Crossing the Bar

By Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron

Tennyson FRS
Overview
Born: August 6th, 1809; Somersby, Lincolnshire, England

Died: October 6th, 1892; Lurgashall, Sussex, England. He had the honor of
being buried at Westminster Abbey.

Education:

● King Edward VI Grammar School

● Trinity College, Cambridge (part of Cambridge University)

While at Trinity he earned the Cambridge Chancellor’s Gold Medal for his
poem “Timbuktu.” He also joined a secret society called the Cambridge
Apostles.
Poetry
Tennyson and his 2 brothers often wrote poetry starting in their younger
years. When he was 17, a collection of their poems was published locally.
Tennyson is known as one of the 3 most famous people at his time, including
Queen Victoria (who appointed him,) and Prime Minister William Gladstone,
and to this day remains one of the most famous English poets in history.
Poet Laureate
Tennyson was appointed to be the poet laureate by the Queen. The poet
laureate is an exceptional poet chosen to be the “official poet” of the country
and write poetry for important national events.

Because of this position, many of his poems were considered patriotic and he
was called a “particularly British” poet.
Genre and Period
Tennyson is one of the most famous Victorian poets.

Most of his poems are considered classical, which are poems that emphasize
“simplicity and clarity while limiting the display of emotion.”

Other classical poems include:

● “Sonnet 29” by William Shakespeare

● “If-” by Rudyard Kipling
● “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost
● “Pioneers! Oh Pioneers!” By Walt Whitman
Reception
Tennyson’s work has always been considered great. It was looked upon
positively.
Crossing the Bar
Analysis
The poem is a metaphor for his impending death. (Rhyme Scheme: ABAB)

Last stanza:

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

(Capitalization of time and place.)

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.

(He wants to see God when he dies. He capitalizes pilot. The capitalization in this last stanza suggests he knows
exactly what is going to happen when he dies.)
Vocabulary
Bar: A bar is a shallow area of sand or mud, usually deposited near the mouth
of a bay or river. (eg. Columbia River Bar)

Put out: Depart in a boat.

Sources
● https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/alfred-tennyson
● https://www.reference.com/art-literature/classical-poetry-e2bd880b6891022c
● https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-reception-of-alfred-tennyson-in-europe-9781441114198/