Poetry · Chapter
CCLII explained
A brief poetic plea to the oceans to carry the narrator to a remote island where he can escape the deceit and emotional turmoil symbolized by women, while also asking not to bring a particular woman who shows no emotion.
What happens
A brief poetic plea to the oceans to carry the narrator to a remote island where he can escape the deceit and emotional turmoil symbolized by women, while also asking not to bring a particular woman who shows no emotion.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
The narrator fears the hidden dangers in women's smiles and tears, reflecting a theme of deception.
Nature and Artifice
The contrast between the natural ocean and the artificial, deceptive human emotions is central to the poem.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator speaks in first person, pleading with the oceans for escape.
Key passages
“Bear me, good oceans, to some isle Where I may never fear The snake alurk in woman’s smile, The tiger in her tear.”
Carry me, kind oceans, to an island where I won't have to dread the hidden deceit in a woman's smile or the ferocity in her tears.
The narrator seeks refuge from perceived female duplicity.
“Yet bear not with me her, O deeps, Who never smiles and never weeps.”
But do not bring along that woman, O seas, who shows no emotion at all.
The narrator also rejects a woman who is emotionally unresponsive.