"Diving into the Wreck"

      One thing that really stuck out to me as I read this poem was Rich's use of symbolism. This piece seems to be commentary on women in literature. Rich uses the ocean to represent uncharted territory of women in literature. She writes, " the sea is not a question of power / I have to learn alone" (40-41). Not many women braved the seas. In history, very few women were considered important enough to mention in cannons. Therefore, Rich, or the narrator, must navigate through the sea alone. Rich employs another symbol that depicts this as well. The use of the ladder, or the typical path for a woman to follow, solidifies her argument. The ladder is, "always there / hanging innocently. . . We know what it is for, / we who have used it / Ohterwise / it's a pieces of maritime floss" (12-19). Women can follow the traditional path, but some can abandon that for a different route. They can forgo the ladder and jump into the unknown.
     I had to read this poem a couple times before I really understood it. I think that she has a point. So many women writers were forgotten and left out simply because of their gender. I am not a hardcore feminist, but I do not think the quality of your writing should be based on something as trivial as gender. It is sad that a lot of great works may have been lost due to this. I commend those who are willing to take a chance and who have changed the view on women in literature.