The Wreck of The Titanic

THE WRECK OF THE TITANIC
Benjamin Peck Keith
1. Write a critical appreciation of the poem, ‘The Wreck of the Titanic’.

The poem ‘The Wreck of Titanic’ by Benjamin Peck Keith is an excellent one. The poem tells
how noble people could be even in times of danger. It talks about the sinking of the Titanic and
brings out the best in men even in the most adverse circumstances threatening their lives.
From Southampton the Titanic starts her voyage. It was a beautiful and grand ship. She was a
sea dream. Thousands of people standing on the shore watched her steaming away. She was
the largest and the grandest of all the ships made until then. There were thousands of passengers
in the ship. They felt very secure. Nobody thought of any danger, as the captain stood at the
wheel. He was directing the course of the ship. The ship was speeding on her first voyage when
suddenly, out of the darkness, in the night, a ghostly white, iceberg appeared. Soon it collided
with the ship wrecking it. It soon began to sink and people knew it was sinking. Captain Smith
was the commander of the ship. He was brave. Not even for one moment he thought of saving
his life. He stood on the bridge and told his crew that they were British and they should
remember their country and should do their duty. They decided to send the women and children
in the lifeboats. The crew had no hope of saving themselves. The Titanic sank from sight, as
the band played ‘Nearer my God to Thee’. There never was a scene grander or more tragic than
this. The ship was sinking but the band was playing. All credit goes to Smith, the crew and the
men of Titanic. Their bravery and courage will be remembered forever. They had showed such
courage and nobility during the great tragedy.
The poem has different themes which include shipwreck, duty and sacrifice. It appeals to our
emotions like patriotism, love for one’s fellow-beings and pity. The poet has used simple, lucid
and conversational language. The poem is in rhyme and the rhyming scheme is aabb. It has a
fine rhythm and it sounds melodious. It has fine imagery and the poet has used a number of
figures of speeches, especially metaphor and personification.
The poem has great relevance as it gives insights about crisis management, the need for
compassion, fortitude and heroism in times of crises.
2. Prepare a newspaper report about the wreck of the Titanic.

The Titanic Sinks, More Than 1500 People Dead
Southampton: 15 April 1912: The Titanic which began its maiden voyage from Southampton
to New York collided with a huge iceberg and sank in the icy waters off Newfoundland. It was
the biggest passenger ship ever made and it was supposed to be unsinkable. There were 2220
passengers and nearly 60 crew members. The captain was Mr. Smith. Since the ship was
thought to be safe, it earned only a few lifeboats. Captain Smith and the crew behaved gallantly.
Instead rushing to safety, they allowed the passengers to go into the. lifeboats. They asked the
women and children to enter the life boats first. More than 1500 people could not get to safety
and they sank with the Titanic. What Captain Smith, the crew and the male passengers did was
a heroic act. It will be remembered by the posterity. England has declared a day of mourning
for the dead. The government has announced some financial relief to the relatives of the
victims.
One survivor- Marianne Monroe – remarked: “I have never seen anything more tragic and
nobler in all my life.”
3. Sketch the character of Captain Smith.
Captain Smith was the commander of the ship. He was brave. Not even for one moment he
thought of saving his life. He stood on the bridge and told his crew that they were British and
they should remember their country and should do their duty. They decided to send the women
and children in the lifeboats. The crew had no hope of saving themselves. The Titanic sank
from sight, as the band played ‘Nearer my God to Thee’. There never was a scene grander or
more tragic than this. The ship was sinking but the band was playing. All credit goes to Smith,
the crew and the men of Titanic. Their bravery and courage will be remembered forever. They
had showed such courage and nobility during the great tragedy.
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THE WRECK OF THE TITANIC

Benjamin Peck Keith

1. Write a critical appreciation of the poem, ‘The Wreck of the Titanic’.

2. Prepare a newspaper report about the wreck of the Titanic.

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