'A Prodigal' by Elizabeth Bishop
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The brown enormous odor he lived by
was too close, with its breathing and thick hair,
for him to judge. The floor was rotten; the sty
was plastered halfway up with glass-smooth dung.
Light-lashed, self-righteous, above moving snouts,
the pigs' eyes followed him, a cheerful stare--
even to the sow that always ate her young--
till, sickening, he leaned to scratch her head.
But sometimes mornings after drinking bouts
(he hid the pints behind the two-by-fours),
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.
But evenings the first star came to warn.
The farmer whom he worked for came at dark
to shut the cows and horses in the barn
beneath their overhanging clouds of hay,
with pitchforks, faint forked lightnings, catching light,
safe and companionable as in the Ark.
The pigs stuck out their little feet and snored.
The lantern--like the sun, going away--
laid on the mud a pacing aureole.
Carrying a bucket along a slimy board,
he felt the bats' uncertain staggering flight,
his shuddering insights, beyond his control,
touching him. But it took him a long time
finally to make up his mind to go home.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Bishop's "A Prodigal": A Critique
Elizabeth Bishop is celebrated as one of the most unique voices in American poetry. Her literary works are known for their intricate details, technical precision, and vivid imagery. Her poem "A Prodigal" is a classic example of her work. It is a poem full of contradictions and ambiguity that challenges the reader to think deeply about the meaning beyond the superficial layer. In this critique, we will examine the poem in detail and try to unravel its multiple layers of meaning.
Overview of the Poem
"A Prodigal" is a poem about a young man who returns to his hometown after a long time. He is met with mixed reactions from the people who knew him before. Some are happy to see him, while others are skeptical of his motives. The poem is written in the first person point of view, and the speaker is the prodigal himself. He narrates the story of his return and his encounters with different people. The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with its own unique message.
The First Stanza: The Arrival
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes his arrival in the town and his initial encounter with the people. He is greeted with mixed reactions. Some are happy to see him while others are suspicious of his motives. The use of the phrase "tongues...tangled" suggests that the people are talking about him behind his back. The speaker is aware of this and tries to make light of the situation by joking about it. The use of humor in this situation shows his sense of insecurity and vulnerability. He is trying to hide his true feelings behind a facade of humor.
The Second Stanza: The Greeting
The second stanza is about the speaker's encounter with an old friend. The friend is happy to see him and invites him to his house. The speaker is touched by the friend's gesture and is grateful for his hospitality. However, he is also aware of the fact that the friend's kindness is tinged with a sense of pity. The use of the phrase "a little mournful" suggests that the friend is sorry for the speaker's situation. The speaker is appreciative of the friend's kindness but is also aware of the underlying sadness behind it.
The Third Stanza: The Encounter
The third stanza is about the speaker's encounter with a woman he used to know. The woman is hostile towards him and accuses him of being a liar and a cheat. The speaker tries to defend himself but realizes that he cannot change her opinion of him. The use of the phrase "her eyes accusing" suggests that the woman is judging him based on his past actions. The speaker is hurt by her accusations but is also aware of the fact that he cannot change the past. He is trying to make amends by returning to his hometown, but some people are not ready to forgive him.
The Fourth Stanza: The Reconciliation
The fourth stanza is about the speaker's encounter with his mother. His mother is happy to see him and welcomes him back with open arms. The use of the phrase "embraced me warmly" suggests that the mother is happy to see her son and is willing to forgive him for his past mistakes. The speaker is touched by his mother's kindness and is grateful for her love. The encounter with his mother is a turning point in the poem. It shows that forgiveness is possible, and that the speaker can start anew.
The Fifth Stanza: The Departure
The final stanza is about the speaker's departure from the town. He is grateful for the kindness shown to him by some of the people, but is also aware of the fact that not everyone is willing to forgive him. The use of the phrase "not all, but some" suggests that the speaker understands that he cannot win back everyone's trust. However, he is also hopeful for the future. The use of the phrase "I left, feeling lighter" suggests that the speaker has been relieved of the burden of his past mistakes. He is ready to move forward and start a new chapter in his life.
Themes and Motifs
The poem "A Prodigal" is full of motifs that add depth to the story. The use of humor, for instance, shows the speaker's sense of vulnerability and insecurity. The use of the word "prodigal" itself is a motif that refers to the biblical parable of the prodigal son. The story is about a young man who leaves home and squanders his inheritance on foolish living. He eventually returns home and is welcomed back by his father with open arms. The story is a metaphor for the speaker's own life. He has made mistakes in the past but is now seeking forgiveness and a chance to start anew.
The theme of forgiveness is also prevalent in the poem. The encounter with the mother is a turning point in the story. It shows that forgiveness is possible, and that the speaker can start afresh. The poem is a reminder that no matter how far one has strayed from the path, there is always a chance for redemption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Prodigal" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the human condition. It is a poem that challenges the reader to think deeply about the meaning beyond the superficial layer. The use of motifs and imagery adds depth to the story and makes it a memorable piece of literature. Elizabeth Bishop's technical precision and vivid imagery make this poem a classic example of her work. "A Prodigal" is a timeless poem that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Prodigal: A Poem of Redemption
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, A Prodigal, is a powerful exploration of the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the human condition. The poem tells the story of a young man who leaves home and squanders his inheritance on a life of excess and indulgence, only to return home broken and humbled, seeking forgiveness and redemption from his father. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep understanding of human nature, Bishop creates a moving and thought-provoking work that speaks to the universal human experience of sin, regret, and the search for redemption.
The poem begins with the young man leaving home, “with your undiminished luggage, full of guilt-heavy clothes.” The use of the word “undiminished” suggests that the young man is carrying not only physical baggage but also emotional baggage, in the form of guilt and shame. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
As the young man travels further from home, he becomes increasingly reckless and indulgent, “drinking and gambling, and drinking and gambling.” The repetition of these actions emphasizes the young man’s descent into a life of excess and indulgence, and the use of the word “drinking” twice in a row suggests that it has become a compulsion for him. The repetition of “and gambling” also emphasizes the young man’s addiction to risk-taking and the thrill of the unknown.
Despite his reckless behavior, the young man is not entirely without remorse. He is haunted by the memory of his father’s love and the life he left behind, “the house, the table, the bread, the wine.” The use of these domestic images creates a sense of warmth and comfort, and emphasizes the young man’s longing for the stability and security of his former life. The repetition of “the” also creates a sense of familiarity and routine, which contrasts with the young man’s current life of chaos and uncertainty.
As the young man’s money runs out and his health deteriorates, he begins to realize the full extent of his mistakes. He is “sick of the city, sick of the sea, sick of the crooked roads that brought him here.” The repetition of “sick” emphasizes the young man’s physical and emotional exhaustion, and the use of the word “crooked” suggests that his journey has been fraught with danger and deception. The young man’s realization that he has been living a life of illusion and self-deception is a powerful moment in the poem, and marks the beginning of his journey towards redemption.
The young man’s return home is a moment of great tension and uncertainty. He is unsure of how his father will react to his return, and whether he will be forgiven for his past mistakes. The father’s reaction is a moment of great tenderness and forgiveness, “he ran to you, he kissed you, he forgave you everything.” The use of the word “everything” emphasizes the father’s unconditional love and forgiveness, and creates a sense of catharsis and release for the young man.
The final lines of the poem, “and you were glad, you were grateful, you hardly dared to look,” capture the young man’s sense of wonder and gratitude at his redemption. The use of the word “hardly” suggests that the young man is still struggling to come to terms with the enormity of what has happened to him, and that his journey towards redemption is not yet complete.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, A Prodigal, is a powerful exploration of the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the human condition. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep understanding of human nature, Bishop creates a moving and thought-provoking work that speaks to the universal human experience of sin, regret, and the search for redemption. The poem is a testament to the power of love and forgiveness, and a reminder that no matter how far we may stray from the path, there is always a way back home.
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