Elizabeth bishop quotes

"I caught a tremendous fish" (The Fish)

Adjective, symbolism — "Tremendous" suggests significance beyond size; as your commentary says, the fish becomes a metaphor for Bishop's life and all "survivors" of life.

"He hadn't fought at all." (The Fish)

Contrast, tone — The lack of struggle creates a subdued, almost tragic tone, reinforcing the idea of the fish as a weary survivor.

"battered and venerable and homely" (The Fish)

Tricolon, juxtaposition — Combines damage with dignity; reflects commentary idea that the fish has wisdom and experience despite its worn appearance.

"like ancient wallpaper" (The Fish)

Simile, imagery — Suggests age and endurance; the fish is presented as something that has survived over time.

"the frightening gills, fresh and crisp with blood" (The Fish)

Violent imagery — Allows the reader "inside" the fish, as noted in commentary, emphasising its physical reality and vulnerability.

"five old pieces of fish-line… like medals with their ribbons" (The Fish)

Simile, symbolism — The hooks resemble war medals, reinforcing the idea of the fish as a battle-hardened survivor.

"a five-haired beard of wisdom" (The Fish)

Metaphor — Suggests age and wisdom, supporting the commentary that the fish has dignity and experience.

"everything was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow!" (The Fish)

Repetition, symbolism — Represents epiphany; as commentary notes, this is the moment Bishop realises her connection with the fish.

"And I let the fish go." (The Fish)

Simple sentence, resolution — Reflects the moment of understanding and respect; aligns with commentary idea of shared endurance and survival.

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"The brown enormous odor he lived by" (The Prodigal)

Sensory imagery — Emphasises the claustrophobic, overwhelming environment, as noted in commentary.

"breathing and thick hair" (The Prodigal)

Animal imagery — Blurs human and animal worlds, reinforcing the prodigal's loss of identity.

"glass-smooth dung" (The Prodigal)

Juxtaposition — Combines unpleasant imagery with smoothness, reflecting the strange familiarity of his environment.

"the sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red" (The Prodigal)

Visual imagery — Moment of unexpected beauty, as commentary suggests, hinting at hope even in degradation.

"the burning puddles seemed to reassure" (The Prodigal)

Personification — Suggests small moments of comfort; reflects commentary idea of beauty offering hope.

"safe and companionable as in the Ark" (The Prodigal)

Biblical allusion — Connects to the prodigal son story; suggests temporary safety but not true belonging.

"his shuddering insights, beyond his control" (The Prodigal)

Internal conflict — Shows growing self-awareness; aligns with commentary idea of lucidity and crisis.

"it took him a long time finally to make up his mind to go home." (The Prodigal)

Tone, resolution — Emphasises struggle and slow change, reflecting the poem's theme of recovery.

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"Oh, but it is dirty!" (Filling Station)

Exclamatory tone — Establishes playful yet critical tone, highlighting grime and disorder.

"oil-soaked, oil-permeated" (Filling Station)

Repetition — Emphasises the overwhelming dirtiness of the environment.

"greasy sons" (Filling Station)

Alliteration — Reinforces the theme of dirt and masculinity.

"a dirty dog, quite comfy" (Filling Station)

Contrast — Suggests familiarity and comfort within mess, linking to commentary on homely atmosphere.

"Why, oh why, the doily?" (Filling Station)

Rhetorical question — Highlights contrast between femininity and grime; reflects commentary's focus on incongruity.

"ESSO—SO—SO—SO" (Filling Station)

Onomatopoeia, sibilance — Mimics soothing sound; as commentary notes, it calms "high-strung automobiles."

"Somebody loves us all." (Filling Station)

Declarative tone — Central message of care and human connection; aligns with commentary's idea of hope and quiet love.

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"In the cold, cold parlor" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Repetition — Emphasises coldness, reflecting death and emotional distance.

"His breast was deep and white, cold and caressable" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Juxtaposition — Combines tenderness with death, reflecting the child's confusion.

"Arthur's coffin was a little frosted cake" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Metaphor — Childlike imagery softens death; aligns with commentary on fantasy vs reality.

"He was all white, like a doll" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Simile — Suggests innocence and artificiality, reinforcing the child's perspective.

"Jack Frost had started to paint him" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Personification — Turns death into something imaginative, showing the child's attempt to understand it.

"the red-eyed loon eyed it" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Symbolism — The loon represents death and stillness, linking to commentary about lifeless objects.

"They invited Arthur to be the smallest page at court." (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Fantasy imagery — Shows how the child imagines an afterlife, merging reality and imagination.

"clutching his tiny lily" (First Death in Nova Scotia)

Symbolism — The lily represents innocence and death; reflects the child's emotional response.