Diving into the Wreck by Adrienne Rich

•    Book of myths
•    Loaded the camera
•    Edge of the knife-blade
•    The grave and awkward mask
•    The drowned face
•    Body-armor of black rubber
•    There is no one

In Adrienne Rich’s poem “Diving into the Wreck”, imagery is used to illustrate the transitions that occur throughout one’s lifetime. As college students we can relate to this poem because it talks about a major shift from childhood to adulthood, stepping outside of our comfort zones, and moving into new phases of life on our own. The images that best embody this transition are the book of myths and the mask.

The first strophe is talking about the preparation and packing one must take before the journey into adult hood. We are first introduced into the poem with the line “first having read the book of myths”(1.1). The book of myths is stated in the beginning because it emphasizes the importance of living life and represents the life that we have lived in our childhood; which is the life that we will bring along with us through our next journey. “The grave and awkward mask”(1.7) is put on as a form of protection. A mask is used to change an appearance of some sort and to hide our insecurities while giving off a front of confidence. The mask is an image that represents deception, and when we start college, we often times deceive or play a role of someone we are not, in order to please and befriend others. The mask and the book of myths are both essential in our journey to adulthood.

In the seventh strophe, a change occurs, much like the change that occurs in our lives. For example, Rich states “the wreck and not the story of the wreck/ the thing itself and not the myth”(7.2-3). The story of the wreck represents the hardships and tough times that came with this long journey to adulthood, which is similar to the stage many college students are experiencing now. Because this is the first time most of us are living on our own, away from our parents, we know how tough and emotionally straining it can be. When Rich states that it is no longer about the story of the wreck, she shows a new side to her journey. She also states that it is no longer about the myth because she has moved past the hard times and is now feeling comfortable leaving behind her old life and moving forward with her new one. In the same strophe, Rich states “the drowned face always staring”(7.4). This is a change from the beginning of the poem where Rich is wearing the mask. She has finally become comfortable enough to reveal her true face and show her own identity.

Altogether, Rich’s poem incorporates strong imagery using a mask and book of myths, in order to inform us about the journey into adulthood.