“After the Titanic” by Derek Mahon is a poem that reflects on the sinking of the Titanic, the famous luxury ocean liner, and the impact it had on people’s perceptions of progress, technology, and human arrogance.
After the Titanic | Summary and Analysis
The poem explores themes of tragedy, human hubris, and the impermanence of human achievements. Derek Mahon, an Irish poet, often delved into historical and philosophical themes in his work, and “After the Titanic” is one of his well-known poems in this regard.
After the Titanic Analysis, Lines 1-5
They said I got away in a boat
And humbled me at the inquiry. I tell you
I sank as far that night as any
Hero. As I sat shivering on the dark water
I turned to ice to hear my costly
In these lines, the speaker reflects on their experience of surviving the Titanic disaster. They mention that some people claimed they managed to escape on a lifeboat, but they were later humbled by the official inquiry into the incident. The speaker then reveals that despite the perception of their escape, they felt a deep sense of sinking, both physically and emotionally. They compare their emotional state to turning to ice while sitting in the cold water that night.
The speaker introduces themself as a survivor of the Titanic’s catastrophic disaster. The idea that they “got away in a boat” implies that they escaped the sinking ship’s fate, but it also conveys the psychological toll that such a calamity would have inflicted on them. The use of the word “humbled” at the inquiry shows that, even though they escaped, the accident was humbling and overpowering. This speaks to the idea that the tragedy itself transcended individual status or reputation. The most striking imagery in these lines is the comparison of the speaker’s emotional state to sinking. This suggests a profound emotional descent, perhaps a feeling of guilt or survivor’s remorse.
The speaker’s choice of words emphasizes the depth of their emotional turmoil. The image of the speaker shivering on the dark water reflects a sense of isolation and vulnerability. The phrase “I turned to ice” highlights the physical and emotional coldness they experienced. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling emotionally frozen and detached due to the traumatic experience.
After the Titanic Analysis, Lines 6-10
Life go thundering down in a pandemonium of
Prams, pianos, sideboards, winches,
Boilers bursting and shredded ragtime. Now I hide
In a lonely house behind the sea
Where the tide leaves broken toys and hatboxes
The speaker describes the chaos and destruction that occurred during the Titanic disaster. They use vivid imagery to convey the scene of the ship’s downfall, including prams, pianos, sideboards, and other objects crashing and being destroyed. The speaker contrasts this chaotic scene with their current state of seclusion in a house by the sea. They mention that the tide brings in remnants of broken toys and hatboxes, indicating the aftermath of the disaster.
The opening imagery evokes a sense of bedlam and devastation. The use of words like “thundering down,” “pandemonium,” “bursting,” and “shredded ragtime” creates a cacophonous and destructive atmosphere. These words paint a picture of the Titanic sinking in a tumultuous manner, with various objects from the ship and the surroundings being thrown into disarray. The specific objects mentioned, such as prams, pianos, sideboards, and winches, represent different aspects of human life and civilization. Their obliteration emphasizes the abrupt end of human achievements and the futility of material possessions in the face of tragedy.
The shift to the speaker’s current situation introduces a sense of isolation and withdrawal. They have sought refuge in a “lonely house behind the sea,” suggesting a desire to escape the commotion of the world. This setting serves as a contrast to the chaotic scene described earlier. The mention of the tide leaving “broken toys and hatboxes” is symbolic of the aftermath of the disaster. These broken objects represent the remnants of human endeavours, washed up by the sea. The contrast between the grandeur of the Titanic and the broken remnants underscores the impermanence of human achievements and the idea that even great creations eventually succumb to time and nature.
After the Titanic Analysis, Lines 11-15
Silently at my door. The showers of
April, flowers of May mean nothing to me, nor the
Late light of June, when my gardener
Describes to strangers how the old man stays in bed
On seaward mornings after nights of
Wind, takes his cocaine and will see no one. Then it is
Here, the speaker describes their detached state of mind and their lack of engagement with the changing seasons and the passage of time. The showers of April, the flowers of May, and the late light of June hold no significance for them. They remain isolated in their house by the sea, disinterested in the natural beauty around them. The speaker’s gardener describes to strangers how the speaker remains secluded, staying in bed on mornings that face the sea, and using cocaine as a form of escape, while refusing to interact with others.
The speaker’s emotional detachment from the changing seasons and the natural world is a significant theme. The showers of April and the flowers of May are typically associated with renewal and growth, but the speaker is disconnected from these symbols of life’s cyclical nature. This suggests a deep emotional withdrawal, potentially as a result of the trauma they experienced during the Titanic disaster. The speaker’s isolation is emphasized by their description of staying indoors and not participating in the pleasures of outdoor life. They remain disconnected from the beauty of nature, which is often a source of solace and inspiration for many people.
The mention of the gardener describing the speaker’s habits to strangers highlights the speaker’s reclusive behaviour. It seems that the speaker is avoiding human interaction, and the gardener’s communication with strangers implies a level of concern or perhaps even pity for the speaker’s condition. The reference to the speaker using cocaine as a form of self-medication adds a layer of complexity to their emotional state. Cocaine is often associated with escaping reality or numbing emotional pain. The speaker’s use of cocaine might be a coping mechanism to deal with the trauma and emotional turmoil they are experiencing.
The closing lines, “takes his cocaine and will see no one,” depict the speaker’s deliberate withdrawal from social interaction. The use of “will see no one” not only refers to their physical isolation but also suggests a refusal to engage emotionally with others, potentially due to the emotional scars left by the Titanic disaster.
After the Titanic Analysis, Lines 16-21
Wind, takes his cocaine and will see no one. Then it is
I drown again with all those dim
Lost faces I never understood, my poor soul
Screams out in the starlight, heart
Breaks loose and rolls down like a stone.
Include me in your lamentations.
In this section, the speaker describes a recurring emotional turmoil they experience. They mention drowning again in the memories of the lost faces they never comprehended, likely referring to the people who perished in the Titanic disaster. The speaker’s soul screams out in the starlight, and their heart metaphorically breaks free and falls like a stone. The speaker expresses a desire to be included in the lamentations or expressions of sorrow, implying a need to connect with the grief and mourning that they carry.
The phrase “I drown again” indicates that the speaker’s emotional distress is not a one-time occurrence but rather a recurring experience. The use of “drown” suggests being overwhelmed by memories and emotions related to the tragedy. The “dim lost faces” likely refer to the people who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster. The speaker’s inability to understand these faces might signify a lack of closure or an unresolved feeling of not being able to fully grasp the enormity of the tragedy. The soul screaming out in the starlight is a powerful image of emotional release. The starlight might symbolize a connection to the vastness of the universe or the unknown. The act of screaming can be seen as a way of expressing deep-seated emotions that have been suppressed.
The metaphor of the heartbreaking loss and rolling down like a stone is poignant. This imagery conveys a sense of the speaker’s emotional mayhem and vulnerability. The heart as a stone rolling down reflects a sense of heaviness and a loss of control over their emotions. The speaker’s plea to “Include me in your lamentations” reflects their desire to be part of the collective grief and bereavement. This can be interpreted as a need to share their pain and emotions with others, seeking a sense of solidarity and understanding. These lines delve into the universal human experience of angst and the search for connection in the face of tragedy. The speaker’s feelings of isolation, the inability to fully comprehend the loss, and the yearning for communal mourning are emotions that many individuals experience after a traumatic event.
After the Titanic | Literary Devices
The poem is rich in imagery, using vivid descriptions to create a sensory and emotional impact. The imagery of the Titanic sinking, broken objects, and the speaker’s isolation by the sea helps to evoke a strong visual and emotional response from the reader.
The poem contains metaphors that convey complex emotions and concepts. For instance, the speaker’s emotional state is described as turning to ice and the heartbreaking loose and rolling down like a stone are metaphorical expressions of their emotional turmoil.
Various symbols are employed throughout the poem to represent deeper meanings. The broken toys and hatboxes carried by the tide symbolize the remnants of human endeavours in the wake of disaster.
There’s personification in lines like “Late light of June, when my gardener / Describes to strangers how the old man stays in bed.” The gardener is described as if he’s communicating the speaker’s habits as if the gardener himself has a sense of agency in sharing this information.
Alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, is present in lines like “flowers of May” and “shivered on the dark water.” This technique creates a musical quality and can also draw attention to specific phrases.
The use of enjambment, where lines run on without a pause or break, contributes to the flowing and continuous movement of the poem. This can reflect the ongoing emotional struggle and the connectedness of the speaker’s thoughts.
Repetition of phrases like “I sank as far that night as any / Hero” emphasizes the speaker’s internal turmoil and highlights the depth of their emotional experience.
The poem employs irony to highlight the discrepancy between external perceptions and internal emotions. The speaker’s outward survival contrasts with their inward sense of sinking and emotional turmoil.
The description of the anarchy and annihilation using phrases like “pandemonium of / Prams, pianos, sideboards, winches” uses hyperbole to amplify the intensity of the disaster and the resulting chaos.
The repetition of the phrase “Include me in your lamentations” serves as an anaphora, emphasizing the speaker’s desire for connection and their yearning to be a part of shared lamentation.
After the Titanic | About the Poet
Derek Mahon (1941-2020) was an Irish poet celebrated for his thought-provoking and introspective verses. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during a period of social and political upheaval that strongly affected his art. Identity, memory, history, and the human condition were frequent themes in Mahon’s poetry. As he etched his poetic legacy, Derek Mahon’s name became synonymous with introspection and intellectual curiosity. Through his verses, he became an artist-philosopher, inviting readers to ponder the intricacies of existence and the profound connections that bind humanity. Derek Mahon’s life journey was marked by his dedication to unravelling the threads of human consciousness, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate seekers of truth and beauty.
Mahon’s poem “After the Titanic” stood as a testament to his ability to delve into collective memory. His verses navigated the dark waters of human tragedy, illuminating the depths of survivor’s guilt and the fragility of human ambition. This poem, a poetic voyage through the wrecked psyche, resonated with those who sought meaning in the face of adversity.