'Sonnet (1979)' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Caught -- the bubble
in the spirit level,
a creature divided;
and the compass needle
wobbling and wavering,
undecided.
Freed -- the broken
thermometer's mercury
running away;
and the rainbow-bird
from the narrow bevel
of the empty mirror,
flying wherever
it feels like, gay!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sonnet" by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterpiece of Subtle Emotions and Observations
Have you ever read a poem that seems so simple on the surface, yet so complex and layered upon closer examination? That's exactly what we get with Elizabeth Bishop's "Sonnet," a poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life itself in just fourteen lines.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll explore the various themes, emotions, and techniques that Bishop employs to create a truly unforgettable work of art.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
Before diving into the nitty-gritty details of "Sonnet," let's first take a moment to understand what the poem is all about. As the title suggests, this is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure.
However, Bishop takes some liberties with the traditional sonnet form, opting for an ABAB CDDC EFEF GG rhyme scheme instead of the more familiar ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
The poem itself is written in the first person, with the speaker reflecting on a past relationship and the emotions that still linger even after it has ended. Throughout the poem, Bishop uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey a sense of loss, nostalgia, and regret.
Themes and Emotions
One of the most striking themes in "Sonnet" is the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker reflects on their past relationship and the memories that still linger, but acknowledges that those moments are now gone forever. This is perhaps best captured in the lines:
Time rushes by, and yet time's where I'm caught out,
as if it could grow less or even stop -
a selfish fantasy.
Here, we see the speaker grappling with the idea that time is an unstoppable force, and that the past can never be recaptured. The phrase "a selfish fantasy" suggests that the speaker is aware of their own desire to cling to the past, even though they know it is futile.
Another key theme in the poem is the idea of love and loss. The speaker reflects on the intensity of their past relationship, but also acknowledges that it has ended and that they are now alone. This is perhaps best captured in the closing lines of the poem:
Or else alone in the very world again,
denied so much of what's begun,
and halting too much of what might have been.
Here, we see the speaker's sense of loss and loneliness, as they contemplate what might have been if the relationship had continued. The phrase "denied so much of what's begun" suggests that the speaker feels as though they have been robbed of something precious, while "halting too much of what might have been" speaks to the idea that their past experiences are now preventing them from moving forward.
One final theme worth noting is the idea of memory and its role in shaping our lives. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on their memories of the past relationship and how those memories continue to influence their present. This is perhaps best captured in the lines:
And yet this poem will still be incomplete
unless I get my feelings in my head
about what was, and still is - the way things went.
Here, we see the speaker acknowledging that their memories of the past relationship are incomplete and that they need to reconcile those memories in order to move forward. The phrase "the way things went" speaks to the idea that our memories are always subject to interpretation and that the way we remember events can shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Techniques and Analysis
One of the most striking aspects of "Sonnet" is Bishop's use of vivid, sensory imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. Throughout the poem, she employs a range of metaphors and similes to bring the reader into the speaker's world.
For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Bishop compares the speaker's emotions to a "torn photograph," suggesting that their memories are fragmented and incomplete. This metaphor is then expanded upon later in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the "ragged edges" of their past relationship.
Another powerful image in the poem is the idea of "time's winged chariot," a phrase borrowed from Andrew Marvell's poem "To His Coy Mistress." Here, Bishop uses the image of a chariot rushing forward to suggest the unstoppable nature of time and the inevitability of change.
Throughout the poem, Bishop also employs a range of poetic techniques to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, she uses enjambment to carry the reader from one line to the next, creating a sense of forward momentum and urgency.
She also plays with the traditional sonnet form, employing a less-familiar rhyme scheme and breaking up the poem into three quatrains and a couplet, rather than the more common octave and sestet structure.
Perhaps most impressive of all, however, is Bishop's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that feels both subtle and profound. Her language is deceptively simple, yet packed with meaning and nuance.
Conclusion
All in all, "Sonnet" is a true masterpiece of poetry, a work that captures the essence of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life itself in just fourteen lines. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and expert use of poetic technique, Bishop creates a work that is at once deeply personal and universally relatable.
As we read the poem, we are reminded of our own past relationships, our own memories, and our own sense of loss and regret. Yet, we are also reminded that these emotions are a fundamental part of the human experience, and that through poetry, we can find solace and understanding in even the most difficult of moments.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Bishop’s “Poetry Sonnet” is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the human experience. Written in 1979, the sonnet is a reflection on the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to transcend the limitations of language. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and examine how Bishop uses these elements to create a powerful and moving work of art.
The poem begins with a simple statement: “I too, dislike it.” The “it” in question is poetry, and Bishop is acknowledging that she shares the common sentiment that poetry is difficult, obscure, and often frustrating. However, she quickly qualifies this statement by saying that “there are things that are important beyond all this fiddle.” This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend its own limitations and to connect us with the deeper truths of the human experience.
The first quatrain of the sonnet explores the limitations of language and the difficulty of capturing the essence of experience in words. Bishop uses a series of metaphors to describe the inadequacy of language, comparing it to “a glass eye” that cannot see, a “museum of the absurd” that cannot convey the complexity of life, and a “jigsaw puzzle” that cannot be put together. These metaphors create a sense of frustration and futility, as Bishop acknowledges the difficulty of expressing the inexpressible.
However, in the second quatrain, Bishop shifts her focus to the power of poetry to transcend these limitations. She describes poetry as “a way of happening, a mouth,” suggesting that it is not just a static object, but a living, breathing thing that can capture the essence of experience in a way that language alone cannot. She also describes poetry as “a voice,” suggesting that it has the power to speak directly to us and to connect us with the deeper truths of the human experience.
The third quatrain of the sonnet explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience. Bishop describes poetry as “a way of saying everything without saying anything,” suggesting that it has the power to convey the complexity of life in a way that is both simple and profound. She also describes poetry as “a way of seeing,” suggesting that it has the power to help us see the world in a new and deeper way.
Finally, in the couplet, Bishop brings the poem full circle, returning to the idea that poetry is difficult and frustrating. She acknowledges that “it is difficult to get the news from poems,” but suggests that this difficulty is part of what makes poetry so powerful. She ends the poem with the line “men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there,” suggesting that the deeper truths of the human experience that poetry can capture are essential to our survival and well-being.
The structure of the sonnet is also worth examining. Bishop uses a traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, with three quatrains and a couplet. However, she subverts this form in several ways. First, she uses enjambment to break up the lines and create a sense of fluidity and movement. This gives the poem a sense of energy and momentum that is unusual for a sonnet.
Second, Bishop uses a series of metaphors and images that are often contradictory or paradoxical. For example, she describes poetry as both a “glass eye” and a “way of seeing,” suggesting that it is both limited and limitless. This creates a sense of tension and complexity that is unusual for a sonnet, and adds to the power and depth of the poem.
Finally, Bishop uses a simple and direct language that is unusual for a sonnet. She avoids the ornate and flowery language that is often associated with the form, and instead uses a language that is clear and precise. This gives the poem a sense of immediacy and accessibility that is rare for a sonnet, and makes it more powerful and moving.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s “Poetry Sonnet” is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with the human experience. Through a series of metaphors and images, Bishop captures the frustration and futility of language, but also celebrates the power of poetry to transcend these limitations and connect us with the deeper truths of the human experience. The structure and language of the poem are both unusual and powerful, creating a work of art that is both accessible and profound.
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