David Slavitt

In David Slavitt’s poem Titanic, Slavitt gives readers a unique perspective on the tragedy of the people of the Titanic passage liner. He projects a more optimistic attitude towards the fate of those who have died back in 1912. Although death is not something people generally show optimism towards, his attitude towards fate gives readers a different perspective on fate. That what had occurred was a more gratified end than most people. Slavitt uses literary techniques such as informal diction and detail to display to the readers his attitude towards fate. Slavitt’s choice of words gives makes a strong indication towards the attitude of fate he has depicted in his poem. The first line of the poem is a question, “Who does not love the Titanic”

The speaker states that “We all go down, mostly / alone” (4). It is assumed that most deaths are commonly alone which is a depressing concept. But he follows by stating, “But with crowds of people…with music, with lights! Ah!” (5-6). This draws a more optimistic point of view towards the idea of fate. Would it be better to pass while having the time of your life or to pass alone in a gloomy setting? The speaker continues to talk about the aftermath of the event in the third stanza. He states, “the world, shocked, mourns, as it ought to do / and almost never does” and that “there will be books and / movies” (7-8). The speaker looks as though the fate of those on the Titanic was more memorable than most people. That these people who have died will never be forgotten, unlike those who had lead normal lives. He then follows by saying that the cold waters were “anesthetic and very quick” (13). That the fate of those of the Titanic were not painful yet peaceful which follows his attitude of a more optimistic attitude. Then finally states that, “We all go: only few, first class” (15). That these folks were those of better living and was able to enjoy what they had to the fullest. The Titanic itself was filled with passengers of “the world's wealthiest basking in the elegance of first class accommodations” (EyeWitness). That these people unique and had passed after experiencing