Key Points
Introduction
- Survivors and Victims: As of April 2006, only two survivors remained. The Titanic disaster resulted in over 1,500 deaths.
- Official Gravesite: The site off the Grand Banks on the ocean floor is internationally recognized as the official gravesite of the Titanic.
Literature and Popular Culture
- Legend of the Titanic: The story of the Titanic has become a well-known legend, extensively chronicled and discussed.
- Renewed Interest: Events like the release of James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic” have periodically revived public interest in the disaster.
Instant Books
- Definition: Instant books are quickly produced to capitalize on newsworthy events.
- Examples: Several instant books about the Titanic were published within months of the disaster, including works by Jay Henry Mowbray, Thomas H. Russell, Logan Marshall, and Marshall Everett.
Historiography
- Survivor Accounts: Notable survivor accounts include Colonel Archibald Gracie’s “The Truth About the Titanic” and Lawrence Beesley’s “The Loss of the SS Titanic.”
- Personal Memoirs: John B. Thayer, Jr.'s privately published memoir provides a first-person account of the disaster.
Children’s Literature
- Polar the Titanic Bear: Written by Titanic survivor Daisy Spedden as a gift for her son, this story has become a popular children’s book.
Music and Poetry
- Sheet Music: Numerous songs and ballads were written about the Titanic, reflecting the cultural expressions of grief and memorialization.
- Poetry: Poems like Thomas Hardy’s “The Convergence of the Twain” and Joyce Kilmer’s “The White Ships and the Red” capture the emotional impact of the disaster.
Gravemarkers
- Memorials: Gravemarkers and cenotaphs for Titanic victims and survivors often mention the ship, reflecting the customs and traditions of the early 20th century.
- Examples: Notable memorials include those for William Crothers Dulles and the Widener family.
Conclusion
- Enduring Legacy: The Titanic disaster continues to be remembered through literature, music, and cultural artefacts, preserving the memory of those who perished and the event itself.
Citation:
J.Joseph Edgette (2006) RMS Titanic Memorialized, Studies in the Literary Imagination, Vol. 39, No. 1, Georgia State University
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