'Strayed Crab' by Elizabeth Bishop


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Uncollected Work1969This is not my home. How did I get so far from water? It mustbe over that way somewhere.I am the color of wine, of

Editor 1 Interpretation

Strayed Crab by Elizabeth Bishop: An Exploration of Life and Identity

Have you ever felt lost and out of place, like a crab that has strayed too far from its home? Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Strayed Crab" explores this theme of displacement and identity through the eyes of a small creature.

The Poem

Let's first take a look at the poem:

This is not my home.
How did I get so far from water?
It must be over that way somewhere.
I am the color of wine, of tinta.
The inside of my powerful pincers
is saffron-yellow.
My outside is a beautiful,
mottled brown.

Who am I? 
They call me "crab."
Let me tell you a little story:
How I once walked sideways--
straight ahead was always crabwise for me--
and one day I fell over
on my back on the sand.
I was alarmed. I, the artist
of the infinitely sideways
and horizontal,
helpless on my back,
stark, staring.

I was pitiful.

I, who had prided myself
on my vocal powers,
my insistence on the erotic importance
of everything,
flattened, exposed, ashamed.

That was the day
I decided to go back to the water.
And walking that way--
(not sideways I am ashamed to say
led to my present color,
my precise identification...) 

At first glance, the poem seems simple enough - a crab laments being far from home and shares a comical story of falling on its back. But as we dive deeper, we see a meditation on the human condition.

Identity and Displacement

The crab is a metaphor for anyone who feels out of place in life. It is a creature that belongs in the water, but finds itself stranded on land, unable to breathe or move as it desires. Bishop uses this image to explore the human experience of feeling lost and disconnected from one's true self.

The crab's color and physical features are also significant. Its "powerful pincers" are contrasted with its "helpless" state when stuck on its back. The crab's "mottled brown" exterior and "saffron-yellow" interior suggest a duality of self - a complex inner life that may not be visible on the surface. The crab's color also serves as a metaphor for its identity - it is "precisely identified" by its journey from water to land, just as we are defined by our life experiences and the paths we choose to take.

One can imagine the crab as a representation of Bishop herself, a woman who spent much of her life traveling and living in different places. Her own feelings of displacement and search for identity are reflected in the crab's journey.

The Importance of Perspective

The poem also explores the idea of perspective. The crab's "sideways" movement is its natural way of walking, but to humans it appears awkward and comical. The crab's fall on its back is a moment of vulnerability and shame, but it is also a moment of self-discovery - the crab realizes that it has been walking the wrong way and decides to change its path.

This shift in perspective is significant. The crab's journey back to the water is a physical journey, but it is also a journey of self-discovery and growth. The crab's shame and vulnerability are transformed into a sense of purpose and direction.

Form and Structure

The form and structure of the poem are also significant. The short, staccato lines create a sense of urgency and restlessness. The lack of punctuation gives the poem a free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness feel, as if we are inside the crab's mind. The repetition of the word "sideways" emphasizes the crab's displacement and sense of disorientation.

Conclusion

"Strayed Crab" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of identity and displacement. Through the metaphor of a crab, Bishop explores the complex themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and growth. The poem's form and structure add to its sense of urgency and restlessness, making it a powerful meditation on the search for identity and belonging.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Strayed Crab: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her unique style of writing that captures the essence of nature and human emotions. Her poem "Poetry Strayed Crab" is a perfect example of her mastery of language and imagery. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with a description of a crab that has strayed from its natural habitat and is now lost in the world of poetry. The crab is described as "a little off-course" and "bewildered" as it tries to navigate its way through the unfamiliar terrain of words and metaphors. The use of the crab as a metaphor for poetry is significant as it highlights the vulnerability and fragility of the art form.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, with Bishop using vivid imagery to describe the crab's journey. The use of words like "scuttling," "claws," and "sideways" creates a sense of movement and urgency, as if the crab is in a hurry to find its way back home. The line "he must be rescued immediately" emphasizes the importance of poetry and the need to protect it from being lost or forgotten.

In the second stanza, Bishop introduces the idea of language as a barrier that the crab must overcome. The use of the word "foreign" to describe the language of poetry highlights the difficulty that the crab faces in understanding and navigating this new world. The line "he cannot read" further emphasizes the idea that poetry is not easily accessible to everyone and requires a certain level of knowledge and understanding.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Bishop uses the image of the crab's shell to represent the protective barrier that poetry provides. The line "his armor is too hard for him to shed" highlights the idea that poetry can be a shield against the harsh realities of life, providing a safe space for the poet and the reader to explore their emotions and thoughts. The use of the word "armor" also suggests that poetry can be a form of defense against the outside world, protecting us from its harshness and cruelty.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a turning point, as Bishop introduces the idea of transformation. The line "he has to change his whole way of life" suggests that the crab must adapt to its new surroundings and learn to navigate the world of poetry. This idea of transformation is significant as it highlights the transformative power of poetry, which can change the way we see the world and ourselves.

The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful, as Bishop uses the image of the crab's eyes to represent the way in which poetry can open our eyes to new possibilities. The line "he must learn to see" suggests that poetry can help us to see the world in a new light, opening our eyes to new perspectives and ideas. The use of the word "learn" also suggests that poetry is a process of discovery, requiring us to be open and receptive to new ideas and experiences.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful conclusion, as Bishop brings together all the themes and ideas that she has explored throughout the piece. The line "he may be rescued yet" suggests that poetry is not lost forever, and that there is always hope for its revival and renewal. The use of the word "rescued" also suggests that poetry is something that needs to be saved and protected, reminding us of its importance and value.

In terms of structure, the poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. This structure creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, emphasizing the importance of each idea and theme that Bishop explores. The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, also creates a sense of movement and fluidity, reflecting the crab's journey through the world of poetry.

In terms of literary devices, Bishop uses a range of techniques to create a vivid and powerful image of the crab's journey. The use of metaphor, where the crab represents poetry, is perhaps the most significant, highlighting the vulnerability and fragility of the art form. Bishop also uses imagery, such as the crab's shell and eyes, to create a sense of depth and meaning, while the use of repetition and enjambment creates a sense of rhythm and movement.

In conclusion, "Poetry Strayed Crab" is a masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop's poetry, exploring the themes of vulnerability, transformation, and the transformative power of poetry. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Bishop creates a powerful image of the crab's journey through the world of poetry, reminding us of the importance and value of this art form.

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