Sea Fever

Updated for Madhyamik 2027
Board Exam Preparation
10 min read
20 MCQs15 Notes
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Key Topics & Concepts

1.Poet - John Masefield Poet Laureate & Maritime Writer for WBBSE

  • John Edward Masefield (1878-1967) - English poet, Poet Laureate of UK (1930-death)
  • Author of children's novels: The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights - for exam context
  • Poem expresses excitement about sea voyage anticipation - wanderlust theme for Class 10
  • Passionate seascape description reveals eternal desire to seek nature - central message
  • Maritime poetry genre - reflects Masefield's own sailing experiences (biographical link)

2.Poem Lines with Sea Imagery: Ships, Wind, Waves & Adventure

  • Opening refrain: "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky"
  • "All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by" - navigation desire
  • "wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking" - sensory sailing details
  • "grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking" - atmospheric imagery
  • "wind's like a whetted knife" - simile showing harsh maritime conditions

3.Character Analysis: Seafarer Persona & Fellow Rover for Exam

  • Poet/speaker - experienced sailor longing for "vagrant gypsy life" (wanderer character)
  • Seafaring life described - both harsh and romantic simultaneously (dual nature)
  • "call of the running tide" - irresistible wild and clear call (personification)
  • "laughing fellow-rover" - companionship of fellow sailors (maritime brotherhood)
  • Three stanzas show progression from desire to acceptance of wanderer's life (structure)

4.Literary Themes & MCQ Topics: Wanderlust, Freedom, Nature Connection

  • Wanderlust theme - irresistible call of adventure and sea (MCQ: poem's central theme)
  • Freedom vs conventional life - sea represents escape from land restrictions (contrast)
  • Human-nature connection - communion with sea, wind, gulls (environmental bond)
  • Repetition device - "I must go down" refrain creates rhythm (poetic technique)
  • Circular structure - reinforces irresistible pull of sea (structural analysis)
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Q. 1
What does the poet ask for to guide his ship?
A
Compass
B
Star
C
Wind
D
Map
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Q. 2
How is the call of the running tide described?
A
Weak
B
Wild
C
Silent
D
Soft
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Q. 3
Which word best captures the poet’s yearning?
A
Indifference
B
Reluctance
C
Fear
D
Passion
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Q. 4
What does the phrase “I must go down to the seas again” express?
A
Fear
B
Duty
C
Strong desire
D
Boredom
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Q. 5
Which image is NOT used in the poem?
A
White sail’s shaking
B
Golden sun
C
Wheel’s kick
D
Grey mist
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Q. 6
What is the overall setting of the poem?
A
Open sea
B
Busy city
C
Mountain
D
Desert
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Q. 7
What does “white clouds flying” suggest?
A
Calm weather
B
Cloudy night
C
Windy day
D
Rainy day
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Q. 8
Which element is NOT mentioned in the poem?
A
Tall ship
B
Grey mist
C
Rainbow
D
White sail
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Q. 9
What does the image of “sea-gulls crying” add to the poem?
A
Sadness
B
Silence
C
Loneliness
D
Sound of nature
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Q. 10
What is the tone of the poem?
A
Indifferent
B
Joyful and adventurous
C
Sad and gloomy
D
Angry and bitter
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Q. 11
What does the “tall ship” symbolize?
A
Stagnation
B
Isolation
C
Strength and adventure
D
Weakness
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Q. 12
How does the poet feel about the running tide?
A
Angry
B
Indifferent
C
Scared
D
Captivated
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Q. 13
What does the poet expect from a “fellow-rover”?
A
Merry yarn
B
Stern look
C
Silent nod
D
Deep conversation
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Q. 14
What is meant by “quiet sleep and a sweet dream”?
A
Nightmare
B
Confusion
C
Rest and peace
D
Boredom
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Q. 15
What lifestyle does the poet desire?
A
Vagrant gypsy life
B
Royal life
C
Settled life
D
Scholarly life
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Q. 16
What does “the wheel’s kick” refer to?
A
Animal's movement
B
Ocean wave
C
Bird's flight
D
Ship's steering
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Q. 17
To what is the wind compared in the poem?
A
Soft pillow
B
Whetted knife
C
Gentle breeze
D
Calm river
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Q. 18
What does “a grey dawn breaking” describe?
A
Rain
B
Sunrise
C
Sunset
D
Storm
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Q. 19
What does the “running tide” represent?
A
Human effort
B
Calm life
C
Slow time
D
Nature’s pull
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Q. 20
Which element creates lively imagery in the poem?
A
Silent sea
B
Cold wind
C
Flung spray
D
Empty sky
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