poet continue with their useless but repeated actions as through there was no choice. The sea with all its efforts can no more get beyond the rock and the poet who cannot restore the past happy days, which  he spent with his friend Arthur Hallam.

    Thus, we see that the poet is full of grief for his friend, Hallam Jennyson has beautiful expressed the futility of grieving for the dead as none have returned from the graves.

ON HIS BLINDNESS >>