The Great Sailed Canoes: A Mysterious Sight

The Mysterious Appearance of Great Sailed Canoes

The description of the great sailed canoes as ancient phantoms gliding through the water with eerie grace is a perfect example of the narrator's vivid imagination. By likening the canoes to such mythological creatures, the narrator creates a sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding these vessels. The image of canoes sailing gracefully through the water, propelled by large sails billowing in the wind, conjures up a sense of awe and wonder.

However, the narrator's comparison of the canoes to ancient phantoms is ultimately nonsensical. Phantoms are typically associated with ghosts or spirits, entities that are intangible and ethereal. Canoes, on the other hand, are physical objects made of wood or other materials, used for transportation on water. The idea of a physical object resembling a non-physical being is illogical and defies common sense.

The Confusion of the Comparison

The confusion arises from the mismatch between the characteristics of phantoms and canoes. Phantoms are often depicted as translucent or incorporeal beings that defy the laws of nature. Canoes, on the other hand, are solid, tangible objects that obey the principles of physics. The comparison between the two creates a dissonance in the mind of the reader, as it combines elements that are fundamentally incompatible.

The narrator's choice of comparison adds an element of surrealism to the description of the great sailed canoes. By presenting the canoes as otherworldly beings, the narrator imbues them with a sense of magic and mystique. This portrayal enhances the sense of wonder and fascination that the canoes evoke, turning them into objects of curiosity and admiration.