Question

What does the poet mean by
darkening sea?? The north ship question.... ​

Answer 1

Answer:

Darkening Sea -dark sea/ no trace of light.

The third ship headed towards the north. The sea was getting dark and the sky was becoming cloudy. It faced challenges from unfavourable weather. While the first two ships came back, the third ship fought the obstacles and pressed forward towards its destination.

But to succeed in life, one has to move forward overcoming all the obstacles. This is suggested by the third ship with its ever forward journey. So, the third ship is a symbol of aspiration that overcomes all obstacles.

Explanation:

Poetry Home | Contents

'The North Ship'

I saw three ships go sailing by,

Over the sea, the lifting sea,

And the wind rose in the morning sky,

And one was rigged for a long journey.

The first ship turned towards the west,

Over the sea, the running sea,

And by the wind was all possessed

And carried to a rich country.

The second ship turned towards the east,

Over the sea, the quaking sea,

And the wind hunted it like a beast

To anchor in captivity.

The third ship drove towards the north,

Over the sea, the darkening sea,

But no breath of wind came forth,

And the decks shone frostily.

The northern sky rose high and black

Over the proud unfruitful sea,

East and west the ships came back

Happily or unhappily:

But the third went wide and far

Into an unforgiving sea

Under a fire-spilling star,

And it was rigged for a long journey.

Philip Larkin