Flows of Freedom and Imprisonment: Analysis of the River Rhône as a Symbol in Byron’s “The Prisoner of Chillon”

Abstract

Lord Byron’s “The Prisoner of Chillon” utilises the natural environment, especially the Rhône River, as a powerful symbol that embodies themes of liberty, imprisonment, and the psychological condition of the protagonist, Bonivard. The study examines the interaction between the river’s intrinsic fluidity and the strict confines of jail, demonstrating how Byron employs these natural features to underscore the intricate relationship between the external environment and the prisoner’s developing consciousness. The river serves as a perspective for analysing the changing notion of confinement, implying that it may facilitate reconciliation with the prison's barriers. This analysis also explores the divergent interpretations of the Rhône River and the Arve River, investigating their roles as both physical demarcations and metaphorical reflections of the prisoner’s psychological conflicts.