Page 2: Reflection and Realization
The second page of Norman MacCaig's "Basking Shark" analysis delves deeper into the speaker's evolving perspective and the poem's central themes.
The line "He displaced more than water" is revisited, emphasizing its importance in understanding the poem's message. This displacement is both literal theshark′smovementinthewater and metaphorical theshiftinthespeaker′sworldview.
A key moment in the poem is the rhetorical question:
Quote: "So who's the monster?"
This question encapsulates the poem's central theme, challenging the reader to reconsider their assumptions about humanity's place in the natural world. It suggests that humans, capable of brutality and environmental destruction, may be the true "monsters" rather than creatures like the shark.
The poem's structure reflects the speaker's changing perspective:
Highlight: The repetition of "too often" in different contexts shows the shift from the immediate, frightening experience to a more reflective stance that values the encounter.
MacCaig uses vivid imagery to describe the aftermath of the encounter:
Quote: "Swish up the dirt and, when it settles, a spring / Is all the clearer"
This metaphor compares the encounter to the settling of sediment in water. Initially, the experience is disorienting and "muddy," but as the speaker reflects, a clearer understanding emerges.
The poem concludes with a powerful image of the shark's departure:
Quote: "The tall fin slid away and then the tail."
This simple description carries weight after the speaker's profound realizations, suggesting a newfound respect and perhaps a sense of loss as the creature departs.
Throughout the "Basking Shark" poem analysis, it's clear that Norman MacCaig uses this encounter to explore deeper themes of human evolution, our relationship with nature, and the questioning of human superiority. The poem challenges readers to reconsider their place in the natural world and their connections to other species.
