Alfred Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar is one of his most celebrated works, often regarded as a meditation on death, the afterlife, and the passage of time. Written near the end of Tennyson’s life, the poem carries a profound sense of peace and acceptance as the speaker contemplates his imminent death. Through the use of various figures of speech, Tennyson brings the themes of transition and eternity to life. Below, we’ll explore these figures of speech in-depth to help readers of all levels appreciate the depth and beauty of this poetic work.
Poem: Crossing the Bar by Alfred Tennyson
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 though 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 crossed the bar.
Figures of Speech in Crossing the Bar
- Metaphor
- Example: “Sunset and evening star”
Here, Tennyson metaphorically associates the sunset and evening star with the end of life, suggesting the closure of a day as a parallel to the end of a human journey. - Example: “The flood may bear me far”
The flood is used as a metaphor for death or the afterlife, something beyond human control but also a natural, inevitable force.
- Example: “Sunset and evening star”
- Personification
- Example: “Such a tide as moving seems asleep”
Tennyson personifies the tide, suggesting that the tide, a force of nature, is in a peaceful state, symbolizing calmness and serenity at the end of life. - Example: “The flood may bear me far”
The flood is given human-like qualities, as if it is a conscious entity that can carry the speaker to another realm, which reflects the peace in Tennyson’s acceptance of death.
- Example: “Such a tide as moving seems asleep”
- Imagery
- Example: “Sunset and evening star”
The imagery in these words evokes a vivid picture of the day transitioning to night, symbolizing the approach of death. - Example: “Too full for sound and foam”
This phrase conjures an image of a calm, silent sea, representing a peaceful journey toward death.
- Example: “Sunset and evening star”
- Alliteration
- Example: “Sunset and evening star”
The repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a soft, melodic rhythm that complements the theme of serenity and calmness at the end of life. - Example: “Sadness of farewell”
The ‘s’ sound emphasizes the sadness in saying goodbye, but it also ties into the reflective tone of the poem.
- Example: “Sunset and evening star”
- Symbolism
- Example: “The bar”
The “bar” refers to a sandbar, a natural feature that symbolizes the threshold or boundary between life and death. It serves as a metaphor for the transition from one state of existence to another. - Example: “Pilot”
The “Pilot” symbolizes God or a divine guide, someone who will guide the speaker through the afterlife and to eternal peace.
- Example: “The bar”
- Juxtaposition
- Example: “Twilight and evening bell” / “And after that the dark”
The juxtaposition of light and dark conveys the contrast between life and death, reinforcing the theme of a natural transition. - Example: “The flood may bear me far” / “I hope to see my Pilot face to face”
The speaker contrasts the unknown journey (death) with the hope of seeing a loved, guiding figure (the Pilot), emphasizing a hopeful and positive view of death.
- Example: “Twilight and evening bell” / “And after that the dark”
- Repetition
- Example: “And may there be no”
The repetition of this phrase serves to reinforce the speaker’s desire for peace and tranquility, emphasizing a wish for a peaceful death and smooth passage.
- Example: “And may there be no”
- Allusion
- Example: “When I have crossed the bar”
The phrase “crossed the bar” alludes to crossing a boundary, which could symbolize crossing the boundary between life and death, or the idea of a journey to the afterlife.
- Example: “When I have crossed the bar”
- Oxymoron
- Example: “Too full for sound and foam”
The oxymoron “too full” combined with “sound and foam” creates a contradiction, suggesting that the sea, while usually associated with noise and turbulence, here is serene and full—symbolizing a calm death.
- Example: “Too full for sound and foam”
- Anaphora
- Example: “And may there be no”
The repetition of this phrase in the poem emphasizes the speaker’s hope for peace during the transition, reinforcing the desire for a serene passage into death.
- Example: “And may there be no”
Class Activities for Crossing the Bar
- Poem Recitation and Interpretation
- Students recite the poem aloud, focusing on tone, pacing, and emotion. Afterward, have a class discussion about their interpretations of the poem’s themes.
- Create a Visual Representation
- Students create a visual representation of the poem’s imagery, such as drawing a scene of the “sunset and evening star” or the “flood” in the poem, illustrating their understanding of the themes.
- Metaphor and Symbolism Exploration
- Divide the class into groups and assign each group a figure of speech from the poem. They will explore its significance in relation to the poem’s themes and share their findings with the class.
- Class Debate
- Hold a debate on the question: “Is death the end of life, or is it a passage to a new beginning?” Students can refer to the metaphorical language in Crossing the Bar to support their views.
- Poem Paraphrasing
- Students paraphrase the poem in their own words, keeping the main ideas but changing the phrasing. This helps students better understand the meaning and themes of the poem.
Class Assignments for Crossing the Bar
- Poem Analysis Essay
- Write an essay analyzing how Tennyson uses metaphor and imagery to convey his thoughts on death in Crossing the Bar.
- Personal Reflection
- Write a personal reflection on how the poem addresses themes of death, transition, and hope. Compare the speaker’s perspective to your own views on the subject.
- Creative Writing
- Write a poem inspired by Crossing the Bar, focusing on a personal journey or transition in life. Use metaphor and symbolism as Tennyson does in his work.
- Research Assignment
- Research Tennyson’s life and discuss how his personal experiences with loss and death might have influenced the themes of Crossing the Bar.
- Comparative Analysis
- Compare Crossing the Bar with another poem that deals with death, such as Emily Dickinson’s Because I Could Not Stop for Death. Discuss similarities and differences in their treatment of death.