The legendary tale of the phoenix, the bird who dies and is reborn in it’s own ashes, stories of unicorns, the loch ness monster, mermaids, and of types of fantastical creatures from the Sirens to the Centaurs are found in every era and every form of artistic expression. Books, songs, epic poems, plays and, nowadays, movies, chronicle the human fascination with the supernatural. Beginning with ancient works, men have used great beasts, Gods, and mythical creatures to explain mysteries, the origin of life itself, and, at times, the human spirit, through conflict with great and supernatural adversaries. Although “The Chambered Nautilus” by Oliver Wendell Holmes contains striking similarities to Countee Cullen’s “That Bright Chimeric Beast,” in terms of figurative language, there are interesting differences between the poems which include their content, message and the author’s perspective.
The rhythm between Oliver Wendell Holmes’ “The Chambered Nautilus” and “That Bright Chimeric Beast” by Countee Cullen show similarities in that both are clear and distinct in their emphasis on certain words. In lines 33-38 of “That Bright Chimeric Beast” accentuation is clearly focusing on the presence, and importance, of the three mythological beasts portrayed in this poem.
“There only shall the swish
Be heard of the regal fish;
There like a golden knife
Dart the feet of the unicorn,
And there, death brought to life,
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The dead bird be reborn.”
The same characterization is used in line 1 of “The Chambered Nautilus” when the author uses a metaphor to stress the existence, and the significance of the chambered nautilus depicted in his poem.
“This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign,”
If it has been read correctly, it is impossible to miss the subject in either of these poems, being Mr. Cullen’s’ three mythological beasts, or Mr. Holmes’ chambered nautilus. This is partly because each author used a rhythm, which makes it possible to recognize the topic of each poem, through a specialized use of figurative language.
However alike these poems are in rhythm parallels how unlike they seem to be in content. The most obvious difference between the two poems, is that one speaks about three fictional beasts, and the other about one genuine animal. The three mythological beings in Countee Cullen’s poem are the phoenix, the unicorn and a great whale. In Oliver Wendell Holmes’ poem, the chambered nautilus, an authentic animal living in the depths of the ocean still today, is featured. Also Mr. Cullen’s poem revolves around his subject, the three fantastical myths, while Mr. Holmes’ poem goes on to talk about the habits of the chambered nautilus and the message that this animal sends to the world. He speaks of it leaving it’s home to find a new one, and then compares it to his own life and how he should do the same when troubles arise. You cannot change the past, but sometimes what you learn, can shape your own future.
“Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life’s unresting sea!” (32,33,34,35)
None of these messages that Mr. Holmes’ gave us in his poem are as clear in Countee Cullen’s poem. He almost speaks as if these magnificent creatures really did live, until the very end however when he says that only through writing, can one see these beings as truly living.
“If beasts like these you’d harry,
Plump then the poet’s dream;” (29, 30)
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CHAMBERED NAUTILUS (NAUTILUS POMPILIUS) STEVEN HEGARTY CHAMBERED NAUTILUS L. KOCH MARINE SCIENCE 12/21/99 Hegarty 1 The chambered nautilus is a cephalopod, which also includes squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, which belongs to mollusca. There are several species of the nautilus, which include Allo nautilus scrobiculatus, Nautilus belauensis, Nautilus macromphalus, Nautilus pompilius, Nautilus ...
He goes on to comment that only there, in one’s writings and thoughts, can these creatures be found. So although his poem speaks about the importance of these creatures towards the end you realize that he is actually addressing the importance of writing as a means to discover things that cannot otherwise be found. Holmes’ poem on the other hand articulates the importance of the chambered nautilus and how it affects his own life.
Both of these poems consist of a message, although both are very different from one another. Countee Cullen’s poem, gives us the message that writing is a way to learn and fantasize great things like his unicorn, phoenix, and great whale. He explains that they do not live anywhere else, except in the authors mind, and on his paper. He gives details to support his suggestion in his poem. In lines 33 and 34 of his piece he says that only there can these beasts be found and only there will they live on forever.
“There only shall the swish
Be heard of the regal fish;”
Though both poems convey an important message, both are vastly different. Mr. Holmes’ is one of life in general as opposed to Mr. Cullen’s view which is construed to just one aspect, writing. Holmes’ poem for a major part speaks of the living habits of the sea creature the chambered nautilus. It is not until the very end that he explains the comparison between this creature and his own life. He addresses, the issues of problems in one’s life, and how to deal with them. He tells the reader of how this sea creature can leave his home and find another without ever thinking about the old one again.
“He left the past year’s dwelling for the new,
Stole with soft step its shining archway through,
Built up its idle door,
Stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more.” (18, 19, 20, 21)
The very last line of his poem is such a wonderful way to describe how one should, like the chambered nautilus, leave all your worries and your past troubles behind.
“Leave thine outgrown shell by life’s unresting sea!” (35)
From the knowledge I have gathered about the authors I have learned that both have had a similar education, and that both lived relatively in the same time frame. However, both seem to have a contrasting view, for the poems are written so differently. Countee Cullen’s “That Chimeric Beast” seems to paint a picture of three magical beasts. The way in which he writes makes the reader believe that he is quite fond of the three beings in his poem, and that he has a high regard for each of them. Oliver Wendell Holmes’ poem though, “The Chambered Nautilus”, tells of just one animal, and he speaks of one of its habits and not of its qualities that make it unique. Cullen, in his poem, indirectly gave an indication that he thought these three brilliant creatures were admirable. He gave examples of how man could not take away these beasts freedom for they lived within the mind.
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“Never may be shaken
From his solitude;
Never may be taken” (5, 6, 7)
However Holmes never gave his opinion on the chambered nautilus, only on one aspect of his life. Although he did believe that this part of the nautilus’ life was admirable, and should be mimicked.
“Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee,
Child of the wandering sea,” (22, 23)
Later in the poem he goes on to say that he himself should build his soul a new mansion and that he should leave his low vaulted past.
Both authors, favor the examples set by the creatures they have featured in each piece, however they go about it in different ways. Each piece is written with such clarity, that it is obvious each author has a special tie to the poem. These poems, however alike or unalike, will, if allowed, take you out of the ashes of the phoenix and into the sea of the nautilus.
Work’s Cited
1.Wendell Holmes, Oliver. “The Chambered Nautilus.” Designs in Poetry. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1962
2.Cullen, Countee. “That Chimeric Beast.” Designs in Poetry. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1962
