Ithaca: Themes & Linking Poems

“Ithaca” tells a story of a traveller embarking on a journey towards their home but discovering the true essence of the journey lies in the experience and memorablity of it, rather than reaching the destination.
The poem’s underlying theme is the exploration of life as a journey where growth comes from the experiences and challenges faced along the way, rather than the end point.
Time takes on a significant role. While in “Hour”, time was presented as both the enemy and ally, in “Ithaca” it emerges as an enabler, guiding one towards wisdom and self-discovery.

“Ithaca” is relatable to “hour” in the interpretation of Time. Both poems examine time from unconventional perspectives, depicting time as a journey while focusing on valuable experiences it provides.
Like “hour”, “Ithaca” displays love, but in a much broader sense, revealing a love for journey, adventure, discovery and most importantly, life itself. This suggests a thematic similarity between the two poems on the exploration of love.
“Ithaca” shares a theme with “Hour” on the idea of wealth. Whilst “Hour” alerts us to the wealth found when sharing love, “Ithaca” suggests the wealth that can be discovered in the journey of life and the experiences it encapsulates.

The poem adopts a second-person narration, offering a perceived direct conversation with the reader and fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared experience.
The use of the Greek Ithacan myth as a framework for the poem provides a touchstone for themes of journey, exploration and self-discovery, enriching the overall meaning and depth of the poem.
Imagery and symbolism play important roles in the poem, with Emmaus and Laistrygonians symbolising various moments and experiences of life. Such elements imbue the poem with layers of meaning, enhancing its thematic resonance.

“Ithaca” urges readers to cherish each moment and experience of the journey as these constitute the totality of life. It’s a call to action for the appreciation of experience over accomplishment.
The poem serves as an extended metaphor for life’s journey and the pursuit of one’s personal Ithaca, where Ithaca symbolises an end goal or destination.
The philosophy of Homeric values is evident in “Ithaca”, which espouses virtues such as courage, resilience and curiosity - all of which are exercised in the face of life’s journey. It effectively communicates the assertion that it is the journey, rather than the destination, that defines us.