In the ancient mariner, I believe the storyteller uses a lot
of imagery description to best describe the sailor’s emotional ordeal they are
going through. An example would be the
scene where he attempts to pray, but a bad whisper discourages his heart, which
may be the other part of him that wishes to give up all hope. The poems imagery
and the characters emotions go in harmony with each other in order for the
reader to be able to obtain a better grasp of the tragic scenes played out and
the agony the character endures. Also one thing to note is the sun is
represented as a vengeful god that punishes the sailors while the moon seems to
be a calming figure that gives peace to the sailors. Perhaps the author was
referring God as the sun who gives and takes life in the poem.
I like your thought about the moon and the sun. The connection you make between the sun and God by means of giving and taking life is very interesting. Do you think the moon represents death? The dark of the night could be a simulation of the grave bringing the relief of death to the sailors as they're torture is at an end, even if only temporarily.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the scene when he attempts to pray but a "bad whisper" discourages him to continue. I saw this as his subconscious wanting to remain hopeful but he was having a difficult time suppressing the doubt in his mind. I also agree that the imagery helps reaffirm in the readers mind the mood of the scene as well as the feelings that the character is experiencing at any given moment during the poem.
ReplyDeleteI like the connection you made between the moon and sun as good and evil supernatural beings. However, I find it interesting that the sun seems to be portrayed as the vengeful one, seeing as though many times the sun is seen as a sign of hope and brightness, even in Gothic literature; as if God is shining His light down and showing the right path or choice to make. Why the role reversal I wonder? As far as him trying to pray and hearing the bad whisper, I agree that it could be all him inside of his own head as if there was an angle version of him on one shoulder and a devil version of him on the other; his subconscious fighting with itself.
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