Pre 1914 Poetry

Patrolling BarnegatWalt Whitman, 1856

Background to the poemThe poet describes a wild storm whilst

patrolling a bay on the coast of New Jersey where the poet lived for many

years.

There is a great deal of alliteration which is used to mirror the noise of

the sea as it hits the sand on a beach. As the ‘s’ makes this noise, we call it a sibilant ‘s’- meaning it makes a hissing

sound.

Patrolling Barneget

Wild, wild the storm, and the high sea running,

Steady the roar of the gale, with incessant undertone muttering,

Shouts of demoniac laughter fitfully piercing and pealing,

Waves, air, midnight, their savagest trinity laughing,

Out in the shadows there milk-white combs careering,

On beachy slush and sand spirits of snow fierce slanting,

Where through the murk the easterly death-wind breasting,

Through cutting swirl and spray watchful and firm advancing,

(That in the distance! Is that a wreck? is the red signal flaring?)

Slush and sand of the beach tireless till daylight wending,

Steadily, slowly, through hoarse roar never remitting,

Along the midnight edge by those milk-white combs careering,

A group of dim, weird forms, struggling, the night confronting,

That savage trinity warily watching.

Repetition emphasises ferocity

of the storm.

Contrast between images.

1st line – 10 syllables as in a sonnet but rhythm is broken. Reflects the

storm.

Image reinforces atmosphere of threat –

uncertainty. The unknown.

Question creates a sense of

immediacy & change of tone.

Signals uncertainty /

tension.

Metaphor links wild storm sounds to shouts of demons.

Personification

Alliteration

More alliteration – reflects sounds of

storm.

Connotations of red – warning

signal or sign of distress?

Repetition – why?

Relentless / repetitive nature of storm.

Alliteration to emphasise the constant action of the storm &

suggests sound of sea on sand.

Why repeated? What is the

symbolic significance?

Why wary? Stillness –

expectation.