“Diving into the Wreck” begins with the speaker describing her preparations for diving; not only has she checked for her knife and prepared her camera, but she has “read the book of myths” (Line 1). Rich establishes that her speaker is well-versed in the socio-cultural context of the world. She is both pragmatic and well -read, and has a clear understanding of her patriarchal world and how the “book of myths” describes it. She does not believe that the book of myths has provided a complete picture of the world, and her intent to dive demonstrates a desire to learn more and to find the complete truth of the wreck, rather than what the book has opted to tell her.

Rich describes the careful lengths the speaker must go through before diving, referring to her scuba suit as “body-armor of black rubber” (Line 5) and noting her flippers as “absurd” (Line 6) and the scuba mask as “grave and awkward” (Line 7). Her task is both dangerous and uncomfortable, but she prepares for and accepts it nonetheless. She immediately places herself in contrast to other male explorers like Jacques Cousteau, who have an “assiduous team” (10).