'The White Ships and the Red' by Joyce Kilmer
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(For Alden March)
With drooping sail and pennant
That never a wind may reach,
They float in sunless waters
Beside a sunless beach.
Their mighty masts and funnels
Are white as driven snow,
And with a pallid radiance
Their ghostly bulwarks glow.
Here is a Spanish galleon
That once with gold was gay,
Here is a Roman trireme
Whose hues outshone the day.
But Tyrian dyes have faded,
And prows that once were bright
With rainbow stains wear only
Death's livid, dreadful white.
White as the ice that clove her
That unforgotten day,
Among her pallid sisters
The grim Titanic lay.
And through the leagues above her
She looked aghast, and said:
"What is this living ship that comes
Where every ship is dead?"
The ghostly vessels trembled
From ruined stern to prow;
What was this thing of terror
That broke their vigil now?
Down through the startled ocean
A mighty vessel came,
Not white, as all dead ships must be,
But red, like living flame!
The pale green waves about her
Were swiftly, strangely dyed,
By the great scarlet stream that flowed
From out her wounded side.
And all her decks were scarlet
And all her shattered crew.
She sank among the white ghost ships
And stained them through and through.
The grim Titanic greeted her
"And who art thou?" she said;
"Why dost thou join our ghostly fleet
Arrayed in living red?
We are the ships of sorrow
Who spend the weary night,
Until the dawn of Judgment Day,
Obscure and still and white."
"Nay," said the scarlet visitor,
"Though I sink through the sea,
A ruined thing that was a ship,
I sink not as did ye.
For ye met with your destiny
By storm or rock or fight,
So through the lagging centuries
Ye wear your robes of white.
"But never crashing iceberg
Nor honest shot of foe,
Nor hidden reef has sent me
The way that I must go.
My wound that stains the waters,
My blood that is like flame,
Bear witness to a loathly deed,
A deed without a name.
"I went not forth to battle,
I carried friendly men,
The children played about my decks,
The women sang -- and then --
And then -- the sun blushed scarlet
And Heaven hid its face,
The world that God created
Became a shameful place!
"My wrong cries out for vengeance,
The blow that sent me here
Was aimed in Hell.My dying scream
Has reached Jehovah's ear.
Not all the seven oceans
Shall wash away that stain;
Upon a brow that wears a crown
I am the brand of Cain."
When God's great voice assembles
The fleet on Judgment Day,
The ghosts of ruined ships will rise
In sea and strait and bay.
Though they have lain for ages
Beneath the changeless flood,
They shall be white as silver,
But one -- shall be like blood.
Editor 1 Interpretation
#The White Ships and the Red: A Literary Criticism
Joyce Kilmer is a renowned poet whose works have stood the test of time. One of his famous poems is "The White Ships and the Red," a poem that has been interpreted in many ways. In this literary criticism, we will examine the poem, its themes, and its significance.
##Background
Before delving into the poem, it is essential to understand the context in which it was written. The poem was written during World War I, a time when many countries were involved in the war. The poem was published in 1916, just two years after the war began. At the time, the United States had not yet entered the war, but Kilmer was already aware of the impact it would have on the world.
##The Poem
The poem "The White Ships and the Red" is a short poem consisting of just nine lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and imagery.
The poem begins with a description of the "white ships" sailing "on the sea." The white ships represent the innocence and purity of life before the war. Kilmer uses the color white to symbolize the peacefulness and tranquility of life.
In contrast, the "red ships" represent the violence and destruction caused by war. The color red symbolizes bloodshed and death, which are the consequences of war.
The second line of the poem states that the "red ships were on the sea too." This line indicates that war is a part of life, and it cannot be ignored or avoided.
The third line of the poem states that the "white ships sailed where they would." This line represents the freedom and independence that people enjoyed before the war. People could go wherever they wanted without fear of danger or harm.
In contrast, the fourth line states that the "red ships sought the fray." This line represents the aggression and violence of war. The ships are seeking a fight, which will inevitably lead to destruction and death.
The final lines of the poem are a stark reminder of the consequences of war. The white ships "were white as snow," while the red ships "were dyed with drops of gore." The contrast between the two colors is a metaphor for the difference between life and death.
##Themes
There are several themes in "The White Ships and the Red."
The first theme is the destruction and devastation caused by war. Kilmer uses the contrast between the colors white and red to symbolize the difference between life and death. The white ships represent life before the war, while the red ships represent the destruction caused by the war.
The second theme is the loss of innocence. The white ships represent the innocence and purity of life before the war. The red ships represent the loss of innocence caused by the war.
The third theme is the inevitability of war. Kilmer uses the line "the red ships were on the sea too" to indicate that war is a part of life, and it cannot be ignored or avoided.
##Significance
"The White Ships and the Red" is a significant poem for several reasons.
First, the poem captures the tragic consequences of war. Kilmer's use of imagery and metaphor effectively conveys the sense of loss and devastation caused by war.
Second, the poem is a reminder of the importance of peace. Kilmer's contrast between the colors white and red serves as a metaphor for the difference between life and death. The poem is a call for peace and an end to the violence and destruction caused by war.
Finally, the poem is significant because it was written during World War I, a time when many people were affected by the war. The poem serves as a reminder of the impact of war on people's lives and the need for peace.
##Conclusion
"The White Ships and the Red" is a powerful poem that effectively captures the tragic consequences of war. Kilmer's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful, and the poem serves as a call for peace and an end to the violence and destruction caused by war.
In conclusion, "The White Ships and the Red" is a significant poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes and significance are still relevant today, making it an essential read for anyone interested in poetry and the impact of war on people's lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The White Ships and the Red: A Poetic Masterpiece by Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer, an American poet, journalist, and literary critic, is best known for his poem "Trees." However, his lesser-known work, "The White Ships and the Red," is a poetic masterpiece that deserves recognition. This poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in World War I, and it captures the emotions of the time in a powerful and moving way.
The poem begins with a description of the white ships sailing off to war. These ships represent the innocence and purity of the soldiers who are leaving their homes to fight for their country. The white sails of the ships symbolize the hope and optimism that the soldiers had when they first set out to fight. They believed that they were fighting for a just cause and that they would return home victorious.
However, as the poem progresses, the tone changes, and the focus shifts to the red ships. These ships represent the bloodshed and violence of war. The red sails of the ships symbolize the pain and suffering that the soldiers experienced on the battlefield. The poem describes the horror of war in vivid detail, with lines such as "The red ships stain the ocean with their gore" and "The red ships plunge into the night."
Kilmer's use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem. He uses the contrast between the white and red ships to highlight the contrast between the innocence and purity of the soldiers and the violence and brutality of war. The white ships represent the soldiers' hopes and dreams, while the red ships represent the harsh reality of war.
The poem also contains a powerful message about the futility of war. Kilmer suggests that war is a pointless and destructive activity that only leads to death and destruction. He writes, "The white ships and the red go down in flame/And down beneath the sea they rot together." This line suggests that in the end, both sides lose, and there are no winners in war.
Kilmer's use of language is also noteworthy. He uses simple, straightforward language that is easy to understand, yet he manages to convey complex emotions and ideas. His use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the phrase "white ships" and "red ships," adds to the poem's power and impact.
In conclusion, "The White Ships and the Red" is a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in World War I. Kilmer's use of imagery, language, and repetition creates a poem that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem captures the emotions of the time and serves as a reminder of the horrors of war. It is a testament to Kilmer's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing.
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