Thoughts on Casabianca

What is so striking about this poem is its simplicity. Hemans mostly focuses on the images of the burning deck and the young boy. Each image remains consistent; the ship continues to burn and the boy remains steadfast. The fact that one of these characteristics must change in order to give the poem a happy ending is what makes it so thrilling and powerful.



The relationship between these two images and the ending reveal much about the poems' meaning. The constant reminder that the young boy is standing alone on the burning ship makes his loyalty all the more endearing. Hemans also uses varied diction to describe the same scene which prevents the reader from becoming numb to what's happening. For example, in the first line Casabianca is referred to as "the boy", in line 8 he becomes "A proud, though childlike form", and finally the last line employs metonymy go make him a "young faithful heart". Each new word choice emphasizes the character's youth and valiance, especially when juxtaposed to the description of the fire, which grows more terrible throughout the piece.



This brings me to the interpretation that Hemans' point is that Casiabianca's sacrifice was so beautiful because of his youth. Although he was surrounded by dead crew member and flames the boy refuses to leave without his father's permission. His courage is also emphasized by the second line, "Whence all but he had fled". All in all, the piece is compelling and will not be easily forgotten.