'Ballad of the Canal' Summary

Phoebe Cary's "Ballad of the Canal" is a lighthearted and satirical take on James T. Fields's "Ballad of the Tempest." It tells the story of a canal boat, personified as a young woman, as it travels through the waterways. The poem, written in a rhythmic and conversational style, highlights the mundane details of the journey, from the canal boat's constant encounters with locks to its encounters with other boats and the people along the way. Cary uses humor to poke fun at the slower pace of life on the canal, contrasting it with the more adventurous and dramatic journey depicted in Field's poem. While the poem playfully critiques the monotony of the canal, it also captures the beauty and serenity of the natural world that surrounds the canal boat. The poem highlights the contrast between the fast-paced world of the sea and the slower, more deliberate pace of the canal, showcasing the unique appeal of this form of travel.