Introduction for "Diving into the Wreck"

When the word “ocean” is heard in one’s ear, one may think of the Pacific Ocean, or possibly the Atlantic Ocean. Others may picture the ocean, with waves crashing into the shore, causing bubbles to form as the salt-water hits the small rocks. The almost black water slowly creeping in, changing to lighter colors as it transforms from dark-blue to a lighter blue, and then to a greenish-blue. Additional sights could be dolphin fins off towards the horizon, or a small fishing boat where a father and son are enjoying the day, bonding and fishing for the local catch. One may think of the sounds of the ocean, as seagulls fly overhead letting out their somewhat annoying cackles, while children play in the sand with their toys, building sand-castles and burying their parents and siblings in the warm sand. The sounds of the shore are incredibly peaceful, and the ocean has always been a symbol of a site where fun experiences and love are shared between people.

Through all the joyous thoughts of the ocean, it’s easy to forget how dangerous and frightening this place can be. Conflicting images of the blissful ideas of the ocean could be tsunamis, tidal waves, hurricanes, and the overall brute strength of the ocean. Lives can be lost so easily in the unrelenting body of water known as the sea, and the strains that may occur to survive are an incredible concept. In the poem “Diving into the Wreck” by Adrienne Rich, we are presented with images of a “shipwreck,” the “dive,” and the “speaker” herself. These images are seen as their true identities in the beginning stanzas of the poem as the speaker suits up and plunges into the ocean to view the shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. As we read further into Rich’s poem, these images begin to show their alternate meanings as the “shipwreck” becomes the feminist movement, the “dive” becomes the struggle for equality and social rights for all females, and the “speaker” loses her identity as she is lost in this ongoing struggle. There are many other symbols in “Diving into the Wreck” that support the feminist movement and express gratitude to all those who have tirelessly labored for the success of the movement and fought to acquire equality in all aspects of female life.