Stanza 1: The Unexpected Encounter

The first stanza of Norman MacCaig's "Basking Shark" sets the scene for a startling encounter at sea. MacCaig uses vivid language to describe the moment when the speaker's oar hits what is initially thought to be a rock, but turns out to be a massive shark.

Highlight: The line "To stub an oar on a rock where none should be" immediately creates tension and surprise, drawing the reader into the experience.

The poet employs repetition to emphasize the shark and focus the reader's attention on this unexpected presence. The word choice "slounge" is particularly effective in conveying the slow, lazy movement of the creature as it surfaces.

Vocabulary: "Slounge" - A combination of "slouch" and "lounge," suggesting a slow, relaxed movement.

MacCaig's use of the phrase "(too often)" implies that while this encounter was memorable, it's not something the speaker wishes to repeat frequently. This subtle hint adds depth to the speaker's complex feelings about the experience.

Quote: "Is a thing that happened once (too often) to me."

Stanza 5: Reflection and Transformation

The final stanza of Norman MacCaig's "Basking Shark" brings the poem to a thought-provoking conclusion, challenging the reader's perceptions and summarizing the transformative nature of the encounter. The speaker's initial fear and shock have given way to a more nuanced and appreciative view of the shark and, by extension, the natural world.

Quote: "So who's the monster? The thought made me grow pale / For twenty seconds while, sail after sail, / The tall fin slid away and then the tail."

The rhetorical question "So who's the monster?" is a powerful device that prompts both the speaker and the reader to reconsider their initial judgments. It suggests that the true "monster" might not be the shark, but perhaps human beings who have distanced themselves from nature.

Highlight: This question marks the culmination of the speaker's shift in perspective, from seeing the shark as a frightening creature to recognizing the beauty and significance of the encounter.

MacCaig's use of "sail after sail" to describe the shark's fin and tail as it moves away creates a graceful, almost majestic image. This description contrasts sharply with the initial portrayal of the shark as a "monster," further emphasizing the change in the speaker's perception.

Example: The comparison of the shark's fin and tail to sails evokes an image of a ship moving through water, lending a sense of dignity and purpose to the creature's departure.

The poem concludes with the shark's disappearance, but the impact of the encounter lingers. The speaker's momentary paleness suggests a mix of awe, respect, and perhaps a lingering trace of fear, encapsulating the complex emotions evoked by this close encounter with a powerful force of nature.