Poem Analysis - What Says The Sea Little Shell

Initial Impression and Tone

Stephen Crane's "What Says The Sea, Little Shell" presents a haunting and introspective dialogue between a shell and the sea, with the pines serving as intermediaries. The poem's tone is melancholic and somewhat ominous, shifting between a sense of foreboding and a call for patience and unity. The repetition of phrases and the use of the sea as a mysterious, silent entity create a sense of isolation and longing for understanding. The mood oscillates between sorrow and a gentle, almost spiritual, instruction.

Themes of Isolation and Communication

The poem explores the theme of isolation through the silent sea and the pines that are addressed but seemingly ignored. The sea is described as keeping its message for the ships, which are labeled as awkward, stupid, puny, and silly. This suggests a sense of disconnection and the futility of communication. The pines are instructed to mourn and teach, but the sea ultimately offers no word of reward or recognition, emphasizing the isolation of the pines and the sea's indifference. The repetition of the phrase Long has our brother been silent to us reinforces this theme, highlighting the prolonged absence of meaningful communication.

Themes of Mortality and Suffering

The theme of mortality and suffering is evident in the sea's message of doom and the land where endless falls a rain of womens tears. The imagery of men in grey robes chanting the unknown pain adds to the sense of a grim, unknowable fate. This theme is further emphasized by the sea's instruction to the pines to sing low in the moonlight, a time often associated with reflection and sorrow. The poem suggests a world where suffering is inevitable and communication about it is elusive, contributing to a sense of existential dread.

Symbolism of the Sea and the Pines

The sea serves as a powerful symbol of mystery and silence. It is personified as a brother who has been silent, keeping its messages for the ships, which are portrayed as inadequate recipients. The sea's silence and the pines' inability to fully understand or communicate with it highlight the theme of isolation. The pines, in turn, symbolize resilience and instruction. They are told to mourn and teach, suggesting a role of endurance and guidance despite the lack of clear communication from the sea. The gold of patience and the gospel of gentle hands are symbols of virtue and perseverance, contrasting with the sea's enigmatic and often grim messages.

Conclusion and Final Insight

The poem "What Says The Sea, Little Shell" by Stephen Crane delves into themes of isolation, mortality, and the struggle for meaningful communication. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Crane creates a haunting narrative that reflects on the human condition and the search for understanding in a world that often seems indifferent. The sea's silence and the pines' role as intermediaries underscore the poem's exploration of isolation and the quest for connection. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the enduring human spirit in the face of uncertainty and suffering.