'Sonnet (1928)' by Elizabeth Bishop
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I am in need of music that would flow
Over my fretful, feeling finger-tips,
Over my bitter-tainted, trembling lips,
With melody, deep, clear, and liquid-slow.
Oh, for the healing swaying, old and low,
Of some song sung to rest the tired dead,
A song to fall like water on my head,
And over quivering limbs, dream flushed to glow!
There is a magic made by melody:
A spell of rest, and quiet breath, and cool
Heart, that sinks through fading colors deep
To the subaqueous stillness of the sea,
And floats forever in a moon-green pool,
Held in the arms of rhythm and of sleep.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet (1928) by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterpiece of Form and Emotion
Elizabeth Bishop’s Sonnet (1928) is one of the most profound and moving poems in the English language. Written in the traditional sonnet form, the poem evokes a sense of deep longing and loss, as well as the beauty and fragility of human life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the complex themes and techniques employed by Bishop in this masterpiece of form and emotion.
The Form of Sonnet (1928)
At first glance, Sonnet (1928) appears to be a straightforward example of the traditional sonnet form, with its 14 lines and iambic pentameter. However, Bishop’s use of this form is far from traditional. The poem eschews the typical rhyme scheme of the sonnet, instead opting for a looser, more unstructured rhyme pattern. This creates a sense of unpredictability and instability that mirrors the emotional turmoil of the speaker.
The poem is also notable for its use of enjambment, with many of the lines running on into the next without punctuation. This creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, as well as a feeling of breathlessness and urgency. Bishop uses this technique to great effect in the final couplet, where the final line, “and feel the heartbreak lessen, and recall,” runs over into the first line of the sonnet, “unearthly, the whole sky emptied of light.”
The Themes of Sonnet (1928)
At its core, Sonnet (1928) is a meditation on loss and the transient nature of life. The poem is filled with images of decay and destruction, from the “rotten wood” of the speaker’s childhood home to the “broken trees” and “fallen leaves” of the present day. These images are juxtaposed with moments of intense beauty and wonder, such as the “goldenrod” and “sunsets” that the speaker recalls from her childhood.
One of the most powerful themes of the poem is the passage of time and the way that memories can both heal and hurt us. The speaker longs to “revisit” her childhood home and “the things that happened for good or bad,” but knows that this is impossible. She is haunted by the memory of a lost love, and wonders if the passing of time will ever bring her solace.
The Emotion of Sonnet (1928)
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Sonnet (1928) is its raw emotional power. Bishop’s use of language is both spare and evocative, conveying a sense of deep feeling with just a few carefully chosen words. The poem is filled with moments of intense beauty, such as the image of “the goldenrod / shining like held-out torches at sunset,” which is both vivid and haunting.
At the same time, the poem is suffused with a sense of sadness and loss. The speaker longs to “revisit” her childhood home and “the things that happened for good or bad,” but knows that this is impossible. She is haunted by the memory of a lost love, and wonders if the passing of time will ever bring her solace. The final couplet, with its sense of tentative hope, is both heartbreaking and deeply moving.
Interpretation of Sonnet (1928)
So, what does all this mean? What is Bishop trying to say with this poem? Ultimately, I believe that Sonnet (1928) is a meditation on the beauty and fragility of human life. The poem reminds us that life is fleeting, and that even our most cherished memories can fade and decay with time. At the same time, it suggests that there is a kind of beauty in this impermanence, that the very transience of life is what makes it so precious and valuable.
The speaker’s longing to “revisit” her childhood home and the things that happened there suggests a desire to recapture a sense of innocence and wonder that can never be fully regained. But even as she recognizes the impossibility of this, she is still able to find a kind of solace and comfort in the memory of these things. The final couplet, with its sense of tentative hope, suggests that even in the face of loss and decay, there is always the possibility of renewal and redemption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s Sonnet (1928) is a masterful example of the sonnet form, as well as a deeply emotional and poignant meditation on the beauty and fragility of human life. The poem’s themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time are rendered with a spare and evocative language that captures the very essence of human experience. This is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader, reminding us of the fleeting and precious nature of our existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Bishop’s Sonnet (1928) is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a sonnet that is both simple and complex, with a depth of meaning that is not immediately apparent. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its significance.
The poem is a traditional sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. However, Bishop’s use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, gives the poem a sense of fluidity and movement. The poem is divided into two quatrains and a sestet, with a volta, or turn, occurring between the second and third quatrains.
The first quatrain sets the scene, describing a house that is “lonely” and “out of tune.” The use of personification, giving human qualities to an inanimate object, creates a sense of melancholy and isolation. The house is described as having “a broken pane” and “a shutter hanging loose,” suggesting neglect and decay. The use of the word “lonely” is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the house is not just empty, but also devoid of human connection.
The second quatrain introduces the speaker, who is looking at the house from a distance. The speaker describes herself as “a passer-by,” suggesting that she is not intimately connected to the house or its inhabitants. However, the use of the word “linger” suggests that she is drawn to the house, perhaps out of a sense of curiosity or empathy. The speaker describes the house as “a sort of house of cards,” suggesting that it is fragile and precarious. The use of the word “sort” also suggests that the speaker is struggling to find the right words to describe the house, perhaps because it is so unusual or unexpected.
The volta occurs in the third quatrain, where the speaker shifts from describing the house to reflecting on her own life. She describes herself as “a fool to be standing here,” suggesting that she is aware of the futility of her actions. However, she also acknowledges that she is “drawn in” by the house, suggesting that she is unable to resist its pull. The use of the word “drawn” is particularly significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not in control of her own actions.
The final sestet brings the poem to a close, with the speaker reflecting on the transience of life. She describes the house as “a house of cards,” suggesting that it is fragile and temporary, like life itself. The use of the word “cards” also suggests that life is a game, with the outcome uncertain and unpredictable. The final line, “Life let me cherish while I may,” is a call to action, urging the reader to appreciate the fleeting nature of life and to make the most of every moment.
The themes of the poem are universal and timeless. The poem explores the themes of isolation, transience, and the fragility of life. The house is a symbol of isolation and neglect, while the speaker represents the transience of life. The use of the word “cards” suggests that life is a game, with the outcome uncertain and unpredictable. The poem is a reminder to appreciate the fleeting nature of life and to make the most of every moment.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a sense of clarity and precision. The use of personification, enjambment, and the volta all contribute to the sense of movement and fluidity in the poem. The use of the word “cards” is particularly significant, as it suggests that life is a game, with the outcome uncertain and unpredictable.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s Sonnet (1928) is a classic poem that explores the themes of isolation, transience, and the fragility of life. The poem is a reminder to appreciate the fleeting nature of life and to make the most of every moment. The language of the poem is simple and direct, with a sense of clarity and precision. The use of personification, enjambment, and the volta all contribute to the sense of movement and fluidity in the poem. Overall, Sonnet (1928) is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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