Poem Explanation

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Last edited 11 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 14. The Coromandel Fishers

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“The Coromandel Fishers” by Sarojini Naidu is a vibrant celebration of the life, spirit, and deep connection of the fishing community with the sea. It paints a vivid picture of their daily routine, infused with a sense of adventure, camaraderie, and an unshakeable faith in nature. The poem beautifully captures the joy and strength of those who live by the rhythms of the ocean, highlighting their courage and profound respect for their livelihood. It’s an ode to the dignity of their labor and their profound unity with the natural world.

Summary of the Poem The poem describes a morning scene where a group of Coromandel fishermen are urged to wake up and prepare for their day at sea. The poet emphasizes their deep bond with the ocean, calling it their mother, and portrays their dangerous yet rewarding work with pride. Despite the risks involved in battling the sea’s unpredictable nature, they are fearless, trusting in a divine power to protect them. They acknowledge the comforts of land but declare the thrill and bounty of the sea to be far sweeter, encouraging each other to row towards the distant horizon where the sky meets the sea.

Poem Stanza by Stanza Explanation

1. The Morning Call to Adventure Rise, brothers, rise; the wakening skies pray to the morning light, The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn like a child that has cried all night. Come, let us gather our nets from the shore and set our catamarans free, To capture the leaping wealth of the tide, for we are the kings of the sea!

This stanza opens with an urgent call to action. The poet describes the early morning scene where the sky itself seems to be waking up and praying, signifying the start of a new day. The wind, which was probably strong and active during the night, is now calm and still, compared to a tired child. The fishermen are encouraged to prepare their boats (catamarans) and nets to go out and catch the abundant fish, referred to as the “leaping wealth of the tide.” They proudly declare themselves “kings of the sea,” highlighting their mastery and dominance over the ocean.

2. Kinship with Nature and Divine Protection No longer delay, let us hasten away in the track of the sea gull’s call, The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother, the waves are our comrades all. What though we toss at the fall of the sun where the hand of the sea-god drives? He who holds the storm by the hair, will hide in his breast our lives.

Here, the poet urges the fishermen not to waste any time and to follow the seagulls, which guide them to fish. The deep, almost spiritual connection of the fishermen with nature is beautifully expressed: the sea is their nurturing mother, the cloud their supportive brother, and the waves their trusted companions. They acknowledge the dangers of the sea, especially when strong currents and storms are driven by the “sea-god.” However, they express absolute faith that this powerful sea-god, who controls even the fiercest storms, will protect their lives.

3. The Irresistible Lure of the Sea Sweet is the shade of the cocoanut glade, and the scent of the mango grove, And sweet are the sands at the full o’ the moon with the sound of the voices we love; But sweeter, O brothers, the kiss of the spray and the dance of the wild foam’s glee; Row, brothers, row to the edge of the verge, where the low sky mates with the sea.

In the final stanza, the poet contrasts the comforts and pleasures of life on land with the thrill of the sea. They acknowledge the sweetness of resting under coconut trees, the fragrance of mango groves, and the joy of loved ones’ voices on moonlit sands. However, they declare that the “kiss of the spray” (the refreshing splash of sea water) and the joyful “dance of the wild foam” are far sweeter. This highlights their passion for their adventurous life at sea. The stanza ends with a powerful call to row towards the horizon, to the farthest point where the sky appears to meet the sea, symbolizing their boundless ambition and journey into the unknown.

Literary Techniques, Poetic Choices and Figures of Speech

Imagery: The poet uses vivid descriptive language to create strong mental pictures. Examples include “wakening skies,” “leaping wealth of the tide,” “shade of the cocoanut glade,” “scent of the mango grove,” “wild foam’s glee.”

Simile: A comparison using “like” or “as.”

“The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn like a child that has cried all night.” (Compares the calm wind to a sleeping child.)

Metaphor: A direct comparison without using “like” or “as.”

“for we are the kings of the sea!” (Compares fishermen to kings, implying their mastery.)

“The sea is our mother, the cloud is our brother, the waves are our comrades all.” (Compares natural elements to family members, showing deep connection.)

“leaping wealth of the tide” (Fish are directly called “wealth.”)

Personification: Giving human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas.

“the wakening skies pray to the morning light” (Skies are given the human action of praying.)

“The wind lies asleep in the arms of the dawn” (Wind is given the human action of sleeping.)

“the hand of the sea-god drives” (Sea-god has a hand.)

“He who holds the storm by the hair” (Storm is personified as having hair.)

“the kiss of the spray” (Spray is given the human action of kissing.)

“the dance of the wild foam’s glee” (Foam is given the human actions of dancing and feeling glee.)

“where the low sky mates with the sea” (Sky is given the human action of mating.)

Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words close together.

“Rise, brothers, rise”

“wakening skies”

“sweet is the shade”

“sea is our mother”

Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.

“And sweet are the sands… But sweeter, O brothers…” (The repetition of “sweet/sweeter” emphasizes the contrast.)

Rhyme Scheme: Each stanza follows an AABB rhyme scheme, creating a strong, rhythmic flow, similar to the rhythm of rowing. (light/night, free/sea; call/all, drives/lives; grove/love, glee/sea).

Metaphorical Language: The entire poem uses metaphorical language to elevate the mundane life of a fisherman to something heroic and epic.

Themes / Message of the Poem

Courage and Bravery: The fishermen face the unpredictable and often dangerous sea with immense courage, showcasing their fearless spirit and readiness to confront challenges.

Harmony with Nature: The poem emphasizes a profound and spiritual connection between the fishermen and the natural world, viewing the sea, clouds, and waves as family and companions rather than just resources or obstacles.

Dignity of Labor: It celebrates the hard work and unique way of life of the fishing community, portraying their occupation not merely as a job but as a noble and fulfilling pursuit.

Community and Brotherhood: The repeated address “brothers” highlights the strong bond, unity, and shared purpose among the fishermen as they embark on their ventures together.

The Call of Adventure and Freedom: Despite the comforts of land, the fishermen are drawn to the thrill, excitement, and freedom that the vast, open sea offers, choosing adventure over domesticity.

Faith and Trust: There is an underlying theme of faith in a higher power (the sea-god) who protects them from the dangers of the storm, indicating their trust in forces beyond their control.

Author Spotlight: Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949), often hailed as ‘the Nightingale of India’ (or ‘Bharat Kokila’ in Hindi!), wasn’t just a poet; she was a fiery freedom fighter and a fierce advocate for women’s rights in India. Imagine writing beautiful poems one day and leading protests for independence the next!

Born into a Bengali family in Hyderabad, Naidu was a child prodigy who started writing poetry at a very young age. Her words were often vibrant, painting vivid pictures of Indian life, culture, and nature, which is why her nickname ‘Nightingale’ fits so well – her poetry truly sang! She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first female governor of an Indian state. So, when she writes about fishermen being “kings of the sea,” you can almost hear her own voice, full of pride and strength, celebrating the everyday heroes of India. Her poems, like “The Coromandel Fishers,” often carry a subtle message of strength, unity, and a deep love for her homeland, reflecting her own life’s work for India’s freedom.

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