YEAR 12 LESSON THIRTY-FIVE [6th Feb 15]: Homework

Today's session considered the essay question 'How does Coleridge tell the story in the final section of the pom?', before moving into a consideration of an even numbered question. The question was:
Coleridge has described this poem as a work of 'pure imagination'?
To what extent do you agree with this assessment of TROTAM?
The class discussion linked to both questions was superb. The 'pure imagination' question is interesting as this famous phrase suggests that Coleridge did not shape any specific meaning when constructing his epic narrative. The content of the class discussion attempted to shape a response that argued that it is possible to view the poem as a very clear didactic Christian Fable rather than a shapeless and ambiguous narrative. Below is a summary of some of the comments:

• The poem deals with crime and punishment. The crime is the killing of The Albatross. The Albatross is greeted 'As if it was a Christian soul, We hailed it in God's name.' The Mariner describes his action as a 'hellish thing'.Coleridge offers a Christian narrative framework that is reinforced in the final section with 'He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small;For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all.' The Mariner receives his punishment because he fails to understand that ALL God's creatures are worthy of respect. The link to spiritual isolation is reinforced in the fourth section when The Mariner is unable to prey and then is reconnected after he perceives beauty in the, 'slimy things...water snakes,' and 'blessed them unaware'. Furthermore The Mariner states: 'And I had done an hellish thing.' This reconnection is symbolised with The Albatross falling from The Mariner's neck.

• The Christian framework is reinforced with the hellish imagery that faces The Mariner in 'the silent sea'. The sea is so hot that 'the very deep did rot' and 'slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea....death-fires danced at night..like witch's oils.' This environment seems to be a location that defies the laws of movement, light and sound as the skeleton ship is first described as 'a mist' that moves 'Without a breeze, without a tide.' It is a terrifying place within which The Mariner endures incredible suffering. The unbearable heat and strange creatures allow Coleridge to create a hellish environment. Is this a form of purgatory? Is The Mariner being purified before being allowed to enter heaven?

• The idea that TROTAM offers a Christian narrative is reinforced due to the symmetry between the punishment of The Mariner and the biblical tale of Cain and Abel. This is the first murder in the Bible and God punishes Cain by cursing him and placing 'the mark of Cain' upon him to warn others that killing Cain would provoke the vengeance of God. God provides Cain with a supernatural identity that ensures that he will suffer. Cain is 'the eternal wanderer' and is forced to walk the earth. SEE THE LINK?

• When we meet next week we will entertain some readings of TROTAM that move beyond the Christian framework and I will offer a selection of critical opinions that have been inspired by this poem.

HOMEWORK: Complete the essay:
HOW DOES COLERIDGE TELL THE STORY IN THE FINAL SECTION OF TROTAM?
Read/Listen to the poem and prepare for Tuesday's lesson. We will be discussing the 'pure imagination' question and we MAY attempt this task as a timed essay!!

Toodle Pip.