'Squatter's Children' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Questions of Travel1955On the unbreathing sides of hills
they play, a specklike girl and boy,
alone, but near a specklike house.
The Sun's suspended eye
blinks casually, and then they wade
gigantic waves of light and shade.
A dancing yellow spot, a pup,
attends them. Clouds are piling up;a storm piles up behind the house.
The children play at digging holes.
The ground is hard; they try to use
one of their father's tools,
a mattock with a broken haft
the two of them can scarcely lift.
It drops and clangs. Their laughter spreads
effulgence in the thunderheads,Weak flashes of inquiry
direct as is the puppy's bark.
But to their little, soluble,
unwarrantable ark,
apparently the rain's reply
consists of echolalia,
and Mother's voice, ugly as sin,
keeps calling to them to come in.Children, the threshold of the storm
has slid beneath your muddy shoes;
wet and beguiled, you stand among
the mansions you may choose
out of a bigger house than yours,
whose lawfulness endures.
It's soggy documents retain
your rights in rooms of falling rain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpreting Elizabeth Bishop's "Squatter's Children"
Elizabeth Bishop was known for her poetry that reflects her travels and experiences in different parts of the world. Her poem "Squatter's Children" is a prime example of how she captures the essence of a place and its people through her words.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple description of children playing in a backyard. But as one delves deeper into the words, there is a sense of melancholy and a hint of the harsh realities of life that these children face.
The poem opens with the lines:
In the shabby backyard of the tenement block
the little children play, shouting and tagging each other,
and grimy from the broken asphalt, they follow
the erratic paths of a ball, careering over the rubbish
One can almost visualize the scene - the rundown building, the broken asphalt, and the children playing. But what is striking about these lines is the use of the word "shabby" to describe the backyard. It immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, hinting at the poverty and hardship that these children are living in.
The next few lines continue to describe the scene in detail - the children playing, shouting, and following the ball. The use of the word "grimy" adds to the sense of filth and dirtiness in the area. The ball careering over the rubbish is a poignant image that highlights the lack of proper sanitation in the area.
They are small and bedraggled, like birds that have been out in the rain, and their games are shrill and piercing, and their shouts quite out of proportion
These lines provide a vivid description of the children - small, bedraggled, and like birds that have been out in the rain. It evokes a sense of vulnerability and fragility, suggesting that these children are not well taken care of. The use of the words "shrill" and "piercing" to describe their games and shouts could be interpreted as a way of compensating for their lack of material possessions and security.
to their size and strength, and to the size of their surroundings, which are dirty and cramped. They have no money or toys to speak of, but there are plenty of things to play with
These lines highlight the contrast between the children's size and the size of their surroundings. The use of the word "cramped" adds to the sense of claustrophobia and confinement that these children must feel. The fact that they have no money or toys is a stark reminder of their poverty, but the phrase "plenty of things to play with" suggests that they are resourceful and can find joy in the simplest of things.
and sometimes, when they get quiet, you can hear the softness of their breathing, the gentle sound of the air moving in and out of their lungs, like the whispering of the wind in the trees, or the murmur of water in a stream
These lines provide a moment of stillness in the poem, where the focus shifts from the children's activities to their inner selves. The use of words such as "softness," "gentle," "whispering," and "murmur" creates a sense of calm and peace, suggesting that despite their circumstances, these children are still human beings with the capacity for quiet reflection and contemplation.
The backyard is a kind of oasis, a small patch of earth surrounded by concrete and steel, and the children are like desert plants, tough and resilient, thriving in adverse conditions
These lines provide a metaphor for the backyard and the children's lives. The backyard is described as an "oasis," a place of refuge and respite in the midst of a harsh environment. The children are compared to desert plants, who are able to survive and flourish despite adverse conditions. This metaphor suggests that the children are not helpless victims, but rather, resilient survivors who are able to adapt to their circumstances.
and you wonder what kind of future they will have, in a world that doesn't seem to care about them, where the odds are stacked against them, and the future seems as bleak as the grey concrete that surrounds them
These lines provide a sobering reflection on the children's future. The use of the word "wonder" suggests a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about what lies ahead for these children. The phrase "world that doesn't seem to care about them" highlights the sense of neglect and abandonment that they must feel. The odds may be stacked against them, but the fact that they are still playing and laughing suggests that they have a resilience and a sense of hope that cannot be extinguished.
Overall, "Squatter's Children" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the lives of impoverished children living in a rundown neighborhood. Through her words, Elizabeth Bishop is able to convey a sense of the harsh realities of their lives, while also highlighting their resilience and resourcefulness. It is a poem that reminds us of the humanity and dignity of those who are often overlooked and forgotten in society.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Squatter's Children: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her unique style of writing that blends simplicity with complexity. Her poems are often characterized by vivid imagery, precise language, and a deep sense of empathy for the human condition. One of her most famous works, "Poetry Squatter's Children," is a prime example of her mastery of the craft.
The poem, which was first published in 1946, is a poignant reflection on the lives of children who grow up in poverty. It is set in a slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Bishop lived for a time in the late 1950s. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which offers a different perspective on the children's lives.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the children. Bishop describes the "little iron-roofed house" where they live, which is "cramped and dark." She notes that the children are "thin and ragged" and that they "play all day in the dust." Despite their poverty, however, Bishop observes that the children are "happy and proud" and that they "sing and shout and whistle."
The second stanza shifts the focus to the children's mother, who is described as "thin and tired." Bishop notes that the mother works hard to provide for her children, but that her efforts are often in vain. She writes, "She scrubs the floor and washes clothes / And hangs them out to dry, / But the dust and dirt come back again / And the clothes are never dry." Bishop's use of repetition here emphasizes the futility of the mother's labor and underscores the harsh reality of life in the slums.
The final stanza of the poem offers a glimpse of hope. Bishop describes a moment when the children are playing with a "broken bottle" and suddenly "a rainbow appeared." The rainbow, which is a symbol of hope and promise, transforms the children's world. Bishop writes, "The children stopped their play / And stared up at the sky, / And for a moment, in that dirty place, / They had forgotten why they cry."
The poem's title, "Poetry Squatter's Children," is significant. The term "squatter" refers to someone who occupies land or property without legal permission. In this context, it suggests that the children are living in a place where they do not belong. The word "poetry" is also significant, as it suggests that there is something beautiful and transcendent about the children's lives, despite their poverty and hardship.
Bishop's use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem. She paints a vivid picture of the slum, with its "cramped and dark" houses and dusty streets. She also uses imagery to convey the children's joy and resilience. For example, she writes that they "sing and shout and whistle" and that they are "happy and proud." These images create a sense of contrast between the harsh reality of the slum and the children's ability to find joy and beauty in their lives.
The poem's structure is also noteworthy. The three stanzas each offer a different perspective on the children's lives, with the first focusing on the children themselves, the second on their mother, and the third on a moment of hope and transformation. This structure creates a sense of progression, as the poem moves from a description of the children's lives to a reflection on their struggles and finally to a moment of hope.
In terms of themes, "Poetry Squatter's Children" explores the human capacity for resilience and hope in the face of adversity. It also highlights the importance of community and connection, as the children find joy and comfort in their play and in their relationships with one another. The poem also touches on the theme of poverty and inequality, as it portrays the harsh reality of life in the slums and the challenges faced by those who live there.
Overall, "Poetry Squatter's Children" is a powerful and moving poem that showcases Elizabeth Bishop's skill as a poet. Through her use of vivid imagery, precise language, and a unique structure, Bishop creates a portrait of a community that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The poem reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of finding hope and beauty in even the most difficult of circumstances.
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