| Book Name | : Bliss English Textbook For Class X Second Language |
| Subject | : Bliss |
| Class | : 10 (Madhyamik/WB) |
| Publisher | : Prof. Nabanita Chatterjee |
| Chapter Name | : Sea Fever (6th Lesson) |
About the author
John Edward Masefield (1878 – 1967), an English poet and writer, served as the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his passing. He is renowned for his children’s novels, including “The Midnight Folk” and “The Box of Delights.” Masefield’s works often capture the profound excitement of embarking on sea voyages, conveying a timeless human longing for the grandeur of nature.
(60 Words)
Introduction of the Poem Sea Fever
“Sea Fever” by John Masefield is a poem about a person who deeply loves the sea and wants to go back to it. The speaker dreams of sailing on a tall ship, guided by a star, and feeling the wind and waves. The poem shows a strong desire for the freedom and excitement of life on the sea. The speaker also wishes for simple joys, like hearing the sea-gulls and sharing stories with fellow sailors. The poem captures the beauty and adventure of the sea.
(80 Words)
Summary of the Poem Sea Fever
“Sea Fever” by John Masefield is about a person who really wants to return to the sea. The speaker dreams of being on a ship, guided by a star and feeling the wind and waves. The poem describes the sounds of the sea, like the wind, the sails, and the cries of sea-gulls. The speaker feels a strong pull towards the ocean, enjoying the adventure and freedom it offers. Even the rough weather, like the strong wind and cold spray, is part of the excitement. In the end, the speaker wishes for a peaceful rest after the long journey. The poem shows a deep love for the sea and the life of a sailor.
(120 words)
Explanation of the Poem Sea Fever
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
In the first stanza of “Sea Fever,” the speaker expresses a strong desire to return to the sea. They ask for a “tall ship” to sail and a “star” to guide them. The speaker describes the physical sensations of being at sea, like the ship’s wheel turning, the sound of the wind, and the sight of the sails moving. The mist on the sea and the breaking dawn add to the feeling of adventure and the longing to be back on the ocean.
(80 Words)
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
In the second stanza, the speaker feels an undeniable call from the sea, comparing it to the strong pull of the “running tide.” The speaker wishes for a windy day, with white clouds flying overhead and the sea spray and foam being tossed by the wind. The cries of the seagulls add to the atmosphere. This stanza emphasizes the speaker’s deep connection to the sea, where even the wild, untamed elements bring excitement and fulfilment to the sailor’s life.
(80 Words)
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
In the final stanza, the speaker expresses a longing for the free, wandering life of a sailor, calling it a “vagrant gypsy life.” The speaker wants to follow the paths of the seagulls and whales, even though the wind is sharp and cold. The stanza highlights the adventurous and often challenging life at sea. The speaker also desires companionship, hoping for a cheerful story from a fellow sailor. Finally, the speaker wishes for rest, hoping for “quiet sleep and a sweet dream” when the journey is over.
(80 Words)
