Illustrated by Karen Au
In “Diving into the Wreck” by Adri-
create division within the text to exam-
enne Rich and “Pearl Diver” by Mit-
ine instability and loss of identity.
ski, the speaker narrates a deep-sea
Both texts use the act of deep-
dive during which the diver undergoes
sea diving to establish a barrier be-
a shift in identity as a result of a quest.
tween the surface world and the ocean,
The speaker in each text describes the
creating a clear separation between
dive, drawing lines of division between
before and after the dive. In Rich’s
the surface and the sea. The speak-
poem, the speaker says, “the sea is an-
er’s imagery reinforces this division,
other story / the sea is not a question
thus rendering diving a symbolic act
of power / I have to learn alone” (Rich
which initiates and continues this sep-
lines 39-41). The use of the word “an-
aration. The division then allows for a
other” – as well as the implication that
separation to occur between the diver
the surface, unlike the sea, is a ques-
and who they were on the surface,
tion of power – establishes a division
stripping them of their former iden-
between the surface and the dive. The
tity. Finally, each text uses imagery
speaker establishes this distinction
and powerful language to contribute
to overlap with a departure not only
to the atmosphere and discord within
from the surface but also from others,
the text. Ultimately, both pieces use
as the diver must “learn alone” how
symbolism through the act of diving to
to navigate in this new environment.
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