Introduction
Adrienne Rich, an American feminist and poet, is renowned for her creative manipulation of language and emphasis on social and political matters. In her poem “Diving into the Wreck,” Rich utilizes powerful symbolism to examine identity problems, a quest for knowledge, and history. The poem was published in 1973 during a period of significant social and political turmoil in America, especially in terms of feminism and the battle for civil rights. Rich’s use of symbolism effectively expresses the complexity of the issues discussed in the poem.
The paper will focus on five themes: the wreck, ocean, knife, the book of myths, and diving equipment. Specifically, the essay will show how the themes in the poem are relevant during its time of writing and today regarding challenges surrounding power, the pursuit of knowledge, and identity. Rich uses symbolism to add depth to the exploration of hidden histories and the power of knowledge.
The Wreck
The wreck in Rich’s poem symbolizes the hurtful culture and history of women who have been neglected. The symbol is central to understanding the theme of revealing women’s silenced history. The wreck is described as “The thing I came for: the wreck and not the story of the wreck / the thing itself and not the myth” (Rich 23). The quote conveys that the wreck symbolizes the objective truth and the reality that has been ignored.
Rich describes why she has come to explore the wreck by stating, “We are the half-destroyed instruments that once held to a course” (24). The quote implies the ship sank because it veered off course or changed directions. Therefore, the ‘myth’ of the shipwreck can be seen as the fear over what often happens when a person is brave enough to be different. Furthermore, Rich shows what the vulnerable have to face by arguing that the wreck is “evidence of damage” (24). Overall, the identified quotes highlight the difficulties that marginalized people experience as their histories are destroyed and fragmented.
Diving Equipment
The speaker’s diving gear symbolizes the tools and knowledge a person may need to explore forgotten histories. Rich provides a detailed description of the gear, which helps paint a picture of the complex equipment, enabling the speaker to investigate the depth of the wreck. The tools consist of a mask, fins, a breathing apparatus, and a weight belt to help them reach the ocean floor. For instance, the armor made of black rubber suggests that the dive is akin to exploring dangerous and unknown territories, which makes armor necessary (Rich 22). In the same way, the speaker requires diving gear to prepare for the dive, and individuals must possess the tools and knowledge to fight women’s oppression.
In addition, the diving gear signifies the emotional and physical constraints people must overcome to investigate forgotten histories. For instance, the weight belt symbolizes physical challenges encountered while searching for the truth. Alternatively, the need to utilize a breathing apparatus signifies the essence of adapting and changing to explore obscure pasts.
Additionally, the speaker must use a mask because she lacks the overwhelming support that famous men like Cousteau have (Rich 22). Hiding behind a mask indicates that the journey the speaker is about to start is not widely supported, especially when undertaken by a woman. Thus, each part of the diving gear shows the problems that marginalized people will face if they want to rewrite history.
Knife
In the poem, the knife symbolizes a defense against possible violence and destruction of the constraints hiding the truth. There are various lines from the poem that describe how the knife is a symbol of active intervention. After loading the camera, Rich “checked the edge of the “knife blade (22).
The quote alludes to the possibility of violence during the speaker’s journey. If a person going for a dive carries a knife habitually, the situation may have a lesser meaning. However, the speaker stops to check if the knife is sharp, indicating that the journey is scary and ominous. As a result, it is necessary to utilize a knife to defend herself from violence.
It is utilized at the beginning of the poem to underline the knife’s significance in revealing the forgotten pasts of women. Furthermore, the speaker goes on to describe how the knife can cut through layers of history by saying, “The one who find our way / Back to this scene / Carrying a knife” (Rich 24). The quote suggests that with the knife’s power, the speaker and the audience can overcome oppression that kept women’s histories obscured. Overall, the knife represents the dangers that the speaker must face while exploring women’s oppression.
The Book of Myths
The Book of Myths is a symbol that Rich employs to refer to the beliefs and stories that shape the perception of women in society. In this context, women are relegated to performing subservient societal roles due to beliefs and stories created by those in power. Rich argues that the book of myths provides an effective way of understanding the past and present.
In the first stanza, she writes, “having read the book of myths” (Rich 22). The quote implies that the speaker read the book containing ancient, valuable tales passed down in their culture. The action indicates that the book of myths is a source of information and a method of relating to a person’s ancestry and the events that preceded them, which can be manipulated by the powerful.
Additionally, Rich suggests that myths may not always be accurate and perpetuate harmful stereotypes and prejudices. She states, “The words are purposes / The words are maps” (Rich 23). The lines indicate that the myths or stories can be valuable to society as they offer general guidance and a sense of purpose. Although stories are excellent pieces of history, they cannot be compared to experience.
The poem reflects the idea that things may differ from varying perspectives since the story talks about a dive; however, reading the story is different from ocean diving. In the poem’s last lines, Rich highlights the absence of “our names” in the book of myths, bringing attention to how female voices and lives have been ignored in history books (24). The poem’s last part symbolizes the need to oppose the processes that have enabled such erasure and shed light on the histories and experiences of marginalized groups, including women. Such action is essential given that the narratives that shape society are created by influential people, often men, who ignore the stories and names of marginalized people, including females.
Ocean
The ocean can be interpreted as a representation of how women’s experiences across place and time are interconnected. The ocean’s vast expanse is an example of the worldwide scope of women’s history and the realization that the struggles and experiences of women are not limited to a specific culture or region. In this regard, Rich states, “There is no one / To tell me when the ocean / Will begin” (23). The importance of women’s experiences can be compared to how the ocean connects nations and continents. Rich implies that individuals must explore and recognize such connections and consider the stories of women as a part of a global mission to comprehend women’s history effectively.
Additionally, the ocean can represent the power dynamics in women’s history and the need to adapt while fighting women’s suppression. To illustrate the point, Rich argues that she has to “Learn alone / To turn my body without force / In the deep element” (23). The ocean is compared to the societal power structures that can adversely or positively impact women’s lives. The quote depicts the speaker’s desire to change and navigate the sea’s muddy waters. Thus, the author may suggest that individuals must learn to change and adapt to different circumstances and surroundings to create a more equitable society for every woman.
Conclusion
Rich’s poem uses symbolism to powerfully explore the need to represent and uncover hidden histories, especially those of women. The author uses evocative and vivid symbolism to draw attention to the different challenges and tools involved in the process. The five symbols, which include diving equipment, the ocean, the book of myths, the knife, and the wreck, represent various messages the author wants to convey to the audience. Rich suggests that uncovering these hidden histories is urgent and complex through her use of these symbols. Its vivid and evocative symbols invite the audience to join the speaker on the journey, which involves diving into the unknown depths of the past and working towards a more just and equitable future.
Work Cited
Rich, Adrienne. “Diving Into the Wreck.” Diving Into the Wreck: Poems 1971-1972. WW Norton & Company, 1973, pp. 22-24.