Alfred Lord Tennyson's 'Break, Break, Break'
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Questions and Answers

Who is the most fortunate according to the speaker in the poem?

  • The stately ships going to their haven
  • The sailor lad in his boat on the bay
  • The speaker himself
  • The fisherman's boy and his sister (correct)

    • What is the speaker longing for in the poem?

  • The return of a past day and the touch of a vanished hand (correct)
  • The ability to express his thoughts
  • The sight of stately ships going to their haven
  • The company of the fisherman's boy and the sailor lad

    • What is the effect of the repetition of 'break, break, break' in the poem?

  • It symbolizes the relentless and indifferent nature of the sea (correct)
  • It signifies the overwhelming power and grandeur of the ocean
  • It represents the cyclical and continuous nature of life and death
  • It conveys the speaker's frustration and longing for something unattainable

    • What is the overall tone of the poem?

    <p>Melancholic and longing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'Break, break, break' refer to in the poem?

    <p>The breaking waves of the sea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the contrast between the fisherman's boy and the speaker in the poem?

    <p>It highlights the disparity between the carefree nature of youth and the burden of adulthood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the phrase 'the touch of a vanish'd hand' suggest in the poem?

    <p>The emotional void left by the departure of a cherished individual</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the line 'the stately ships go on To their haven under the hill' symbolize in the poem?

    <p>The transient nature of human achievements and pursuits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the speaker express their longing in the poem?

    <p>The speaker expresses their longing through the repetition of the phrase 'Break, break, break' and the desire to convey unutterable thoughts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the sea in the poem?

    <p>The sea represents a constant and unchanging force, in contrast to the speaker's feelings of loss and longing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the poem convey the theme of irrecoverable loss?

    <p>The poem conveys the theme of irrecoverable loss through the speaker's yearning for the past and the realization that certain experiences can never be regained.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do the fisherman's boy and the sailor lad play in the poem?

    <p>They serve as symbols of carefree and joyful existence, contrasting with the speaker's sense of loss and sorrow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Most Fortunate

    • The speaker believes the fisherman's boy and the sailor lad are the most fortunate because they have a sense of purpose and connection to the sea, unlike the speaker who is filled with grief and longing.

    Longing for Connection

    • The speaker yearns for a connection with the sea and its inhabitants, mirroring the connection they once shared with the lost loved one.

    Repetition of 'Break, Break, Break'

    • The repetition of the phrase "Break, break, break" emphasizes the unrelenting rhythm of the waves, reflecting the speaker's persistent grief and the impossibility of returning to their lost loved one.

    Overall Tone

    • The poem's tone is deeply melancholic and introspective, reflecting the speaker's profound sadness and longing.

    'Break, Break, Break' Meaning

    • This phrase represents the constant, rhythmic movement of the sea, a symbol of relentless time and the inability to recover from the loss.

    Contrast Between the Speaker and the Others

    • The speaker is isolated and grieving, while the fisherman's boy and the sailor lad find solace and purpose in their connection to the sea. This contrast highlights the speaker's profound sense of isolation and loss.

    'The Touch of a Vanished Hand'

    • This phrase evokes the memory of the speaker's lost loved one, emphasizing the lingering presence of the absent hand and the enduring pain of the loss.

    'Stately Ships Go On' Symbolism

    • The stately ships represent the cycle of life and the inevitable march of time, which is indifferent to the speaker's grief. This reminds the reader that life continues, while the speaker is left in their sorrow.

    Expression of Longing

    • The speaker's longing is conveyed through imagery, repetition, and emotional description, revealing their deep yearning for reconnection and release from the pain of loss.

    Significance of the Sea

    • The sea serves as a symbol of both life and death, representing both the connection the speaker once had with the loved one and the constant reminder of the unbridgeable distance between them.

    Theme of Irrecoverable Loss

    • The poem's themes of irrecoverable loss are conveyed through the speaker's inability to find solace or connection in the sea, mirroring their inability to regain what they have lost.

    Roles of the Fishermen

    • The fisherman's boy and the sailor lad represent an idealized connection to the sea and a sense of belonging that the speaker lacks, highlighting the speaker's profound isolation and the loss they are enduring.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem 'Break, Break, Break'. This quiz will challenge your understanding of the themes, language, and literary devices used in the poem.

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