Summary:
“Crossing the Bar” is a short yet profound poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in 1889. The poem serves as a meditation on death, presenting it as a peaceful journey rather than something to be feared. Tennyson uses the metaphor of a ship setting sail at sunset, crossing the “bar” (a sandbar at the entrance of a harbor), which symbolizes the transition from life to death.
The speaker expresses a hope for a calm and smooth departure, free from sadness. He envisions meeting “the Pilot”—a likely reference to God or a guiding force—after his death. The poem’s themes include acceptance of mortality, the afterlife, and the natural cycle of life and death. The tone is serene, accepting, and hopeful, reflecting a sense of peace rather than sorrow.
MCQs:
- Who is the author of Crossing the Bar?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Robert Browning
C) Alfred, Lord Tennyson
D) John Keats
Answer: C) Alfred, Lord Tennyson - What does “crossing the bar” symbolize in the poem?
A) A journey across the ocean
B) The transition from life to death
C) Overcoming obstacles in life
D) A religious pilgrimage
Answer: B) The transition from life to death - What natural event is used as a metaphor for death in the poem?
A) A storm
B) A sunrise
C) A sunset and the tide going out
D) A bird flying away
Answer: C) A sunset and the tide going out
Crossing the Bar - Who is “the Pilot” mentioned in the poem?
A) A ship captain
B) A religious leader
C) A representation of God or a guiding force
D) A lost sailor
Answer: C) A representation of God or a guiding force - What is the speaker’s attitude towards death?
A) Fearful and anxious
B) Calm and accepting
C) Angry and resentful
D) Confused and uncertain
Answer: B) Calm and accepting - Which poetic device is most prominently used in the poem?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Hyperbole
D) Personification
Answer: B) Metaphor - What does the “evening bell” symbolize in the poem?
A) The end of a storm
B) The beginning of a journey
C) The end of life
D) A call to prayer
Answer: C) The end of life - What is the poem’s tone?
A) Melancholic and sorrowful
B) Hopeful and peaceful
C) Angry and bitter
D) Nostalgic and regretful
Answer: B) Hopeful and peaceful - Why did Tennyson request that Crossing the Bar be placed at the end of his poetry collections?
A) Because it was his final poem
B) Because it serves as his farewell message
C) Because it was his favorite poem
D) Because it was his most famous work
Answer: B) Because it serves as his farewell message - What literary movement was Tennyson a part of?
A) Romanticism
B) Victorian poetry
C) Modernism
D) Renaissance poetry
Answer: B) Victorian poetry
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Crossing the Bar |
| Author | Alfred, Lord Tennyson |
| Year Written | 1889 |
| Main Themes | Death, acceptance, the afterlife, peace |
| Poetic Devices | Metaphor, imagery, symbolism |
| Symbolism | The sea = life; the bar = transition to death |
| Tone | Serene, hopeful, accepting |
| Mentioned Figure | “The Pilot” (God or a divine guide) |
| Tennyson’s Wish | Placed at the end of all his poetry collections |