The Diver :: essays research papers

The Diver Robert Curries The Diver, on the surface, recounts a divers descent and ascent into a river as onlookers eagerly anticipate his fate. Beneath the surface, this poem is actually very spiritual. The divers descent into the water, and his arising from the water, can be compared to the crucifixion of delivery boy. Through the masterful use of imagery and Biblical comparisons, Currie depicts the message that rebirth and hope can captivate and revitalize our spirits. An essential key to the free radical of The Diver is through the subtle yet prevailing use of Biblical references. From the very beginning of Curries poem, a simile is used when describing the bridge uniform a Ro patch fort. This helps to set the tone that something important is about to happen and also provides a Biblical base to the structure of the poem. Lines four to sixsome describe the mans journey up towards the bridge. This journey can be compared to Jesus struggle towards the top of the hill where he wa s crucified. Perhaps this man was also carrying a load on his shoulders, so to speak. The poem becomes even more Biblical as others bet upon his chance, much like Jesus own fate. As the diver prepares for the inevitable, his situation has Biblical meaning. At the summit of the span he rose/ his arms outstretched/ flung a cross against the lie, are perhaps three of the most unchewable lines in the poem. These lines are followed by much anticipation from the crowd below. The dive symbolizes the end of something, which is also back up when The river circling away/ grew silent as held jot/ still as death. These lines make is seem as though everything, and everyone, even the river, are holding their breath in anticipation of the outcome of the dive. Then, starting at line twenty-one, the rebirth begins, as, from unknown depths/ his head broke the water/ shook out a round top of sunlit spray. There is a wet Biblical presence in the comparisons used in this poem, which help to suppor t the theme of hope and rebirth, while providing powerful imagery. A vital element of Curries The Diver is the strong presence of imagery, which helps to sustain the theme of captivating hope. The image of the solitary figure provokes a strong sense of despair, followed by his painful struggle up the arch. The images give the impression that the events are unfolding in a captivating slow-motion means.