The Mirror of the Sea · Chapter
XXVIII explained
The chapter personifies the West Wind as a mighty, barbarian king and the East Wind as a crafty, treacherous interloper.
What happens
The chapter personifies the West Wind as a mighty, barbarian king and the East Wind as a crafty, treacherous interloper. It describes a six-week period in the late 1870s when the East Wind held up a large fleet of ships near the English Channel, causing starvation and frustration among the sailors, while the West Wind slumbered. The narrative contrasts the violent but guileless nature of the West Wind with the subtle, cruel tactics of the East Wind, emphasizing the struggle between these reigning winds over the North Atlantic.
Themes in this chapter
Man vs. Nature
The chapter vividly depicts the struggle of sailors against the oppressive East Wind, which holds their ships hostage and causes starvation, emphasizing humanity's vulnerability to natural forces.
Heroism and National Spirit
The West Wind's domain is described as a place where heroic deeds and adventurous exploits are performed, and where the best sailors and admirals are bred, linking seamanship to national pride.
The Sea as Mirror
The winds are personified as kings with distinct personalities—the West Wind as a violent barbarian and the East Wind as a cunning schemer—reflecting human traits and conflicts through the natural world.
Key passages
“Heroic deeds and adventurous exploits have been performed there, within the very stronghold of his sway. The best sailors in the world have been born and bred under the shadow of his sceptre, learning to manage their ships with skill and audacity before the steps of his stormy throne.”
The North Atlantic, ruled by the West Wind, is the site of great heroism and where the finest sailors have been trained to handle ships with courage and expertise.
This passage establishes the West Wind's domain as a crucible for maritime excellence and bravery.
“For six weeks did the robber sheik hold the trade route of the earth, while our liege lord, the West Wind, slept profoundly like a tired Titan, or else remained lost in a mood of idle sadness known only to frank natures.”
The East Wind blocked the shipping lanes for six weeks while the West Wind was inactive, either sleeping deeply or sunk in melancholy.
This metaphor highlights the prolonged ordeal of the fleet and the West Wind's uncharacteristic passivity.
“It was just like the East Wind’s nature to inflict starvation upon the bodies of unoffending sailors, while he corrupted their simple souls by an exasperation leading to outbursts of profanity as lurid as his bloodred sunrises.”
The East Wind characteristically caused physical hunger and spiritual corruption among the sailors, driving them to angry curses that matched the ominous red skies.
This illustrates the East Wind's malicious and corrupting influence on the crew.