The Prodigal - Elizabeth Bishop

context behind the poem

• there is strong autobiographical element to this poem

• According to Bishop drank to combat feelings of low self-esteem and depression.

• Poem is inspired by the Bible parable of the Prodigal son

• She identifies with the marginalised alcholoic figure

Addiction

• a moving and honest portrayal of an addict,

• The poem paints an unflinching picture of the misery addiction brings

• It also highlights how addicts take comfort and solace in their own addiction.

“He his the pints behind a two-by four”

“He almost might endure/ his exile another year or more”

Exile and belonging

• Bishop had always been fond of travelling

• This “homelessness” appears in several of her poems”

• The prodigal feels he no longer has a home to go to anymore

• suggests how difficult the “concept” of home has become.

• Often the case in Bishops poetry - the journey home is not an easy one to make

description of pigsty

“brown enormous odor he lived by”

• the odour has overpowered the prodigal sense of smell that he can no longer judge it for its foullness

“the floor was rotten”

“the sty/ was plastered half way up with glass smooth dung”

• appalling conditions of sty are juxtaposed with images of beauty and hope.

hints of redemption

“the sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red/ the burning puddles seemed to reassure”

• despite his hungover, the beauty of the sunrise comforts the prodigal

• The Prodigal feels like “he almost might endure/ his exile yet another year”

• He has not faced up to the reality.

“He thought he might endure/ his exile yet another year or more”

Night approaches and he begins to feel lonely

“the cows and horses in the barn/ beneath their overhanging clouds of hay”

• Even the animals have a safe place to sleep.

“The pigs stuck out their little feet and snored”

• His isolation is emphasised in contrast to the animals.

darkness vs light

“The lantern like the sun going away”

• a time when he has to face his demons and his reality

• The prodigal is left in darkness, alone and fearful.

• The sun that originally brought him comfort has deserted him

“His shuddering insights, beyond his control/ touching him”

• how difficult it is to recovery from something like alcoholism

resignation

“But it took him a long time/ finally to make his mind up to go home”

Themes: alchoholism

• draws strong parallels between herself and the central character in the poem.

• compassionate and understanding

• Redemption and hope

Imagery

• contrast between light and dark

• The poem is vivid in its descriptive power and atmosphere

Language

• contrast between negative and positive

• very descriptive and evocative, the language is straightforward and accessible