“Sea Fever” is a beautiful poem written by John Masefield, who loved the sea and sailing. The poem expresses the poet’s deep desire to return to the sea, which he considers his true home.
Sea Fever Summary in English
The poem is about a sailor’s deep love for the sea and his longing to return to it. The speaker feels a strong pull to go back to the sea, where he feels free and close to nature.
In the first verse, the speaker says he wants to go to the lonely sea and sky. All he needs is a tall ship and a star to guide the ship. He misses the sounds and sights of the sea—the movement of the ship’s wheel, the sound of the wind, the shaking sails, the mist over the water, and the quiet dawn.
In the second verse, he talks about the “call of the running tide.” This is a powerful and irresistible call that makes him want to return to the sea. He wishes for a windy day with white clouds, the spray of the waves, foam in the air, and the cries of seagulls.
In the third verse, the speaker compares life on the sea to the adventurous, wandering life of a gypsy. He enjoys following the path of the gulls and whales, where the wind feels sharp and cold. All he wants is a happy story from a fellow sailor and peaceful rest with sweet dreams after his work (or “trick”) is done.
The poem expresses the speaker’s love for the sea, its beauty, its freedom, and its challenges. It shows his desire to live a simple, adventurous, and joyful life close to nature.
Sea Fever Summary in Hindi
यह कविता एक नाविक (sailor) की समुद्र के प्रति गहरी प्रेम और वहां लौटने की इच्छा के बारे में है। बोलने वाला (speaker) समुद्र की ओर वापस जाने के लिए एक मजबूत खिंचाव महसूस करता है, जहां वह खुद को स्वतंत्र और प्रकृति के करीब महसूस करता है।
पहले पद में, बोलने वाला कहता है कि वह अकेले समुद्र और आकाश की ओर जाना चाहता है। उसे बस एक ऊंचा जहाज और एक तारा चाहिए जो जहाज को रास्ता दिखाए। वह समुद्र की ध्वनियों और दृश्यों को याद करता है—जहाज के पहिये की गति, हवा की आवाज, हिलती हुई पाल, पानी पर फैली हुई धुंध, और शांत सुबह।
दूसरे पद में, वह “बहती हुई लहरों की पुकार” के बारे में बात करता है। यह एक शक्तिशाली और अविश्वसनीय पुकार है जो उसे समुद्र वापस जाने के लिए मजबूर करती है। वह एक तेज हवा वाले दिन की इच्छा करता है, जहां सफेद बादल उड़ रहे हों, लहरों का छींटा हो, हवा में झाग हो, और समुद्री पक्षियों की आवाजें सुनाई दें।
तीसरे पद में, बोलने वाला समुद्र पर जीवन को एक बंजारे (gypsy) के साहसिक और घूमने वाले जीवन से तुलना करता है। उसे पक्षियों और व्हेल के रास्ते पर चलने में आनंद आता है, जहां हवा तेज और ठंडी लगती है। वह केवल अपने साथी नाविक से एक खुशी भरी कहानी और अपने काम (या “चाल”) के खत्म होने के बाद शांति भरी नींद और मीठे सपने चाहता है।
यह कविता बोलने वाले के समुद्र के प्रति प्रेम, उसकी सुंदरता, उसकी आज़ादी, और उसके संघर्षों को व्यक्त करती है। यह उसके प्रकृति के करीब एक साधारण, साहसिक, और खुशहाल जीवन जीने की इच्छा को दिखाती है।
Sea Fever Summary in Urdu
یہ نظم ایک ملاح کی سمندر سے گہری محبت اور وہاں واپس جانے کی خواہش کے بارے میں ہے۔ بولنے والا سمندر کی طرف واپس جانے کے لیے ایک طاقتور کھچاؤ محسوس کرتا ہے، جہاں وہ خود کو آزاد اور قدرت کے قریب محسوس کرتا ہے۔
پہلے بند میں، بولنے والا کہتا ہے کہ وہ تنہا سمندر اور آسمان کی طرف جانا چاہتا ہے۔ اسے بس ایک اونچا جہاز اور ایک ستارہ چاہیے جو جہاز کو راستہ دکھائے۔ وہ سمندر کے مناظر اور آوازوں کو یاد کرتا ہے—جہاز کے پہیے کی حرکت، ہوا کی آواز، ہلتی ہوئی بادبان، پانی پر چھائی ہوئی دھند، اور خاموش صبح۔
دوسرے بند میں، وہ “بہتی ہوئی لہروں کی پکار” کے بارے میں بات کرتا ہے۔ یہ ایک طاقتور اور ناقابل مزاحمت پکار ہے جو اسے سمندر واپس جانے پر مجبور کرتی ہے۔ وہ ایک تیز ہوا والے دن کی خواہش کرتا ہے، جہاں سفید بادل اڑ رہے ہوں، لہروں کا اسپرے ہو، ہوا میں جھاگ ہو، اور سمندری بگلوں کی آوازیں سنائی دیں۔
تیسرے بند میں، بولنے والا سمندر پر زندگی کو ایک خانہ بدوش کی مہماتی اور آوارہ زندگی سے تشبیہ دیتا ہے۔ وہ بگلوں اور وہیل مچھلیوں کے راستے پر چلنے کا لطف لیتا ہے، جہاں ہوا تیز اور ٹھنڈی محسوس ہوتی ہے۔ وہ صرف اپنے ساتھی ملاح سے ایک خوشگوار کہانی اور اپنے کام کے ختم ہونے کے بعد سکون بھری نیند اور خوبصورت خواب چاہتا ہے۔
یہ نظم بولنے والے کی سمندر سے محبت، اس کی خوبصورتی، آزادی، اور چیلنجز کو بیان کرتی ہے۔ یہ اس کی فطرت کے قریب ایک سادہ، مہماتی، اور خوشگوار زندگی گزارنے کی خواہش کو ظاہر کرتی ہے۔
Sea Fever Themes
1. Love for the Sea
- The speaker deeply loves the sea and feels a strong connection to it. He longs to return to the sea’s open, natural beauty, where he feels free and happy. This theme shows how nature, especially the sea, can be a source of peace and joy.
2. Freedom and Adventure
- The speaker wants to live a life of freedom and adventure, like a sailor or a gypsy. The sea represents freedom because it is vast and limitless. The theme highlights the human desire to explore and live an adventurous, carefree life.
3. The Call of Nature
- The “call of the running tide” represents nature calling the speaker back to its beauty and power. The speaker cannot ignore this call, showing how strong the connection between humans and nature can be. The theme emphasizes the irresistible pull of nature in our lives.
4. Simplicity in Life
- The speaker doesn’t want luxury or material things. All he asks for is a ship, the guidance of a star, and the companionship of fellow sailors. This theme shows how living a simple life close to nature can bring happiness.
5. The Beauty of the Journey
- The poem focuses on the journey rather than the destination. The speaker talks about the wind, waves, gulls, and the excitement of sailing. This theme teaches us to enjoy the process of life and find beauty in the small moments.
6. Companionship and Storytelling
- The speaker values the company of fellow sailors and the joy of sharing stories (“merry yarns”). This theme shows the importance of friendship and laughter, even in a life of adventure.
7. Peace After Hard Work
- At the end of the poem, the speaker wishes for “quiet sleep and a sweet dream” after his work on the sea is done. This symbolizes the rest and peace that come after a life of effort and adventure. The theme reflects the human desire for calm and satisfaction after hard work.
8. The Harshness of Nature
- The speaker describes the wind as “a whetted knife,” showing that life on the sea is not always easy or gentle. This theme highlights the challenges of living close to nature, but also how these challenges make the experience rewarding.
Analysis of “Sea Fever”
Structure and Style
The poem has three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhythm of the poem mimics the movement of waves, making the reader feel like they are sailing on the sea.
Imagery in the Poem
Masefield uses vivid imagery to bring the sea to life. For example:
- “The lonely sea and the sky” creates a peaceful and vast image.
- “The wheel’s kick and the wind’s song” make us feel the action of sailing.
Tone of the Poem
The tone is passionate and nostalgic. The poet’s longing for the sea is evident in every line.
Symbolism in “Sea Fever”
The Sea as a Symbol of Freedom
The sea represents freedom and escape from the worries of life.
Nature as a Source of Peace
The poet finds peace and joy in the beauty of the sea and its surroundings.
The Ship as a Symbol of Simplicity
The ship symbolizes a simple, adventurous life free from material concerns.
Literary Devices in “Sea Fever”
Repetition
The line “I must go down to the seas again” is repeated to emphasize the poet’s strong longing.
Alliteration
Examples include “wheel’s kick” and “wind’s song,” creating a musical quality.
Personification
The poet gives human qualities to the sea and the wind, such as calling the wind “whetted” like a knife.
Metaphor
The wind is compared to a knife to show its sharpness and intensity.
The Relevance of “Sea Fever” in Modern Times
Finding Freedom in a Busy World
The poem reminds readers of the importance of freedom and adventure, even in today’s busy lives.
Connecting with Nature
“Sea Fever” encourages us to appreciate the beauty of nature and find peace in its simplicity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About “Sea Fever”
Why does the poet feel a strong desire to return to the sea?
The poet feels a deep connection with the sea and longs for the freedom and adventure it offers.
What does the poet mean by "the wind’s like a whetted knife"?
This line describes the sharp and cold feeling of the wind, emphasizing the power of nature.
How does the poet describe the life of a sailor?
The poet describes it as adventurous, free, and simple, full of joy and harmony with nature.
What are the key themes of "Sea Fever"?
The main themes include love for the sea, freedom, simplicity, and the beauty of nature.
