The Sea - Poem by James Reeves – Paraphrasing, Central Idea, Summary Poetic devices, Questions, MCQs

The Sea - Poem by James Reeves – Paraphrasing, Central Idea, Summary Poetic devices, Questions, MCQs

“The Sea" by James Reeves 

describes the sea as a giant, hungry dog. Through this comparison, the poet shows how the sea can be fierce and noisy during storms, yet calm and quiet on peaceful summer days, highlighting its powerful and changing nature.

1. Original Readings:

The sea is a hungry dog, 
Giant and grey. 
He rolls on the beach all day. 
With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws 
Hour upon hour he gnaws 
The rumbling, tumbling stones, 
And 'Bones, bones, bones, bones! ' 
The giant sea-dog moans, 
Licking his greasy paws. 

And when the night wind roars 
And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud, 
He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs, 
Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs, 
And howls and hollos long and loud. 

But on quiet days in May or June, 
When even the grasses on the dune 
Play no more their reedy tune, 
With his head between his paws 
He lies on the sandy shores, 
So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores. 


2. Paraphrasing of the poem (an ode) “The Sea" by James Reeves Line by line:

Stanza 1

1. “The sea is a hungry dog, / Giant and grey.”
The poet compares the sea to a huge, grey dog that is always hungry. This is a metaphor showing the sea’s power and restlessness.

2. “He rolls on the beach all day.”
He describes that the sea waves keep moving and rolling on the shore continuously, just like a dog rolling on the ground.

3. “With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws / Hour upon hour he gnaws”
He describes the sea’s waves as continuously hitting and breaking the stones on the shore, like a dog chewing with its strong, rough jaws without stopping.

4. “The rumbling, tumbling stones,”
He says that the waves make the stones on the shore move and crash noisily, rolling over one another like they are tumbling.

5. “And ‘Bones, bones, bones, bones!’ / The giant sea-dog moans,”
He compares the sound of the stones being tossed by the waves to a dog chewing bone, while the sea itself moans loudly like a giant dog.

6. “Licking his greasy paws.”
He compares the waves sliding back over the wet sand to a dog licking its paws after a meal.

Stanza 2

7. “And when the night wind roars / And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud,”
The poet describes a stormy night when strong winds blow loudly and the moon appears to move behind dark, fast-moving clouds.

8. “He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs,”
He means that the sea suddenly becomes active and violent, like an excited dog jumping up and sniffing the air.

9. “Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs,”
He describes the sea crashing violently against the cliffs, splashing water everywhere like a dog shaking its wet body.

10. “And howls and hollos long and loud.”
He explains that the sea makes loud, roaring, and frightening sounds during the storm, like a dog howling loudly.

Stanza 3

11. “But on quiet days in May or June,”
 The poet says that during calm summer days, the sea becomes peaceful and quiet.

12. “When even the grasses on the dune / Play no more their reedy tune,”

He says that even the grass on the sand dunes becomes still and stops making sound, showing that the wind has died down and nature has become completely silent.

13. “With his head between his paws / He lies on the sandy shores,”
He describes the sea as resting calmly like a dog lying on the sandy shore with its head placed between its paws.

14. “So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores.”
He emphasizes that the sea becomes extremely calm and almost completely silent, making only the faintest sound.


3. Stanza-wise paraphrasing of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves in a paragraph:

Stanza 1

Original Text:
The sea is a hungry dog,
Giant and grey.
He rolls on the beach all day.
With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws
Hour upon hour he gnaws
The rumbling, tumbling stones,
And 'Bones, bones, bones, bones!'
The giant sea-dog moans,
Licking his greasy paws

Paraphrasing:

In this stanza, the poet compares the sea to a huge, grey dog that is always hungry. He describes how the waves roll continuously along the shore all day, hitting and breaking the stones like a dog chewing with its strong teeth and rough jaws. The stones tumble and rumble noisily, making sounds like bones being chewed, while the sea itself moans deeply and then retreats, sliding back over the sand like a dog licking its paws. This vivid imagery shows the sea’s power, restlessness, and constant movement.

Stanza 2

Original Text:
And when the night wind roars
And the moon rocks in the stormy cloud,
He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs,
Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs,
And howls and hollos long and loud

Paraphrasing:

In the second stanza, the poet depicts the sea during a stormy night. When strong winds blow and the moon moves behind fast, dark clouds, the sea becomes violent and energetic, like a dog jumping up and sniffing the air. The waves crash against the cliffs, shaking and splashing water everywhere, while the roaring and hollering sounds of the sea are compared to a dog howling loudly. This stanza emphasizes the sea’s wild, fierce, and uncontrollable nature.

Stanza 3

Original Text:
But on quiet days in May or June,
When even the grasses on the dune
Play no more their reedy tune,
With his head between his paws
He lies on the sandy shores,
So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores

Paraphrasing:

In the final stanza, the poet describes the sea on calm summer days. When even the grass on the sand dunes is still and silent, the sea rests peacefully, like a dog lying down with its head between its paws. It becomes so quiet that it hardly makes any sound at all. This stanza presents the gentle, calm, and serene side of the sea, contrasting sharply with its violent nature during storms.

4. Central Ideas of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. The central idea of the poem “The Sea” by James Reeves is that the sea is a powerful and living entity, comparing it to a huge, hungry dog. The poet describes its ever-changing moods: during storms, it becomes violent and fierce, crashing against cliffs, gnawing stones, and roaring like a giant dog, showing its uncontrollable strength. On calm days in May or June, however, the sea lies quietly on the sandy shores, resting peacefully with hardly a sound, just like a dog lying with its head between its paws. Through vivid imagery, personification, and metaphors, Reeves presents the sea as restless yet beautiful, dangerous yet gentle. The poem highlights the contrast between fury and tranquillity in nature, emphasizing both the majesty and unpredictability of the sea. Overall, it reminds readers of the power, movement, and changing character of nature, celebrating the awe-inspiring force and serene beauty of the sea.

2. The central idea of the poem “The Sea” by James Reeves is that the sea is a powerful, living force, like a huge, hungry dog. The poet shows how it behaves with contrasting moods: at times it is violent, roaring, and destructive, crashing on the shore, gnawing stones, and howling during storms, while at other times it becomes calm, quiet, and gentle, lying peacefully on the sandy shores. By comparing the sea to a dog and using vivid imagery, personification, and sound effects, Reeves captures its restless, ever-changing nature. The poem emphasizes both the strength and beauty of the sea, highlighting its dominance over nature and its unpredictable, awe-inspiring character.


5. Summary of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. In the poem “The Sea”, James Reeves compares the sea to a huge, hungry dog to show that it is powerful and full of energy. He describes how the sea behaves in different moods. During storms, the waves are wild and violent, crashing against the cliffs, moving stones, and roaring loudly, just like a giant dog howling. The poet uses images like clashing teeth, shaggy jaws, and licking paws to make the sea seem alive and restless. On calm days in May or June, however, the sea becomes quiet and peaceful, lying on the sandy shores like a dog resting with its head between its paws. Even the grass on the dunes is still, showing that everything in nature is calm. Through this poem, Reeves shows the sea’s strength, its beauty, and its ever-changing moods, from wild and dangerous to gentle and calm. The poem also highlights the power and majesty of nature and reminds readers to respect its force.

2. The poem “The Sea” describes the sea as a powerful, living creature, comparing it to a huge, hungry dog. The poet shows its dual nature: during storms, the sea becomes violent, restless, and roaring, crashing against cliffs, gnawing stones, and making loud, frightening noises. It is wild, uncontrollable, and full of energy. On calm days in summer, however, the sea lies peacefully on the sandy shore, quiet and still, almost like a dog resting with its head between its paws. Through vivid imagery, personification, and metaphors, Reeves captures the restless yet gentle, dangerous yet beautiful character of the sea. The poem emphasizes the contrast between fury and tranquility in nature and highlights the sea’s strength, majesty, and ever-changing moods. Overall, it celebrates the sea as a symbol of nature’s power and beauty.


6. Poetic Devices (figures of speech) Used in the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. Metaphor:

Definition: Comparing two unlike things directly without using “like” or “as”.
Example: 
  • “The sea is a hungry dog” 
Effect: The sea is directly compared to a huge, hungry dog to show its power and restlessness.

2. Personification:

Definition: Giving human qualities to non-human things i.e. making an object, animal, or idea act like a human.
Example: 
  • “He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs” 
Effect: The sea is given dog-like human/animal actions.
  • “He lies on the sandy shores” 
Effect: The sea is described as if it can rest like a dog.

3. Onomatopoeia:

Definition: Words that imitate sounds i.e. words that sound like the action or noise they describe.
Example: 
  • “Bones, bones, bones, bones!” 
Effect: The repeated word imitates the sound of stones being chewed by the sea.
  • “Howls and hollos long and loud” 
Effect: The roaring sound of the sea is imitated through words.

4. Alliteration:

Definition: Repeating consonant sounds at the beginning of words to create musical effect.
Example: 
“Shaggy jaws / Hour upon hour he gnaws” 
Effect: The repeated ‘h’ and ‘g’ sounds emphasize the continuous movement and force of the waves.

5. Imagery:

Definition: Vivid descriptive language that appeals to the senses ie. Language that creates pictures in the mind.
Example: 
  • “Shaking his wet sides over the cliffs” —
Effect: The reader can clearly imagine the violent waves crashing on cliffs.
  • “With his head between his paws / He lies on the sandy shores” 
Effect: Creates a calm, peaceful image of the sea.

6. Simile

Definition: Comparing two things using “like” or “as.”
Example: 
  • “He lies on the sandy shores like a dog resting with its head between its paws” 
Effect:  Direct comparison showing the calm side of the sea.

7. Repetition:

Definition: Emphasizing important words or ideas. or (repeating words for effect)
Example: 
“So quiet, so quiet”  
Effect: Repetition emphasizes the calmness of the sea.

8. Extended Metaphor

Definition: An extended metaphor is a comparison that continues throughout the poem.

  • The sea is compared to a dog from beginning to end.

Effect: It creates a strong, vivid image and emphasizes the sea’s personality consistently.

9. Assonance

Definition: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words.
Example: “rolls on the beach all day” (long o sound)
Effect: It gives a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the flowing movement of the waves.

10. Consonance

Definition: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words.
Example: “with his clashing teeth” (repeated h sound)
Effect: It creates harmony and reinforces the harsh, crashing sound of the sea.

11. Rhythm

Definition: Rhythm is the musical flow created by stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem.
In the poem: The strong rhythm reflects the movement of waves.
Effect: It mirrors the continuous motion and energy of the sea.

12. Contrast

Definition: Contrast shows the difference between two opposite ideas.

In the poem: The violent sea during storms is contrasted with the quiet sea in summer.
Effect: It highlights the sea’s changing moods and its unpredictable nature.

13. Enjambment

Definition: Enjambment is when a line continues into the next line without a pause.
Example:
“With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws
Hour upon hour he gnaws”
Effect: It creates a sense of continuous motion, reflecting the endless activity of the sea.

Note: Symbolism and hyperbole are not used as major poetic devices in the poem. The poet mainly relies on metaphor, personification, imagery, and sound devices to describe the sea vividly and realistically.
Best Order of Figures of Speech (For Examination)
When writing an exam answer, use this order 👇

Personification
Imagery
Apostrophe
Metaphor
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
Symbolism
Hyperbole

This order moves from major devices to minor ones, which examiners prefer.

Exam Tip (Very Important)
For 5–8 marks, always:
  1. Name the device
  2. Example: Give one quoted example
  3. Effect: Explain it in one simple line

7. Short-Answer Questions of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. What is the sea compared to in the poem?
 Answer: The sea is compared to a huge, hungry dog, showing its power and restlessness.

2. What is the effect of describing the sea as a dog?
 Answer: It makes the sea seem alive, powerful, and restless, helping the reader imagine its movement and mood.

3. Give an example of personification from the poem.
 Answer: “He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs” — the sea is given dog-like actions.

4. Write one example of onomatopoeia from the poem.
 Answer: “Bones, bones, bones, bones!” — the sound of stones being chewed by the waves.

5. What does the poet describe about the sea on calm days?
 Answer: On calm days, the sea lies quietly on the shore, almost like a dog resting with its head between its paws.

6. Which poetic devices are used in the poem?
 Answer: Metaphor, personification, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, repetition, extended metaphor, assonance, consonance, contrast, enjambment, rhythm.

7. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
 Answer: The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme that becomes more regular in the final stanza to show calmness: AAABBB for the last stanza.

8. Explain the central idea of the poem in one line.
 Answer: The poem shows the sea as a powerful, ever-changing force of nature, sometimes violent and sometimes calm, highlighting its strength and beauty.

9. What is the effect of repetition in the poem?
 Answer: Repetition, like “So quiet, so quiet,” emphasizes the calmness of the sea on peaceful days.

10. Give one example of contrast in the poem.
 Answer: The violent sea during storms is contrasted with the quiet, peaceful sea in summer.

11. What type of imagery is used in the poem?
 Answer: Both visual and auditory imagery are used — visual (waves crashing, stones tumbling) and auditory (roars, howls, “Bones, bones!”).

12. Is hyperbole or apostrophe used in the poem?
 Answer: No, neither hyperbole nor apostrophe is used in the poem.

8. Long-Answer Questions of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. Question:

Explain the central idea of the poem “The Sea” by James Reeves.

Answer:

The central idea of “The Sea” is that the sea is a powerful, ever-changing force of nature. The poet compares it to a huge, hungry dog to show its restlessness and energy. During storms, the sea is violent, roaring, and destructive, crashing against cliffs and tossing stones. On calm days, however, it becomes peaceful, lying quietly on the shore, almost like a dog resting with its head between its paws. Through these contrasts, the poet highlights the dual character of the sea—both wild and gentle. He also emphasizes the beauty, strength, and majesty of nature. Overall, the poem teaches readers to admire the sea’s force while appreciating its serene and calming moments.

2. Question:

Describe the stormy sea as presented in the poem.

Answer:

In the poem, the stormy sea is described as wild, violent, and full of energy. The poet compares it to a huge, hungry dog that bounds, sniffs, and shakes its wet sides over the cliffs. The waves crash against the shore, gnaw stones, and make roaring, howling, and frightening sounds. Words like “clashing teeth”, “shaggy jaws”, and “Bones, bones, bones!” create vivid imagery and mimic the sound of waves through onomatopoeia. The irregular rhyme and strong rhythm reflect the chaotic, continuous movement of the stormy sea. Through personification, the sea seems alive, powerful, and uncontrollable, showing nature’s raw energy during storms.

3. Question:

Explain how the poet describes the calm sea and its effect on nature.

Answer:

The poet describes the calm sea during quiet days in May or June as peaceful and gentle. The sea lies quietly on the sandy shore, with its head between its paws, almost like a resting dog. Even the grasses on the dunes stop moving, showing complete stillness in nature. Repetition in the line “so quiet, so quiet” emphasizes the calmness. Through imagery and personification, the poet creates a serene, soothing picture of the sea. This contrast with the stormy sea highlights nature’s changing moods and shows the gentle, calming side of natural forces, giving readers a sense of peace and tranquility.

4. Question:

Discuss the poetic devices used in the poem “The Sea” and their effects.

Answer:
The poet uses several poetic devices in “The Sea” to make it vivid and expressive:

  1. Metaphor: The sea is a hungry dog, showing power and restlessness.
  2. Personification: The sea bounds, sniffs, and shakes, giving it life-like qualities.
  3. Imagery: Visual images (waves crashing, stones tumbling) and auditory images (howls, bones) make the scene vivid.
  4. Onomatopoeia: Words like “Bones, bones, bones!” imitate natural sounds.
  5. Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds like “shaggy jaws” enhance rhythm.
  6. Assonance & Consonance: Repetition of vowel and consonant sounds adds musicality.
  7. Repetition: “So quiet, so quiet” emphasizes calmness.
  8. Contrast: Violent stormy sea vs. calm summer sea.
  9. Enjambment & Rhythm: Lines flow continuously, reflecting waves’ motion.

Effect: These devices make the poem expressive, musical, and help readers visualize and feel the sea’s moods—both wild and gentle.

5. Question:

Explain the contrast between the violent and calm sea in the poem and its significance.

Answer:

The poem shows a clear contrast between the violent stormy sea and the calm summer sea. During storms, the sea is loud, chaotic, and destructive, crashing against cliffs and tossing stones, symbolizing nature’s power and unpredictability. In contrast, on calm days, the sea lies peacefully on the shore, quiet and gentle, showing a soothing, serene side. This contrast emphasizes the changing moods of the sea and highlights the dual nature of natural forces. It also teaches readers to admire nature’s strength and respect its calmness, showing that beauty and power often coexist. Through this contrast, the poet makes the sea feel alive and dynamic.

9. MCQs of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. What is the sea compared to in the poem?
a) A lion
b) A huge, hungry dog
c) A storm
d) A mountain
Answer: b) A huge, hungry dog

2. What does the metaphor of the sea as a dog emphasize?
a) Its size
b) Its calmness
c) Its restlessness and power
d) Its color
Answer: c) Its restlessness and power

3. Which poetic device is used in: “He bounds to his feet and snuffs and sniffs”?
a) Metaphor
b) Personification
c) Hyperbole
d) Apostrophe
Answer: b) Personification

4. Which line shows onomatopoeia?
a) “So quiet, so quiet, he scarcely snores”
b) “Bones, bones, bones, bones!”
c) “He lies on the sandy shores”
d) “The moon rocks in the stormy cloud”
Answer: b) “Bones, bones, bones, bones!”

5. Which poetic device is used in “shaggy jaws / Hour upon hour he gnaws”?
a) Alliteration
b) Repetition
c) Rhyme
d) Simile
Answer: a) Alliteration

6. What is the sea doing on calm days in May or June?
a) Crashing violently on the shore
b) Lying quietly on the sand
c) Bounding to its feet
d) Howling and roaring
Answer: b) Lying quietly on the sand

7. Which poetic device is used in “So quiet, so quiet”?
a) Personification
b) Repetition
c) Hyperbole
d) Metaphor
Answer: b) Repetition

8. The line “With his clashing teeth and shaggy jaws / Hour upon hour he gnaws” shows:
a) The calmness of the sea
b) The continuous activity of the sea
c) The color of the sea
d) The size of the sea
Answer: b) The continuous activity of the sea

9. What type of rhyme scheme is used in the final stanza?
a) Irregular
b) AAABBB
c) ABAB
d) AABBCC
Answer: b) AAABBB

10. Which literary device is NOT used in the poem?
a) Hyperbole
b) Personification
c) Metaphor
d) Onomatopoeia
Answer: a) Hyperbole

11. What contrast is shown in the poem?
a) Day and night
b) Stormy sea and calm sea
c) Sea and sky
d) Summer and winter
Answer: b) Stormy sea and calm sea

12. Which is an example of extended metaphor in the poem?
a) “The moon rocks in the stormy cloud”
b) The sea as a huge, hungry dog throughout the poem
c) “So quiet, so quiet”
d) “Bones, bones, bones, bones!”
Answer: b) The sea as a huge, hungry dog throughout the poem

13. What is the tone of the poem during the stormy sea?
a) Calm and peaceful
b) Violent and energetic
c) Happy and joyful
d) Sad and mournful
Answer: b) Violent and energetic

14. Which sound device is used in “rolls on the beach all day”?
a) Alliteration
b) Assonance
c) Onomatopoeia
d) Consonance
Answer: b) Assonance

15. What does the poem mainly teach the reader?
a) To fear the sea
b) To appreciate the sea’s power and calmness
c) To describe mountains
d) To write poetry
Answer: b) To appreciate the sea’s power and calmness

10. Vocabulary of the difficult used in of the poem “The Sea" by James Reeves:

1. Hungry

Meaning: Needing food; eager or craving something

Synonym: Starving, famished, eager
Antonym: Full, satisfied
Example: The sea is described as a hungry dog, always craving action.
2. Giant
Meaning: Very large or huge
Synonym: Huge, enormous, massive
Antonym: Small, tiny, little
Example: The sea is a giant grey dog rolling on the shore.
3. Grey
Meaning: A color between black and white; dull or gloomy
Synonym: Ash-colored, dull
Antonym: Bright, colorful
Example: The giant, grey sea looks powerful and serious.
4. Clashing
Meaning: Striking against each other with a loud noise
Synonym: Colliding, banging, striking
Antonym: Agreeing, silent
Example: The waves have clashing teeth as they hit the stones.
5. Shaggy
Meaning: Covered with long, rough hair
Synonym: Hairy, unkempt, rough
Antonym: Smooth, neat
Example: The sea has shaggy jaws like a wild dog.
6. Gnaws
Meaning: Bites or chews something repeatedly
Synonym: Chews, bites, munches
Antonym: Leaves, ignores
Example: The waves gnaw the stones on the shore hour after hour.
7. Rumbling
Meaning: A low, continuous sound
Synonym: Roaring, growling, thundering
Antonym: Silence, quiet
Example: The sea makes a rumbling sound as it crashes on the cliffs.
8. Tumbling
Meaning: Falling, rolling, or turning over
Synonym: Rolling, falling, toppling
Antonym: Standing, staying
Example: The stones are tumbling in the waves like toys.
9. Moans
Meaning: Makes a low, sad, or painful sound
Synonym: Groans, wails, sighs
Antonym: Cheers, laughs
Example: The giant sea-dog moans as it rolls on the beach.
10. Licking
Meaning: Touching or passing the tongue over something
Synonym: Slobbering, wetting
Antonym: Drying, ignoring
Example: The sea licks its greasy paws after gnawing the stones.
11. Roars
Meaning: A loud, deep sound
Synonym: Howls, bellows, shouts
Antonym: Whispers, quiet
Example: The night wind roars as the storm grows stronger.
12. Snuffs
Meaning: Smells or sniffs carefully
Synonym: Sniffs, smells, inhales
Antonym: Ignores
Example: The sea snuffs and sniffs like a dog searching the air.
13. Sniffs
Meaning: Smells something by drawing air into the nose
Synonym: Smells, snuffles, inhales
Antonym: Blows, ignores
Example: The sea sniffs the wind during the storm.
14. Bound
Meaning: Jumps or moves quickly
Synonym: Leap, spring, hop
Antonym: Sit, rest, stay
Example: The sea bounds to its feet like an excited dog.
15. Greasy
Meaning: Covered with or full of oil
Synonym: Oily, slick, slimy
Antonym: Dry, clean
Example: The sea licks its greasy paws after playing with the stones.

16. Tranquil (implied from calm scenes)

Meaning: Calm, peaceful, and quiet
Synonym: Peaceful, serene, still
Antonym: Chaotic, stormy
Example: On quiet days, the sea lies tranquil on the sandy shores.


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