Analytical Essay- Eliza - Diving into the Wreck

Adrienne Rich: Diving Into the Wreck

Diving into the Wreck written by Adrienne Rich is a poem that symbolizes the meaning of what words really mean. Throughout the poem, Rich tries to show us that we can never know for sure if the words that are spoken are true. Rich uses all stages of the journey to symbolize the importance of words. She uses innocence, initiation, chaos and resolution.

Innocence is shown at the beginning of the poem for Rich, shows that the character is in innocence because “having read the book of myths, and loaded the camera,” shows that the character had enough curiosity to want to go to explore to see if it was true, what he had read. Rich also uses the “book of myths” as a symbol, of what the words written are true. Meaning that he wanted to see if what he had read was true. She states that “I am having to do this not like Cousteau with his assiduous team aboard the sun-flooded schooner but her alone.”… “There is a ladder. The ladder is always there hanging innocently.” These two quotes show the innocence of the character for it shows that the character is not aware of the danger there might be, because the ladder is hanging freely, so innocently.

The poem begins to show initiation when the character says that “First the air is blue and then it is bluer and then green and then black, I am blackening out,” it shows that the character is now aware of the dangers around her.

The character enters chaos when she begins to feel that “now it is easy to forget what I came for among so many who have always lived here,” meaning that she is confused of what the words of people really mean. After finding nothing, she began to be aware of the truth in the words of the people and what they say.

Last but not least the character reaches resolution and is the time you are able to see the symbol of the truth of words. “The words are purposes. The words are maps,” meaning that words do not mean only one thing, there are words beyond those, just like the sentences where you must read and understand beyond what you see and read. You must read between the lines.

In conclusion Rich uses all four stages of the journey, innocence, initiation, chaos, and resolution. The poems purpose is to be able to symbolize the meaning of words just like “We are; I am, you are by cowardice or courage the one who find our way back,” meaning that words prevail, it is for us to find out the truth of words, and of what we must believe and what we mustn’t.