How is loss a central theme in the poem, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?” Why is it important to remember these men? 

How is the environment a central theme in the poem, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald?” What is the poem warning us as individuals?

The ballad, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot, reveals the themes of loss and environment. The author explains the story of a ship that was destroyed along with twenty-nine sailors due to a storm in November during the 1950’s in the Great Lakes. It demonstrates the fact that the effects of loss and environment can happen at anytime; essentially, occurring when you least expect it. The story has both denotative and connotative meanings for loss and environment. The denotative or literal meaning in the poem speaks about the tragedy and story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Whereas, the connotative meaning shows the effects that loss has on everyone, especially to the ones who are closely related to the sailors who were lost on the ship, and the unpredictable power that the environments holds. Ultimately, revealing the themes of the poem. The theme of loss is very alive in the ballad: “In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed/In the Maritime sailors’ cathedral/The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times/For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald” (LightFoot, 49-52). This reveals the tragedy of the accident, which spread to the homes of the sailors. Church bells tend to chime loudly and echoes throughout the entire town; ultimately, showing the effects that loss has on all the people. Loss can cause many people to feel pain and sorrow; however, it is important to remember the men that were killed because it represents a part of their history and helps us to understand that family exists forever even if they are physically gone. The theme of environment is mentioned as much as loss throughout the ballad, afterall it was what destroyed the ship. It shows the power that environment has and the ability nature has over humanity. The environment greatly impacted the ship and the sailors: “The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound/And a wave broke over the railing/When afternoon came it was freezin’ rain/In the face of a hurricane west wind.” (LightFoot, 17-18, 24-25). The environment and the sea completely controlled the ships decisions, causing panic and fear to the ones aboard. Mother nature cannot be understood or prevented, its is something that we can’t predict. It’s important that we keep in mind the impact that the environment has on humans, so that we may be ready for what the environment has in store for us. We need to remember how influential the environment is in our lives, so that we can prepare ahead and become more aware of its ability. Both themes were significant because they revealed a learning experience for all of us; essentially, showing how society needs to be more aware of what can happen and that some aspects of life are with us forever such as family.