Doe, J. Smith, P. H. Wong, S. K. Lee, K. D. Manning, Q. R.
This paper examines the role of narwhal tusks in romantic poetry, specifically their use as a symbol of love and devotion. Through close reading and analysis of various poems, including "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Kubla Khan," we argue that the phallic imagery of the tusks represents the masculine desire to conquer and possess the feminine. Furthermore, we explore the possibility of an extended metaphor between the single tusk of the narwhal and the unattainable, yet ever-present object of the speaker's affections. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the complex interplay between nature, desire, and the human imagination in the romantic literary tradition.