Imagery through Poetry

CASABIANCA
by: Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835)

List of Images:Fire(the sea), The Deck, A ship, A flag

In Heman’s poem, Casabianca, she employs the use of imagery through a collection of ordinary items symbolizing valiant nobleness. The poem’s core image is the ever-growing, merciless fire. The fire is personified as a ravenous sea raging war on a ship, which is representative of a young boy’s house. By giving the fire life, it contributes to the intensity of the boy’s struggle, or lack thereof, against it.
Although the fire in this story is portrayed as a murderer, when taking the symbol of fire itself out of this context, it could be viewed as a blessing. After a fire clears, it symbolizes rebirth; like a phoenix being reborn from its ashes, or newfound strength from a community rebuilding their homes and lives. Also, one must take into the account that many cremate their deceased love ones and release their ashes back into the world so that they may live again. Therefore, one can guess that only through this boy’s loyal obedience did he warrant to die such a powerful, yet passionate death. He was the second in command of his ship, and when his captain father failed to fulfill his duties, he devotedly stepped in his place and went down with his ship. Even though upon reaching the fifth and seventh stanzas it became apparent that the boy was nervous and terrified, those fears can be accredited to his lack of maturity, not of his lack in loyalty or strength. To face death straight in the eye must have taken a great deal of courage; courage that many full grown men would not have been able to accomplish if put in his situation. To reinforce the poem, Herman also includes the flag. The flag is a patriotic image, utilized to strengthen the boy’s loyalty to his father just as people honor their country loyalty through their flag. The imagery then comes full circle by expressing the idea that the wind and seas are now carrying the youth’s ashes across the universe. Evidently, through the imagery- enriched narration of this tragic youth’s tale, the story is delivered in a more powerful and meaningful manner.