After the Titanic

Summary of "After the Titanic" by Derek Mahon

"After the Titanic" by Derek Mahon is a poem that gives voice to Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line, who survived the sinking of the Titanic. The poem explores Ismay's feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation after the disaster.

The poem begins with Ismay recalling how he escaped the sinking ship in a lifeboat. He feels humiliated by the public inquiry that followed the disaster, where he was criticized for saving himself while so many others perished. He expresses his deep guilt by stating that he "sank as far that night as any / Hero," indicating that although he physically survived, his spirit sank with the ship.

As he remembers sitting in the lifeboat, "shivering on the dark water," he vividly recalls the chaos and destruction of the sinking ship. The sounds of "prams, pianos, sideboards, winches, / Boilers bursting and shredded ragtime" create a chaotic and nightmarish scene. These memories haunt him, and he describes turning "to ice" as he hears the sounds of his former life being destroyed.

Now, Ismay lives a life of isolation in a lonely house by the sea. The house is filled with remnants of the past, such as "broken toys and hatboxes," which are washed up by the tide and left at his door. This imagery reflects the persistent and haunting nature of his memories. He no longer finds joy in the changing seasons or the beauty of nature, as "the showers of / April, flowers of May mean nothing to me."

Ismay's reclusive lifestyle is noted by his gardener, who tells strangers about how he stays in bed on "seaward mornings after nights of / Wind," taking cocaine to numb his pain and refusing to see anyone. His nights are filled with nightmares where he "drown[s] again with all those dim / Lost faces" he never truly understood. His heart "breaks loose and rolls down like a stone," symbolizing his deep emotional turmoil and unending grief.

The poem concludes with Ismay's plea to be included in the collective mourning of the Titanic's victims, expressing his profound sense of guilt and desire for redemption: "Include me in your lamentations." This final line underscores his desperate need for forgiveness and to be acknowledged as a part of the tragedy.

"After the Titanic" delves into the psychological and emotional aftermath of Bruce Ismay's survival, portraying his overwhelming guilt, isolation, and unending remorse. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Mahon gives a voice to a man burdened by the weight of his survival.

Themes Analysis

Guilt and Shame:

One of the poem's central themes is Bruce Ismay's overwhelming guilt and shame for surviving the Titanic disaster.

Quote: "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."

This quote highlights Ismay's profound sense of guilt. Although he physically survived the disaster, he feels morally and emotionally destroyed, sinking in shame as deeply as any hero who perished. The public's judgment and his own self-reproach haunt him, showing that his survival came at the cost of his peace of mind.

Isolation and Alienation:

Another key theme is Ismay's profound isolation and alienation from society following the disaster.

Quote: "Now I hide / In a lonely house behind the sea / Where the tide leaves broken toys and hatboxes / Silently at my door."

This quote illustrates Ismay's withdrawal from the world, choosing to live in seclusion by the sea. The "lonely house" and the remnants left by the tide symbolize his isolation and the persistent reminders of the tragedy he cannot escape. This theme is significant as it underscores how his guilt has driven him into a state of solitude, alienating him from normal life and human connection.

Remorse and Regret:

The poem conveys Ismay's ongoing remorse and regret over the loss of life and his survival.

Quote: "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."

This quote captures the relentless nature of Ismay's remorse as he repeatedly relives the disaster in his mind. The imagery of drowning with the "dim / Lost faces" and his heartbreaking and rolling "like a stone" emphasizes his deep, unending sorrow and regret. This theme is crucial as it highlights the psychological torment that follows him, showing how the past continues to dominate his present.

Imagery Analysis

Desolate Imagery:

Mahon uses desolate imagery to convey Ismay's profound sense of isolation and abandonment.

Quote: "I sat shivering on the dark water."

This image evokes a strong sense of coldness and loneliness, capturing the physical and emotional desolation Ismay feels as he sits in the lifeboat, haunted by the chaos around him. The darkness of the water symbolizes the unknown and the terror of the night, emphasizing his vulnerability and isolation.

Chaotic Imagery:

The poem vividly describes the chaotic and catastrophic scene of the Titanic sinking.

Quote: "Life go thundering down in a pandemonium of / Prams, pianos, sideboards, winches, / Boilers bursting and shredded ragtime."

This chaotic imagery depicts the utter pandemonium as the Titanic sinks. The mention of everyday objects like prams and pianos amidst the disaster highlights normal life's sudden and violent disruption. The "shredded ragtime" music adds a surreal, haunting quality to the scene, emphasizing Ismay's shock and horror.

Remnants of the Past:

Mahon uses imagery of objects washed up by the tide to symbolize the lingering reminders of the disaster in Ismay's life.

Quote: "Where the tide leaves broken toys and hatboxes / Silently at my door."

These remnants represent the persistent memories and unresolved emotions that haunt Ismay. The "broken toys and hatboxes" suggest a sense of abandonment and loss, symbolizing the fragments of lives and dreams shattered by the tragedy. This imagery underscores the theme of isolation and the inescapable presence of the past.

Nightmare Imagery:

Mahon uses nightmare imagery to depict Ismay's recurring torment and haunting memories.

Quote: "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."

This powerful imagery conveys the relentless nature of Ismay's nightmares. The "dim / Lost faces" represent the victims of the Titanic, and the act of drowning again signifies his repeated mental suffering. The metaphor of his heartbreaking and rolling "like a stone" emphasizes the weight of his sorrow and the crushing burden of his guilt.

Style Analysis

Symbolism:

Mahon uses symbolism to convey deeper layers of meaning and to reflect Ismay's emotional state.

Quote: "I turned to ice to hear my costly / Life go thundering down in a pandemonium."

The phrase "turned to ice" symbolizes Ismay's emotional numbness and paralysis in the face of his overwhelming guilt and shame. The symbolic use of "ice" suggests a state of being frozen by fear and remorse, unable to move past the traumatic experience. This symbolism enhances the poem's exploration of the psychological impact of surviving such a catastrophic event and the emotional toll it takes on Ismay.

Reflective Tone:

The reflective tone of the poem invites readers to empathize with Ismay's internal struggle and to consider the broader implications of guilt and survival.

Quote: "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."

This introspective tone allows Ismay to share his personal perspective, making his feelings of guilt and shame more relatable and poignant. By reflecting on his experiences and the public's judgment, the tone deepens the emotional impact of the poem and encourages readers to engage with Ismay's complex emotions.

Personification:

Personification is used to imbue elements of the poem with human-like qualities, enhancing the emotional resonance of the imagery.

Quote: "My poor soul screams out in the starlight."

By personifying Ismay's soul as "screaming," Mahon emphasizes the intensity of his inner torment and the unrelenting nature of his guilt. This personification makes the abstract concept of emotional suffering more tangible and relatable, helping readers to better understand and empathize with Ismay's plight.

Language Analysis

Colloquial Expressions:

Mahon includes colloquial expressions to create a conversational tone and to make Ismay's voice more immediate and personal.

Quote: "I tell you."

This phrase adds a direct, personal touch, making the narrative feel more genuine and immediate. The use of colloquial language helps to humanize Ismay, breaking down the distance between him and the reader.

Simile:

Similes are used to draw comparisons that highlight the intensity of Ismay's feelings.

Quote: "Heart / Breaks loose and rolls down like a stone."

Comparing his heart to a stone that breaks loose and rolls down illustrates the heavy and unstoppable nature of his grief and despair. This simile effectively conveys the depth of his sorrow, making the reader visualize and feel the weight of his emotional burden.

Onomatopoeia:

Onomatopoeic words are used to emphasize the intensity and reality of the disaster.

Quote: "Life go thundering down in a pandemonium."

The word "thundering" captures the loud, overwhelming noise of the Titanic sinking, enhancing the chaotic atmosphere. This onomatopoeic word makes the scene more vivid and immediate, helping readers to imagine the cacophony and destruction of the event.

Summary of Key Elements

Key Theme:

The overwhelming guilt and shame experienced by Bruce Ismay after surviving the Titanic disaster.

Quote: "I tell you / I sank as far that night as any / Hero."

Ismay's survival is marred by profound guilt, making him feel as though he has metaphorically sunk alongside the ship.

Key Image:

The desolate image of Ismay sitting in the lifeboat, shivering on the dark water.

Quote: "I sat shivering on the dark water."

This image captures the physical and emotional isolation Ismay feels during the disaster.

Key Stylistic Device:

Symbolism, particularly in the phrase "turned to ice," represents Ismay's emotional numbness.