Poem " Break Break Break"
BY Lord Alfred TennysonNational Book Foundation (11h Class - Federal Board)
Original Readings
Break, Break, Break,On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!And would that my tongue could utterThe thoughts that arise in me.
O, well for the fisherman's boy,That he shouts with his sister at play!O, well for the sailor lad,That he sings in his boat on the bay!
And the stately ships go onTo their haven under the hill;But O for the touch of a vanished hand,And the sound of a voice that is still!
Break, break, break,At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!But the tender grace of a day that is deadWill never come back to me.
**********************************************
Student-friendly and Examination-oriented stanza-wise paraphrasing line by line and in a paragraph of the poem Break Break Break, by Lord Alfred Tennyson:
Stanza 1 - Original TextBreak, Break, Break,On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!And would that my tongue could utterThe thoughts that arise in me.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1 line by line:
1. “Break, break, break,”→ The poet watches the sea waves continuously crashing against the rocks.
2. “On thy cold gray stones, O Sea!”→ He addresses the sea, describing its stones as cold and gray, matching his sad mood.
3. “And would that my tongue could utter”→ The poet wishes he could express his feelings in words—
4. “The thoughts that arise in me.”→ —the deep and sorrowful feelings that are stirring in his heart.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-1 in a paragraph:
In this stanza, the poet watches the sea waves crashing again and again against the cold, gray stones on the shore. He is deeply moved by the scene and wishes he could express the thoughts and emotions rising in his heart. However, his sorrow is so great that he cannot put his feelings into words. The waves seem to reflect his inner grief and sadness.
Stanza 2 - Original TextO, well for the fisherman's boy,That he shouts with his sister at play!O, well for the sailor lad,That he sings in his boat on the bay!
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2 line by line:
5. “O, well for the fisherman’s boy,”→ The poet observes a fisherman’s boy who seems happy and carefree.6. “That he shouts with his sister at play!”→ The boy joyfully plays and shouts with his sister without any sorrow. — a picture of innocence and happiness.7. “O, well for the sailor lad,”→ Similarly, the young sailor also seems to enjoy his life.8. “That he sings in his boat on the bay!”→ The sailor sings cheerfully while sailing in his boat on the bay. — another image of simple contentment.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-2 in a paragraph:
In this stanza the poet notices that while he is filled with sorrow, others around him are happy and carefree. He sees the fisherman’s boy joyfully playing and shouting with his sister and the young sailor singing cheerfully in his boat sailing on the bay. These sights remind the poet of the simple joys of life that he can no longer share because of his grief and loss.
Stanza 3 - Original TextAnd the stately ships go onTo their haven under the hill;But O for the touch of a vanished hand,And the sound of a voice that is still!
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3 line by line:
9. “And the stately ships go on”→ The poet watches the grand, and majestic ships continue to sail calmly across the sea.10. “To their haven under the hill;”→ They move toward their harbor safely, beneath a hill — symbolizing steady progress in life.11. “But O for the touch of a vanished hand,”→ The poet grieves for the touch of a hand that is now gone—someone he has lost.12. “And the sound of a voice that is still!”→ He also grieves upon hearing the voice of the person who will never speak again.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-3 in a paragraph:
The poet then observes the grand ships sailing smoothly toward their harbor beneath the hill. Life around him continues as usual, but his heart aches for the touch of a loved one’s hand and the sound of a voice that he will never hear again. This part expresses the poet’s deep sense of personal loss and longing for someone who has passed away.
Stanza 4 - Original TextBreak, break, break,At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!But the tender grace of a day that is deadWill never come back to me.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-4 line by line:
13. “Break, break, break,”Once again, the poet watches the waves endlessly crashing against the rocks.14. “At the foot of thy crags, O Sea!”The sea continues to strike against the rocky cliffs below.
15. “But the tender grace of a day that is dead”He sadly reflects that the gentle beauty of the past days—when his loved one was alive—has gone forever.16. “Will never come back to me.”He mourns that those happy moments will never return; his loss is permanent.
Simple and easy paraphrasing of stanza-4 in a paragraph:
In the final stanza, the poet again addresses that the sea waves keep breaking endlessly at the foot of the rocky cliffs, the poet realizes that the beauty and happiness of the past are gone forever. The tender grace of those lost moments and the presence of his loved one will never return. The poem ends on a note of sadness and acceptance, showing how time and nature move on, but human loss remains painful and unforgettable.
Meaning of Crag:"Crags" refer to steep, rugged rocks or cliffs. In the poem's context, "crags" are the rough, rocky parts of the shoreline against which the sea is crashing.
*************************************
The Summary of " Break Break Break" by Lord Alfred Tennyson
In "Break, Break, Break," Tennyson reflects on the sea's unceasing waves crashing against the rocks, expressing a wish that he could convey the deep emotions he feels. He contrasts the joy of others—like the fisherman’s son playing and the sailor singing—with his own longing for the presence of someone who has passed away. Despite the ongoing movement of ships and the relentless waves, the poet laments that the gentle beauty of the past cannot return.
2. The poem “Break, Break, Break” by Lord Alfred Tennyson expresses the poet’s deep sorrow and sense of loss over the death of a loved one. As he stands by the seashore watching the waves crash against the gray rocks, he feels unable to express the sadness that fills his heart. The joyful shouts of the fisherman’s boy and the sailor singing in his boat remind him of the happiness that others still enjoy, while he remains lost in grief. Watching the ships sail peacefully to their harbor, he realizes that life continues even after great loss. The poet mourns the absence of the beloved hand he can never touch again and the voice he will never hear. In the end, he sadly accepts that those beautiful and tender moments of the past will never return. The poem beautifully conveys the theme of human grief, the permanence of loss, and the contrast between the eternal movement of nature and the stillness of death.
***************************************
The central idea/main theme of the Poem " Break Break Break" by Lord Alfred Tennyson
1. The central idea/main theme of the poem "Break, Break, Break" by Lord Alfred Tennyson is the poet's expression of grief and longing for the past. He contrasts the joyful and lively moments of others, like children playing and sailors singing, with his own sorrow over the absence of a loved one. Despite the ongoing movement and activity around him, he mourns the loss of a loved one and laments that the beautiful and tender moments of the past are forever gone and cannot be reclaimed.
2. The central idea/main theme of the poem “Break, Break, Break” by Lord Alfred Tennyson is grief, loss, and the unchanging course of nature. The poet expresses his deep sorrow over the death of a loved one and his painful realization that time and life move on, even when one’s heart is broken. The restless waves of the sea symbolize the eternal flow of nature, while the poet’s still heart represents human helplessness in the face of death. The poem also contrasts the poet’s sadness with the carefree joy of others, showing that personal sorrow can make the happiness of the world seem distant and unreachable.
*************************************
Short Questions and Answers of the poem “Break, Break, Break” by Lord Alfred Tennyson
Q1. Who is the poet of the poem “Break, Break, Break”?
Ans: The poem “Break, Break, Break” is written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Q2. What is the central theme of the poem?
Ans: The central theme of the poem is grief and loss. The poet expresses his deep sorrow over the death of a loved one and the pain of realizing that the past happiness will never return.
Q3. What does the poet watch at the beginning of the poem?
Ans: The poet watches the sea waves breaking continuously upon the cold gray stones of the shore.
Q4. What feelings arise in the poet’s heart?
Ans: The poet feels deep sadness and longing as he remembers his lost loved one.
Q5. How does the poet contrast his sorrow with others’ happiness?
Ans: The poet contrasts his sadness with the joyful play of the fisherman’s children and the singing sailor, showing that others are happy while he remains sorrowful.
Q6. What do the “stately ships” symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The “stately ships” symbolize life moving forward and the world continuing as usual, even though the poet’s personal life is filled with grief.
Q7. What does the poet miss the most?
Ans: The poet misses the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still, referring to his dear friend who has died.
Q8. What does the sea symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The sea symbolizes the eternal and powerful forces of nature that continue endlessly, unlike human life which is short and fragile.
Q9. What message does the poem convey?
Ans: The poem conveys the message that death brings permanent separation, and no one can bring back the beauty and tenderness of the days that are gone.
Q1. Who is the poet of the poem “Break, Break, Break”?
Ans: The poem “Break, Break, Break” is written by Lord Alfred Tennyson.
Q2. What is the central theme of the poem?
Ans: The central theme of the poem is grief and loss. The poet expresses his deep sorrow over the death of a loved one and the pain of realizing that the past happiness will never return.
Q3. What does the poet watch at the beginning of the poem?
Ans: The poet watches the sea waves breaking continuously upon the cold gray stones of the shore.
Q4. What feelings arise in the poet’s heart?
Ans: The poet feels deep sadness and longing as he remembers his lost loved one.
Q5. How does the poet contrast his sorrow with others’ happiness?
Ans: The poet contrasts his sadness with the joyful play of the fisherman’s children and the singing sailor, showing that others are happy while he remains sorrowful.
Q6. What do the “stately ships” symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The “stately ships” symbolize life moving forward and the world continuing as usual, even though the poet’s personal life is filled with grief.
Q7. What does the poet miss the most?
Ans: The poet misses the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still, referring to his dear friend who has died.
Q8. What does the sea symbolize in the poem?
Ans: The sea symbolizes the eternal and powerful forces of nature that continue endlessly, unlike human life which is short and fragile.
Q9. What message does the poem convey?
Ans: The poem conveys the message that death brings permanent separation, and no one can bring back the beauty and tenderness of the days that are gone.
Long Answer Questions and Answers of the poem “Break, Break, Break” by Lord Alfred Tennyson
Q1. Describe how Lord Alfred Tennyson expresses his feelings of sorrow and loss in the poem “Break, Break, Break.”
Answer:
In the poem “Break, Break, Break”, Lord Alfred Tennyson expresses his deep sorrow and grief over the death of a loved one. Standing by the seashore, he watches the waves constantly breaking on the cold gray stones and feels that the sea’s endless motion reflects the pain in his own heart. He wishes he could express the thoughts and emotions that rise within him, but his grief is too great for words.
As he looks around, the poet notices the happiness of others — the fisherman’s boy playing joyfully with his sister and the young sailor singing cheerfully in his boat. These scenes of joy and life remind him of the peace and happiness he has lost forever. The contrast between their carefree laughter and his deep sadness makes his loss feel even greater.
The poet also observes the majestic ships sailing smoothly toward the harbor under the hill. This shows that nature and life continue as usual, even though his own world has been shattered by the loss of someone dear. He longs for “the touch of a vanished hand” and “the sound of a voice that is still,” expressing his deep desire to once again feel the presence of the person who has died.
In the final stanza, as the waves continue to break on the rocks, the poet realizes that the gentle beauty of the past — “the tender grace of a day that is dead” — will never return. Through simple yet powerful imagery, Tennyson captures the eternal pain of human loss and the truth that life goes on despite personal grief. The poem beautifully expresses universal emotions of love, longing, and the heartache of losing someone forever.
Q2. What is the symbolic significance of the sea in the poem “Break, Break, Break”? Explain how it reflects the poet’s emotions.
Answer:
symbol of nature’s eternity and human sorrow
Q3. How does Tennyson contrast his personal grief with the joy and happiness of others in the poem “Break, Break, Break”?
Answer:
fisherman’s boy shouting and playing with his sister
Poetic Devices / Figures of Speech in “Break, Break, Break”
1. Alliteration
Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words.
🔹 Example: “Break, Break, Break”
→ The repetition of the ‘b’ sound gives a musical rhythm and emphasizes the crashing sound of the waves.
🔹 Example: “stately ships”
→ The repeated ‘s’ sound creates smoothness, matching the calm movement of the ships.
Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words.
🔹 Example: “Break, Break, Break”
→ The repetition of the ‘b’ sound gives a musical rhythm and emphasizes the crashing sound of the waves.
🔹 Example: “stately ships”
→ The repeated ‘s’ sound creates smoothness, matching the calm movement of the ships.
2. Repetition
A word or phrase is repeated for emphasis and rhythm.
🔹 Example: “Break, Break, Break”
→ The repeated word “Break” shows the continuous motion of the waves and the poet’s repeated feelings of pain and helplessness.
A word or phrase is repeated for emphasis and rhythm.
🔹 Example: “Break, Break, Break”
→ The repeated word “Break” shows the continuous motion of the waves and the poet’s repeated feelings of pain and helplessness.
3. Personification
Giving human qualities to non-human things.
🔹 Example: “O Sea!”
→ The sea is directly addressed as if it can hear and respond to the poet’s emotions.
→ The sea is treated like a living being capable of understanding sorrow.
Giving human qualities to non-human things.
🔹 Example: “O Sea!”
→ The sea is directly addressed as if it can hear and respond to the poet’s emotions.
→ The sea is treated like a living being capable of understanding sorrow.
4. Imagery
The use of vivid and descriptive language to appeal to the senses.
🔹 Example: “Cold gray stones,” “stately ships go on to their haven under the hill”
→ These lines help the reader clearly imagine the scene of the seashore, the ships, and the breaking waves.
The use of vivid and descriptive language to appeal to the senses.
🔹 Example: “Cold gray stones,” “stately ships go on to their haven under the hill”
→ These lines help the reader clearly imagine the scene of the seashore, the ships, and the breaking waves.
5. Metaphor
A direct comparison between two unlike things.
🔹 The breaking of the waves is a metaphor for the poet’s breaking heart and grief.
→ It symbolizes his emotional pain and the constant turmoil of his sorrow.
A direct comparison between two unlike things.
🔹 The breaking of the waves is a metaphor for the poet’s breaking heart and grief.
→ It symbolizes his emotional pain and the constant turmoil of his sorrow.
6. Contrast
The poet contrasts his grief with the joy of others.
🔹 Example: The fisherman’s boy and sailor lad are happy, while the poet is full of sadness.
→ This contrast shows that life goes on for others, but not for the one who has lost someone dear.
The poet contrasts his grief with the joy of others.
🔹 Example: The fisherman’s boy and sailor lad are happy, while the poet is full of sadness.
→ This contrast shows that life goes on for others, but not for the one who has lost someone dear.
7. Symbolism
Objects or elements in the poem represent deeper meanings.
🔹 The sea symbolizes eternity and the power of nature.
🔹 The waves symbolize grief and the endless flow of emotions.
🔹 The vanished hand and still voice symbolize death and loss.
Objects or elements in the poem represent deeper meanings.
🔹 The sea symbolizes eternity and the power of nature.
🔹 The waves symbolize grief and the endless flow of emotions.
🔹 The vanished hand and still voice symbolize death and loss.
8. Apostrophe
When the poet addresses someone or something that cannot respond.
🔹 Example: “O Sea!”
→ The poet speaks to the sea as though it were a living listener, expressing his grief and loneliness.
When the poet addresses someone or something that cannot respond.
🔹 Example: “O Sea!”
→ The poet speaks to the sea as though it were a living listener, expressing his grief and loneliness.
9. Enjambment
When a line of poetry continues without pause into the next line.
🔹 Example:
“And would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me.”
→ The thought flows naturally from one line to the next, showing the poet’s emotional overflow.
When a line of poetry continues without pause into the next line.
🔹 Example:
“And would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me.”
→ The thought flows naturally from one line to the next, showing the poet’s emotional overflow.
10. Tone
tone
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) of the poem “Break, Break, Break” by Lord Alfred Tennyson:
1. Who wrote the poem “Break, Break, Break”?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Lord Alfred Tennyson
C) Robert Frost
D) John Keats
✅ Answer: B) Lord Alfred Tennyson
2. What is the poem mainly about?
A) The beauty of the sea
B) A fisherman’s daily life
C) The poet’s sorrow over a loss
D) The joy of childhood
✅ Answer: C) The poet’s sorrow over a loss
3. What do the waves breaking on the shore represent?
A) The power of nature
B) The poet’s anger
C) The sound of music
D) The end of the world
✅ Answer: A) The power of nature
4. What does the poet long for in the poem?
A) Wealth and fame
B) The return of his loved one
C) Peace of the sea
D) A new beginning
✅ Answer: B) The return of his loved one
5. What does the “vanished hand” refer to?
A) A ghostly figure
B) The hand of a lost friend or loved one
C) The movement of the sea
D) The fisherman’s hand
✅ Answer: B) The hand of a lost friend or loved one
6. What tone runs throughout the poem?
A) Joyful and playful
B) Angry and bitter
C) Sad and mournful
D) Excited and hopeful
✅ Answer: C) Sad and mournful
7. What does the phrase “tender grace of a day that is dead” mean?
A) A dead person’s kindness
B) The beauty of the past that will never return
C) The calmness of the sea
D) The joy of childhood games
✅ Answer: B) The beauty of the past that will never return
1. Who wrote the poem “Break, Break, Break”?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Lord Alfred Tennyson
C) Robert Frost
D) John Keats
✅ Answer: B) Lord Alfred Tennyson
2. What is the poem mainly about?
A) The beauty of the sea
B) A fisherman’s daily life
C) The poet’s sorrow over a loss
D) The joy of childhood
✅ Answer: C) The poet’s sorrow over a loss
3. What do the waves breaking on the shore represent?
A) The power of nature
B) The poet’s anger
C) The sound of music
D) The end of the world
✅ Answer: A) The power of nature
4. What does the poet long for in the poem?
A) Wealth and fame
B) The return of his loved one
C) Peace of the sea
D) A new beginning
✅ Answer: B) The return of his loved one
5. What does the “vanished hand” refer to?
A) A ghostly figure
B) The hand of a lost friend or loved one
C) The movement of the sea
D) The fisherman’s hand
✅ Answer: B) The hand of a lost friend or loved one
6. What tone runs throughout the poem?
A) Joyful and playful
B) Angry and bitter
C) Sad and mournful
D) Excited and hopeful
✅ Answer: C) Sad and mournful
7. What does the phrase “tender grace of a day that is dead” mean?
A) A dead person’s kindness
B) The beauty of the past that will never return
C) The calmness of the sea
D) The joy of childhood games
✅ Answer: B) The beauty of the past that will never return
0 Comments
Note: Write me in the comments box below for any queries and also Share this information with your class-fellows and friends.