Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Wreck of the Thresher" is a poem by William Meredith, an American poet who served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1978 to 1980. The poem was first published in 1964, just a year after the USS Thresher, a nuclear submarine, sank during a test dive off the coast of New England, resulting in the loss of all 129 crew members.

Explanation:

The poem is a powerful elegy for the crew of the Thresher, focusing on their courage and dedication in the face of danger. The poem begins with a description of the submarine's final moments, as it sinks into the depths of the ocean, "the pressure weighing thousands of tons / Upon the steel lid of their world." The poem then turns to a description of the crew, highlighting their individual stories and experiences.

As the poem progresses, Meredith uses a variety of poetic devices, including vivid imagery, metaphor, and allusion, to explore the themes of sacrifice, loss, and the power of the sea. The poem also reflects on the role of technology in modern warfare, and the human toll of the arms race.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "The Wreck of the Thresher" is a free-verse poem with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid sensory images, particularly of the submarine sinking and the crew's experience of being trapped inside.
• Metaphor: The poem employs a number of metaphors, particularly in its depiction of the ocean as a powerful and unforgiving force.
• Allusion: The poem alludes to a variety of historical and literary figures, including the Greek hero Odysseus and the biblical story of Jonah and the whale.
• Theme: The poem explores themes of sacrifice, loss, the power of the sea, and the human cost of the arms race.

Conclusion:

"The Wreck of the Thresher" is a haunting and deeply moving poem that explores the tragedy of the USS Thresher and the loss of its crew. Meredith's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and allusion creates a sense of the vastness and power of the ocean, as well as the courage and dedication of the crew. The poem also reflects on the human cost of the arms race and the dangers of technology in modern warfare. Overall, "The Wreck of the Thresher" is a powerful elegy that honors the memory of those who perished in the disaster.

Poem Snippet:

"God of cold waters, have mercy

On the Thresher, her men,

And her maker, who taught her

To run so silent and deep

In the ocean the dead call your name."

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...