"Remora, Remora" by Thomas Lux is a poem crafted by a metaphor which shows how unjust social hierarchy and is and what it leads to. Through a dismayed tone, the speaker uses the analogy of the big shark representing those at the top of the social hierarchy while the smaller ones represent those who have lesser importance in society. Through this analogy, the speaker explains how there are many different sizes of sharks, with each small shark feeding off of the one above it in size. This relates to the human condition as it is common for people in society to feed off of those who are considered to be of "higher status" than them; they follow their actions, mimic their doings, and attempt to emulate them in every way. The speaker continues by explaining how one shark may only be an "inch or two" bigger than the next. Yet, the smaller one still feeds off of the bigger one. This concept translates into the real world as often times, those who are in charge are barely any more qualified than those who must listen to them. The smaller ones, or in the real world, the ones without as much authority must suffer because of their innate characteristics. Using sharks as a device, Lux is able to communicate the difficulties of social hierarchy and its unfair effects.
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