Crossing the Bar -By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Crossing the Bar
-By Alfred, Lord 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 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 cross’d the bar.
Bengali Translation
পার হলে সূর্যাস্ত, হাসে ঐ সন্ধ্যাতারা
বলে যে আমায়, হও কেন দিশেহারা;
পথ চলতে কেন করো যে আহাজারি
যত বাধাই আসুক, দিতে হবে পাড়ি।
বিশাল ঐ সে সমুদ্র পথে আমি যখন
শুনি উতলা ঢেউ গোঙানি, কৈ গর্জন;
দ্যাখি তার মুখে, কত যে শুভ্র ফেনা
নয় ঘুমন্ত অন্তরে তার অসহ্য বেদনা।
গোধূলি ক্ষণে, ফিরি সে ঘরের পানে
সাঁঝের ঘণ্টা বারে বারে বিঁধে কানে;
স্থান কাল, সীমা পেরিয়ে আমি যখন
যাত্রী হবো, হবে না বিদায় সম্ভাষণ।
বন্যা প্রবাহে, ভেসে যাবো ঐ সুদূরে
হবো বাধারও মুখোমুখি পারাপারে।
আশায় ভরা তবু আমার হৃদয় মনন
বিপত্তি যা আসুক হবেই অতিক্রমণ।
a) Answer the following questions.
(i) What do the sunset and evening star symbolize in “Crossing the Bar”?
(ii) Write the Themes and symbolism in “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
(iii) What is the moral lesson of Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar”?
(iv) In Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar,” what do the lines “And may there be no moaning of the bar, / When I put out to sea” mean?
(v) What draws from and returns to the boundless deep in “Crossing the Bar”?
b) Read the poem again, and identify 3 imageries and 2 similes used in the poem. Then explain the purpose of their uses. 10
c) Read the poem again and express your feelings. Or, Write the theme of the poem. 10
Answer:
(i) What do the sunset and evening star symbolize in “Crossing the Bar”?
Answer: In the poem “Crossing the Bar,” Tennyson offers an extended metaphor for death. His first line, “Sunset and evening star,” symbolizes death and the hope of a new life after death as the evening star that rises with the sunset.
(ii) Write the Themes and symbolism in “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Answer : The themes in “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson include death, the afterlife, and acceptance. Symbolism in the poem is rich, with the “bar” representing the boundary between life and death, and the “pilot” symbolizing God or a guiding force in the afterlife. Tennyson’s calm and hopeful tone suggests a peaceful transition from life to death
(iii) What is the moral lesson of Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar”?
Answer: The moral lesson of Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar” is that we should not fear or mourn death because it signifies meeting God, our “Pilot.” Tennyson emphasizes facing one’s final judgment with dignity and ethical behavior, suggesting that death is a transition to a higher state of being, necessitating a life of moral integrity.
(iv) In Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar,” what do the lines “And may there be no moaning of the bar, / When I put out to sea” mean?
Answer: In Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar,” the meaning of the lines “And may there be no moaning of the bar, / When I put out to sea” refers to a metaphorical transition from life into death. The “bar” refers to a sandbar, which is the barrier the speaker must cross to reach the vast expanse of eternity.
(v) What draws from and returns to the boundless deep in “Crossing the Bar”?
Answer:In “Crossing the Bar,” the tide draws from and returns to the boundless deep. Literally, this refers to the tide’s cyclical movement due to gravitational forces. Metaphorically, it represents the speaker’s soul, which originates from and longs to return to God, the “boundless deep,” signifying an eternal home.
(vi) How does Tennyson express his thoughts in “Crossing the Bar”?
Tennyson expresses his thoughts on death in “Crossing the Bar” by comparing it to a peaceful sea voyage. He uses metaphors like “sunset” and “evening star” to symbolize the end of life and describes death as a natural and serene transition. The poem, written in first person, conveys Tennyson’s acceptance of death and his hope to meet God, referred to as the “Pilot,” after crossing the bar.
(vii) How is the poem “Crossing the Bar” relevant to our present day?
Answer: The relevance of the poem “Crossing the Bar” to our present day is that it allows us to face up to our inevitable deaths without fear. Most people fear death, and yet Tennyson’s poem shows us that there’s no reason for this.
(viii) What is the poet’s attitude towards death in “Crossing the Bar”?
Answer: In “Crossing the Bar,” the poet’s attitude towards death is calm and optimistic, viewing it as both an adventure and a homecoming. He uses tranquil imagery and requests no sadness at his departure. The anticipation of meeting his “Pilot” face to face, who represents God, combines feelings of reverence and excitement, suggesting a peaceful acceptance of death.
(ix) Compare the similarities and differences between “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Tennyson and “Once by the Pacific” by Robert Frost.
Answer: “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Tennyson and “Once by the Pacific” by Robert Frost both deal with themes of the sea, but they differ significantly in tone and symbolism. Tennyson’s poem uses calm sea imagery as a metaphor for the transition from life to death, imbued with spiritual hope. In contrast, Frost’s poem depicts a turbulent sea, symbolizing impending danger, and includes a literal storm with a nod to divine control. Both poems skillfully explore natural and spiritual elements.
(x) What is the diction of the poem “Crossing the Bar”?
Answer: The diction in “Crossing the Bar” is formal and contemplative, reflecting the speaker’s readiness for death. Tennyson employs elevated language and metaphors, using familiar nautical imagery to convey the transition from life to afterlife. This choice of words gives the poem a dignified tone, with elements like the “Pilot” symbolizing God, adding a layer of mysticism. The careful selection of words enhances the poem’s solemnity and depth, aligning with its elegiac nature.
Five Metaphor of the poem “Crossing the Bar”
Answer:
“Crossing the Bar” is a beautiful poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Here are 5 metaphors from the poem:
1.”Sunset and evening star” – Life’s journey is compared to a day, with sunset symbolizing the end of life.
2. “Bar” – The “bar” refers to the sandbar at the mouth of a river, symbolizing the threshold between life and death.
3. “Sea of death” – Death is compared to a vast, mysterious sea that one must cross.
4. “Vessel” – The speaker’s life is compared to a ship, with the vessel approaching the shore of eternity.
5. “Pilot” – God or fate is compared to a skilled pilot, guiding the vessel (life) through the journey