'Song For The Rainy Season' by Elizabeth Bishop


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Questions of Travel1955Hidden, oh hiddenin the high fogthe house we live in,beneath the magnetic rock,rain-, rainbow-ridden,where blood-blackbromelias, lichens,owls, and the lintof the waterfalls cling,familiar, unbidden.In a dim ageof waterthe brook sings loudfrom a rib cageof giant fern; vaporclimbs up the thick growtheffortlessly, turns back,holding them both,house and rock,in a private cloud.At night, on the roof,blind drops crawland the ordinary brownowl gives us proofhe can count:five times--always five--he stamps and takes offafter the fat frogs that,shrilling for love,clamber and mount.House, open houseto the white dewand the milk-white sunrisekind to the eyes,to membershipof silver fish, mouse,bookworms,big moths; with a wallfor the mildew'signorant map;darkened and tarnishedby the warm touchof the warm breath,maculate, cherished;rejoice! For a laterera will differ.(O difference that killsor intimidates, muchof all our small shadowylife!) Without waterthe great rock will stareunmagnetized, bare,no longer wearingrainbows or rain,the forgiving airand the high fog gone;the owls will move onand the severalwaterfalls shrivelin the steady sun.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Song For The Rainy Season: An Interpretation

Elizabeth Bishop's poem, "Song For The Rainy Season," is a beautiful and contemplative work that delves into the season of rain and how it affects both the natural world and the human psyche. In this literary criticism, we will explore the nuances of Bishop's language, her use of imagery and metaphor, and the overall themes of her poem.

The Power of Rain

From the very first line of the poem, Bishop establishes a sense of wonder and awe at the power of rain: "Hidden, oh hidden / in the high fog / the house we live in, / beneath the magnetic rock, / rain-, rainbow-ridden." The image of the house being hidden in the fog, beneath the "magnetic rock," gives a sense of the power and weight of the natural world. The rain and the rainbow are seen as mystical and almost otherworldly, a force that can both obscure and reveal.

Bishop also uses imagery to describe the physical effects of rain on the world around us. In the second stanza, she writes, "The air is damp, / and like a new mother / breathing over her weak newborn, / the earth lies, breathing deeply, / in the rain's long calm." Here, Bishop uses the metaphor of a mother breathing over her child to describe the nourishing and life-giving power of rain. This image is both powerful and comforting, evoking a sense of safety and security.

The Human Experience of Rain

While Bishop's poem is primarily focused on the natural world, she also explores the ways in which rain can affect human emotions and experiences. In the fourth stanza, she writes, "The wild goat with his harem / sleeps on the hillside, / warm and dry. / Invisible, / but heard, amid the gargling / watercourses, sleepier / than the calmest child."

The juxtaposition of the wild goat and his harem sleeping peacefully with the "gargling watercourses" serves to highlight the contrast between the natural world and the human experience. While the animals are able to find rest and peace in the rain, humans are often left to feel restless and anxious. Bishop seems to suggest that there is something inherently calming and soothing about the rain that we as humans have lost touch with.

The Power of Language

Throughout the poem, Bishop's use of language is both beautiful and powerful. She uses a variety of metaphors and imagery to describe the rain and its effects on the world around us. In the third stanza, she writes, "The trees add / drops to the rain like cups / filling slowly with milk." This image is both vivid and sensual, evoking a sense of richness and abundance.

Bishop's use of language is also effective in conveying the emotional weight of the rain. In the fifth stanza, she writes, "All over the listening corn the leaves / rustle and whisper, / and suddenly / rain lashes against the panes." The suddenness of the rain is emphasized by the abruptness of the sentence, and the use of the word "lashes" conveys a sense of violence and intensity.

Conclusion

"Song For The Rainy Season" is a beautiful and contemplative poem that explores the power of rain and its effects on both the natural world and the human psyche. Bishop's use of vivid imagery and powerful language serve to create a sense of wonder and awe at the power of the rain. The poem is also effective in conveying the emotional weight of the rain, highlighting the contrast between the peacefulness of the natural world and the restlessness of the human experience. Overall, "Song For The Rainy Season" is a powerful and thought-provoking work that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song For The Rainy Season: An Analysis

Rainy seasons are often associated with gloom and melancholy. However, Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, “Poetry Song For The Rainy Season,” challenges this notion by presenting a different perspective on the rainy season. The poem is a celebration of the rainy season, and Bishop’s use of vivid imagery and personification creates a lively and vibrant atmosphere that is both refreshing and uplifting.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct theme. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by describing the arrival of the rainy season. Bishop uses personification to give the rain a life of its own, describing it as a “little creature” that “comes in the night.” This personification creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if the rain is a welcomed guest arriving at a party.

Bishop also uses vivid imagery to describe the rain, painting a picture of a world transformed by its arrival. She describes how the rain “turns the fields to mud” and “fills the trees until they bow and creak.” This imagery creates a sense of abundance and vitality, as if the rain is a life-giving force that rejuvenates the earth.

The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the effect of the rain on the natural world. Bishop describes how the rain “washes the leaves” and “cleans the air.” This imagery creates a sense of freshness and purity, as if the rain is a cleansing agent that purifies the world.

Bishop also uses personification to describe the effect of the rain on the natural world. She describes how the rain “makes the birds sing louder” and “makes the earth smell sweet.” This personification creates a sense of joy and celebration, as if the rain is a catalyst for happiness and merriment.

The third and final stanza of the poem shifts focus once again, this time to the effect of the rain on human beings. Bishop describes how the rain “makes the streets shine like silver” and “brings people out to laugh and play.” This imagery creates a sense of community and togetherness, as if the rain is a unifying force that brings people together.

Bishop also uses personification to describe the effect of the rain on human beings. She describes how the rain “washes memories from the streets” and “cleans the gutters and pipes.” This personification creates a sense of renewal and rebirth, as if the rain is a transformative force that washes away the past and creates a new beginning.

Overall, Bishop’s poem is a celebration of the rainy season, presenting it as a life-giving force that rejuvenates the earth and brings people together. Her use of vivid imagery and personification creates a lively and vibrant atmosphere that is both refreshing and uplifting. The poem challenges the notion that rainy seasons are gloomy and melancholic, presenting a different perspective that is both joyful and celebratory.

In conclusion, “Poetry Song For The Rainy Season” is a beautiful and uplifting poem that celebrates the arrival of the rainy season. Bishop’s use of vivid imagery and personification creates a lively and vibrant atmosphere that is both refreshing and uplifting. The poem challenges the notion that rainy seasons are gloomy and melancholic, presenting a different perspective that is both joyful and celebratory. It is a reminder that even in the midst of darkness and gloom, there is always a reason to celebrate and find joy in the world around us.

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