BREAK BREAK BREAK

 

"Break, Break, Break" by Alfred Lord Tennyson

 Understanding the Poem

1. Who or what is being addressed in the first line?

The sea is being addressed in the first line as the speaker says, "Break, break, break, On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!"

2. In the first stanza, what does the speaker wish he could do? What does it say about his state of mind?

The speaker wishes he could "utter / The thoughts that arise in me," meaning he wishes he could express his deep feelings and grief. This shows he is troubled, overwhelmed by sorrow, and finds it hard to communicate his emotions.

3. Look at the second and third stanzas. What has been described and what is it in contrast to? How does the contrast sharpen the emotions in the poem?

The second and third stanzas describe the fisherman’s boy playing with his sister, the sailor singing, and stately ships going to their haven—all normal, joyful activities of everyday life. This is in sharp contrast to the poet’s own grief and longing. The contrast makes the speaker’s sorrow more intense because life goes on happily for others while he is stuck in mourning.2.jpg

4. "Will never come back to me." What will never come back to the speaker? Why?

The "tender grace of a day that is dead"—the happiness, companionship, and gentle presence of his dear friend who has died—will never return to the speaker, as death is final and those moments are lost forever.

5. What is the difference between sadness and grief? What are the lines that bring out the grief of the speaker? Underline them.

• Sadness is a feeling of sorrow, while grief is much deeper and more intense, often caused by a great loss.
• The lines that show the speaker’s grief include:
• "O, for the touch of a vanish’d hand, / And the sound of a voice that is still!"
• "But the tender grace of a day that is dead / Will never come back to me."

6. How does the poem show that life and nature go on despite what happens to human beings? How is this idea linked to the sea?

While the poet grieves, the sea continues to break on the stones, the fisherman’s boy and sailor lad continue their daily activities, and ships sail on. This shows life and nature are indifferent to individual sorrow, just as the relentless sea keeps moving regardless of human pain.

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Appreciating the Poem

1. This poem uses personification in the first stanza. Which thing is given human qualities and how?

The sea is personified as if it can act and feel, being addressed directly as "O Sea!" and described as breaking on the stones—almost as if it has intent or will.

2. Which words have been repeated in the poem? What effect does the repetition produce?

The word "break" is repeated at the beginning and end, emphasizing the relentless, never-ending motion of the waves and reflecting the endless nature of the poet’s grief.

3.

a. Which words, phrases, or lines express sadness and longing?

• "O, for the touch of a vanish’d hand, And the sound of a voice that is still!"
• "But the tender grace of a day that is dead / Will never come back to me."
  These express a deep longing for someone lost and a sadness that cannot be overcome.

b. Which stanza captures a different mood—one of joy and light-heartedness?

The stanza that talks about the fisherman’s boy shouting with his sister and the sailor lad singing in his boat captures a lighter, joyful mood, in contrast to the poet’s grief.

4. Silence—or the inability to speak—has been mentioned twice in this poem. Who are the two people who cannot speak? Why?

• The poet himself cannot express his grief (“I would that my tongue could utter”).
• The friend's “voice that is still” (because the friend has died).
  Both are silent: the poet from being overwhelmed by grief, and the friend because of death.