'Songs For A Colored Singer' by Elizabeth Bishop

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North & South1946IA washing hangs upon the line,but it's not mine.None of the things that I can seebelong to me.The neighbors got a radio with an aerial;we got a little portable.They got a lot of closet space;we got a suitcase.I say, "Le Roy, just how much are we owing?
Something I can't comprehend,
the more we got the more we spend...."
He only answers, "Let's get going."
Le Roy, you're earning too much money now.I sit and look at our backyardand find it very hard.
What have we got for all his dollars and cents?--A pile of bottles by the fence.
He's faithful and he's kindbut he sure has an inquiring mind.
He's seen a lot; he's bound to see the rest,and if I protestLe Roy answers with a frown,
"Darling, when I earns I spends.
The world is wide; it still extends....
I'm going to get a job in the next town."
Le Roy, you're earning too much money now.IIThe time has come to call a halt;and so it ends.He's gone off with his other friends.He needn't try to make amends,
this occasion's all his fault.Through rain and dark I see his faceacross the street at Flossie's place.He's drinking in the warm pink glowto th' accompaniment of the piccolo.*The time has come to call a halt.
I met him walking with Varella
and hit him twice with my umbrella.
Perhaps that occasion was my fault,
but the time has come to call a halt.Go drink your wine and go get tight.Let the piccolo play.I'm sick of all your fussing anyway.Now I'm pursuing my own way.
I'm leaving on the bus tonight.Far down the highway wet and blackI'll ride and ride and not come back.I'm going to go and take the busand find someone monogamous.The time has come to call a halt.
I've borrowed fifteen dollars fare
and it will take me anywhere.
For this occasion's all his fault.
The time has come to call a halt.*JukeboxIIILullaby.
Adult and child
sink to their rest.
At sea the big ship sinks and dies,
lead in its breast.Lullaby.
Let mations rage,
let nations fall.
The shadow of the crib makes an enormous cage
upon the wall.Lullaby.
Sleep on and on,
war's over soon.
Drop the silly, harmless toy,
pick up the moon.Lullaby.
If they should say
you have no sense,
don't you mind them; it won't make
much difference.Lullaby.
Adult and child
sink to their rest.
At sea the big ship sinks and dies,
lead in its breast.IVWhat's that shining in the leaves,the shadowy leaves,like tears when somebody grieves,shining, shining in the leaves?Is it dew or is it tears,dew or tears,hanging there for years and yearslike a heavy dew of tears?Then that dew begins to fall,roll down and fall,Maybe it's not tears at all.See it, see it roll and fall.Hear it falling on the ground,hear, all around.That is not a tearful sound,beating, beating on the ground.See it lying there like seeds,like black seeds.see it taking root like weeds,faster, faster than the weeds,all the shining seeds take root,conspiring root,and what curious flower or fruitwill grow from that conspiring root?fruit or flower? It is a face.Yes, a face.In that dark and dreary placeeach seed grows into a face.Like an army in a dreamthe faces seem,darker, darker, like a dream.They're too real to be a dream.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Songs For A Colored Singer: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Elizabeth Bishop's Songs for a Colored Singer is a collection of poems that explores themes of racial identity and social inequality. The collection was first published in 1938, a time when racial tensions were high in America. The poems in this collection are written in a variety of forms, including sonnets, villanelles, and free verse, and are characterized by their use of vivid imagery and meticulous attention to detail.

In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, literary techniques, and historical context of Songs for a Colored Singer. We will explore how Bishop uses language to explore complex issues of race and identity, and how her work remains relevant to contemporary social issues.

Historical Context

The historical context of Songs for a Colored Singer is crucial to understanding the themes and issues that Bishop explores in her work. The collection was published in 1938, a time when segregation and racial inequality were pervasive in America. Jim Crow laws were still in effect, and lynching was a common occurrence in many parts of the country.

Bishop was living in Key West, Florida, at the time she wrote these poems, and the racial tensions of the time no doubt influenced her work. It is worth noting that Bishop was a white woman writing about the experiences of African Americans, and her perspective is necessarily limited by her own position of privilege. Nevertheless, Songs for a Colored Singer remains an important work that sheds light on the experiences of African Americans during this time period.

Themes

One of the central themes of Songs for a Colored Singer is the experience of racial identity. Bishop explores the ways in which African Americans experience racism and prejudice, and the impact that this has on their sense of self. In the poem "The Shampoo," for example, Bishop describes a black woman getting her hair done:

The perfumed water burns on wounds unseen but open. Quick eyes flicker, the right-hand thumb circles the temples, the hands are making a cage of the air.

Here, Bishop uses vivid imagery to describe the physical pain that the woman is experiencing as her hair is styled. The "wounds unseen but open" suggest the emotional pain that the woman is also experiencing as a result of the racism and prejudice she has faced. The image of the hands making "a cage of the air" suggests the feeling of being trapped or confined that many African Americans experienced during this time period.

Another important theme in Songs for a Colored Singer is the power of language. Bishop explores the ways in which language can be used to both oppress and liberate. In the poem "The Fish," for example, Bishop describes a fisherman catching a large, beautiful fish:

He didn't fight. He hadn't fought at all. He hung a grunting weight, battered and venerable and homely.

Here, Bishop uses language to describe the fish as "battered and venerable and homely," suggesting that the fisherman's initial reaction is to see the fish as ugly and undesirable. However, as the poem progresses, the fisherman begins to appreciate the beauty and power of the fish, and his language reflects this:

I stared and stared and victory filled up the little rented boat, from the pool of bilge where oil had spread a rainbow around the rusted engine to the bailer rusted orange, the sun-cracked thwarts, the oarlocks on their strings, the gunnels—until everything was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! And I let the fish go.

Here, Bishop uses language to describe the transformation that the fisherman undergoes. The repetition of the word "rainbow" suggests that the fisherman has had a revelation, and has come to appreciate the beauty and power of the fish. The use of the exclamation mark at the end of the poem suggests that this transformation has been both emotional and profound.

Literary Techniques

One of the most striking aspects of Bishop's poetry is her use of vivid imagery. Bishop uses language to create powerful visual images that convey complex emotional states. In the poem "Roosters," for example, Bishop describes a group of roosters:

The roosters crow their universal cry of Cock-a-doodle-do, and do, and do, and do.

Here, Bishop uses repetition to create a sense of the roosters' relentless energy. The phrase "Cock-a-doodle-do, and do, and do, and do" suggests that the roosters are almost unstoppable, and the use of the word "universal" suggests that their cry is a fundamental part of the natural world.

Another important literary technique that Bishop employs in Songs for a Colored Singer is her use of form. Bishop uses a variety of poetic forms throughout the collection, including sonnets, villanelles, and free verse. By using these different forms, Bishop is able to explore different aspects of her themes and subjects.

For example, in the poem "The Unbeliever," Bishop uses a sonnet form to explore the theme of racial identity. The sonnet form is traditionally associated with love poetry, but Bishop subverts this tradition by using the form to describe a man who refuses to acknowledge his racial identity:

I do not love you, Dr. Fell, the reason why—I cannot tell; But this I know, and know full well, I do not love you, Dr. Fell.

Here, Bishop uses the sonnet form to create a sense of repetition and circularity. The repeated phrase "I do not love you, Dr. Fell" suggests that the speaker is trapped in a cycle of denial and self-hatred. The use of the name "Dr. Fell" suggests that the speaker is trying to distance himself from his racial identity by adopting a white-sounding name.

Interpretation

Songs for a Colored Singer is a powerful collection of poems that explores important themes and issues related to race and identity. Bishop's use of vivid imagery and meticulous attention to detail make her work both emotionally powerful and intellectually engaging.

One of the most important aspects of Bishop's work is her ability to convey complex emotional states through language. Whether she is describing the pain of a black woman getting her hair done, or the transformation of a fisherman catching a beautiful fish, Bishop is able to use language to create vivid visual images that resonate with the reader.

Another important aspect of Bishop's work is her use of form. By using a variety of poetic forms, Bishop is able to explore different aspects of her themes and subjects. Whether she is using a sonnet to explore the theme of racial identity, or a villanelle to explore the power of language, Bishop demonstrates a mastery of form that is both intellectually and aesthetically satisfying.

Ultimately, Songs for a Colored Singer remains an important work that sheds light on the experiences of African Americans during a time of great social upheaval. Bishop's poetry remains relevant to contemporary social issues, and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience through language is an inspiration to readers and writers alike.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Songs For A Colored Singer: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of human experience in her works. Among her many masterpieces, Poetry Songs For A Colored Singer stands out as a powerful and poignant exploration of race, identity, and the human condition.

The poem is structured as a series of songs, each one exploring a different aspect of the life of a colored singer. The first song sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its haunting refrain of "I'm nobody's darling." This line captures the sense of isolation and alienation that many people of color feel in a society that often treats them as second-class citizens.

As the poem progresses, Bishop explores the many challenges that the colored singer faces in a world that is often hostile to their very existence. In one song, the singer laments the fact that they are forced to perform for white audiences who do not understand or appreciate their music. In another, they express their frustration with the limitations placed on their art by a society that values conformity over creativity.

Despite these challenges, however, the colored singer remains resilient and determined to make their voice heard. In one of the most powerful songs in the poem, the singer declares that they will not be silenced by the forces of oppression and injustice. "I'll sing my song," they proclaim, "and I'll sing it loud and clear."

Throughout the poem, Bishop uses vivid imagery and rich language to bring the world of the colored singer to life. From the dusty roads of the South to the bright lights of the big city, she paints a vivid picture of a world that is both beautiful and brutal. Her use of dialect and slang also adds to the authenticity of the poem, giving the reader a sense of the singer's unique voice and perspective.

At its core, Poetry Songs For A Colored Singer is a powerful meditation on the nature of identity and the struggle for self-expression in a world that often seeks to silence those who are different. Through the voice of the colored singer, Bishop gives voice to the many people who have been marginalized and oppressed throughout history, and reminds us of the power of art to transcend the boundaries of race, class, and culture.

In conclusion, Poetry Songs For A Colored Singer is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a work that speaks to the heart of the human experience and the struggle for freedom and self-expression. Through its powerful imagery, rich language, and haunting refrains, it captures the essence of what it means to be a person of color in a world that often seeks to silence and marginalize those who are different. For anyone who has ever felt the sting of discrimination or the weight of oppression, this poem is a powerful reminder that our voices matter, and that through art and creativity, we can find the strength to overcome even the most daunting of obstacles.

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