The Sea Wall by Alice Meynell (1902)

Name: The Sea Wall
Author: Alice Meynell

The Sea Wall by Alice Meynell is a collection of poems that explore the beauty and power of the ocean. The book is divided into four sections, each representing a different aspect of the sea: the waves, the tides, the shore, and the depths. Through her vivid imagery and carefully chosen words, Meynell invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of the sea and its impact on human life. In "The Waves," Meynell describes the ocean's movement as a "stormy dance," with waves that "roll and crash" against the shore. She uses personification to give the waves a sense of agency, as if they are alive and in motion. In "The Tides," she explores the cyclical nature of the sea, describing how the tides ebb and flow like a "great heartbeat." In "The Shore," Meynell turns her attention to the interplay between the ocean and the land. She writes of how the sea "laps at the feet" of those who stand on the shore, creating a sense of intimacy and connection between the two. In "The Depths," she delves into the unknown depths of the ocean, describing the creatures that dwell there as "mysterious shapes" that are both fascinating and unnerving. Throughout the book, Meynell's use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and awe at the power and beauty of the sea. Her poems invite readers to slow down and appreciate the natural world around them, reminding us that there is beauty in even the most mundane moments.

By Alice Meynell · First published 1902 · Genre: Fiction, Drama, Adventure · 2,195 words

First lines

A singular love of walls is mine. Perhaps because of childish association with mountain-climbing roads narrow in the bright shadows of grey stone, hiding olive trees whereof the topmost leaves prick above into the blue; or perhaps because of subsequent living in London, with its too many windows and too few walls, the city which of all capitals takes least visible hold upon the ground; or for the sake of some other attraction or aversion, walls, blank and strong, reaching outward at the base, are a satisfaction to the eyes teased by the inexpressive peering of windows, by that weak lapse and shuffling which is the London "area,"

and by the helpless hollows of shop-fronts.

What this Textopian page supports

The Sea Wall is listed on Textopian as an essay by Alice Meynell, dated 1902 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Alice Meynell
Date: 1902 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fiction, Drama, Adventure
Length: 2,195 words
Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Work identity for The Sea Wall by Alice Meynell
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fiction — The book appears to tell a story that is not based on factual events, categorizing it as fiction.
Drama — The book likely portrays a dramatic sequence of events, incorporating elements of conflict and emotion.
Adventure — The title suggests elements of exploration and journey, common in adventure genres.