The book of myths (symbol)
In this poem, “the book of myths” is a symbol for the received knowledge prevalent in 20th-century western culture. This includes both written history, as well as ideas about what is true, who should have power, etc. This is referred to not as history but as myth precisely because these narratives often serve those who are in power, erasing the histories and lives of others.
The knife (symbol)
On her dive, the narrator carries a knife and a camera. She checks to see if the knife-blade is sharp, suggesting that she may need to defend herself against violence. Alternately, we could see the knife as a tool for “cutting through” the thick web obscuring the truth.
The camera (symbol)
Alongside the knife, the speaker brings a camera. This camera ties to the work of Jacques Costeau, who for the first time documented the underwater world. It indicates that, like Costeau, the speaker strives to accurately document what has for so long been unseen.
The shipwreck (symbol)
The poem’s titular wreck is a vast symbol. While the speaker develops the reeds and carved figures that she sees underwater, it clearly stands for something larger than a shipwreck alone. The wreck has been interpreted by various critics as “the wreck of obsolete myths, particularly myths about men and women” (Atwood) and “the ruinous state of modern civilization” (Templeton). It is important that this wreck, standing for history, is indeed a wreck: it is not whole, but fragmented and destroyed.
