Symbolism and Self-Reflection

The final section of the "Basking Shark" Norman MacCaig annotated analysis focuses on the poem's use of symbolism and the narrator's self-reflection. MacCaig employs carefully chosen words to convey the impact of the encounter on the narrator's worldview.

Vocabulary: "Decadent" - Used to imply a state of moral or cultural decline, especially characterized by excessive indulgence.

The poet describes the town as "decadent," suggesting that human society is in a state of indulgent decay. This contrasts sharply with the primordial purity of the shark, highlighting the poem's critique of modern human civilization.

Quote: "This decadent townee"

MacCaig uses this phrase to characterize the narrator, emphasizing the disconnect between urban life and the natural world. The term "townee" carries a slightly pejorative tone, suggesting that the narrator's urban sophistication may be a form of detachment from nature.

The encounter with the shark profoundly unsettles the narrator, prompting a reevaluation of his place on Earth. MacCaig's word choice and tone convey the narrator's mental journey from perceived superiority to a humbled recognition of his own insignificance in the face of nature's power.

Highlight: The poem concludes with the realization that the shark's presence has "displaced more than water," signifying a profound shift in the narrator's perspective.

This final image powerfully encapsulates the poem's central theme: the encounter with the basking shark has disrupted not just the physical space but also the narrator's entire worldview, challenging his assumptions about his own importance and relationship to the natural world.