Crossing+the+bar

= The Victorian Era and "Crossing the Bar" = === **__Victorian Era __ ** ===
 * ﻿ Known as the time of change 1837-1901
 * Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
 * Brought change to many areas such as culture, technology, transportation, and literature
 * Gothic Revival architecture
 * Stagecoaches, canals, steamships, and railways all changed the way of transportation and improved communication
 * Rapid urbanization due to the Industrial Revolution
 * High percentage of child labor- children at the age of four began to work in coal mines and almost all died before the age of twenty five

**__Literature__ **
Women- demand emancipation || so isolate themselves no groups or friends ||
 * ~ Themes ||~ Genres/ Styles ||~ Authors ||
 * Isolation || Dramatic Monologue || Lord Tennyson ||
 * Loss of faith || Novel, Magazines, Elegy || Charles Dickens ||
 * Death ||  || Robert Browning ||
 * = **Key Metaphor** || Struggle or strife ||
 * = **Key Theme** || Theory of evolution leads to crisis of faith ||
 * = **Social Consciousness** || Reform movements- child labor, safety, hours
 * = **Victorian Trinity** || Religion, science, morality ||
 * = **Nationalism** || Britain- first great modern industrial nation ||
 * = **Poets** || Feel alienated, betrayed- estranged from life and love-

**__Crossing the Bar__ **
__Alfred Lord Tennyson__ Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea,

 But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.

Tennyson's poem, "Crossing the Bar", is reflective of the Victorian Era. The theme of the poem is one should not fear or mourn death. This was a common theme during this time in many other authors. The narrator of the poem talks about crossing over to the other side (Heaven). The "bar" in the poem is not literally a sand bar, but the border line between life and death. When Tennyson writes, "I hope to see my Pilot face to face," he uses the word Pilot to refer to God as the captain and driver of a persons life. The reference of a higher power and religion was also comman during the Victorian Era. In the poem, the narrator shows a sign of struggle when he or she speaks of a "flood." This flood can try and stop the narrator from reaching his destination.

"my Pilot" - God, creator of the narrartor's life.
 * Theme**: One should not fear or mourn death.
 * Symbols**: "one clear call" - Calling from God, "no moaning of the bar" - Others should not feel upset because of the death.

Works Cited "Characteristics of Victorian Literature." //Philosophy and Values of the Victorians// (2003): n. pag. Web. 19 May 2011. "Victorian Social History: An Overview." //Victorian Web// (2011): n. pag. Web. 19 May 2011.