"Our names do not appear"...who is this referring too? It refers to women and Adrienne Rich's belief that the experiences of a woman are often omitted from history and misrepresented in literature. In this last stanza Rich is expressing her idea that women united together ("We are, I am, you are") can find their way back to the top---to victory. Unfortunately women never receive credit for all of their accomplishments. Just as Jack Cousteau is highly mythologized and is supported by the public in all of his expeditions; the woman is left to fight and explore on her own the daily challenges of life.
Diving into the Wreck is significant to women because it heralded in a changing world for women. This poem was written at a time when legislation had just passed the Equal Rights Amendment and women now had the freedom to voice their opinions. Everyday, women are "diving" into situations all by themselves, they have to be both the man and the women.
And I am here, the mermaid whose dark hair streams black, the merman in his armored body...we dive into the hold. I am she: I am he (71-77). With these lines Adrienne Rich is trying to let women know that they can be beautiful and strong, women can be their own protectors not having to rely on somebody else to reach the top.
