1、The Rime of the Ancient Mariner p. 422,Form,Ballad Medieval form of poetry intended to be sung Narrative poem in short stanzas Uses repetition of words and sounds (alliteration and assonance) for dramatic effect Balladic effects enhance sense of spiritual stagnation/isolation,Form,Seven-Part Structu
2、re SevenBiblical number of completion Traces spiritual cycle of crime, punishment, redemption Mariner as Christ figurebringing spiritual truth to community,Form,Frame Narrative Provides credibility through real-world settingwedding feast Provides credibility through “everyman” characterwedding guest
3、,Form,Frame Narrative Provides credibility through real-world settingwedding feast Provides credibility through “everyman” characterwedding guest Introduces themes of central narrativecommunity vs. individualism/isolation,Central Narrative: Setting,Community Village and church Spiritual and physical
4、 communion left behind Individual ambition vs. community,Setting,Stormy Sea Drives ship to South Pole Spiritual turmoil leading to isolation,Setting,AntarcticSouth Pole Cold, ice Isolation Stagnation,Setting,Equator Hot, withering Thirst Stagnation,Setting,Return to Community and Broader World Pilot
5、 and Pilots Boyhorrors of human evil Hermitpersonal expiation Tale told from “land to land”human redemption, community,Characters/Creatures,Albatross Bird of good omen for sailors Rescues ship from isolation Symbolizes redemptive force of community Christ symbollove and sacrifice,Characters/Creature
6、s,Why did the Mariner kill the Albatross? Jealousy? Selfish ambition/desire for independence? Defiance of God and community? Irrational, destructive act representing human capacity for evil,Characters/Creatures,Ships Crew Blame Mariner Blame Albatross Represent Mariners guilt, isolationhuman guilt,
7、isolation,Characters/Creatures,Death and Life-In-Death Sunset/Darknessapproaching spiritual death Curse in dead crewmens eyesguilt Life-In-Deathpunishment for willful isolation,Characters/Creatures,Water Snakes/Ocean Creatures Mariner recognizes he is not alone Represent love & community of all living things Bring spiritual communion (blessing, prayer) and redemption,Characters/Creatures,Angelic Spirits Animate bodies of dead crewmen Return ship to community Light imageryspiritual enlightenment Represent desire for community, recognition of unity with Gods creation,
