'The Three Fishers' by Charles Kingsley


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1Three fishers went sailing away to the west,
2Away to the west as the sun went down;
3Each thought on the woman who loved him the best,
4And the children stood watching them out of the town;
5For men must work, and women must weep,
6And there's little to earn, and many to keep,
7Though the harbour bar be moaning.

8Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower,
9And they trimmed the lamps as the sun went down;
10They looked at the squall, and they looked at the shower,
11And the night-rack came rolling up ragged and brown.
12But men must work, and women must weep,
13Though storms be sudden, and waters deep,
14And the harbour bar be moaning.

15Three corpses lay out on the shining sands
16In the morning gleam as the tide went down,
17And the women are weeping and wringing their hands
18For those who will never come home to the town;
19For men must work, and women must weep,
20And the sooner it's over, the sooner to sleep;
21And good-bye to the bar and its moaning.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Three Fishers: A Poem of Tragedy, Faith, and Redemption

The Three Fishers is a poem by Charles Kingsley that tells the story of three fishermen who set out to sea at night and were never seen again. Written in the mid-19th century, the poem is a powerful portrayal of the dangers and unpredictability of the sea, as well as a meditation on themes of faith, loss, and redemption.

Summary of the Poem

The poem begins with a description of a calm and peaceful seaside village, where the three fishermen are known and respected members of the community. The three men are depicted as brave and skilled sailors, who have faced many dangers and challenges on the sea, and always returned home safely.

However, one day the three men decide to set out to sea at night, despite warnings from their families and friends about the dangers of such a journey. As they sail farther and farther away from the shore, the sea becomes rough and stormy, and the men realize that they are in grave danger.

Despite their efforts to save themselves, the three fishermen are eventually overcome by the storm, and their bodies are never found. The poem ends with a poignant and mournful reflection on the loss of these brave men, and a reminder of the fragility of human life in the face of the awesome power of the sea.

Analysis of the Poem

The Three Fishers is a powerful and moving poem that explores a number of complex themes and ideas. At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. Through the story of the three fishermen, Kingsley reminds us of the unpredictability and power of the sea, and the many dangers that face those who venture out onto its waters.

At the same time, however, the poem is also a celebration of faith and redemption. Despite the tragedy of the fishermen's deaths, there is a sense of comfort and hope in the final lines of the poem, as Kingsley reminds us of the eternal nature of the human soul, and the possibility of redemption and eternal life.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its vivid and evocative imagery. Kingsley's descriptions of the sea and the storm are particularly powerful, and create a vivid and immersive sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of repetition and refrain also adds to the intensity and emotional impact of the poem, as the reader is drawn deeper into the story of the three fishermen.

Another important aspect of the poem is its use of symbolism and metaphor. The sea, for example, is often used as a symbol of the unknowable and mysterious forces of nature, while the fishermen themselves can be seen as symbols of human fragility and mortality. The poem also contains a number of Biblical references and allusions, which add to its religious and spiritual themes.

Interpretation of the Poem

The Three Fishers is a poem that can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and worldview. At its core, however, the poem is a powerful meditation on the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death, as well as a celebration of faith and redemption in the face of tragedy and loss.

For some readers, the poem may be seen as a warning against the dangers of hubris and overconfidence, as the three fishermen are undone by their own arrogance and disregard for the warnings of others. For others, the poem may be a reminder of the power and mystery of the natural world, and the many dangers that we face as humans living in a world that is often beyond our understanding and control.

Still others may see the poem as an expression of religious faith and belief, as Kingsley draws on Biblical themes and imagery to explore the idea of redemption and eternal life. Ultimately, however, the power of the poem lies in its ability to speak to a universal human experience of loss and tragedy, and to provide comfort and hope in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

The Three Fishers is a poem of great power and beauty, and a testament to Charles Kingsley's skill as a poet and storyteller. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and poignant themes of tragedy, faith, and redemption, the poem speaks to the universal experience of human loss and the fragility of life, while also offering a message of hope and comfort in the face of adversity.

Whether read as a warning against hubris and overconfidence, a meditation on the power and mystery of nature, or a celebration of religious faith and redemption, The Three Fishers is a timeless and enduring work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Three Fishers: A Poetic Masterpiece by Charles Kingsley

The Three Fishers is a classic poem written by Charles Kingsley, a renowned English novelist, poet, and social reformer. The poem was first published in 1851 and has since become one of the most popular and beloved works of English literature. The Three Fishers is a poignant and powerful poem that tells the story of three fishermen who set out to sea and never return. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this timeless masterpiece.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the sea and the sky, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. Kingsley's use of imagery is masterful, as he paints a picture of the sea as both beautiful and dangerous. The opening lines of the poem read:

Three fishers went sailing out into the west, Out into the west as the sun went down; Each thought on the woman who loved him the best, And the children stood watching them out of the town;

These lines immediately draw the reader in, as we are introduced to the three fishermen and their loved ones. The poem is written in the third person, but we are given insight into the thoughts and feelings of each of the fishermen. We learn that each man is thinking of the woman he loves and the children he is leaving behind. This creates a sense of empathy and connection with the characters, as we can all relate to the idea of leaving loved ones behind.

As the poem continues, we learn that the three fishermen never return from their journey. The second stanza reads:

For men must work, and women must weep, And the sooner it's over, the sooner to sleep; And good-bye to the bar and its moaning.

These lines are particularly powerful, as they highlight the harsh realities of life. The idea that "men must work, and women must weep" is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that people make in order to survive. The line "the sooner it's over, the sooner to sleep" is a reference to death, and the idea that death is a release from the struggles of life. The final line, "good-bye to the bar and its moaning," is a reference to the sound of the sea, which is often described as moaning. This line is a reminder that the sea is both beautiful and dangerous, and that it can take lives as easily as it can give them.

The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it describes the aftermath of the fishermen's disappearance:

Oh, love is the crooked thing, There is nobody wise enough To find out all that is in it, For he would be thinking of love Till the stars had run away And the shadows eaten the moon.

These lines are a reflection on the power of love, and the way that it can consume us. The idea that "love is the crooked thing" is a reference to the fact that love is often unpredictable and can lead us down unexpected paths. The line "there is nobody wise enough to find out all that is in it" is a reminder that love is a mystery, and that we can never fully understand it. The final lines of the stanza are particularly powerful, as they describe the way that love can consume us to the point where we are lost in it.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the fishermen's fate:

Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower, And they trimmed the lamps as the sun went down; They looked at the squall, and they looked at the shower, And the night-rack came rolling up ragged and brown!

But men must work, and women must weep, Though storms be sudden, and waters deep, And the harbour-bar be moaning.

These lines are a reminder that life goes on, even in the face of tragedy. The three wives are left to mourn their husbands, but they must also continue to live their lives. The final lines of the poem are a repetition of the earlier lines, "men must work, and women must weep," which serves as a reminder that life is full of struggles and sacrifices.

In conclusion, The Three Fishers is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the harsh realities of life. Kingsley's use of imagery and symbolism is masterful, as he paints a vivid picture of the sea and the lives of the fishermen and their loved ones. The poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today, and serves as a reminder of the power of love and the fragility of life.

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