The Broken Oar by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Summary

In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Broken Oar,” we follow the journey of a poet who finds himself on a lonely beach in Iceland, carrying a book and pen. The poet is searching for a perfect way to finish his writing, hoping to find a meaningful ending that would bring closure to his work.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the poet’s surroundings. He walks along the desolate shore, where the waves crash and plunge onto the sand, and seagulls circle high above. The scene is both beautiful and vast, with the red hues of the sunset occasionally breaking through the clouds. This setting emphasizes the contrast between the poet’s internal struggle and the immense, powerful forces of nature around him.

As the poet wanders, he comes across a broken oar washed ashore by the waves. Curious, he examines it and finds an inscription carved into the wood. The inscription reads, “Oft was I weary, when I toiled at thee.” This message reflects the exhaustion and struggle experienced by the oar’s previous user, who likely spent many tiring hours rowing with it.

The poet is deeply moved by this discovery. He feels a connection between his own feelings of weariness and the weary soul who once used the oar. The inscription resonates with him because it mirrors his own sense of fatigue and his search for a final word to conclude his writing.

Inspired by the inscription, the poet decides to write down the words he has read on the oar. This act of writing serves as a way for him to express and memorialize the shared experience of weariness he feels. It is a moment of realization and connection for the poet, as he reflects on his own journey and the universal nature of human struggle.

After writing down the inscription, the poet lifts his head and gazes into the distance. He contemplates the significance of the moment and the limitations of his own words. Finally, he takes his pen and throws it into the sea. This gesture symbolizes his acceptance of the fact that language has its limits and that some experiences and emotions cannot be fully captured or expressed through writing.

In essence, “The Broken Oar” explores the poet’s quest for closure and the realization that language alone cannot fully convey the depth of human experience. The poem highlights themes of weariness, self-discovery, and the limitations of artistic expression. Through the imagery of the broken oar and the poet’s decisive action, Longfellow conveys a message about the nature of creativity and the acceptance of life’s inherent challenges.

The Broken Oar by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Analysis

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Broken Oar” is a contemplative piece that delves into the themes of weariness, self-discovery, and the limitations of language. Through a simple yet profound narrative, Longfellow explores the poet’s quest for closure and the realization of the limitations of words in capturing the essence of human experience.

Setting and Atmosphere

The poem opens with a description of a solitary beach in Iceland, creating a sense of isolation and quiet. The poet walks along this desolate shore with his book and pen, suggesting a deep and personal journey. The setting plays a crucial role in shaping the mood of the poem. The vastness of the beach, the crashing waves, and the circling seagulls contribute to a feeling of insignificance and solitude. This backdrop contrasts with the poet’s inner world, highlighting his search for meaning and resolution.

The Poet’s Quest for Closure

At the heart of the poem is the poet’s search for a perfect ending to his writing. He is depicted as wandering along the beach, seeking a “final word” or “sweet Amen” to close his book. This quest reflects a universal human desire for completeness and meaning. The poet’s journey is not just a physical one but also a metaphorical search for a sense of fulfillment and resolution in his work.

The Encounter with the Broken Oar

The turning point in the poem occurs when the poet discovers a broken oar washed ashore. This oar, once used by someone who experienced great weariness, becomes a symbol of struggle and fatigue. The inscription on the oar—”Oft was I weary, when I toiled at thee”—resonates with the poet. It reflects the hardships and exhaustion faced by the oar’s previous owner, creating a connection between the poet’s own experiences and those of another.

The broken oar represents the weariness that comes from labor and effort. It serves as a physical manifestation of the poet’s own fatigue and quest for closure. The discovery of the oar and its inscription brings a moment of clarity and revelation to the poet. He sees his own struggles mirrored in the oar, which helps him to understand his own experiences better.

Symbolism and Imagery

Longfellow uses vivid imagery and symbolism to enhance the poem’s emotional depth. The description of the “billows rolled and plunged upon the sand” and the “circling sea-gulls” creates a dynamic and expansive setting. These images emphasize the power and majesty of nature, contrasting with the poet’s personal struggle.

The broken oar itself is a powerful symbol. It represents the toil and weariness that comes from hard work and perseverance. The inscription carved on the oar serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional exhaustion that accompanies effort and labor. By connecting with this symbol, the poet gains insight into his own experiences and the universal nature of human struggle.

The Poet’s Transformation

The poet’s reaction to the broken oar marks a significant moment of transformation. Inspired by the inscription, he writes down the words on the oar and then discards his pen. This act symbolizes his acceptance of the limitations of language in expressing profound human experiences. The poet realizes that words alone cannot fully capture the depth of his feelings or the essence of his experiences.

By throwing his pen into the sea, the poet acknowledges that some aspects of life and creativity cannot be articulated through writing. This gesture represents a release of his need for a perfect conclusion and an acceptance of the inherent limitations of language. It is a moment of self-discovery and liberation, as the poet comes to terms with the fact that some experiences are beyond the reach of words.

Themes and Messages

Several key themes emerge from the poem:

Weariness and Struggle: The poem highlights the theme of weariness through the broken oar and its inscription. Both the poet and the oar’s previous owner share a sense of exhaustion and fatigue, reflecting the universal nature of struggle and perseverance.

Self-Discovery: The poet’s encounter with the oar leads to a moment of self-awareness. He recognizes his own weariness in the inscription and gains a deeper understanding of his own experiences. This moment of realization is a crucial part of his journey.

Limitations of Language: The poem explores the idea that language has its limits in conveying profound emotions and experiences. The poet’s decision to throw his pen into the sea signifies his acceptance of these limitations and his recognition that some experiences are best left unsaid.

Acceptance and Letting Go: The act of discarding the pen represents the poet’s acceptance of the fact that not everything can be expressed through writing. It symbolizes a release of his need for a perfect conclusion and an embrace of the mysteries of life.

Structure and Form

“The Broken Oar” is structured as a sonnet, a form known for its precise and formal composition. The poem consists of a single stanza with fourteen lines, following the traditional rhyme scheme of an Italian sonnet (ABBAABBA for the octave and CDEDEC for the sestet). This structured form enhances the poem’s coherence and aesthetic appeal.

The division between the octave and sestet creates a clear shift in tone and subject matter. The first part of the poem sets the scene and introduces the poet’s quest, while the second part focuses on the transformative moment of discovery and realization. This structure allows Longfellow to convey the emotional journey of the poet effectively.

Line-by-line explanation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Broken Oar”

“Once upon Iceland’s solitary strand”
The poem begins by setting the scene on a lonely beach in Iceland.

“A poet wandered with his book and pen,”
A poet is walking along the beach, carrying his book and pen, indicating he is deep in thought or working on something.

“Seeking some final word, some sweet Amen,”
The poet is looking for a perfect ending or final phrase to complete his work.

“Wherewith to close the volume in his hand.”
He wants to find the right words to finish the book he is holding.

“The billows rolled and plunged upon the sand,”
The waves of the sea are crashing and moving over the sand.

“The circling sea-gulls swept beyond his ken,”
Seagulls are flying around, but the poet does not pay attention to them.

“And from the parting cloud-rack now and then”
Occasionally, the clouds part to let some sunlight through.

“Flashed the red sunset over sea and land.”
The setting sun casts a red glow over both the sea and the land.

“Then by the billows at his feet was tossed”
While walking by the sea, the poet finds something at his feet.

“A broken oar; and carved thereon he read,”
He discovers a broken oar washed up on the shore, with some words carved into it.

“‘Oft was I weary, when I toiled at thee’;”
The carved words on the oar say, “I was often tired when I worked hard with this.”

“And like a man, who findeth what was lost,”
The poet feels like someone who has found something he had been missing or searching for.

“He wrote the words, then lifted up his head,”
The poet writes down the words from the oar and then looks up from his writing.

“And flung his useless pen into the sea.”
He throws his pen into the sea, realizing that his writing is no longer needed.