Elizabeth BishopElizabeth Bishop

A reflection by Kathryn LatterA reflection by Kathryn Latter

Elizabeth’s Early LifeElizabeth’s Early Life

Elizabeth was born on February Elizabeth was born on February 88thth, 1911 in Worchester , 1911 in Worchester MassachusettsMassachusetts

Her father died when she was Her father died when she was eight months old, and her eight months old, and her mother was institutionalized mother was institutionalized when she was fivewhen she was five

Elizabeth grew up living with Elizabeth grew up living with her grandparents in Nova Scotia her grandparents in Nova Scotia as well as her father’s parents in as well as her father’s parents in MassachusettsMassachusetts

Growing up, Elizabeth was a very sick child; Growing up, Elizabeth was a very sick child; suffering from eczema, asthma, and nervous suffering from eczema, asthma, and nervous ailmentsailments

Although unable to have formal schooling Although unable to have formal schooling because of her health before the age of because of her health before the age of fourteen, Elizabeth was a strong student who fourteen, Elizabeth was a strong student who was accepted to Vassar college in 1934 was accepted to Vassar college in 1934

There, a Vassar librarian introduced to There, a Vassar librarian introduced to Marianne Moore. There began her life of Marianne Moore. There began her life of poetrypoetry

Elizabeth’s CareerElizabeth’s Career

Elizabeth’s first works were published in the Elizabeth’s first works were published in the school’s magazine, and then in an Anthology school’s magazine, and then in an Anthology called called Trial BalancesTrial Balances

While in residence in New York, she wrote her While in residence in New York, she wrote her first mature poems, “first mature poems, “The Map” and the “Man-The Map” and the “Man-Moth”Moth”

Her first four volumes of poetry were Her first four volumes of poetry were published in 1946published in 1946

In 1951, Elizabeth moved to Brazil, and there In 1951, Elizabeth moved to Brazil, and there her lesbian relationship with Lota de Macedo her lesbian relationship with Lota de Macedo Soares brought stability and love to her life for Soares brought stability and love to her life for eighteen yearseighteen years

In 1955, her second volume of poetry was In 1955, her second volume of poetry was publishedpublished

After Soares committed suicide, Elizabeth After Soares committed suicide, Elizabeth moved back to the United States where she moved back to the United States where she taught at Harvard for four yearstaught at Harvard for four years

In 1979, Elizabeth Bishop died of a cerebral In 1979, Elizabeth Bishop died of a cerebral aneurysm aneurysm

The PoetryThe PoetrySonnetSonnet

Caught -- the bubble Caught -- the bubble in the spirit level,in the spirit level,

a creature divided; a creature divided; and the compass needleand the compass needlewobbling and wavering, wobbling and wavering,

undecided. undecided. Freed -- the broken Freed -- the broken

thermometer's mercury thermometer's mercury running away; running away;

and the rainbow-bird and the rainbow-bird from the narrow bevel from the narrow bevel of the empty mirror, of the empty mirror,

flying wherever flying wherever it feels like, gay! it feels like, gay!

RoostersRoostersAt four o'clockAt four o'clockin the gun-metal blue darkin the gun-metal blue darkwe hear the first crow of the first cockwe hear the first crow of the first cock

just belowjust belowthe gun-metal blue windowthe gun-metal blue windowand immediately there is an echoand immediately there is an echo

off in the distance,off in the distance,then one from the backyard fence,then one from the backyard fence,then one, with horrible insistence,then one, with horrible insistence,

grates like a wet match grates like a wet match from the broccoli patch,from the broccoli patch,flares,and all over town begins to catch.flares,and all over town begins to catch.

Cries galoreCries galorecome from the water-closet door,come from the water-closet door,from the dropping-plastered henhouse floor,from the dropping-plastered henhouse floor,

where in the blue blur where in the blue blur their rusting wives admire,their rusting wives admire,the roosters brace their cruel feet and glarethe roosters brace their cruel feet and glare

with stupid eyeswith stupid eyeswhile from their beaks there risewhile from their beaks there risethe uncontrolled, traditional cries.the uncontrolled, traditional cries.

Deep from protruding chestsDeep from protruding chestsin green-gold medals dressed,in green-gold medals dressed,planned to command and terrorize the rest,planned to command and terrorize the rest,

the many wives the many wives who lead hens' liveswho lead hens' livesof being courted and despised;of being courted and despised;

deep from raw throatsdeep from raw throatsa senseless order floatsa senseless order floatsall over town. A rooster gloatsall over town. A rooster gloats

over our bedsover our bedsfrom rusty irons shedsfrom rusty irons shedsand fences made from old bedsteads,and fences made from old bedsteads,

over our churches over our churches where the tin rooster perches,where the tin rooster perches,over our little wooden northern houses,over our little wooden northern houses,

making sallies making sallies from all the muddy alleys,from all the muddy alleys,marking out maps like Rand McNally's:marking out maps like Rand McNally's:

glass-headed pins,glass-headed pins,oil-golds and copper greens,oil-golds and copper greens,anthracite blues, alizarins,anthracite blues, alizarins,

(cont.)(cont.)

each one an active each one an active displacement in perspective;displacement in perspective;each screaming, "This is where I live!"each screaming, "This is where I live!"

Each screamingEach screaming"Get up! Stop dreaming!""Get up! Stop dreaming!"Roosters, what are you projecting?Roosters, what are you projecting?

You, whom the Greeks electedYou, whom the Greeks electedto shoot at on a post, who struggledto shoot at on a post, who struggledwhen sacrificed, you whom they labeledwhen sacrificed, you whom they labeled

"Very combative...""Very combative..."what right have you to give what right have you to give commands and tell us how to live,commands and tell us how to live,

cry "Here!" and "Here!"cry "Here!" and "Here!"and wake us here where areand wake us here where areunwanted love, conceit and war?unwanted love, conceit and war?

The crown of redThe crown of redset on your little headset on your little headis charged with all your fighting bloodis charged with all your fighting blood

Yes, that excrescenceYes, that excrescencemakes a most virile presence,makes a most virile presence,plus all that vulgar beauty of iridescenceplus all that vulgar beauty of iridescence

Now in mid-airNow in mid-airby two they fight each other.by two they fight each other.Down comes a first flame-feather,Down comes a first flame-feather,

and one is flying,and one is flying,with raging heroism defyingwith raging heroism defyingeven the sensation of dying.even the sensation of dying.

And one has fallenAnd one has fallenbut still above the townbut still above the townhis torn-out, bloodied feathers drift down;his torn-out, bloodied feathers drift down;

and what he sungand what he sungno matter. He is flungno matter. He is flungon the gray ash-heap, lies in dungon the gray ash-heap, lies in dung

with his dead wiveswith his dead wiveswith open, bloody eyes,with open, bloody eyes,while those metallic feathers oxidize.while those metallic feathers oxidize.

St. Peter's sinSt. Peter's sinwas worse than that of Magdalenwas worse than that of Magdalenwhose sin was of the flesh alone;whose sin was of the flesh alone;

of spirit, Peter's,of spirit, Peter's,falling, beneath the flares,falling, beneath the flares,among the "servants and officers."among the "servants and officers."

(cont.)(cont.)

Old holy sculptureOld holy sculpturecould set it all togethercould set it all togetherin one small scene, past and future:in one small scene, past and future:

Christ stands amazed,Christ stands amazed,Peter, two fingers raisedPeter, two fingers raisedto surprised lips, both as if dazed.to surprised lips, both as if dazed.

But in betweenBut in betweena little cock is seena little cock is seencarved on a dim column in the travertine,carved on a dim column in the travertine,

explained by gallus canit;explained by gallus canit;flet Petrus underneath it,flet Petrus underneath it,There is inescapable hope, the pivot;There is inescapable hope, the pivot;

yes, and there Peter's tearsyes, and there Peter's tearsrun down our chanticleer'srun down our chanticleer'ssides and gem his spurs.sides and gem his spurs.

Tear-encrusted thickTear-encrusted thickas a medieval relicas a medieval reliche waits. Poor Peter, heart-sick,he waits. Poor Peter, heart-sick,

still cannot guessstill cannot guessthose cock-a-doodles yet might bless,those cock-a-doodles yet might bless,his dreadful rooster come to mean forgiveness,his dreadful rooster come to mean forgiveness,

a new weathervanea new weathervaneon basilica and barn,on basilica and barn,and that outside the Lateranand that outside the Lateran

there would always bethere would always bea bronze cock on a porphyrya bronze cock on a porphyrypillar so the people and the Pope might seepillar so the people and the Pope might see

that event the Princethat event the Princeof the Apostles long sinceof the Apostles long sincehad been forgiven, and to convincehad been forgiven, and to convince

all the assemblyall the assemblythat "Deny deny deny"that "Deny deny deny"is not all the roosters cry.is not all the roosters cry.

In the morningIn the morninga low light is floatinga low light is floatingin the backyard, and gildingin the backyard, and gilding

from underneathfrom underneaththe broccoli, leaf by leaf;the broccoli, leaf by leaf;how could the night have come to grief?how could the night have come to grief?

gilding the tinygilding the tinyfloating swallow's bellyfloating swallow's bellyand lines of pink cloud in the sky,and lines of pink cloud in the sky,

the day's preamblethe day's preamblelike wandering lines in marble,like wandering lines in marble,The cocks are now almost inaudible.The cocks are now almost inaudible.

The sun climbs in,The sun climbs in,following "to see the end,"following "to see the end,"faithful as enemy, or friend. faithful as enemy, or friend.

The FishThe FishI caught a tremendous fishI caught a tremendous fishand held him beside the boatand held him beside the boathalf out of water, with my hookhalf out of water, with my hookfast in a corner of his mouth.fast in a corner of his mouth.He didn't fight.He didn't fight.He hadn't fought at all.He hadn't fought at all.He hung a grunting weight,He hung a grunting weight,battered and venerablebattered and venerableand homely. Here and thereand homely. Here and therehis brown skin hung in stripshis brown skin hung in stripslike ancient wallpaper,like ancient wallpaper,and its pattern of darker brownand its pattern of darker brownwas like wallpaper:was like wallpaper:shapes like full-blown rosesshapes like full-blown rosesstained and lost through age.stained and lost through age.He was speckled and barnacles,He was speckled and barnacles,fine rosettes of lime,fine rosettes of lime,and infestedand infestedwith tiny white sea-lice,with tiny white sea-lice,and underneath two or threeand underneath two or threerags of green weed hung down.rags of green weed hung down.

(cont.)(cont.)

While his gills were breathing inWhile his gills were breathing inthe terrible oxygenthe terrible oxygen--the frightening gills,--the frightening gills,fresh and crisp with blood,fresh and crisp with blood,that can cut so badly--that can cut so badly--I thought of the coarse white fleshI thought of the coarse white fleshpacked in like feathers,packed in like feathers,the big bones and the little bones,the big bones and the little bones,the dramatic reds and blacksthe dramatic reds and blacksof his shiny entrails,of his shiny entrails,and the pink swim-bladderand the pink swim-bladderlike a big peony.like a big peony.I looked into his eyesI looked into his eyeswhich were far larger than minewhich were far larger than minebut shallower, and yellowed,but shallower, and yellowed,the irises backed and packedthe irises backed and packedwith tarnished tinfoilwith tarnished tinfoilseen through the lensesseen through the lensesof old scratched isinglass.of old scratched isinglass.They shifted a little, but notThey shifted a little, but notto return my stare.to return my stare.--It was more like the tipping--It was more like the tippingof an object toward the light.of an object toward the light.I admired his sullen face,I admired his sullen face,the mechanism of his jaw,the mechanism of his jaw,and then I sawand then I sawthat from his lower lipthat from his lower lip

--if you could call it a lip--if you could call it a lipgrim, wet, and weaponlike,grim, wet, and weaponlike,hung five old pieces of fish-line,hung five old pieces of fish-line,or four and a wire leaderor four and a wire leaderwith the swivel still attached,with the swivel still attached,with all their five big hookswith all their five big hooksgrown firmly in his mouth.grown firmly in his mouth.A green line, frayed at the endA green line, frayed at the endwhere he broke it, two heavier lines,where he broke it, two heavier lines,and a fine black threadand a fine black threadstill crimped from the strain and snapstill crimped from the strain and snapwhen it broke and he got away.when it broke and he got away.Like medals with their ribbonsLike medals with their ribbonsfrayed and wavering,frayed and wavering,a five-haired beard of wisdoma five-haired beard of wisdomtrailing from his aching jaw.trailing from his aching jaw.I stared and staredI stared and staredand victory filled upand victory filled upthe little rented boat,the little rented boat,from the pool of bilgefrom the pool of bilgewhere oil had spread a rainbowwhere oil had spread a rainbowaround the rusted enginearound the rusted engineto the bailer rusted orange,to the bailer rusted orange,the sun-cracked thwarts,the sun-cracked thwarts,the oarlocks on their strings,the oarlocks on their strings,the gunnels--until everythingthe gunnels--until everythingwas rainbow, rainbow, rainbow!was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow!And I let the fish go. And I let the fish go.

SandpiperSandpiper

The roaring alongside he takes for The roaring alongside he takes for granted, granted,

and that every so often the world is and that every so often the world is bound to shake. bound to shake.

He runs, he runs to the south, He runs, he runs to the south, finical, awkward, finical, awkward,

in a state of controlled panic, a in a state of controlled panic, a student of Blake. student of Blake.

    The beach hisses like fat, On his The beach hisses like fat, On his

left, a left, a sheet                       sheet                       of interrupting water comes and of interrupting water comes and

goes goes and glazes over his dark and brittle and glazes over his dark and brittle

feet. feet. He runs, he runs straight through He runs, he runs straight through

it, watching his toes. it, watching his toes.

(Cont.)(Cont.)

(Cont.)(Cont.)-- Watching, rather, the spaces of sand between -- Watching, rather, the spaces of sand between

them, them, where (no detail too small) the Atlantic where (no detail too small) the Atlantic

drains                    drains                    rapidly backwards and downwards. As he runs, rapidly backwards and downwards. As he runs, he stares at the dragging grains. he stares at the dragging grains.     The world is a mist. And then the world is The world is a mist. And then the world is minute and vast and clear. The tide minute and vast and clear. The tide is higher or lower. He couldn't tell you is higher or lower. He couldn't tell you

which.                    which.                    His beak is focused; he is preoccupied, His beak is focused; he is preoccupied, looking for something, something, something. looking for something, something, something. Poor bird, he is obsessed! Poor bird, he is obsessed! The millions of grains are black, white, tan, and The millions of grains are black, white, tan, and

gray, gray,

mixed with quartz grains, rose and amethyst.  mixed with quartz grains, rose and amethyst.                  

My Imitation PoemMy Imitation PoemAt Waters EdgeShe waits in indecision, afraid to plungeShe waits in indecision, afraid to plungeThe water is forebodingThe water is forebodingParalyzedParalyzedIts coolness a lingering danger of things to comeIts coolness a lingering danger of things to comeTo plunge, to take that chance, a cold rush of painTo plunge, to take that chance, a cold rush of painThat ecstasy eludes herThat ecstasy eludes herDisappointment hangs like a chill in the airDisappointment hangs like a chill in the airA frozen mist heavy on her lungsA frozen mist heavy on her lungsSearching for that something Searching for that something The feeling she knows is nearThe feeling she knows is nearShe is distracted in her plight!She is distracted in her plight!Life ebbs at the shoreLife ebbs at the shoreAs with the tideAs with the tideEver smaller, revealing culled remains Ever smaller, revealing culled remains The rainbow haze is vibrant, in its colorsThe rainbow haze is vibrant, in its colorsIt’s so clearIt’s so clearBut she misses it in all its beauty, all its light.But she misses it in all its beauty, all its light.Blinded, blinded by the intensityBlinded, blinded by the intensityAfraid of the coldAfraid of the coldPotential waned.Potential waned.

Explanation of Imitation PoemExplanation of Imitation PoemMy poem imitates the poem My poem imitates the poem SandpiperSandpiper by Elizabeth by Elizabeth

Bishop in both the thematic and structural sense. Of primary Bishop in both the thematic and structural sense. Of primary comparison is the use of symbolism to set the scene. In comparison is the use of symbolism to set the scene. In At At Water’s Edge,Water’s Edge, symbolism of the cold water and diving into it symbolism of the cold water and diving into it represents the unknown which is dark and foreboding. In represents the unknown which is dark and foreboding. In Sandpiper,Sandpiper, the water and the surroundings represent life and the water and the surroundings represent life and how the bird is unaware of it in all its detail and importance. how the bird is unaware of it in all its detail and importance. The bird symbolic, perhaps of Bishop herself, running through The bird symbolic, perhaps of Bishop herself, running through life searching for something while ignoring and taking for life searching for something while ignoring and taking for granted what she already has. They are both also similarly granted what she already has. They are both also similarly metaphorical in that they both speak of searching and metaphorical in that they both speak of searching and struggling. However, in struggling. However, in At Water’s EdgeAt Water’s Edge the swimmer is the swimmer is afraid to dive into the unknown whereas in afraid to dive into the unknown whereas in Sandpiper,Sandpiper, the bird the bird is unconcerned with the unfamiliar. Both speak of missed is unconcerned with the unfamiliar. Both speak of missed opportunities due to preoccupation and intense focus, not opportunities due to preoccupation and intense focus, not seeing the bigger, broader picture in life. From a structural seeing the bigger, broader picture in life. From a structural perspective, both poems have twenty lines, no set meter, and a perspective, both poems have twenty lines, no set meter, and a common nautical theme.common nautical theme.

ConclusionConclusionA reoccurring theme resonates thorough Bishop’s A reoccurring theme resonates thorough Bishop’s

poetry; a passion for great description of minute details that poetry; a passion for great description of minute details that reflects life as if light through a prism, detailing the world in reflects life as if light through a prism, detailing the world in many different angles. Awe and respect for the natural world many different angles. Awe and respect for the natural world is consistently present in her work, which she captures for the is consistently present in her work, which she captures for the reader with imagery and detail to satisfy all senses. Bishop reader with imagery and detail to satisfy all senses. Bishop moulds the language to paint a picture, full of sounds, sights, moulds the language to paint a picture, full of sounds, sights, colors and symbolism for the reader. She paints a portrait with colors and symbolism for the reader. She paints a portrait with words to detail the world through her eyes for others to see. words to detail the world through her eyes for others to see. The stories she depicts are full of passion and meaning. There The stories she depicts are full of passion and meaning. There are numerous layers and several interpretations of her works; are numerous layers and several interpretations of her works; many of which are challenging in both their concept and many of which are challenging in both their concept and relation to life. relation to life.

Although far from overtly personal, Bishop’s writing is Although far from overtly personal, Bishop’s writing is anything but distanced and impersonal. It is consistently anything but distanced and impersonal. It is consistently evident in the themes of her poems, that they are influenced by evident in the themes of her poems, that they are influenced by her life experiences. One could easily state that Elizabeth her life experiences. One could easily state that Elizabeth Bishop led a tragic life, but these situations are possibly the Bishop led a tragic life, but these situations are possibly the key to her enlightenment of life.key to her enlightenment of life.

Dealing with her mother’s mental illness, coping with the Dealing with her mother’s mental illness, coping with the early death of her father, being tossed between different early death of her father, being tossed between different families and growing up as an orphan are just some of the families and growing up as an orphan are just some of the tragedies that plagued her. Bishop was also a lesbian at a time tragedies that plagued her. Bishop was also a lesbian at a time when that was not socially acceptable and she was forced to when that was not socially acceptable and she was forced to live with that stigma throughout her life. When her lover later live with that stigma throughout her life. When her lover later committed suicide, Bishop became depressed and an committed suicide, Bishop became depressed and an alcoholic. All of these things gave Elizabeth Bishop alcoholic. All of these things gave Elizabeth Bishop enlightenment on life, and ability to observe in depth as many enlightenment on life, and ability to observe in depth as many others are unable. others are unable.

Bishop’s writing is filled with metaphors and Bishop’s writing is filled with metaphors and symbolism which makes it at times challenging to understand symbolism which makes it at times challenging to understand or appreciate the deeper meaning of her poetry. One has to or appreciate the deeper meaning of her poetry. One has to search for deeper understanding, much like peeling back the search for deeper understanding, much like peeling back the layers of an onion, to fully comprehend the intense emotion layers of an onion, to fully comprehend the intense emotion that is proffered.that is proffered.

BibliographyBibliography

Nelson, C. (2000). Nelson, C. (2000). Modern American Poetry.Modern American Poetry. Chicago, IL: Oxford University Chicago, IL: Oxford University Press. Retrieved December 8, 2005 from the World Wide Web:Press. Retrieved December 8, 2005 from the World Wide Web:

http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/a_f/bishop/bishop.htmlhttp://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/a_f/bishop/bishop.html