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Class: X> Sea Fever> Questions and Answers

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Sea fever ---by John Masefield

Summary: In spite of having many sea voyages, John Masefield is not quite satisfied. His heart still longs for a sea voyage again in the lonely and endless sea which seems to mingle in the sky in the horizon. To acquire this journey, he wants to have a tall ship. He will be guided by the star i.e., pole star to determine the way at night and a windy day with white clouds floating over the sky. The wheel and the while sail of the ship along with the strong wind will help him to move ahead through the sea without difficulty. He will have to experience foamy water and foggy surroundings after dawning. Being an earnest lover of nature, the poet will have heard the call of running tide and the call of sea-gulls clearly. In his eyes, the wind is like sharp knife that helps the sea-gull and the whale to clear their way. Moreover, he wants a life like carefree gypsy. He wants to hear joyous stories from a fellow sea-man. After having the adventurous sea voyage, he will seek a sound sleep with a sweet dream.

1.     What type of poem is Sea Fever?

Ø  The present poem Sea Fever is a lyric poem. It expresses the poet’s strong desire for the sea voyage.

2.     What is the central idea / theme / the subject matter of the poem Sea Fever?

Ø  The keynote of the poem Sea Fever is the poet’s thirst for travelling of longing for a sea voyage. In this poem, he expresses his immense desire to explore the vast sea again.

3.     What does the poet want for his sea voyage?

Ø  For his sea voyage, the poet wants a tall (strong) ship and a star (probably the pole star) to determine his way at night.

4.     What call cannot be refused by the poet?

Ø  The poet cannot refuse the call of the running sea waves/tides.

5.     How does the poet describe that call?

Ø  The poet describes the call of the running tide as irresistible because it is quite audible and wild.

6.     What, according to the poet, is common in the sky and in the sea?

Ø  According to the poet, loneliness is a common feature both in the sky and in the sea.

7.     What, according to the poet, is the ideal life for a mariner? Why?

Ø  According to the poet, the ideal life of a mariner is like that of a wandering gipsy. It is so because in this way he can have a lonely and carefree life.

8.     What does the poet want to listen to during a voyage and from whom?

Ø  The poet wants to listen to cheerful stories during the voyage from his fellow sailor/companion.

9.     What type of day is sought by the poet?

Ø  A pleasant or sunny a day with strong wind and floating white clouds is sought by the poet.

10.   How does the poet describe the mist?

Ø  The poet describes the mist floating on the sea as grey in colour.

11.   Why is the dawn described as grey?

Ø  The poet describes the dawn in the sea as grey because of its light and shade atmosphere and hazy surroundings.

12.   How does the poet compare the wind? Who is benefited by it?

Ø  The poet compares the strong wind as a sharpened knife. The sea-gull and the whale are benefited by this sharpened knife-like strong wind.

13.   Why does the poet begin every stanza with ‘I must go to the seas again’?

Ø  The poet repeats I must go to the sea at the beginning of every stanza to emphasis his strong desire for undertaking a sea voyage again like before he had. It is a figure of speech, called, Anaphora.

14.   What does the poet seek after the journey is over?

Ø  After having the adventurous sea voyage, the poet seeks a sound sleep with a sweet dream.

 

Word Meaning: All I ask: all that I want,   A star: Pole Star (Here),   The Wheel’s Kick: The circling motion o the wheel,   The White sail shaking: the flapping or shaking of the sail against the wind to keep the ship or boat moving,   Grey mist: The mist covered the surface of the sea looking grey and dusty,   Grey dawn breaking:   A mist covered dawn (here the poet’s desire of sailing through day and night),   Running tide: the ever-shifting waves of the sea,   Clear: Distinct,   Flung Spray: the water particles thrown by wheels in motion,   Spume: Foamy seawater.

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