"Pacific Lament"

by Charles Olson

This poem was first published in 1946.  Text for discussion comes from The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Vol 2.

Photo of the sunken S.S. Leopoldville from The History Channel  

Discussion questions:

What specific words portray the speaker's attitude toward Hickey's death?

What does "golden boy" mean in this context?

What are the "older arms" and "older father" referred to in lines 32-33?

created by Stan Galloway 13 September 2005.  Last updated 13 September 2005.  Contact me at sgallowa@bridgewater.edu