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Comment 8 of 8, added on December 8th, 2008 at 8:18 PM.
In the beginning of the poem, the ship symbolizes the world. God's creation
of the ship makes that obvious. However, when the ship begins to follow
it's own course I believe it is supposed to reflect mankind's course
("rediculous voyages", "stupid winds"). The poem isn't anti-god. Crane
beleives in god in the Deist respect and this poem is proof. God made the
world, now he watches it's progress. In his story "The Open Boat", Crane
explains that the plight of man is that people believe that God is
responsible for our misfortune. Crane would have us, instead, become
accountable for our actions and make our own fate. God does not steer our
ship!
Ken from United States
Comment 7 of 8, added on May 5th, 2007 at 11:01 PM.
It's very ironic that God still has the rudder. It's as though he has the
power to steer the world, but the can't use it. While it says god is
all-powerful, an "All-Master" he is also powerless.
Anachronism
Comment 6 of 8, added on February 26th, 2007 at 10:50 AM.
I believe that this poem is a metaphor of me, i am imperfect in this world
of perfection. i am rudderless in this world of perfect navigation, as
these GPS devices guide hopeless wanderers from invisible places just as
people claim God guides us. i am left with no GPS or cellular phone i am
distant from this world of communication. Civillization is leaving me in
its wake, i have no technology therefore in this modern world i am
imperfect.
lady mystique from United States
Comment 5 of 8, added on February 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 PM.
I think the ship is a definite metaphore of the world. It is stating that
God made it and ignored it. Then he or angels laughed at it for going in a
sinful nature. This poem shows hostility towards God.
Mike from United States
Comment 4 of 8, added on November 25th, 2005 at 11:53 AM.
Yes, the ship must be (is) a metaphor for the world, but probably more
specific; the western part of the world -- Europe especially. Not that God
would fail to rule the world, but many in the west have abandoned God and
is now, according to the "God-less" themselves, sailing without a goal.
Jeremiah from Sweden
Comment 3 of 8, added on February 3rd, 2005 at 9:35 PM.
And here I was, taking the obvious route and viewing the ship as a metaphor
for the world. It's a lot easier than pigeon-holing a meaning into a poet
whose style relies heavily on blunt metaphors, but to each their own.
Jayce from United States
Comment 2 of 8, added on January 26th, 2005 at 6:37 PM.
The ship must be a metaphor, but what is it to represent? A rebellious
teen, perhaps, who has yet to recieve guidance? What is there in life,
that which wanders aimlessly? Perhaps this ship is to resemble a greater
ideal, who has not yet to be put to use. It simply floats around on
peoples minds, and they fail to use it. It has not yet been given
direction by the person. But then, who or what would that make God? Is God
meant to resemble people's minds, in this respect? Perhaps God is only
then each and every one of us, in our own minds, and yet our thoughts slip
through before we give them direction. And if this aimless thought is to
be voiced, why, everyone would laugh at it. So what then is this wrong?
Bluemonkey from United States
Comment 1 of 8, added on August 26th, 2004 at 5:00 PM.
extremely funny
Bob
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In the beginning of the poem, the ship symbolizes the world. God's creation
of the ship makes that obvious. However, when the ship begins to follow
it's own course I believe it is supposed to reflect mankind's course
("rediculous voyages", "stupid winds"). The poem isn't anti-god. Crane
beleives in god in the Deist respect and this poem is proof. God made the
world, now he watches it's progress. In his story "The Open Boat", Crane
explains that the plight of man is that people believe that God is
responsible for our misfortune. Crane would have us, instead, become
accountable for our actions and make our own fate. God does not steer our
ship!
Ken from United States