A image is worth 300-350 words, Imagery in Poem.

CASABIANCA

by: Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835)

Imagery list:

ship, fire, flag/banner, the sea

There is alot of striking image in the poem Casabianca written by Hemans. The main images being, the growing flames that ultimately end the life of both the captain and the gallant son. The banners and flags that represent their courage until their dying breaths. And the vast unknown watery grave, the sea. And through these image, Hemans try to convey a message to the readers about the the valor, coming of age, and rebirth in real life.

Throughout the poem, one image continue to grow in power. The flames was growing with each line, engulfing the ship. Hemans use this image to represent the ever growing problems/pressure/troubles that people face in their life as they grow. That if they are not dealt with will stack on and becoming overwhelming. The flames develop the young man character, it helped matured him. Because as the flames grew, the approach of death quicken as well. And with the flames already taking his father away from him, what does a young, scared, and inexperience boy do on the verge of death. Does he stand tall or ball up into a fettle position and hope for the best? The young boy didn't choose the latter, but instead did a "gut check" and found the valor deep within him. He stood tall and pride with flags burning down with him. The flags used by Hemans represents the pride of the boy and that he is now the captain of the ship. Though, in history flags burning means disrespect of the nation or others. This flag burner used by Hemans represents more of ones last stand. Like the wounded solider in battle who refuse to give up until he breath his last breath. Though the flame used by Hemans isn't just the negatives of life, but also the positives. In order to move on in the future, sometimes one need to erase the past. And in Hemans poem, the flame may take away life, but in a way reborn and redeem them. That you must start a new, and try to do the right thing again. All in all, Hemans use of image tells a very useful, rich, and powerful poem about life.

On a sidenote, Hemans might have been a big fan of popular culture, "Superman return", how even though an indestructible man has died, his love one cremate his ash and dump into the ocean. And because his ash was return to the ocean he was reborn. And like superman, the young man and his captain though has made their mistakes in this life, may be reborn through their ash being return to the ocean.