The Prodigal - Elizabeth Bishop

Theme

Moments of epiphany, addiction.

Moment of epiphany - the prodigal realises that his living situation is inhumane and decides to take steps to get better and seek help.

“shuddering insights” “make up his mind to go home”

Sensuous imagery - We are put in the Prodigal’s shoes. It really is a warning against this kind of life, almost like a biblical parable.

“the brown enormous odour”
“glass-smooth dung”
“burning puddles”
“slimy board”
“the bats’ uncertain staggering flight … touching him”

Form - Bishop used this rigid structure to process a difficult, heavy topic in her life.

Double sonnet.

Assonance, Euphony - Shows the deceiving effect that alcohol can have. Major contrast from the dingy, stinky description of the pigsty in the first octet.

“the sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red
the burning puddles seemed to reassure.
And then he thought he almost might endure
his exile yet another year or more.”

Metaphor and simile - the metaphor describes the light as a symbol for human connection/help, however the simile sees it retreating. This shows that the prodigal was completely alone, and the longer he stayed in his situation, the harder it was to get out.

“a pacing aureole” “the lantern--like the sun, going away”

Simile - the animals have companions. Even a simple animal is better than the prodigal, who is alone save for the farmer who wants ntothing to do with him, and “the sow that ate her young”.

“safe and companionable as in the Ark”

Tone

Disgusted, conversational "“(he hid the pints behind the two-by-fours)”

Mood

Disgusted

Biblical imagery/allusions - like a parable, a cautionary tale against falling into the throes of addiction.

“A prodigal” “evenings the first star came to warn” “safe and companionable as in the ark” “it took him a long time finally to make up his mind to go home”

Light imagery - this represents happiness, companionship and a good life. the prodigal sees a twisted version of this when he is drunk and sees the sunrise. the farmer and the animals actually have this, and the prodigal does not and the chances of this happening for him become slimmer the longer he stays in addiction.

“the first star came to warn”
“the sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red, the burning puddles seemed to reassure”
“pitchforks, faint forked lightnings, catching light”
“the lantern — like the sun, going away — laid on the mud a pacing aureole”