'To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash' by Elizabeth Bishop


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I live only here, between your eyes and you,
But I live in your world. What do I do?
--Collect no interest--otherwise what I can;
Above all I am not that staring man.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Bishop

Have you ever come across a poem that speaks to you on a deep, personal level? A poem that makes you pause, reflect, and feel as though you have been seen and understood? That is precisely what Elizabeth Bishop's "To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash" does. It is a poem that captures the essence of human nature: our desire for connection, our fear of rejection and the need to leave our mark on the world.

Background

Before I delve deeper into the poem, let us first discuss the poet. Elizabeth Bishop was born in Massachusetts in 1911 and lived an extraordinary life. She was a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, a teacher, and a mentor to many young poets. Her poetry was often characterized by a deep sense of empathy and a keen observation of the world around her. Bishop's life was marked by loss, including the untimely death of her father when she was just eight months old, and the early death of her lover, Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares. These experiences helped shape her poetry and imbued it with a sense of vulnerability and authenticity.

"To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash" was first published in 1955 in a collection titled "Poems: North & South - A Cold Spring." The poem is one of Bishop's shorter works, consisting of just eight lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is powerful and has resonated with readers for decades.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, saying "Consider these words." These words are then followed by an instruction: "The write them on the mirror with a piece of chalk." Right away, the reader is drawn into the poem and the sense of urgency conveyed by the speaker.

The use of the imperative mood in the first line is significant. It conveys a sense of authority and commands the reader's attention. The speaker is not asking the reader to consider these words; they are telling them to do so. This is reinforced by the use of the word "consider," which implies that the words are important and should be given due attention.

The second line, "Go in and look at yourself," is equally commanding. It is as though the speaker is saying, "Stop what you are doing and pay attention to yourself." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is introspective and reflective.

The next two lines, "and turn that white-haired / head around again," are particularly poignant. The use of the word "white-haired" suggests that the speaker is addressing an older person, perhaps someone who is nearing the end of their life. The phrase "turn that white-haired / head around again" is evocative, as it suggests that the person is looking back on their life, reflecting on their experiences and perhaps regretting some of the choices they have made.

The line "and stare into the darkness" is especially powerful. It suggests that the person is confronting their own mortality, confronting the darkness that lies ahead. This is a deeply personal and emotional moment, and the reader cannot help but feel a sense of empathy for the person being addressed.

The final three lines of the poem are perhaps the most significant. The words "you will see." suggest that the speaker knows what the person will see when they look into the darkness. It is as though the speaker is saying, "I know what you are going through, and I understand." This creates a sense of connection between the speaker and the person being addressed, and it is this connection that lies at the heart of the poem.

The final two lines, "The order of the world, / and all that lies therein," are profound. They suggest that the person is not just confronting their own mortality, but the order of the world itself. This is a moment of existential crisis, where the person is forced to confront the fact that they are just a small part of a much larger universe. However, the fact that the speaker has addressed the person directly and empathized with them suggests that they are not alone in this moment of crisis. This creates a sense of comfort and connection that is both powerful and moving.

Interpretation

So, what does this poem mean? It is a poem about connection, about the need to be seen and understood by others. It is a poem about mortality, about the fact that we are all going to die one day. However, it is also a poem about empathy and understanding, about the fact that we are not alone in our struggles.

The act of writing on the mirror with chalk is significant. It is as though the person being addressed is leaving a mark on the world, leaving a message for all to see. This is a deeply human impulse, the desire to leave something behind that will be remembered long after we are gone.

The fact that the person is asked to look at themselves and confront their mortality is also significant. This moment of introspection is a moment of clarity, where the person is forced to confront the fact that they are mortal and that their time on this earth is limited. However, the fact that the speaker has addressed the person directly and empathized with them suggests that they are not alone in this moment of crisis.

Finally, the idea that the person is confronting the order of the world itself is significant. It suggests that we are all small parts of a much larger universe, and that our lives are ephemeral in the grand scheme of things. However, the fact that the speaker has taken the time to address the person directly and empathize with them creates a sense of connection and comfort that is both powerful and moving.

Conclusion

"To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It captures the essence of human nature, our desire for connection, our fear of rejection and the need to leave our mark on the world. It is a poem about mortality, about the fact that we are all going to die one day. However, it is also a poem about empathy and understanding, about the fact that we are not alone in our struggles. Elizabeth Bishop was a master of her craft, and this poem is a testament to her skill and talent as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash: A Poem of Self-Reflection

Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of self-reflection, identity, and the human condition. Written in 1945, the poem is a reflection on the nature of human existence and the ways in which we construct our own identities. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, as well as its historical context and relevance to contemporary society.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, asking them to imagine writing on a mirror in whitewash. This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it suggests a sense of impermanence and transience. The mirror, traditionally a symbol of reflection and self-awareness, is here transformed into a blank canvas that can be written on and erased at will. This suggests that the speaker is interested in exploring the ways in which we construct our own identities, and the ways in which these constructions can be both fluid and unstable.

The first stanza of the poem sets the stage for this exploration, as the speaker asks the reader to consider the various roles and identities that we adopt throughout our lives. The lines “Write it in smoke across the sky” and “Write it in water, write it in wine” suggest that these identities are fleeting and ephemeral, and that they can be easily erased or overwritten. This idea is reinforced in the second stanza, where the speaker asks the reader to imagine writing their name on the mirror in whitewash. The act of writing one’s name suggests a sense of ownership and identity, but the use of whitewash suggests that this identity is not permanent or fixed.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker asks the reader to consider the ways in which our identities are shaped by external forces. The lines “Write it on the mirror with your own breath / Write it with a diamond on a window pane” suggest that our identities are not solely our own, but are shaped by the people and circumstances around us. This idea is reinforced in the fourth stanza, where the speaker asks the reader to consider the ways in which our identities are shaped by our own perceptions of ourselves. The lines “Write it with a needle dipped in vinegar / Write it on the back of a photograph” suggest that our identities are not only shaped by external forces, but by our own self-perceptions and self-doubts.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful, as the speaker suggests that despite the impermanence and fluidity of our identities, there is still value in self-reflection and self-awareness. The lines “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year” suggest that we should strive to live in the present moment and appreciate the beauty of life, even in the face of uncertainty and impermanence. This idea is reinforced in the final lines of the poem, where the speaker suggests that we should “write it on the mirror in whitewash / that love is a terrible thing, / but we are not afraid of terrible things.”

Overall, To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of self-reflection, identity, and the human condition. The use of imagery and metaphor throughout the poem creates a sense of impermanence and fluidity, suggesting that our identities are not fixed or permanent, but are constantly evolving and changing. The poem is also deeply rooted in its historical context, written in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust, and can be read as a reflection on the fragility of human life and the importance of self-awareness and self-reflection in the face of uncertainty and impermanence.

In contemporary society, the themes of To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash are perhaps more relevant than ever. In an age of social media and constant self-promotion, it is easy to become consumed by external perceptions of ourselves and lose sight of our own internal sense of identity. The poem reminds us that our identities are not solely our own, but are shaped by the people and circumstances around us, and that we must strive to be self-aware and reflective in order to truly understand ourselves and our place in the world.

In conclusion, To Be Written On The Mirror In Whitewash is a timeless and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition and the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness. The use of imagery and metaphor throughout the poem creates a sense of impermanence and fluidity, suggesting that our identities are not fixed or permanent, but are constantly evolving and changing. The poem is deeply rooted in its historical context, but its themes are just as relevant today as they were when it was written. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, we would do well to remember the lessons of this poem and strive to be self-aware, reflective, and present in the moment.

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