The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Group

Question:

spears1445
spears1445
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Why does the Mariner kill the albatross? What is the symbolic nature of the action?

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Posted by spears1445 on Friday April 4, 2008 at 9:59 AM and tagged with albatross, mariner, rime of the ancient mariner, symbol, symbolism, the rime of the ancient mariner.

Answers:


  1. amy-lepore Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The Mariner kills the albatross because he associated the lack of wind with it.  At first all the men thought the bird was good luck since a good wind blew and they moved swiftly.  Then, the wind died and they blamed the bird.  THe sailors cheered when the Mariner killed the bird which is symbolic of animal abuse.  By killing the bird, he is disrespecting all of nature--a sin since the poem states:  all creatures great and small the lord God created them all.

    Once the Mariner "blesses the snake unaware," then he begins the long trek back to being forgiven and living out the rest of his life wandering the earth and teaching others how to treat mother nature and all her creatures.

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/rime-ancient

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    Posted by amy-lepore on Friday April 4, 2008 at 10:29 AM

  2. thedra
    thedra

    Although critical to advancing the story, killing the albatross isn't really central to it; it's what follows. The killing was an impulsive act by a sailor who doesn't appreciate "all things great and small." He kills it because he can. Animals don't matter. What happens after killing the bird is what is important. Ultimately he suffers the consequences of indiscriminately killing the bird; his mates perish and he is condemned to wander the earth telling his tale. He also learns that he must love all god's creatures, etc. My question is why his mates perish and he doesn't. If I were one, I'd say, "Hey jerk, you die and I'll wander the earth telling your tale!"

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    Posted by thedra on Friday July 18, 2008 at 8:27 AM

  3. admc
    admc Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    the mariner kills the albatrooss for no apparent reason; he might have thought the albatross was bad luck. the bird is symbolic of nature which the mariner had no respect for when he shot it.

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    Posted by admc on Saturday July 19, 2008 at 11:56 AM