"It is too maddening. I've got to fly off, right now, to some devilish navy yard, three hours in a seasick steamer, and after being heartily sick, I'll have to speak three times, and then I'll be sick coming home. Still, who would not be sick for England?"
- John Masefield
About this Quote
John Masefield's quote encapsulates the stress between responsibility and individual pain, showing a quintessentially British inner voice and patriotism. The word "maddening" sets the tone, suggesting that the obligations he deals with are aggravating and overwhelming. Masefield communicates his aggravation with the expression "I've got to fly off, today", recommending a sense of urgency and maybe reluctance about the sudden needs positioned upon him. The immediacy of the circumstance he describes suggests an absence of preparation or desire, emphasizing the problem of his duties.
The recommendation to traveling "to some devilish navy backyard", stimulates a setting that Masefield appears to regard as both important and difficult. The adjective "devilish" imbues the navy lawn with a sense of foreboding, suggesting an environment that is extreme and unforgiving. This imagery is additional intensified by the mention of "three hours in a seasick steamer", highlighting the physical discomfort and hassle he expects to sustain during his journey. Using the term "seasick cleaner" underscores the expected queasiness and discomfort of the trip, painting a vivid picture of his apprehension.
Masefield's statement "after being heartily sick, I'll need to speak three times" underscores the challenge of fulfilling his duties even when weak. It represents a sense of inevitability and resignation in the face of physical illness, yet he appears to accept it as part of his responsibility. The repetition of "sick" to explain both the journey and the return magnifies the sense of dread and discomfort he prepares for.
Yet, the concluding rhetorical concern, "Still, who would not be sick for England?" reveals Masefield's underlying patriotism. It recommends that regardless of the physical and emotional challenges, his inner voice to England stays critical. It captures the spirit of self-sacrifice for one's nation, a belief that is noble and deeply rooted in a sense of national pride. Through this declaration, Masefield articulates the overarching message that individual discomfort is a small cost to pay in service to one's country, highlighting a style of individual sacrifice for the greater good.