Summary: The poem is subject to many different interpretations, both literal and metaphorical. For example,
literally, in describing the destructive nature of the sea or storm, it conveys how indiscriminating nature can be as
well as drawing attention to the injustice of suffering within the world. It might be an allegory for Western
Imperialism and the destructive force of colonialism. It might equally be an allegory for the conflict between
masculine and feminine, portraying masculinity as a destructive and cruel force. Finally, it could be a bleak metaphor
for spiritual nihilism.
Form/structure:
The repeated use of unemotive declaratives creates a detached poetic voice, suggesting numbness at the prolonged
suffering being described and a sense of futility as a consequence of the speaker’s inability to help. At the same time,
the repeated use of adjectives such as ‘angry’ and declaratives – such the repetition of the title itself – conveys the
struggle on the part of the speaker to convey the true horror witnessed when, perhaps, articulating events in a new
language.
Furthermore, the use of the single stanza emphasises the relentlessness of the sea / the destructive force. The
cyclical structure – which starts and ends with imagery of the sea – mirrors how the sea / destructive force is allencompassing, inescapable and all-consuming.
Sub-Themes:
- The sea is made to seem like a pervasive, destructive, violent, sadistic and relentless force.
- The sea usurps and steals items which are required to sustain life
- The misery and anguish cause to people by the sea’s destructive force and their powerlessness to counter its
influence and impact.
Summary: The poem is subject to many different interpretations, both literal and metaphorical. For example,
literally, in describing the destructive nature of the sea or storm, it conveys how indiscriminating nature can be as
well as drawing attention to the injustice of suffering within the world. It might be an allegory for Western
Imperialism and the destructive force of colonialism. It might equally be an allegory for the conflict between
masculine and feminine, portraying masculinity as a destructive and cruel force. Finally, it could be a bleak metaphor
for spiritual nihilism.
Form/structure:
The repeated use of unemotive declaratives creates a detached poetic voice, suggesting numbness at the prolonged
suffering being described and a sense of futility as a consequence of the speaker’s inability to help. At the same time,
the repeated use of adjectives such as ‘angry’ and declaratives – such the repetition of the title itself – conveys the
struggle on the part of the speaker to convey the true horror witnessed when, perhaps, articulating events in a new
language.
Furthermore, the use of the single stanza emphasises the relentlessness of the sea / the destructive force. The
cyclical structure – which starts and ends with imagery of the sea – mirrors how the sea / destructive force is allencompassing, inescapable and all-consuming.
Sub-Themes:
- The sea is made to seem like a pervasive, destructive, violent, sadistic and relentless force.
- The sea usurps and steals items which are required to sustain life
- The misery and anguish cause to people by the sea’s destructive force and their powerlessness to counter its
influence and impact.