The Rime of the Ancient Mariner p. 422

Form Ballad –Medieval form of poetry intended to be sung –Narrative poem in short stanzas –Uses repetition of words and sounds (alliteration and assonance) for dramatic effect –Balladic effects enhance sense of spiritual stagnation/isolation

Form Seven-Part Structure –Seven—Biblical number of completion –Traces spiritual cycle of crime, punishment, redemption –Mariner as Christ figure—bringing spiritual truth to community

Form Frame Narrative –Provides credibility through real-world setting—wedding feast –Provides credibility through “everyman” character—wedding guest

Form Frame Narrative –Provides credibility through real-world setting—wedding feast –Provides credibility through “everyman” character—wedding guest –Introduces themes of central narrative—community vs. individualism/isolation

Central Narrative: Setting Community –Village and church –Spiritual and physical communion left behind –Individual ambition vs. community

Setting Stormy Sea –Drives ship to South Pole –Spiritual turmoil leading to isolation

Setting Antarctic—South Pole –Cold, ice –Isolation –Stagnation

Setting Equator –Hot, withering –Thirst –Stagnation

Setting Return to Community and Broader World –Pilot and Pilot’s Boy—horrors of human evil –Hermit—personal expiation –Tale told from “land to land”—human redemption, community

Characters/Creatures Albatross –Bird of good omen for sailors –Rescues ship from isolation –Symbolizes redemptive force of community –Christ symbol—love and sacrifice

Characters/Creatures Why did the Mariner kill the Albatross? –Jealousy? –Selfish ambition/desire for independence? –Defiance of God and community? –Irrational, destructive act representing human capacity for evil

Characters/Creatures Ship’s Crew –Blame Mariner –Blame Albatross –Represent Mariner’s guilt, isolation— human guilt, isolation

Characters/Creatures Death and Life-In-Death –Sunset/Darkness—approaching spiritual death –Curse in dead crewmen’s eyes—guilt –Life-In-Death—punishment for willful isolation

Characters/Creatures Water Snakes/Ocean Creatures –Mariner recognizes he is not alone –Represent love & community of all living things –Bring spiritual communion (blessing, prayer) and redemption

Characters/Creatures Angelic Spirits –Animate bodies of dead crewmen –Return ship to community –Light imagery—spiritual enlightenment –Represent desire for community, recognition of unity with God’s creation