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Essay / Analysis of the narrative method in Chapter 7 of The Rime of The Ancient Mariner
Part 7 constitutes the dramatic climax of the poem in which the Mariner returns to his own "country." Coleridge uses the central character, the eponymous Ancient Mariner, to recount the aftermath of the voyage and his life since and includes dialogue from the pilot, his boy, and, most importantly, the Hermit to clarify the moral of the poem. The fact that the wedding guest cannot speak directly when the sailor concludes his tale can also be seen as significant, suggesting to the reader that, as he is a "sadder and wiser" man, he does not find the words to respond to the sailor's story. The omniscient narrator concludes the story, completing the "frame" of the story and perhaps introducing more credibility to the Mariner's story: this outside voice prevents the reader from dismissing the Mariner's story as the ramblings of a "grey-bearded loon ”.Say no. to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Like the rest of the poem, part 7 draws on elements of the ballad form such as the use of the quatrain stanza form, but it is in In this final section we see Coleridge moving away most of the traditional form, perhaps to emphasize the changes in the sailor's life: although the setting has moved from sea to land, the sailor's life has been irrevocably altered by his experiences. Coleridge varies the length of the stanzas throughout Part 7 and also uses an enjambment between stanzas which can be seen as reflecting the idea that there is no definite ending to the poem: the sailor's voyage will continue. There is also little evidence of the internal rhyme so prevalent in the earlier sections of the poem. The effect of this had been to attract the listener, the wedding guest, - and by extension the reader - as it created a hypnotic almost singing-like sensation, compelling us to listen. However, at this point the Mariner is aware that he has our full attention. Coleridge's use of a variety of poetic methods adds to this poem on many levels and allows us to have a deeper understanding of Coleridge's themes and ideas, particularly here, the idea of "the one life" , often considered the poet's central message. The introduction of the Hermit is a key as he serves as a parallel to the Mariner. He prays on an “oak stump” and this symbol illustrates how his closeness to nature reflects a closeness to God. The oak tree traditionally has connotations of wisdom and in this case Coleridge presents the hermit's way of life as good and desirable. In direct contrast to the sailor who slaughtered the innocent albatross and the wedding guest who sees joy rather than solemnity in the wedding ceremony, the hermit becomes one with God through his complete integration with the world around him. Additionally, when the pilot and his boy are pushed to the emotional extremes of fear and madness by the Mariner's grisly ship, the Hermit prays, paralleling the comfort the Mariner felt when he blessed the water serpents . Coleridge's nature imagery can also be seen as significant. at this point. The idea of the wolf "eating the she-wolf's young" suggests a perversion of nature, a creature killing its own, which can be seen as a metaphor for the sailor's killing of the albatross. Indeed, many images in this section of the poem parallel earlier images. The ship sinks "like lead", repeating the simile used when the albatross is freed from the sailor's neck. The supernatural forces and noises surrounding the ship here are echoes of gothic images..