In Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad," the speaker addresses a fine lady, urging her to embark on a journey across a tumultuous sea. The imagery of the dark water suggests danger and uncertainty, hinting that she might not survive the voyage in her small boat. This creates a contrast between the beauty of sailing and the underlying threat lurking beneath the surface.

The lines emphasize the fragile nature of hope, portraying it as the only thing that sustains us during difficult times. The notion that hope keeps one afloat implies that even amidst despair and potential failure, it is this hope that drives us to take risks and venture into the unknown.