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   luannw Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   At the start of Part V, the Mariner says "Oh sleep! it is a gentle thing,".  He is finally able to sleep a restful, peaceful sleep.  In the previous part, he finally was able to pray and the albatross fell off his neck.  He is on his way to redemption, though far from completely redeemed - that never fully happens.  In Par IV, the Mariner stopped seeing the sea creatures as "slimy things" and begins to see them for their beauty, remarking on their colors and calling them "happy living things".  It is because he sees the beauty in nature and has come to appreciate all living things as having value that he is able to pray, the albatross falls off his neck, and he is able to sleep.

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   Posted by luannw on Thursday March 19, 2009 at 10:48 AM