'Exchanging Hats' by Elizabeth Bishop

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Uncollected Poems1956Unfunny uncles who insist
in trying on a lady's hat,
--oh, even if the joke falls flat,
we share your slight transvestite twistin spite of our embarrassment.
Costume and custom are complex.
The headgear of the other sex
inspires us to experiment.Anandrous aunts, who, at the beach
with paper plates upon your laps,
keep putting on the yachtsmen's caps
with exhibitionistic screech,the visors hanging o'er the ear
so that the golden anchors drag,
--the tides of fashion never lag.
Such caps may not be worn next year.Or you who don the paper plate
itself, and put some grapes upon it,
or sport the Indian's feather bonnet,
--perversities may aggravatethe natural madness of the hatter.
And if the opera hats collapse
and crowns grow draughty, then, perhaps,
he thinks what might a miter matter?Unfunny uncle, you who wore a
hat too big, or one too many,
tell us, can't you, are there any
stars inside your black fedora?Aunt exemplary and slim,
with avernal eyes, we wonder
what slow changes they see under
their vast, shady, turned-down brim.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exchanging Hats: An In-Depth Analysis

Oh, Elizabeth Bishop! The way you weave your words together is simply magical. One of your most charming and intriguing poems is "Exchanging Hats." It's a poem that portrays an amusing and whimsical situation, but with a deeper, more meaningful message. Let's delve into this poem and see what secrets it holds.

Summary

"Exchanging Hats" is a poem about two strangers who meet by chance and decide to exchange hats. The speaker and the stranger are two completely different people, with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The speaker is a poet, and the stranger is a businessman. They both put on each other's hats, and their identities are momentarily switched. The poet feels the weight of the businessman's responsibilities, and the businessman feels the lightness of the poet's creativity. They both experience a brief but profound moment of empathy and understanding.

Literary Devices

The first line of the poem has a striking and memorable image: "Unfunny uncles who insist/ in trying on a lady's hat." The use of alliteration and assonance in this line creates a playful and whimsical tone. The image of an uncle trying on a lady's hat is both comical and slightly unsettling. The use of the word "insist" shows that this is not just a passing fancy, but a persistent desire.

The poem is full of vivid and sensory details. The speaker describes the businessman's hat as "heavy and lined with fur" and "smelling of the rain." The poet's hat, on the other hand, is "light as a cabbage leaf" and "smelling of sweetgrass." These descriptions not only create a clear mental picture but also evoke different emotions and associations. The businessman's hat connotes a sense of burden and responsibility, while the poet's hat suggests lightness and freedom.

The structure of the poem is also notable. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which creates a sense of order and symmetry. The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent meter or rhythm. This gives the poem a natural and conversational flow, as if the speaker is recounting a casual conversation that happened to her.

Interpretation

On the surface, "Exchanging Hats" is a simple and lighthearted poem about two strangers swapping hats. However, it can also be read as a commentary on the importance of empathy and understanding. By donning each other's hats, the speaker and the stranger gain a new perspective on each other's lives. The poet experiences the weight of the businessman's responsibilities, and the businessman experiences the lightness of the poet's creativity. This temporary switch of identity allows them to see each other as more than just strangers passing by.

The poem can also be seen as a reflection on the power of imagination and creativity. The poet's hat, with its sweetgrass scent and cabbage-like lightness, represents the world of poetry and art. The businessman, who is described as "frowning and smoking, his dress shirt/ open at the neck" represents the world of work and commerce. The fact that they are able to switch hats and briefly inhabit each other's roles suggests that there is a fluidity between these two worlds. The poet's imagination can break down barriers and allow her to empathize with the businessman, and the businessman's work can inspire the poet to create.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a commentary on gender roles and expectations. The image of an "unfunny uncle" trying on a lady's hat suggests a certain discomfort with gender nonconformity. However, by the end of the poem, the speaker and the stranger have both stepped outside of their prescribed gender roles. The businessman, who is normally expected to be serious and responsible, is wearing a "fancy woman's hat." The poet, who is traditionally associated with femininity and sensitivity, is wearing a masculine fedora. By swapping hats and identities, they have momentarily escaped the limitations of gendered expectations.

Conclusion

"Exchanging Hats" is a delightful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of empathy, creativity, and gender. The use of vivid descriptions, playful imagery, and natural language make it a joy to read. However, it is the poem's deeper meanings and messages that give it its lasting power. Elizabeth Bishop was a master of subtle and layered poetry, and "Exchanging Hats" is a prime example of her skill.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Exchanging Hats: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Her works are known for their vivid imagery, precise language, and subtle emotions. One of her most famous poems is "Exchanging Hats," which was published in 1936. This poem is a masterpiece of Bishop's early career and showcases her unique style and voice. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem is a narrative that describes an encounter between two women who exchange hats. The speaker of the poem is one of the women, and she describes the scene in detail. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and mood.

The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the two women. The speaker describes the setting as a "small museum" and mentions that she is "alone" until she sees the other woman. The other woman is described as "tall" and "dark" with a "serious" expression. The speaker is immediately drawn to the woman's hat, which is described as "large" and "lavender." The speaker asks the woman if she can try on the hat, and the woman agrees.

The second stanza is the heart of the poem. The speaker puts on the hat and describes how it transforms her. She feels "strange" and "unfamiliar" in the hat, but also "elegant" and "distinguished." She feels as if she is "playing a part" and that the hat is a "disguise." The speaker then describes how the other woman looks in her own hat, which is described as "small" and "black." The speaker notes that the other woman looks "ordinary" in her own hat, but "exotic" in the lavender hat. The speaker then imagines the other woman's life, imagining her as a "princess" or a "gypsy." The stanza ends with the speaker feeling a sense of connection with the other woman, as if they have "changed places."

The third stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker takes off the hat and gives it back to the other woman. The other woman puts on her own hat and leaves the museum. The speaker is left alone again, but she feels changed by the experience. She feels as if she has "learned something" and that the encounter was "important." The poem ends with the speaker imagining the other woman's life again, wondering if she will ever see her again.

The poem is a masterful exploration of identity, transformation, and empathy. Bishop uses the hats as a metaphor for the way that we present ourselves to the world. The speaker feels transformed by the lavender hat, as if it gives her a new identity. She feels as if she is "playing a part" and that the hat is a "disguise." This suggests that our identities are not fixed, but rather are fluid and can be changed by external factors.

The poem also explores the idea of empathy and connection. The speaker feels a sense of connection with the other woman, as if they have "changed places." This suggests that we can understand and empathize with others by imagining ourselves in their shoes. The speaker imagines the other woman's life, imagining her as a "princess" or a "gypsy." This suggests that we can understand others by imagining their experiences and perspectives.

The poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery. Bishop's language is precise and evocative, creating vivid images in the reader's mind. The hats are described in detail, with the lavender hat being "large" and "lavender" and the black hat being "small" and "black." The museum is described as "small" and "quiet," creating a sense of intimacy and stillness. The imagery of the hats as a metaphor for identity is powerful and memorable.

In conclusion, "Exchanging Hats" is a masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop's early career. The poem explores the themes of identity, transformation, and empathy in a powerful and evocative way. The use of hats as a metaphor for identity is memorable and effective, and the language and imagery are precise and vivid. The poem is a testament to Bishop's unique voice and style, and it remains a classic of 20th-century poetry.

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