<p>Within the <a data-internal-link data-link-type="Literary Device" href="https://www.supersummary.com/context/">context</a> of a lullaby poem, the moon’s significance lies mostly in its association with night and sleep. But the moon in poetry can function as a representation of interiority and reflection; in this poem, and in other lullabies, a mother sings to a child about identity and community. The familiar terrain, the identification of deep fears, and the assurance of safety all help the listening child feel a sense of autonomy and belonging. The child feels accepted and safe as the moon looks over them in the third line. The moon also represents the child’s own life cycle from infancy to adulthood; just as a child develops and grows, so does the moon as it progresses through phases. This child, new to the world, will grow as the moon does, both adapting to its environment and influencing it as the moon moves the tides and changes with the seasons.</p>

The Moon

<p>For a seal, the waves become all kinds of terrain. In line 2, the “waters that sparkled so green” in daylight stand in for the land that is more familiar to human children. The “combers” (Line 3) over which the moon watches take the place of tall trees or clouds in which the moon nestles from its position in the sky.

Waves

The “Flipperling”

Natural World

Animals in Literature

Genres

Juvenile Literature

Historic & Literary Period

Modernism

Poetry

Poetry: Animal Symbolism

Short Poems

Rudyard Kipling

Middle grade

Poem

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore Seal Lullaby and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Seal Lullaby

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