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I saw three ships go sailing by,
Over the sea, the lifting sea,
And the wind rose in the morning sky,
And one was rigged for a long journey.
a. Name the poem and poet.
b. What did the poet see?
c. How has the sea been described?
d. Explain "and one was rigged for a long journey."
a. The poem is 'The North Ship', and the poet is Philip Larkin.
b. The poet saw three ships sailing on the sea, each heading in a different direction.
c. The sea has been described in various ways – as the lifting sea, the running sea, the quaking sea, the darkening sea, the proud, unfruitful sea, and the unforgiving sea. This signifies the changing moods and conditions of the sea, reflecting its unpredictability and tumultuous nature.
d. The phrase "and one was rigged for a long journey" means that one of the three ships was equipped or prepared for a long voyage or journey. This line signifies the readiness of the ship to overcome all hurdles and challenges that might come its way during its journey.
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The first ship turned towards the west,
Over the sea, the running sea,
And by the wind was all possessed
And carried to a rich country.
a. In which direction did the first ship go?
b. How has the sea been described?
c. Where did the first ship go?
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Unlock now 🔓Draw a table in your book like the one below. It is a good idea to draw the column headings and fill in your answers for the first row before moving on to the next one. Your answers should be in note form but with enough detail for you to use them later on.
Ship | Where did it go? | What were the conditions at sea? | What happened to the ship? | Do you have any questions? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 'turned towards the west' 'to a rich country' | Windy; 'the running sea', 'wind' Wild: 'possessed' by the wind | Came back from 'a rich country 'happily or unhappily' | Which country? Happily? |
Second | ||||
Third |
Ship | Where did it go? | What were the conditions at sea? | What happened to the ship? | Do you have any questions? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 'turned towards the west' 'to a rich country' | Windy; 'the running sea', 'wind' Wild: 'possessed' by the wind | Came back from 'a rich country 'happily or unhappily' | Which country? Happily? |
Second | 'turned towards the east' | Choppy and stormy; 'Over the sea, the quaking sea' | The wind was so strong that it held the ship in place | Was it the wind or some other factor that made it anchor? |
Third | 'drove towards the north' | Stormy; 'over the sea, the darkening sea' No wind; 'but no breath of wind came forth' | It went far into an unforgiving sea under a fire-spilling star; it was built for a long journey | What happened to it? Why doesn't it return? Was it lost? |
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The wind seems to help the first ship because it 'carried' it to a rich country. What does the wind do to the second ship? How would you describe its actions?
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Unlock now 🔓How is 'the north' described in the fourth and fifth stanzas? What impression does the description create?
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Unlock now 🔓Who do you think the narrator is?
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Unlock now 🔓Where do you think the narrator is?
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Unlock now 🔓How does the third ship go 'wide and far' if there is 'no breath of wind' to sail with?
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Unlock now 🔓Over the sea, the quaking sea
And the wind hunted it like a beast....
i. What is referred to as the 'it' that is being hunted?
ii. What emotion is conveyed by the image of a 'quaking sea'?
iii. Which of the three statements best explains the presentation of the wind in these lines? Explain your choice.
The wind is presented as scared and quiet.
The wind is presented as frightening and violent.
The wind is presented as loud and hungry.
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Unlock now 🔓Into an unforgiving sea
Under a fire-spilling star...
i. Why might the sea seem 'unforgiving'?
ii. What do you think 'a fire-spilling star' is? Explain your ideas.
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Unlock now 🔓Is there a rhyming pattern in this poem? What is it?
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Unlock now 🔓Notice that the poet has used the word 'sea' as the last word of the second line of every stanza. Which words does the poet rhyme with 'sea'?
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Unlock now 🔓Poets often repeat words to highlight their importance to the message or meaning of a poem. Which words and phrases are repeated in the poem?
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Unlock now 🔓Look at these words from the poem. Discuss whether they are all linked. If so, how are they linked? Are there any that shouldn't be here?
ships
sailing
sea
rigged
wind
west
east
north
anchor
decks
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Unlock now 🔓Match the words below to their definitions and write them out in your book. Which of these could you add to the list above?
A | B |
|---|---|
lunchbox | A tool used for turning screws |
crow's-nest | A piece of wood used as a walkway |
screwdriver | A tool that shows where magnetic north is |
gangplank | A container used to store and carry a meal |
fruitcake | A hand-held telescope |
compass | A sweet treat made with berries, currants and raisins |
spyglass | A structure used a lookout post, usually high up on a mast |
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Unlock now 🔓Sign up to unlock Line-by-line explanation in Hindi and everything else
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Philip Larkin (1922-1985) was an English poet, novelist, and librarian often associated with the "Movement", a term coined by critics to describe a group of writers who rejected romanticism and embraced a more realistic and cynical view of the world. Larkin's poetry is known for its straightforward language, understated emotion, and strong sense of place. He often wrote about ordinary people in everyday situations, exploring themes of disillusionment, loneliness, and the inevitabilities of life, like death and ageing. Larkin was also famous for his wry humour and wit. Despite his pessimistic themes, his works resonate with a variety of audiences due to their universal applicability. Over the course of his career, Larkin received a number of awards, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry. He is considered one of the foremost British poets of the 20th century.
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Unlock now 🔓"The North Ship" dramatically depicts life's journey of mankind. Each ship represents a different path or course with varying experiences. While one may lead to wealth, another lands in adversity, while a third dares to forge its own brave and solitary.........
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Unlock now 🔓The Ships: In 'The North Ship', the three ships symbolise the different paths people take in life - varying courses with differing experiences that might lead to fortune, face adversity, or endure a long solitary journey.
Sea: The sea serves as a symbol of ...
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Unlock now 🔓Philip Larkin employs various poetic devices in "The North Ship":
Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme ABAB which adds rhythm and flow to the narration.
Repetition: The phrase "Over.........
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