'First Death In Nova Scotia' by Elizabeth Bishop


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In the cold, cold parlor
my mother laid out Arthur
beneath the chromographs:
Edward, Prince of Wales,
with Princess Alexandra,
and King George with Queen Mary.
Below them on the table
stood a stuffed loon
shot and stuffed by Uncle
Arthur, Arthur's father.

Since Uncle Arthur fired
a bullet into him,
he hadn't said a word.
He kept his own counsel
on his white, frozen lake,
the marble-topped table.
His breast was deep and white,
cold and caressable;
his eyes were red glass,
much to be desired.

"Come," said my mother,
"Come and say good-bye
to your little cousin Arthur."
I was lifted up and given
one lily of the valley
to put in Arthur's hand.
Arthur's coffin was
a little frosted cake,
and the red-eyed loon eyed it
from his white, frozen lake.

Arthur was very small.
He was all white, like a doll
that hadn't been painted yet.
Jack Frost had started to paint him
the way he always painted
the Maple Leaf (Forever).
He had just begun on his hair,
a few red strokes, and then
Jack Frost had dropped the brush
and left him white, forever.

The gracious royal couples
were warm in red and ermine;
their feet were well wrapped up
in the ladies' ermine trains.
They invited Arthur to be
the smallest page at court.
But how could Arthur go,
clutching his tiny lily,
with his eyes shut up so tight
and the roads deep in snow?

Editor 1 Interpretation

First Death In Nova Scotia by Elizabeth Bishop: A Critical Analysis

How does one adequately describe the beauty and sadness contained in Elizabeth Bishop's poem, First Death In Nova Scotia? This classic work of literature is a poignant tribute to a young girl's death and the impact it has on those left behind. Bishop's use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a powerful and emotional experience for readers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and personal connections that make First Death In Nova Scotia a masterpiece of modern poetry.

Overview of the Poem

First Death In Nova Scotia was written by Elizabeth Bishop in 1945 when she was living in Brazil. The poem is based on Bishop's childhood experience of attending the funeral of her young cousin, Arthur. The poem is written in six stanzas of varying lengths, with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB. The speaker of the poem is a young girl who is attending the funeral of her cousin. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the speaker's experience of the funeral and the second part reflecting on the impact of Arthur's death on those left behind.

Themes

The central theme of First Death In Nova Scotia is the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The poem explores the impact of death on those left behind, particularly the young speaker who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her cousin. Bishop uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the pain, sadness, and confusion that surround death.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of innocence and loss of innocence. The young speaker is innocent and naive, and her experience of death is a loss of innocence. The poem also touches on the loss of innocence that occurs when a child is confronted with the harsh realities of the world.

Literary Devices

Bishop's use of language and literary devices is masterful in First Death In Nova Scotia. Her poetic style is marked by simplicity, clarity, and a keen sense of observation. The poem is written in free verse, with no strict meter or rhyme scheme. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a natural flow of language that mirrors the ebb and flow of emotions.

One of the key literary devices in the poem is imagery. Bishop uses vivid and sensory imagery to create a powerful emotional experience for the reader. The images of the "white, sweetly swelling muslin" of the child's coffin and the "pale, pale, pale" skin of the dead child are haunting and powerful.

Another important literary device in the poem is symbolism. The image of the "great black wave" that "swept Arthur away" is a symbol of death and the overwhelming power of nature. The image of the "white, sweetly swelling muslin" of the child's coffin is a symbol of the innocence and purity of childhood.

Personal Connections

One of the reasons why First Death In Nova Scotia is such a powerful poem is because it is based on Bishop's personal experience. Bishop was only six years old when her cousin Arthur died, and the poem is a reflection of her own feelings of loss and confusion. The poem is deeply personal and reflects Bishop's own struggles with coming to terms with death.

As readers, we can also connect with the poem on a personal level. We have all experienced loss and the pain of saying goodbye to loved ones. The poem speaks to our own experiences of grief and reminds us of the fragility of life.

Conclusion

First Death In Nova Scotia is a masterpiece of modern poetry that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and grief. Bishop's use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a powerful and emotional experience for readers. The poem is deeply personal and reflects Bishop's own struggles with coming to terms with death. As readers, we can also connect with the poem on a personal level and find solace in its beautiful and poignant words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

First Death In Nova Scotia: A Poem of Loss and Innocence

Elizabeth Bishop's "First Death In Nova Scotia" is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the essence of childhood innocence and the harsh reality of death. The poem is a tribute to a young cousin of the poet who died unexpectedly, and it reflects Bishop's own experiences of loss and grief. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a lyrical style, Bishop creates a moving portrait of a child's first encounter with death and the impact it has on her young mind.

The poem is set in Nova Scotia, a place that holds a special significance for Bishop, as it was her mother's birthplace. The opening lines of the poem set the scene: "In the cold, cold parlor / my mother laid out Arthur / beneath the chromographs". The use of the word "chromographs" is significant, as it refers to the popular Victorian practice of creating color photographs by hand-tinting black and white prints. This detail adds a touch of nostalgia and a sense of the past to the poem, as well as emphasizing the artificiality of the scene. The use of the word "cold" also creates a sense of detachment and distance, as if the poet is observing the scene from a distance.

The second stanza introduces the young narrator, who is described as "a child in a white / nightdress". The use of the word "white" is significant, as it suggests purity and innocence, while the nightdress emphasizes the child's vulnerability and helplessness. The child's innocence is further emphasized by the fact that she is unaware of the significance of the scene before her: "He was all white, / like a doll that hadn't been painted yet". The use of the simile "like a doll" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the child sees death as a kind of sleep or temporary state, rather than a final and irreversible end.

The third stanza introduces the child's reaction to the scene: "Arthurs's coffin was / a little frosted cake, / and the red-eyed loon eyed it / from his floating place". The use of the metaphor "frosted cake" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the child sees death as a kind of celebration or ritual, rather than a tragedy. The image of the "red-eyed loon" adds a touch of surrealism to the scene, as well as emphasizing the child's sense of isolation and loneliness.

The fourth stanza introduces the child's sense of wonder and curiosity: "Arthur's coffin sailed / like a small ship / out of the room". The use of the simile "like a small ship" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the child sees death as a kind of adventure or journey, rather than a final destination. The image of the coffin sailing out of the room also emphasizes the child's sense of detachment and distance, as if she is watching the scene from a safe and secure place.

The fifth stanza introduces the child's sense of loss and grief: "When I was a child / I once sat sobbing on the floor / beside my mother's / sewing machine". The use of the word "sobbing" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the child is overwhelmed by her emotions and unable to control them. The image of the child sitting on the floor emphasizes her sense of helplessness and vulnerability, while the reference to the mother's sewing machine adds a touch of domesticity and familiarity to the scene.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the child reflects on the significance of the scene before her: "Arthur's coffin stood / between my mother and the window / and my mother sang to me". The use of the word "stood" is significant, as it suggests that the coffin is no longer a symbol of death, but rather a reminder of life and the importance of family. The image of the mother singing to the child emphasizes the power of love and the importance of human connection, even in the face of death.

In conclusion, "First Death In Nova Scotia" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of childhood innocence and the harsh reality of death. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a lyrical style, Bishop creates a moving portrait of a child's first encounter with death and the impact it has on her young mind. The poem is a tribute to the poet's young cousin, but it is also a universal meditation on the fragility of life and the importance of family and love.

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