It’s possible to interpret The Rime of the Ancient Mariner as an anti-slavery poem, though Coleridge never explicitly stated that it was written with that intention. However, several scholars have argued that the poem’s themes—guilt, suffering, and moral reckoning—resonate with contemporary abolitionist discourse.
Evidence for an Anti-Slavery Reading:
1. The Mariner’s Crime and Guilt:
- The killing of the albatross could symbolize the destruction of innocence and the moral blindness of those who participated in the slave trade.
- The Mariner's suffering and lifelong penance may reflect the deep moral stain that Coleridge believed slavery left on individuals and society.
2. The "Nightmare Life-in-Death" and the Slave Ship Imagery:
- The ghostly ship with Life-in-Death and Death gambling for the Mariner’s soul has been compared to the horrific conditions aboard slave ships.
- The description of the "rotting" ship and the suffering of the crew may evoke the inhumane treatment of enslaved people during the Middle Passage.
3. Connection to Abolitionist Language:
- Coleridge was well aware of abolitionist literature and had condemned slavery in his essays and letters.
- Some of his contemporaries, like William Wordsworth and Robert Southey, wrote more explicitly against slavery, and he was part of the same intellectual circle.
4. Moral and Spiritual Awakening:
- The Mariner's redemption only begins when he recognizes the beauty of the natural world, which could parallel the idea that those complicit in slavery must come to see the humanity of the enslaved.
Possible Counterarguments:
- The poem is deeply allegorical, and Coleridge may have been more focused on broader themes of sin, punishment, and redemption rather than slavery specifically.
- Unlike some of his contemporaries, Coleridge never directly linked the poem to abolition in his writings.
Conclusion:
While The Rime of the Ancient Mariner may not have been written explicitly as an anti-slavery poem, its themes align with abolitionist concerns. Given Coleridge’s personal opposition to slavery, it’s plausible that his views influenced the poem’s imagery and moral lessons.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at 6:27 pm and is filed under Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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