What is the critical analysis of the 'Crossing the Bar'. Or
What is the summary of 'crossing the bar'. Or
What is the hidden meaning in the poem 'crossing the bar'. Or
What does crossing the bar symbolise.
Alfred Lord Tennyson , the most representative and most popular poet of Victorian Era. The poem was published in 1889, just three years before Tennyson's death.
Central thought -
Tennyson reflects on the great question death. Death is a journey into the unknown, it is like 'Crossing the Bar' and mysterious voyage. It is in this figurative sense that the poet will put out to see at sunsite at the end his life. He hopes there would be a full tide, with a total absence of sound and foam, to make his passage across the sea easier. Darkness will follow evening, but he would have no fear, for though he would be borne far out of this finite, material world, he hopes to meet his pilot (God, the Divine Guide) face to face after he leaves this world for ever.
The Title -
The poet is awaiting death. He will get on board the ship, cross the bar after leaving the harbour and then and then embark upon the unknown sea death. Life on Earth is here compared to a harbour and life after death to the vast expanse of the ocean lying beyond the bar. Literally, the bar is an accumulation of sand at the mouth of a river. Allegorically, the bar refers to the barrier between life and death. A man must cross the bar to reach the sea of the unknown. The expression 'Crossing the Bar' refers allegorically to one' s death. The poet will meet 'the pilot' after crossing the bar. The title is, no doubt appropriate, as it gives us the idea of a man's final journey towards the world beyond.
This title poem has a deep spiritual meaning. It has "echoes" from beyond the grave", it has a forecasted of the peace that is to be found in death. Death has lost its sting for the octogenarian poet. He has lived his life well on earth and death is but its crown and consummation. While contemplating death the poet has no feeling of regret for all that he leaves behind, neither has he any fear about the mysterious unknown. He has passed through a long period of doubt ( as reflected in 'In Memoriam'), but it has been followed by a calm, steady faith and it is on a note of triumphant faith that the poem ends:
"I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar"
The poem has been rightly called by Saintsbury 'the marvellous swan-song' of Tennyson.
Substance -
The poet has reached the last stage of his life and is calmly awaiting death. Sunset and evening star are the singles for his final departure. He thinks of death as a great voyage into the unknown. He expects that the sea will be free from sound and foam, so that his passage over the sea may be smooth and easy. The poet will put out to see in the evening and cross the bar. Then a deep darkness death will follow. He is confident that will release his sold from the bondage of flash and carry it to God, The Divine Pilot. So his mind is free from all fear or trouble. He welcomes death and hopes that there will be none to mourn his final journey towards the great mysterious unknown.
Allegorical significance -
The 'bar' here signifies the barrier between life and death. In death, man must cross this 'bar' or barrier and sail out into the unknown sea of eternity and infinity. From the great deep to the great deep he goes. We have the same allegory also in the Idylls of the King, only changed in some minor details. Birth is a mystery and death is a mystery, and in the midst of these two, there lies the human life with all its joys and sorrows.
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