In response to Johnathan Swift's Blog entry on The Haunted Beach by Mary Robinson...
Johnathan's comparison of "The Haunted Beach" to Samuel Coleridge's
"The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere" caught my interest. Having learned in class about the two
writers relationship and possible influence it makes sense that the two works are comparable.
What I found interesting in his discussion of "The Haunted Beach" was how Johnathan considered that it might
actually be a sequel to Coleridge's tale of the Ancient Mariner. It made me reconsider my own analysis of Robinson's poem.
Although I found similarities, I never considered the possibility that the dead mariner could be the ancient marinere
from Coleridge's poem and that the feeling of guilt was now passed on to the fisherman for his own sin.
I think that this would be a creative way to create a sequel to "The Rime of the Anyent Marinere",
but I have come to decide that it is not a sequel.
Similar to Johnathan's conclusion, I think "The Haunted Beach" is a way for Robinson to show her appreciation of coleridge's
writing. However, the similar theme of guilt and the idea of feeling haunted by one's guilt creates a strong link between the two
stories that shouldn't be overlooked.
In both stories the characters are haunted by their own guilt from different acts they've committed. The fisherman's guilt
is different because he is stuck to wander the haunted beach like a ghost and suffer with the knowledge of what he has done.
The mariner must also be plagued by his guilt, but also suffer with having to retell the story to others as an act of penance.
Although the fisherman does not have to tell anyone else about his sins he must live close to his sin. He always thinks about the
dead mariner that haunts him on the beach. He can't escape it. So, both characters are constantly reliving the events that
have caused their own agony.
Re-reading the two poems, Johnathan's blog, and again learning about the way the characters feel, suffer, and view their surroundings has allowed me
to create my own idea of how these individuals look. Considering their similarities I imagine their appearances would be
very alike. They would be old, with the worry and thoughts forever imprinted on their wrinkly faces. They would have little care for
their own appearance, with grey, long hair or beards. The images above I feel reflect how the two men may look in person.
The two of them left with the pain of their personal experience on their faces. Always in thought, always concerned, with a haunted look.The marinere
would perhaps have a more anxious appearance as he is constantly having to approach new strangers to share his tale.
However, the fisherman I imagine would have a lonely look to him. The fisherman does not share his pain, only he knows the truth and he suffers
quietly, frightened by the curse that is his guilt. Johnathan's blog allowed me to review my interpretation of "The Haunted Beach" and reflect on
Coleridge's ancient marinere to create a more in depth image of the two men.
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