Elizabeth Bishop The Fish
Elizabeth Bishop is a poet that is often admired for her vividdescriptive poetry. Her interest in reading and writing came early in lifeas she suffered from several illnesses that caused her to spend many hoursalone. (Gale) Many critics admire Bishop's objectivity "because she wasinterested in viewing details spontaneously, without imposedrationalizations, in the manner of a naturalist" (Gale). Bishop is alsoknown for writing poems about ordinary experiences that "convey subtlerevelations" (Gale). One excellent example of this can be seen in herpoem, "The Fish." The poet's observation in this poem not only creates animage of the fish for the reader, but it also expands the scope of the "The Fish" is a narrative poem in which the poet discovers the beauty innature. The poem displays Bishop's use of rhetorical and sound devices aswell as tone, metaphor, symbolism, personification, simile, and imagery.While the poem seems to be about the simple experience of catching a fish, The poet sets the tone of the poem by using very short line lengths.This represents the poet's short thoughts she experienced while fishing.
In many ways, the poet,who had probably intended to spend a day fishing, was surprised to findthat fishing is more than it seems. The poet also observes the fish's eyes, whichare "far larger" than hers and: shallower, and yellowed, the irises backed and packed with tarnish tinfoil seen through the lenses of old scratched isinglass. At this point in the poem, the tone shifts from one of sympathy to oneof admiration. Shetells us that she "admired his sullen face" (47). The poet's discovery that the fish is old has an effect on her. The puddle of oil that steels on the water beside theboat "spread a rainbow/around the engine" (69-70). As a result of thischange, the poet's opinion of catching the fish also changes. In addition, the poet's seems to view everything differently aftercatching the fish. The symbol of the rainbow is significant in this poem. Her intention is to make us sense the life she became aware of when shelooked into the fish's eyes, which ultimately makes her feel sympathy forthe fish. Shebegins to notice other aspects of the fish as well. This is a vivid image and to the poet they represent gallant expressions ofsurvival for the fish. Additionally, the poet tells us the fish was "battered andvenerable/and homely" (7-8).
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