Sea Lullaby Analysis

In the poem “A Sea-Lullaby” written by Elinor Morton Wylie, the story begins by setting up a brutal crime scene where, an angry woman kills a young boy, by strangling him to death. Little does the reader know that woman, is actually a physical embodiment of the ocean. The description of the boys death is incredibly violent, and even tragic, it even allows the reader to understand that the boy had no chance, when attempting to flee from her. It is also implied that the woman is the ocean, when description in the beginning mentions the reflection of the moon.

The story could have been used to serve as a cautionary tale, to warn children against the dangers of the ocean. Although, the boy had drowned in a horrible accident, personifying the ocean puts blame away from the boy, his guardians, or his village

I’ve read the poem during the eighth grade, and it had interested me for the way the author used imagery, symbolism, and personification to describe the ocean as a heartless murderer.

The old moon is tarnished 

With smoke of the flood, 

The dead leaves are varnished 

With colour like blood,

A treacherous smiler 

With teeth white as milk, 

A savage beguiler 

In sheathings of silk,

The sea creeps to pillage, 

She leaps on her prey; 

A child of the village 

Was murdered today.

She came up to meet him 

In a smooth golden cloak, 

She choked him and beat him 

To death, for a joke.

Her bright locks were tangled, 

She shouted for joy, 

With one hand she strangled 

A strong little boy.

Now in silence she lingers 

Beside him all night 

To wash her long fingers 

In silvery light.