Poem Analysis - Two Swimmers Wrestled On The Spar

Introduction: A Glimpse into Despair

Emily Dickinson's "Two Swimmers Wrestled On The Spar" is a stark and emotionally charged poem that plunges the reader into a scene of desperate struggle and ultimate loss. The poem’s brevity amplifies its impact, creating a sense of abruptness and shock. The initial tone is one of suspense, quickly shifting to horror and culminating in a lingering sense of unanswered questions and profound sadness. The poem's power lies in its simplicity and the vast emotional landscape it evokes within a limited space.

The Unseen Struggle: A Battle Against Death

The poem's central theme is undoubtedly mortality, presented through the brutal imagery of a life-or-death struggle. The "two swimmers wrestled on the spar" immediately sets the scene for a desperate fight for survival. The image of the spar itself suggests a fragile hold on life, a precarious balance between existence and oblivion. The ambiguous nature of the struggle – who are these swimmers, and why are they fighting? – serves to universalize the experience of facing death, emphasizing the relentless and often incomprehensible nature of its approach. The poem, in its brevity, presents mortality as a sudden, unforgiving event.

Smiling Towards Land, Facing the Void: The Paradox of Hope and Loss

The stark contrast between the one "turned smiling to the land" and the fate of "the Other One!" underscores the theme of hope versus despair. The survivor's smile offers a glimpse of hope and deliverance, but this is immediately shattered by the image of the drowned swimmer. The exclamation "Oh God!" speaks volumes, conveying a sense of shock, horror, and perhaps even a questioning of divine justice. The poem leaves the reader contemplating the arbitrary nature of survival, where one finds salvation while the other is swallowed by the unforgiving sea. The poem highlights how thin the line can be between triumph and tragedy.

A Plea in the Abyss: Isolation and Abandonment

The concluding stanza introduces the theme of isolation. The "stray ships passing" symbolize a world oblivious to the tragedy unfolding. The description of the dead swimmer's face, "with eyes in death still begging raised / And hands beseeching thrown!" is a powerful and haunting image. The swimmer's last act is one of futile appeal, suggesting a desperate desire for rescue and connection in the face of absolute abandonment. The poem conveys the profound loneliness of death, the sense of being utterly alone in one's final moments. The image lingers, forcing the reader to confront the possibility of dying unheard and unseen.

Recurring Imagery: The Water's Dark Embrace

The water itself serves as a recurring symbol throughout the poem, representing both life and death. Initially, it's the arena of the struggle, the force against which the swimmers are battling. However, it quickly transforms into a symbol of death, swallowing one of the swimmers and carrying his lifeless face into oblivion. The image of the face "Upon the waters borne" is particularly striking, suggesting a loss of identity and control. The water can be interpreted as the great unknown, the vast expanse that separates the living from the dead. Its power is undeniable, its embrace final.

Conclusion: A Chilling Reminder of Life's Fragility

In conclusion, "Two Swimmers Wrestled On The Spar" is a poignant and unsettling exploration of mortality, hope, and isolation. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, Dickinson crafts a powerful narrative of a desperate struggle for survival, highlighting the arbitrary nature of fate and the profound loneliness of death. The poem serves as a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present threat of the unknown. The poem's brevity amplifies its impact, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of unease and a deeper appreciation for the preciousness of existence.