Imagery In Maryanne Moore's A Grave

In the Maryanne Moore poem, “A Grave” imagery of “the sea” is used to represent something larger than life itself, concealed from within the viewpoint of a graveyard. Throughout the poem, symbolic and metaphoric imagery addresses an argumentative stance of “human nature” not being able to “stand in the middle” of "the sea" and ultimately one's own life (3-4). The idea of the vast sea representing a mysterious entity is seen through the viewpoint of a grave that is metaphorically argued through the use of Moore’s stylistic language that progresses significantly from comparing the “sea” (1) to a “grave” (13) and ultimately “death” (15). As the poem concludes its thematic wave of imagery and form itself, Moore reminds the reader of what “the sea” is capable of as the mysterious “grave” of humanities forgetfulness (16). …show more content…
The idea of “human nature” essentially argues that the human race tends to think it is at the center of nature and ultimately life itself, however, there are certain elements in life such as “the sea” that humanity cannot “stand in the middle” of (LINE). Humanity cannot destroy, conquer, or control the sea- and despite being able to journey through the sea- the ocean is ultimate “a collector” that that has “nothing to give but a well-excavated grave” (LINE). In having nothing to give humanity but a “grave” the sea’s representation of life and death argues that humanity can enter the sea but it ultimately cannot control it; Even when people flee the “rapacious look” of the sea’s storms and floods this proves the power of the sea further as it demonstrates the lack of control humanity will always have to "the sea" and