“Not Waving but Drowning” by Stevie Smith: A Critical Analysis

Nobody heard him, the dead man,   

But still he lay moaning:

I was much further out than you thought   

And not waving but drowning.

Poor chap, he always loved larking

And now he’s dead

It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,   

They said.

Oh, no no no, it was too cold always   

(Still the dead one lay moaning)   

I was much too far out all my life   

And not waving but drowning.

1.     Isolation and Misunderstanding: “Not Waving but Drowning” portrays the theme of isolation and misunderstanding, emphasizing how the protagonist’s true feelings were never fully grasped by those around him. The line “I was much further out than you thought” reveals the distance between the man’s inner turmoil and others’ perceptions of him. His cries for help were mistaken for “waving,” a gesture of happiness or friendliness, when in fact, he was “drowning” in his suffering. This misunderstanding highlights the loneliness experienced by individuals who feel disconnected from those around them, unable to communicate their true struggles effectively.

2.     The Duality of Appearance and Reality: The poem also explores the theme of the duality between appearance and reality. The central metaphor of “waving” versus “drowning” captures this tension. What appears to be a joyful or harmless act is, in reality, a desperate call for help. The line “And not waving but drowning” encapsulates this theme, illustrating how outward appearances can be deceptive, masking the true nature of an individual’s suffering. This duality reflects the broader human experience, where people often hide their pain behind a facade of normalcy or happiness.

3.     The Longevity of Suffering: The poem suggests that the protagonist’s suffering was not a sudden occurrence but rather a lifelong struggle. The line “I was much too far out all my life” indicates that the sense of being overwhelmed and misunderstood was a persistent part of the man’s existence. His death is not just the result of an isolated event but the culmination of years of unacknowledged pain. This theme emphasizes the enduring nature of internal struggles that are often unnoticed or ignored by others, leading to a tragic outcome.

4.     Indifference of Society: Another significant theme in the poem is the indifference of society to individual suffering. The onlookers’ casual remarks—”Poor chap, he always loved larking” and “It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way”—reflect a superficial understanding of the man’s situation. They attribute his death to external factors like the cold, rather than recognizing the deeper emotional or psychological reasons behind his despair. This theme criticizes the tendency of society to overlook or dismiss the internal struggles of individuals, often only acknowledging their distress when it is too late.

1.     New Criticism

Critique Approach: New Criticism focuses on the text itself, analyzing its elements such as imagery, symbolism, and structure. It emphasizes the poem’s internal coherence and unity.

Application to “Not Waving but Drowning”:

• Imagery: The poem’s central image of the drowning man is a powerful symbol of isolation and despair.
• Structure: The repeated refrain of “Not waving but drowning” reinforces the poem’s central theme and creates a sense of urgency.
• Internal Coherence: The poem’s elements work together to create a unified and meaningful whole.

2. Psychoanalytic Criticism

Critique Approach: Psychoanalytic criticism interprets literary works through the lens of psychology, often focusing on the author’s unconscious mind or the psychological motivations of characters.

Application to “Not Waving but Drowning”:

• Author’s Unconscious: The poem can be seen as a reflection of Smith’s own feelings of isolation and despair.
• Character’s Psychology: The drowning man can be interpreted as a projection of Smith’s own anxieties and fears.
• Oedipal Complex: Some critics might argue that the poem’s themes of isolation and drowning are connected to the Oedipal complex, a Freudian concept that suggests a child’s desire for the opposite-sex parent.

3. Deconstruction

Critique Approach: Deconstruction challenges the idea of a fixed meaning in a text, focusing on the underlying contradictions and ambiguities.

Application to “Not Waving but Drowning”:

• Binary Oppositions: The poem plays with the binary opposition of life and death. The speaker is both alive and dead, both waving and drowning.
• Ambiguity: The poem’s ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader to question whether the speaker is truly dead or simply trapped in a state of despair.
• Subversion of Meaning: Deconstruction would argue that the poem’s meaning is not fixed but constantly shifting and evolving.

 ·       What is the significance of the repeated refrain “Not waving but drowning”?

• The repeated refrain “Not waving but drowning” serves as a stark contrast between the speaker’s outward appearance and his inner turmoil. It emphasizes the tragedy of his situation, as others misinterpret his cries for help as joyous gestures. This repetition also creates a sense of urgency and despair, highlighting the speaker’s isolation. As the poem progresses, the refrain becomes increasingly haunting, echoing the speaker’s desperate pleas for understanding.

·       How does the poem’s simple narrative contribute to its emotional impact?

• The poem’s deceptively simple narrative enhances its emotional impact by allowing the reader to focus on the speaker’s plight without distractions. The straightforward language and structure create a sense of immediacy and authenticity, making the speaker’s suffering more relatable. By avoiding complex metaphors or convoluted language, Smith allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the speaker’s experience. This simplicity, combined with the poem’s powerful imagery, makes the speaker’s despair all the more poignant.

·       What role does the sea play in the poem’s symbolism?

• The sea symbolizes the speaker’s overwhelming emotions and isolation. It represents the vastness of his despair and the feeling of being lost and alone. The sea’s power and indifference further emphasize the speaker’s vulnerability. As the speaker drowns, he becomes increasingly submerged in the sea, reflecting his sinking hopes and diminishing chances of survival. The sea, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the speaker’s internal world, a place of darkness, despair, and ultimate solitude.

·       How does the poem’s ending contribute to its overall meaning?

• The poem’s ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader to question whether the speaker is truly dead or simply trapped in a state of despair. This ambiguity reinforces the theme of misunderstanding and the tragic irony of the speaker’s situation. It also suggests that the speaker’s suffering may continue even after death. By leaving the ending open-ended, Smith invites the reader to contemplate the speaker’s fate and to consider the broader implications of the poem’s themes. This ambiguity adds a layer of complexity to the poem, making it a more thought-provoking and enduring work of literature.