'View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress' by Elizabeth Bishop

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Moving from left to left, the light
is heavy on the Dome, and coarse.
One small lunette turns it aside
and blankly stares off to the side
like a big white old wall-eyed horse.On the east steps the Air Force Band
in uniforms of Air Force blue
is playing hard and loud, but--queer--
the music doesn't quite come through.It comes in snatches, dim then keen,
then mute, and yet there is no breeze.
The giant trees stand in between.
I think the trees must intervene,catching the music in their leaves
like gold-dust, till each big leaf sags.
Unceasingly the little flags
feed their limp stripes into the air,
and the band's efforts vanish there.Great shades, edge over,
give the music room.
The gathered brasses want to go

Editor 1 Interpretation

Elizabeth Bishop's "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever felt as though you were standing on the precipice of something monumental, something that seemed to tower over you in grandeur and awe-inspiring beauty? That is the feeling that Elizabeth Bishop's poem "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress" evokes in its readers. Through her deft use of language and imagery, Bishop transports her audience to a place where they can see the majesty of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., from the vantage point of the Library of Congress. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary devices used in Bishop's poem, including metaphor, imagery, and tone, to uncover the deeper meanings and themes that lie beneath the surface of the text.

Metaphor and Imagery

At the heart of Bishop's poem is a metaphor, a comparison between the Capitol building itself and the idea of America as a grand and imposing force. This metaphor is established from the very first line of the poem, where Bishop describes the Capitol as "bulking against the sky." Here, the image of the Capitol looming over the landscape is used to convey its grandeur and power. The building is portrayed as something that dominates the skyline, a towering presence that commands respect and admiration.

This metaphor is reinforced throughout the poem by the vivid imagery that Bishop employs. For example, she describes the Capitol as having "a dome that is like a weapon," which conjures up an image of the building as a fortress, a symbol of strength and security. Similarly, the image of the Capitol "glittering in the sun" suggests that it is a beacon of hope and prosperity, a shining example of American success and triumph.

But Bishop does not stop at simply describing the physical attributes of the Capitol. Instead, she uses the building as a way to explore deeper themes and ideas. For instance, in the lines "as if the dome were the visible/ symbol of the ideology of the world," Bishop suggests that the Capitol represents more than just a physical structure. It is a symbol of America's place in the world, a beacon of democracy and freedom that stands as an inspiration to all those who value these ideals.

Tone

Another key element of Bishop's poem is its tone. Throughout the text, she uses a combination of admiring and reverent language to describe the Capitol building, which gives the poem a sense of awe and wonder. For example, the lines "O solid, glittering world" and "O dome of filigreed stone" convey a sense of admiration and respect for the building, while the repetition of the phrase "O beautiful" serves to emphasize its grandeur and splendor.

At the same time, however, there is a sense of melancholy and nostalgia that runs through the poem. Bishop describes the Library of Congress as "darkening" and "shadowy," as though it is fading into obscurity and irrelevance in the face of the Capitol's overwhelming majesty. This sense of loss is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, where Bishop describes the view from the Library of Congress as "a view not quite right since it includes/ all the flags and smokestacks of competing/ factories with their great black plumes." Here, she suggests that the beauty and grandeur of the Capitol are undercut by the harsh realities of industrialization and competition, which threaten to overshadow America's ideals and aspirations.

Themes

So what are the deeper themes and ideas that Bishop is exploring in "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress"? At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of American power and influence. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Bishop suggests that the Capitol represents not just a physical structure, but an ideal of democracy and freedom that America strives to embody. At the same time, however, she acknowledges that this ideal is constantly under threat from the forces of industrialization and competition, which threaten to undermine America's core values.

Beyond this, the poem is also a reflection on the nature of beauty and the passage of time. Bishop describes the Capitol as a thing of "solid, glittering beauty," but also acknowledges that this beauty is temporary and fleeting. The Library of Congress, meanwhile, is portrayed as a place of darkness and shadows, a symbol of the transience and impermanence of human achievement. In this way, Bishop suggests that even the most beautiful and impressive things are subject to the ravages of time and the forces of history.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress" is a poem that explores the nature of American power and influence, as well as the deeper themes of beauty, impermanence, and the passage of time. Through her use of metaphor, imagery, and tone, Bishop creates a vivid and evocative portrait of the Capitol building, one that captures both its grandeur and majesty, as well as its vulnerability and impermanence. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder that even the most imposing and awe-inspiring structures are subject to the same inexorable forces of time and history that shape all human endeavor.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elizabeth Bishop’s “Poetry View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress” is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and language. The poem is a vivid description of the view from the Library of Congress, which overlooks the Capitol building in Washington D.C. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of the American capital, and the power of poetry to capture that beauty.

The poem begins with a description of the view from the Library of Congress. Bishop describes the Capitol building as “a huge white mushroom” rising up from the city. The image of the Capitol as a mushroom is striking, and it captures the sense of awe and wonder that Bishop feels when she looks at the building. The Capitol is not just a building, but a symbol of American power and democracy.

Bishop then goes on to describe the view of the city from the Library of Congress. She describes the “little white houses” and “the green trees” that surround the Capitol. The contrast between the grandeur of the Capitol and the simplicity of the surrounding buildings is striking. Bishop seems to be suggesting that the power of the Capitol comes not just from its size and grandeur, but from its connection to the people and the land around it.

The poem then takes a turn, as Bishop begins to reflect on the power of poetry to capture the beauty of the world around us. She writes, “Poetry is the supreme fiction, / …it must / be believable.” Bishop is suggesting that poetry has the power to create a world that is more real than reality itself. Poetry can capture the essence of a place or a moment in a way that no other form of art can.

Bishop then goes on to describe the power of poetry to capture the beauty of the Capitol. She writes, “The Capitol’s dome is / gilt inside, / would that / it were all gold, / but it glitters / like the sun.” Bishop is suggesting that the beauty of the Capitol is not just in its physical appearance, but in the way that it captures the imagination of the people who look at it. The Capitol is a symbol of American power and democracy, and poetry has the power to capture that symbolism in a way that is more powerful than any photograph or painting.

The poem then ends with a reflection on the power of poetry to capture the beauty of the world around us. Bishop writes, “It is like what we imagine / knowledge to be: / dark, salt, clear, / moving, utterly free, / drawn from the cold hard mouth / of the world, / derived from the rocky breasts / forever, / flowing and drawn, / and since / our knowledge is historical, / flowing, and flown.” Bishop is suggesting that poetry is a form of knowledge that is derived from the world around us. It is a way of capturing the essence of a place or a moment in time, and preserving it for future generations.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s “Poetry View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress” is a powerful celebration of the beauty of the American capital, and the power of poetry to capture that beauty. The poem is a vivid description of the view from the Library of Congress, and it captures the sense of awe and wonder that Bishop feels when she looks at the Capitol building. Bishop’s use of imagery and language is masterful, and she captures the essence of the Capitol in a way that is both beautiful and profound. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the beauty of the world around us, and to preserve it for future generations.

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