Theme 4: Repentence And Redemption Flashcards
“I shot the ALBATROSS.”
Part 1
Analysis:
• The repetition of this confession marks the beginning of the Mariner’s repentance. While he has committed the crime, he cannot escape from it—it haunts him and compels him to revisit his guilt.
• This refrain sets the tone for the entire poem, with the Mariner’s guilt and his eventual journey of atonement intricately connected to this single act.
• Through repetition, the Mariner’s redemption is framed as a continuous process. The act of speaking his sin out loud can be seen as the first step in seeking forgiveness.
“He prayeth well, who loveth well / Both man and bird and beast.”
Part 7
Analysis:
• This line represents the moment of spiritual awakening for the Mariner. It marks the realization that true repentance comes from a genuine change of heart, involving respect and love for all living things.
• His realization that love and reverence for nature are crucial to redemption shows the transformation in his moral and spiritual outlook.
• The shift from guilt to love underscores the core of redemption—it’s not about just suffering but understanding and embracing the interconnectedness of all life.
Analysis:
• This repetition of the earlier idea of loving all things shows the central role of compassion in repentance. The Mariner’s act of prayer here is about spiritual transformation—he has reached a place where he understands that true redemption comes from loving all creatures, regardless of size or form.
• The connection between prayer and love signifies that repentance is not just about suffering—it’s about cultivating genuine love and respect for the world around him, which leads to spiritual peace.
“The albatross fell off, and sank / Like lead into the sea.”
Part 4
Analysis:
• The fall of the albatross symbolizes the release from guilt. As the bird falls into the sea, the Mariner’s burden is momentarily lifted, symbolizing a step toward atonement.
• However, this moment is not full redemption—it’s a temporary respite, indicating that redemption is a process, not an instant cure.
• The symbolic drowning of the albatross reinforces that redemption is linked to the natural world—a key theme in the Mariner’s journey.
“Farewell, farewell! but this I tell / To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!”
Part 7
Analysis:
• The farewell here marks the end of the Mariner’s confessional journey. By passing on his tale, he transfers his moral burden to the Wedding Guest, who now shares in his understanding of the world.
• This symbolizes the Mariner’s release from his punishment—having atoned through suffering and storytelling, he now passes on the lesson rather than the curse.
• This final gesture shows that repentance is not just about personal healing but also about teaching others the value of redemption. The Mariner becomes a moral teacher in his own right.
“The bright-eyed Mariner.”
Part 7
Analysis:
• The bright-eyed Mariner at the end is a figure of spiritual clarity and redemption. The brightness of his eyes suggests that he has now gained the wisdom that comes from having undergone suffering and moral reflection.
• His spiritual transformation is complete—he has gone from a figure of guilt to one of moral clarity.
• This imagery reinforces that redemption is achieved not by escape from suffering, but by undergoing it and learning to see the world through a new, redemptive lens.
“The Mariner, whose eye is bright, / Whose beard with age is hoar.”
Part 7
Analysis:
• The Mariner’s bright eye in the final lines shows that he has gained spiritual clarity through his journey. It suggests that his redemption is not just a physical change, but a moral and psychological transformation.
• The aging beard serves as a reminder that the Mariner has endured great suffering, but through that suffering, he has achieved wisdom and peace.
• This line underscores that redemption is a long-term process, one that is marked by internal growth and understanding.
“The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone, / He cannot choose but go; / And thus spake on that ancient man, / The bright-eyed Mariner.”
Part 1 and the conclusion
Analysis:
• The Wedding Guest’s role is significant here—he represents the audience to whom the Mariner must testify. The Mariner’s storytelling is part of his redemption—by telling his story, he repents publicly, sharing his lesson so that others may learn from his error.
• The idea that the Wedding Guest cannot choose but go implies that, like the Mariner, the listener too is caught in the web of guilt and moral responsibility—the Mariner’s story becomes a moral warning.
• The repetition of the bright-eyed Mariner at the beginning and end emphasizes the full-circle nature of redemption—the Mariner’s transformation is now complete.
