Summary
Summary:
A. The poem "The Sands of Dee" by Charles Kingsley describes Mary as she goes to call the cattle home across the sands. The weather is wild and damp, with a creeping tide and rolling mist that obscures the land. Mary disappears, and her fate is tied to the cruel sea, where she is found drowned, yet her call for the cattle endures in the boatman's ears.
B. The questions following the poem prompt readers to analyze various aspects:
- 1. The weather is described as wild and dank.
- 2. The repetition of phrases emphasizes the haunting nature of Mary's call and the inevitability of her fate.
- 3. The poet depicts the sea as cruel and consuming.
- 4. The story of Mary involves her tragic disappearance into the sea while calling the cattle.
- 5. A personal reflection is encouraged on how one might react if witnessing Mary's drowning.
A. Listen to the poem. Read it aloud in groups.
The Sands of Dee
"O Mary, go and call the cattle home,
And call the cattle home,
And call the cattle home Across the sands of Dee!"
The western wind was wild and dank with foam,
And all alone went she.
The western tide crept up along the sand,
And o'er and o'er the sand,
And round and round the sand,
As far as eye could see.
The rolling mist came down and hid the land
And never home came she.
"Oh! Is it weed, or fish, or floating hair,
A tress of golden hair,
A drowned maiden's hair
Above the nets at sea?
Was never salmon yet that shone so fair
Among the stakes of Dee"
They rowed her in across the rolling foam,
The cruel crawling foam,
The cruel hungry foam,
To her grave beside the sea:
But still the boatman hear her call the cattle home
Across the sands of Dee.
- Charles Kingsley
B. Answer these questions.
1. What was the weather like when Mary went to bring the cattle home?
2. Look at some words, phrases and sentences that have been repeated several times. Explain why the poet has done that.
3. How has the poet described the sea?
4. Narrate the story of Mary in your own words.
5. Suppose you were walking on the shore with a couple of your friends while Mary was drowning. Describe what you would have done.
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