Felicia Hemans (1793-1835)
“Casabianca” (1826)
Depictions of the sinking of the L’Orient
Reading Questions
- What is the central conflict in the poem, and how does Hemans use imagery and diction to convey the boy’s inner strength and isolation?
- How does Casabianca reflect or challenge ideals such as heroism, sacrifice, and the moral purity of children?
- Examine the role of duty and obedience in the poem.
- How does the poem’s structure and form (including its rhyme and meter) contribute to its emotional tone and narrative pacing?
- What emotions is the poem designed to evoke in readers—and to what effect?
- How and where does “Casabianca” contain passionate patriotism paired with critique of violence/militarism? In what ways? (Be specific as to what constitutes “passion” as well as what constitutes “critique.”)
- How and where do Hemans’ poems muddy the lines between public and private spheres? In what ways?
Sample Annotation
The boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle’s wreck,
Shone round him o’er the dead.
Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,
A proud, though childlike form.
The flames rolled on – he would not go,
Without his father’s word; 10
That father, faint in death below,
His voice no longer heard.
He called aloud – ‘Say, father, say
If yet my task is done?’
He knew not that the chieftain lay
Unconscious of his son.
‘Speak, father!’ once again he cried,
‘If I may yet be gone!’
– And but the booming shots replied,
And fast the flames rolled on. 20
Upon his brow he felt their breath
And in his waving hair;
And look’d from that lone post of death,
In still yet brave despair.
And shouted but once more aloud,
‘My father! must I stay?’
While o’er him fast, through sail and shroud,
The wreathing fires made way.
They wrapped the ship in splendour wild,
They caught the flag on high, 30
And streamed above the gallant child,
Like banners in the sky.
There came a burst of thunder sound –
The boy – oh! where was he?
Ask of the winds that far around
With fragments strewed the sea!
With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part,
But the noblest thing which perished there,
Was that young faithful heart. 40
Video Recitation
I found this video recitation of “Casabianca” on YouTube. Judging by the upload date, it was recorded sometime around 2021. The young boy in the video greets his teachers and classmates in the opening, so I am assuming this video was for a class assignment.
What is your response to seeing this poem assigned to children as an elocution and performance exercise?
