Week 6 Analysis, Beyond the Breakers
I have chosen to do a close reading on the poem Beyond the Breakers by George Sterling.
“The Breakers rose before me where the hard, wet sands were grey-
Each in its colored robe, fronting the new-born day;
The singing waves of the sea, clean beyond all of clean,
Beautiful, swift, alive, undulant, apple-green.” (Sterling 208)
This poem and more so this paragraph from it brings emotions to the reader of peace, comfort, and the cleanliness of a new start just like the waves of the ocean. I was drawn into these passages because of the use of unique language and the imagery it brought along, as well as the different emotions I felt and could feel through the author's words while reading his poem. I picked apart this paragraph and found out what he is talking about in each sentence and the emotions it brings forth. He begins by talking about the breaker which are a heavy wave in the sea that breaks into white foam at the shore. I can picture Sterling standing, looking out into the sea standing on the wet sand with breakers right in front of him. The idea of the waves fronting the new-born day is a very powerful statement, this is a new idea I have not thought of before that each wave that comes crashing in at my feet or others at the beach brings in new ideas and new possibilities each one clean from everything. Likewise, the singing of the waves evokes emotions of peace and a new start with what follows “ clean beyond all of clean” to think of the pureness of waves coming in and how they are clean of everything is an idea I think the author, George Serling is trying to put across to the reader. For one like himself to go to the ocean and have a rush of emotions come over them with each new, clean, pure wave coming in resembling a new beginning to each person. This passage is its own idea in and of itself but also sets the stage for the other ideas and paragraphs to follow, all the different parts of his poem are woven together to create one cohesive idea of finding peace at the ocean and the different emotions one may experience when being faced and surrended by the crashing waves.
“The Breakers rose before me where the hard, wet sands were grey-
Each in its colored robe, fronting the new-born day;
The singing waves of the sea, clean beyond all of clean,
Beautiful, swift, alive, undulant, apple-green.” (Sterling 208)
This poem and more so this paragraph from it brings emotions to the reader of peace, comfort, and the cleanliness of a new start just like the waves of the ocean. I was drawn into these passages because of the use of unique language and the imagery it brought along, as well as the different emotions I felt and could feel through the author's words while reading his poem. I picked apart this paragraph and found out what he is talking about in each sentence and the emotions it brings forth. He begins by talking about the breaker which are a heavy wave in the sea that breaks into white foam at the shore. I can picture Sterling standing, looking out into the sea standing on the wet sand with breakers right in front of him. The idea of the waves fronting the new-born day is a very powerful statement, this is a new idea I have not thought of before that each wave that comes crashing in at my feet or others at the beach brings in new ideas and new possibilities each one clean from everything. Likewise, the singing of the waves evokes emotions of peace and a new start with what follows “ clean beyond all of clean” to think of the pureness of waves coming in and how they are clean of everything is an idea I think the author, George Serling is trying to put across to the reader. For one like himself to go to the ocean and have a rush of emotions come over them with each new, clean, pure wave coming in resembling a new beginning to each person. This passage is its own idea in and of itself but also sets the stage for the other ideas and paragraphs to follow, all the different parts of his poem are woven together to create one cohesive idea of finding peace at the ocean and the different emotions one may experience when being faced and surrended by the crashing waves.
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteI did not read this story however your analysis informed me very well on it and now I feel I know much about it. I like how you talk about the emotions involved within the poem. Picking apart a piece is the best way to examine and further understand the meaning behind it.
Grace,
ReplyDeleteYou really describe this poem in a way that makes it come alive. The idea that each crashing wave brings a new possibility is enlightening and optimistic; no matter what happens a new wave will come, a chance to start over clean. Thanks for the analysis.
Hi again Grace I did not read the poem but thought it was very interesting how you explained and analyzed it. I really enjoyed how you explained every line in detail especially the part of new beginnings are symbolized by fourth line that states the clean beyond all of clean.
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