“Break, Break, Break” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Summary: In this poignant and melancholic poem, Tennyson explores the theme of grief and the passing of time. The speaker begins by addressing the sea, asking it to break against the cold gray stones. The repeated refrain “Break, break, break” emphasizes the continuous, unrelenting force of nature, which contrasts with the speaker’s inability to express his own emotional turmoil.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the happiness and vitality of others, specifically the fisherman’s boy and the sailor lad, who enjoy carefree moments of play and song. This contrast makes the speaker’s sorrow even more pronounced, as he longs for something lost to him—particularly the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is no longer present.
The poem closes with a sense of irreversible loss. The sea, with its eternal rhythm, continues on, but the “tender grace” of a past day—likely a moment of happiness or a lost loved one—can never be reclaimed.
Themes:
- Grief and Loss: The central theme is the speaker’s mourning of a loss, possibly a loved one, and the sorrow that remains after they are gone. The speaker reflects on the irretrievable nature of death and the emotional void left behind.
- The Passage of Time: Time is presented as moving forward relentlessly, while the speaker is trapped in his sorrow, unable to bring back what has been lost.
- Nature’s Indifference: The sea, which symbolizes the larger forces of nature, continues to crash against the rocks, indifferent to the speaker’s personal grief, reinforcing the idea of the inescapability of loss and the passage of time.
Literary Devices:
- Repetition: The repeated line “Break, break, break” creates a rhythm that mirrors the unending nature of the sea and the speaker’s sorrow.
- Imagery: The sea and the “cold gray stones” vividly paint a scene of desolate beauty, while the “tender grace of a day that is dead” evokes the emotional weight of loss.
- Metaphor: The sea can be seen as a metaphor for time, constantly moving and breaking, just as time erodes memories and the moments of the past.
This simple yet profound poem captures the quiet despair of loss and the painful recognition that some things, no matter how deeply we wish otherwise, are gone forever.
Line 1: Break, break, break,
- Repetition of the word “break” expresses the unrelenting nature of time and nature, specifically the crashing waves of the sea. The speaker yearns for a release from his grief, but this is impossible.
Line 2: On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!
- The sea crashes against “cold gray stones,” which suggests coldness, isolation, and an impersonal force of nature. The color “gray” can represent sadness, dreariness, or the absence of life and warmth.
Line 3: And I would that my tongue could utter
- The speaker wishes he could find the right words to express his feelings of sorrow.
Line 4: The thoughts that arise in me.
- He is overwhelmed by emotions, but cannot articulate them. The sea’s crashing waves serve as a metaphor for his internal turmoil.
Line 5: O, well for the fisherman’s boy,
- The speaker looks enviously at the fisherman’s boy, who is carefree and innocent, unaffected by sorrow.
Line 6: That he shouts with his sister at play!
- The boy is happily playing with his sister. This scene emphasizes youth, joy, and the carefree nature of life before sorrow strikes.
Line 7: O, well for the sailor lad,
- Similarly, the sailor lad represents a life of joy and purpose, far removed from the speaker’s sadness.
Line 8: That he sings in his boat on the bay!
- The sailor is singing cheerfully as he works, symbolizing a connection with nature and the joy of living. The speaker contrasts this happy scene with his own mourning.
Line 9: And the stately ships go on
- The ships represent the continuity of life, moving steadily toward their destination, unaffected by personal grief.
Line 10: To their haven under the hill;
- The ships reach their resting place or port, a metaphor for peace or death. The hill represents the end of the journey.
Line 11: But O for the touch of a vanish’d hand,
- The speaker longs for the touch of someone who has passed away. The “vanish’d hand” symbolizes death and loss.
Line 12: And the sound of a voice that is still!
- He yearns to hear the voice of a loved one who is no longer present, reinforcing the theme of loss and longing.
Line 13: Break, break, break
- The refrain repeats, emphasizing the idea of relentless grief and the desire for release.
Line 14: At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!
- The “foot of thy crags” refers to the base of the steep rocks or cliffs, once again underscoring the unyielding power of the sea and its indifferent nature.
Line 15: But the tender grace of a day that is dead
- The “tender grace” refers to the fleeting beauty of a past moment, which has now passed. The day represents lost time, filled with sweetness and warmth.
Line 16: Will never come back to me.
- The speaker acknowledges that the past, with all its warmth and beauty, is gone forever. The theme of irreversible loss is underscored here.
Key Word Meanings:
- Crags: Steep, rugged rocks or cliffs.
- Vanish’d: Vanished or disappeared, suggesting loss or death.
- Haven: A safe place or harbor, symbolizing peace or rest after the journey.
- Tender grace: Refers to something gentle, beautiful, and delicate that has passed.
- Sorrow: Deep sadness, especially due to loss or regret.
