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peter skrxynecki (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter brownie_7
- Start date
in case u dont know crossing the red sea is a biblical illusion to the israelites' exodus of egypt where they were an enslaved race.
There are 5 parts of this poem
1- a description of th refugees/immigrants on board the ship
2- a brief glimpse at their reason for the exodus
3- a sense of the brutality they have left behind
4- the healing effect of the voyage
5- the reality of daybreak and the promise offered by the horizon
This poem focuses particularly on the journey of the immigrants and the emotional impact. The sea voyage allows for reflection on the past as the refugees look back to the familiar shoreline, and on apprehension.
The first section of the poem describes the MANY who are fleeing. The second is more personal through the use of WE as time separates the travellers from war wounds.
The third gives the individuals amongst the MANY a voice, some expressed out loud, others uttered in a silent prayer.
The fourth expresses ideas about the solitude and healing effect of the voyage
the fifth is about the awakening of hope
There are 5 parts of this poem
1- a description of th refugees/immigrants on board the ship
2- a brief glimpse at their reason for the exodus
3- a sense of the brutality they have left behind
4- the healing effect of the voyage
5- the reality of daybreak and the promise offered by the horizon
This poem focuses particularly on the journey of the immigrants and the emotional impact. The sea voyage allows for reflection on the past as the refugees look back to the familiar shoreline, and on apprehension.
The first section of the poem describes the MANY who are fleeing. The second is more personal through the use of WE as time separates the travellers from war wounds.
The third gives the individuals amongst the MANY a voice, some expressed out loud, others uttered in a silent prayer.
The fourth expresses ideas about the solitude and healing effect of the voyage
the fifth is about the awakening of hope
*Flutterby*
Member
you can get it if u type into the search engine or else skrzynecki because he is well known
santaslayer
Active Member
hmmmmmm.. funny, i was just about to point that out@!
lil princess
Member
Don't know if you still need info. or the poem but i thought i'd post it up anyway...incase anyone else wants some info.
What the poem is about;
Immigration, by sea, from Europe to the southern hemisphere
The personal experience of those on-board the ship
Memories of the past, uncertainty about the future
Summary;
The present situation of the immigrants, on the ship, and their memories of their past lives are explored.
For some, there is sadness in recalling the past; others regard their present situation as a new life, as if they had been born again, like Lazarus.
The journey is kindness in itself, taking them away from suffering.
The new life, beyond the Equator, beckons to them.
Stylistic points;
Note the biblical allusions to the Red Sea and Lazarus, giving the journey a religious significance, like the Jews journey to the Promised Land, through the Red Sea, and Lazarus rising from the dead.
Details of the appearance and behaviour of those on board ship are given.
Quoted dialogue brings the individuals to life.
The Equator is used as a symbol of the lie separating the immigrants from their old life.
- - What is the migrants attitude to their journey? Find three ways in which the poet makes the reader aware of this.
Many slept on deckto watch a sunset they would never see again Peter Skrzynecki opens his poem, Crossing the Red Sea with these lines and they give an immediate feeling of finality. The use of the phrase, they would never see again gives the impression that this decision which the migrants have made is one which cannot be reversed. They were leaving their homes and all that was familiar to them for a promised land of which they knew very little.
The poet uses a quote from a fellow migrant which references a field of red poppies which is symbolic of the fields in Flanders covered in blood in World War II. The migrants were essentially escaping this war ravaged land for the promise and hope of a better life. This hope, which the migrants held is shown in the seventh stanza;
(And the seas breath
Touched the eyes
Of another Lazarus
Who was saying a prayer
In thanksgiving
For miracles)
It is believed that Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus and as such, given a second chance at life. This stanza is symbolic of this second life with the reference to Lazarus but also of the hope which these migrants carried; they were hopeful that this decision would lead them to another chance at life.
The trepidation which the migrants felt was increased due to the length of their journey and the great distance between this new promised land and the familiar country which they were leaving behind. This anxiety leads to despondency which results in the migrants questioning their decision to begin this exodus in the first place.
They beckoned towards
A blood-rimmed horizon
Beyond whose waters
The Equator
Was still to be crossed.
This is the final phrase and suggests that the biggest hurdle is crossing the Equator; the line which separates the north and south but also their past and future lives from each other. There is nervousness regarding this transition from north to south but it is symbolic of a point of no return. The passage quoted says, A blood-rimmed horizon. This suggests that the horizon was edged with blood; of the people who gave their life during the war and of the brutality which the migrants themselves were made to endure throughout the war and in POW camps, and by passing the Equator those memories would literally and emotionally be behind them.
- - What is the effect of using biblical imagery to describe the journey?
Peter Skrzynecki entwines biblical references throughout this entire poem with the intent that they enhance the meaning and add depth to the poem in general. Many similarities can be drawn from Skrzyneckis poem Crossing the Red Sea and the journey which the Israelites took under the guidance of Moses to the Promised Land.
The seventh stanza reads, (And the seas breath//Touched the eyes//Of another Lazarus//Who was saying a prayer//In thanksgiving//For miracles) It is believed that Lazarus was resurrected from the dead by Jesus and this knowledge allows the audience to understand and appreciate the enormity of this journey for the migrants. It refers to a person praying in thanksgiving for miracles; the migrants saw this chance to leave behind the war-ravaged Europe as a miracle.
Through relating his poem to the biblical story of Moses and the Israelites Skrzynecki allows the poem to be read on two levels and with different levels of emotion. If the audience is able to understand and relate to the biblical allusions utilized throughout the poem then it is easier to understand just how important and historical this journey was for the migrants. Without this prior knowledge of the Israelites journey however, some of the meaning is lost, however the audience is still able to see the sacrifices which these people were making and the brutality which they were leaving.
- - What role does the colour red play in the poem?
The colour red is referenced throughout this poem several times and has a slightly different meaning each time. Red is symbolically linked with ideas of sacrifice, bloodshed, courage, the blood of Jesus, love, redemption, passion, martyrdom, energy and enthusiasm, while not all of these meaning are applicable in this situation, a great number of them are.
The first mention of the colour red is in the title Crossing the RED Sea In this case it is symbolic of the migrants courage to leave behind the bloodstained Europe and journey in search of a promised land.
The second mention comes during Section 2, when the poet states, And looked at RED banners. Red is also referred to in Section 3 when it says, I remember a field//Of RED poppies. Blood is also referenced more than once throughout the poem.
In each of these three cases the colour red is symbolic of the courage to move on and past the memories of the war and the effect it had on these individuals and on their beloved country. As stated previously, red can be used to symbolise the blood of Jesus. This is closely related to all of the biblical allusions which are scattered throughout the poem. The colour red is a very emotional colour and people respond to it in different ways, however no matter what the response is it always evokes something in the audience.
Blood//Leaves similar dark stains
- - What similarities can you see between the people of Israel and Peter Skrzynecki and the other migrants? [some of these r really simple but they still work]
Neither master nor slaves; the immigrants are not yet in control of their lives, but they are free of the slavery which they had endured. The Israelites were being set free from the Egyptians slavery as were these migrants.
And the seas breath touched the eyes of another Lazarus who was saying a prayer in thanksgiving for miracles. Skrzynecki refers to Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead and states who was saying a prayer in thanksgiving for miracles. These migrants were thankful for the second chance at life in the promise land just as the Israelites were thankful towards God and Moses.
All night the kindness of the sea continued, this is in reference to the Skrzyneckis physical journey across the Red Sea but also is closely related to the journey the people of Israel took, and how the sea parted to allow them to escape from the Egyptians.
This quote can also be applied in the sense that night permitted the escape to sleep and dreams; at day break the reality of the migrants situation is starkly evident. They appreciated the chance to forget all that they were leaving behind or the uncertainties of this promised land.
And silence fell from its shackles, this quote is symbolic of the freedom from the slavery for the Israelites and that the silence of their (the migrants) suffering can fall away like shackles from prisoners.
Fragments of apparitions that became more tangible than words. The migrants dreams of the promised land were becoming a reality, and did so when they reached Australia, as did the Israelites dreams when they reached Israel.
Breaking into wall-up griefs refers to the walls of the sea which were created as the waters parted.
To look for shorelines, peaks of mountains and the green rivers the promised land of the Israelites.
Lazarus allusion risen from the dead to a new life as it is for the Israelites and migrants.
There's a lot of crap there and may not all be applicable but i managed to find it useful - hope it helps someone...
What the poem is about;
Immigration, by sea, from Europe to the southern hemisphere
The personal experience of those on-board the ship
Memories of the past, uncertainty about the future
Summary;
The present situation of the immigrants, on the ship, and their memories of their past lives are explored.
For some, there is sadness in recalling the past; others regard their present situation as a new life, as if they had been born again, like Lazarus.
The journey is kindness in itself, taking them away from suffering.
The new life, beyond the Equator, beckons to them.
Stylistic points;
Note the biblical allusions to the Red Sea and Lazarus, giving the journey a religious significance, like the Jews journey to the Promised Land, through the Red Sea, and Lazarus rising from the dead.
Details of the appearance and behaviour of those on board ship are given.
Quoted dialogue brings the individuals to life.
The Equator is used as a symbol of the lie separating the immigrants from their old life.
- - What is the migrants attitude to their journey? Find three ways in which the poet makes the reader aware of this.
Many slept on deckto watch a sunset they would never see again Peter Skrzynecki opens his poem, Crossing the Red Sea with these lines and they give an immediate feeling of finality. The use of the phrase, they would never see again gives the impression that this decision which the migrants have made is one which cannot be reversed. They were leaving their homes and all that was familiar to them for a promised land of which they knew very little.
The poet uses a quote from a fellow migrant which references a field of red poppies which is symbolic of the fields in Flanders covered in blood in World War II. The migrants were essentially escaping this war ravaged land for the promise and hope of a better life. This hope, which the migrants held is shown in the seventh stanza;
(And the seas breath
Touched the eyes
Of another Lazarus
Who was saying a prayer
In thanksgiving
For miracles)
It is believed that Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus and as such, given a second chance at life. This stanza is symbolic of this second life with the reference to Lazarus but also of the hope which these migrants carried; they were hopeful that this decision would lead them to another chance at life.
The trepidation which the migrants felt was increased due to the length of their journey and the great distance between this new promised land and the familiar country which they were leaving behind. This anxiety leads to despondency which results in the migrants questioning their decision to begin this exodus in the first place.
They beckoned towards
A blood-rimmed horizon
Beyond whose waters
The Equator
Was still to be crossed.
This is the final phrase and suggests that the biggest hurdle is crossing the Equator; the line which separates the north and south but also their past and future lives from each other. There is nervousness regarding this transition from north to south but it is symbolic of a point of no return. The passage quoted says, A blood-rimmed horizon. This suggests that the horizon was edged with blood; of the people who gave their life during the war and of the brutality which the migrants themselves were made to endure throughout the war and in POW camps, and by passing the Equator those memories would literally and emotionally be behind them.
- - What is the effect of using biblical imagery to describe the journey?
Peter Skrzynecki entwines biblical references throughout this entire poem with the intent that they enhance the meaning and add depth to the poem in general. Many similarities can be drawn from Skrzyneckis poem Crossing the Red Sea and the journey which the Israelites took under the guidance of Moses to the Promised Land.
The seventh stanza reads, (And the seas breath//Touched the eyes//Of another Lazarus//Who was saying a prayer//In thanksgiving//For miracles) It is believed that Lazarus was resurrected from the dead by Jesus and this knowledge allows the audience to understand and appreciate the enormity of this journey for the migrants. It refers to a person praying in thanksgiving for miracles; the migrants saw this chance to leave behind the war-ravaged Europe as a miracle.
Through relating his poem to the biblical story of Moses and the Israelites Skrzynecki allows the poem to be read on two levels and with different levels of emotion. If the audience is able to understand and relate to the biblical allusions utilized throughout the poem then it is easier to understand just how important and historical this journey was for the migrants. Without this prior knowledge of the Israelites journey however, some of the meaning is lost, however the audience is still able to see the sacrifices which these people were making and the brutality which they were leaving.
- - What role does the colour red play in the poem?
The colour red is referenced throughout this poem several times and has a slightly different meaning each time. Red is symbolically linked with ideas of sacrifice, bloodshed, courage, the blood of Jesus, love, redemption, passion, martyrdom, energy and enthusiasm, while not all of these meaning are applicable in this situation, a great number of them are.
The first mention of the colour red is in the title Crossing the RED Sea In this case it is symbolic of the migrants courage to leave behind the bloodstained Europe and journey in search of a promised land.
The second mention comes during Section 2, when the poet states, And looked at RED banners. Red is also referred to in Section 3 when it says, I remember a field//Of RED poppies. Blood is also referenced more than once throughout the poem.
In each of these three cases the colour red is symbolic of the courage to move on and past the memories of the war and the effect it had on these individuals and on their beloved country. As stated previously, red can be used to symbolise the blood of Jesus. This is closely related to all of the biblical allusions which are scattered throughout the poem. The colour red is a very emotional colour and people respond to it in different ways, however no matter what the response is it always evokes something in the audience.
Blood//Leaves similar dark stains
- - What similarities can you see between the people of Israel and Peter Skrzynecki and the other migrants? [some of these r really simple but they still work]
Neither master nor slaves; the immigrants are not yet in control of their lives, but they are free of the slavery which they had endured. The Israelites were being set free from the Egyptians slavery as were these migrants.
And the seas breath touched the eyes of another Lazarus who was saying a prayer in thanksgiving for miracles. Skrzynecki refers to Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead and states who was saying a prayer in thanksgiving for miracles. These migrants were thankful for the second chance at life in the promise land just as the Israelites were thankful towards God and Moses.
All night the kindness of the sea continued, this is in reference to the Skrzyneckis physical journey across the Red Sea but also is closely related to the journey the people of Israel took, and how the sea parted to allow them to escape from the Egyptians.
This quote can also be applied in the sense that night permitted the escape to sleep and dreams; at day break the reality of the migrants situation is starkly evident. They appreciated the chance to forget all that they were leaving behind or the uncertainties of this promised land.
And silence fell from its shackles, this quote is symbolic of the freedom from the slavery for the Israelites and that the silence of their (the migrants) suffering can fall away like shackles from prisoners.
Fragments of apparitions that became more tangible than words. The migrants dreams of the promised land were becoming a reality, and did so when they reached Australia, as did the Israelites dreams when they reached Israel.
Breaking into wall-up griefs refers to the walls of the sea which were created as the waters parted.
To look for shorelines, peaks of mountains and the green rivers the promised land of the Israelites.
Lazarus allusion risen from the dead to a new life as it is for the Israelites and migrants.
There's a lot of crap there and may not all be applicable but i managed to find it useful - hope it helps someone...