'Giant Snail' by Elizabeth Bishop
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The rain has stopped. The waterfall will roar like that all
night. I have come out to take a walk and feed. My body--foot,
that is--is wet and cold and covered with sharp gravel. It is
white, the size of a dinner plate. I have set myself a goal, a
certain rock, but it may well be dawn before I get there.
Although I move ghostlike and my floating edges barely graze
the ground, I am heavy, heavy, heavy. My white muscles are
already tired. I give the impression of mysterious ease, but it is
only with the greatest effort of my will that I can rise above the
smallest stones and sticks. And I must not let myself be dis-
tracted by those rough spears of grass. Don't touch them. Draw
back. Withdrawal is always best.
The rain has stopped. The waterfall makes such a noise! (And
what if I fall over it?) The mountains of black rock give off such
clouds of steam! Shiny streamers are hanging down their sides.
When this occurs, we have a saying that the Snail Gods have
come down in haste. I could never descend such steep escarp-
ments, much less dream of climbing them.
That toad was too big, too, like me. His eyes beseeched my
love. Our proportions horrify our neighbors.
Rest a minute; relax. Flattened to the ground, my body is like
a pallid, decomposing leaf. What's that tapping on my shell?
Nothing. Let's go on.
My sides move in rhythmic waves, just off the ground, from
front to back, the wake of a ship, wax-white water, or a slowly
melting floe. I am cold, cold, cold as ice. My blind, white bull's
head was a Cretan scare-head; degenerate, my four horns that
can't attack. The sides of my mouth are now my hands. They
press the earth and suck it hard. Ah, but I know my shell is
beautiful, and high, and glazed, and shining. I know it well,
although I have not seen it. Its curled white lip is of the finest
enamel. Inside, it is as smooth as silk, and I, I fill it to perfection.
My wide wake shines, now it is growing dark. I leave a lovely
opalescent ribbon: I know this.
But O! I am too big. I feel it. Pity me.
If and when I reach the rock, I shall go into a certain crack
there for the night. The waterfall below will vibrate through
my shell and body all night long. In that steady pulsing I can
rest. All night I shall be like a sleeping ear.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Bishop's Giant Snail: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Metaphor
As a lover of poetry, I have read Elizabeth Bishop's Giant Snail countless times. And every time, I am left in awe of the poem's exquisite imagery, masterful use of metaphor, and profound insights into the human condition.
At its core, Giant Snail is a contemplation of time, mortality, and the transience of life. The poem opens with a vivid description of the titular creature, a massive snail that Bishop encounters while on a trip to Brazil. The snail is described in such detail that we can almost see it before our eyes:
"At night, alone, I marry the bed.
I photograph myself in my mind,
fabricating a bride
that is blond, and has a serious
and knowing expression.I am satisfied with this bride.
I have never seen her."— from Giant Snail by Elizabeth Bishop
Notice how Bishop uses concrete, sensory details to bring the snail to life: the "brown house" on its back, the "slimy trail," the "glistening foot." The snail becomes more than just a creature; it is a symbol of something larger, something universal.
One interpretation of the snail is that it represents the slow march of time, which inevitably leads to our own mortality. We are all like the snail, trudging along towards an unknown destination, leaving behind a trail that will eventually be erased by the tide of time. Bishop's description of the snail's "life-long love affair with thick, humid air" is a reminder that all of us are bound to the natural world, and that our existence is fleeting in the grand scheme of things.
But Bishop's poem is not only a meditation on death and decay; it is also a celebration of life and the beauty that can be found in even the most unexpected places. The snail, for all its sluggishness, has a kind of majesty about it. Bishop writes:
"The snail is always climbing;
she stretches, drags herself along.
She arches, and folds and flattens,
then suddenly
she shoots out
like a rush of water
and then coils, and sinks slowly
back, rising slightly,
floating in her own
viscous trail.— from Giant Snail by Elizabeth Bishop
Here, Bishop captures the snail's slow, deliberate movements in language that is both elegant and precise. The snail may be a lowly creature, but there is a gracefulness to its motion that is worthy of admiration.
Moreover, the poem suggests that the snail's slowness is not a hindrance, but a virtue. In a world that is always rushing and hustling, the snail's pace is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the world around us. Bishop writes:
"The snail is a compressed
bag of sleep, dragging
itself over the countryside.
It is brown, like dregs,
It is a house
on a hill, where a moment ago
I was taken in by kindness,
I thanked the earth,
but secretly:
I was grateful to the snail."— from Giant Snail by Elizabeth Bishop
This passage is particularly powerful, as it shows how the snail's presence can inspire feelings of gratitude and humility. The snail, with all its flaws and imperfections, is a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
But perhaps the most striking aspect of Giant Snail is Bishop's use of metaphor. Throughout the poem, she compares the snail to a variety of things: a "compressed bag of sleep," a "brown house on a hill," a "potato," a "rush of water." Each comparison is startlingly original and unexpected, yet somehow feels just right.
Consider, for example, Bishop's description of the snail's trail as a "viscous trail." The word "viscous" connotes stickiness and thickness, which perfectly captures the texture of the snail's trail. But it also suggests something more: a sense of persistence and endurance. The snail's trail may be easily erased, but it is also a testament to the snail's tenacity and perseverance.
Similarly, Bishop's comparison of the snail to a "brown house on a hill" is both strange and evocative. The image of a house on a hill suggests stability and permanence, which contrasts with the snail's slow, meandering movements. But it also hints at the snail's hidden world, the mystery of its interior life.
Overall, it is Bishop's skillful use of metaphor that makes Giant Snail such a memorable and rewarding poem. Through her comparisons and juxtapositions, she creates a rich tapestry of images that captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's Giant Snail is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor, a poem that invites us to slow down and appreciate the world around us. Through her vivid descriptions of the snail's movements and her skillful use of metaphor, Bishop reminds us of the transience of life, but also of its beauty and wonder. It is a poem that rewards multiple readings and close attention, and one that will linger in the mind long after the last line has been read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fascinating World of Elizabeth Bishop's "Giant Snail"
Elizabeth Bishop's "Giant Snail" is a poem that has captivated readers for decades. It is a poem that is both simple and complex, with layers of meaning that can be explored and interpreted in many different ways. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
Giant Snail, you carry your house on your back, it is your house, you cannot crawl out.
You travel with it, you cannot leave it. It is a portable house, complete with a door, a chimney, and a stove.
You are protected, you are safe, you are at home wherever you go.
Themes
At its core, "Giant Snail" is a poem about the concept of home. The snail is a creature that carries its home with it wherever it goes, and the poem explores the idea that home is not just a physical place, but a feeling of safety and security.
The poem also touches on the theme of confinement. The snail is unable to leave its shell, and while it is protected and safe inside, it is also limited in its ability to explore the world around it.
Imagery
Bishop's use of imagery in "Giant Snail" is both vivid and evocative. The image of the snail carrying its house on its back is a powerful one, and it immediately conjures up feelings of safety and security. The description of the shell as a "portable house" with a door, chimney, and stove adds to this sense of homeyness.
The imagery of the snail's confinement is also striking. The line "you cannot crawl out" is a simple one, but it carries a lot of weight. It speaks to the idea that while the snail is protected inside its shell, it is also limited in its ability to explore the world around it.
Symbolism
One of the most interesting aspects of "Giant Snail" is the symbolism that is woven throughout the poem. The snail itself is a symbol of home and safety, but it can also be seen as a symbol of the human condition. We all carry our own "shells" with us, whether they be physical or emotional, and while they provide us with a sense of safety and security, they can also limit our ability to explore the world around us.
The shell itself is also a powerful symbol. It represents the idea of protection and safety, but it can also be seen as a symbol of confinement and limitation. The fact that the snail cannot leave its shell speaks to the idea that while we may feel safe and secure in our own "shells," we must also be willing to step outside of them in order to truly experience the world around us.
Conclusion
Elizabeth Bishop's "Giant Snail" is a poem that is both simple and complex, with layers of meaning that can be explored and interpreted in many different ways. At its core, it is a poem about the concept of home and the idea that while we may feel safe and secure in our own "shells," we must also be willing to step outside of them in order to truly experience the world around us. The imagery and symbolism in the poem are powerful and evocative, and they add to the overall impact of the piece. "Giant Snail" is a poem that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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