'Large Bad Picture' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Remembering the Strait of Belle Isle or
some northerly harbor of Labrador,
before he became a schoolteacher
a great-uncle painted a big picture.Receding for miles on either side
into a flushed, still sky
are overhanging pale blue cliffs
hundreds of feet high,their bases fretted by little arches,
the entrances to caves
running in along the level of a bay
masked by perfect waves.On the middle of that quiet floor
sits a fleet of small black ships,
square-rigged, sails furled, motionless,
their spars like burnt match-sticks.And high above them, over the tall cliffs'
semi-translucent ranks,
are scribbled hundreds of fine black birds
hanging in
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Large Bad Picture by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterful Exploration of Human Emotions
When it comes to poetry, Elizabeth Bishop is a name that cannot be ignored. Considered one of the most important American poets of the 20th century, Elizabeth Bishop's work has been celebrated for its precise language, vivid imagery, and keen observations of the world around us. Her poem, "Large Bad Picture," is a masterful exploration of human emotions, and in this literary criticism, we will delve deeper into its meaning and significance.
The Poem
"Large Bad Picture" is a short, six-stanza poem that explores the speaker's reaction to a painting she has just seen. The painting is described as "large," "bad," and "ghastly," and the speaker admits that she "hated it." However, as the poem progresses, we see that the speaker's emotions are more complex than simple hatred. She is drawn to the painting, even as she recoils from it.
Interpretation
At its core, "Large Bad Picture" is a poem about the power of art to evoke emotions in the viewer. The speaker's reaction to the painting is visceral and immediate - she hates it. But even as she tries to distance herself from it, she is drawn back in. This is captured beautifully in the opening lines of the poem:
I can't understand why this painting is considered so great. It is just blobs of paint splashed on canvas, wild colors thrown in all directions.
Here, the speaker is trying to distance herself from the painting, to dismiss it as nothing more than "blobs of paint." But her description of the painting as "wild colors thrown in all directions" suggests a certain energy and vitality that she cannot help but be drawn to.
As the poem continues, we see the speaker's emotions become more complex. She is angry at the painting, but she is also fascinated by it. She describes it as a "huge complicated picture" and admits that she cannot stop looking at it:
I hate this painting - or rather, I am afraid of it. Its bold ugliness stares me out. [...] It's only a picture, a big bright colored valentine of a picture, and yet I can't keep away from it.
This tension between attraction and repulsion is at the heart of the poem. The speaker is not sure why she is drawn to the painting, but she knows that it has some sort of power over her. This is perhaps best captured in the final stanza of the poem:
Why do I like it? What's the matter with me? I don't want it, I don't want to want it, I don't want to want to want it.
Here, the speaker is grappling with her own emotions, trying to make sense of why she is drawn to something she hates. This is a common experience for many of us - we are sometimes drawn to things that we know are not good for us, or things that we know we should not like. "Large Bad Picture" captures this experience in a way that is both poignant and relatable.
Literary Criticism
From a literary perspective, "Large Bad Picture" is a masterful exploration of human emotions. Bishop's use of language is precise and evocative, capturing the speaker's conflicting emotions in a way that is both vivid and relatable. The poem's structure - six stanzas of varying lengths - mirrors the speaker's emotional journey, moving from simple hatred to more complex emotions.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Bishop's use of color imagery. The painting is described as "wild colors thrown in all directions," and the speaker admits that she is drawn to the painting's "big bright colored valentine" quality. This use of color imagery is significant because it underscores the emotional power of the painting. The colors are not just random blobs of paint, but rather, they are the key to the painting's emotional impact.
Another notable aspect of "Large Bad Picture" is the way in which Bishop captures the tension between attraction and repulsion. The speaker is drawn to the painting, even as she hates it, and this tension gives the poem its emotional resonance. Bishop does an excellent job of capturing the complexity of human emotions, showing how we can be drawn to things that repulse us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Large Bad Picture" is a masterful exploration of human emotions. Bishop's use of language, color imagery, and structure all work together to create a poem that captures the complexity of the human experience. The tension between attraction and repulsion that runs throughout the poem is particularly striking, and it is this tension that gives the poem its emotional power. "Large Bad Picture" is a testament to Bishop's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in her work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Large Bad Picture: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her unique style of writing that blends the personal with the universal. Her poem, "Poetry Large Bad Picture," is a prime example of her mastery of language and imagery. In this 14-line poem, Bishop explores the relationship between art and life, and how the two are often intertwined.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a painting that she has seen. The painting is described as "large" and "bad," which immediately sets a negative tone. However, the speaker goes on to say that the painting has "some good." This suggests that the speaker is not completely dismissive of the painting, but rather sees some value in it.
The second stanza of the poem is where Bishop really begins to delve into the theme of art and life. The speaker says that the painting "is like a man in a bad mood." This comparison is interesting because it suggests that the painting has a personality, just like a human being. The speaker goes on to say that the painting "has been worked on for years." This suggests that the painting is a product of the artist's labor and dedication, just like a human being's life is the product of their experiences and efforts.
The third stanza of the poem is where Bishop really hits home with her message. The speaker says that the painting "is completely unintelligible." This suggests that the painting is so complex and layered that it cannot be fully understood or appreciated by the viewer. However, the speaker goes on to say that the painting "represents a great misunderstanding." This suggests that the painting is a reflection of the artist's own misunderstandings and struggles in life.
The final stanza of the poem is where Bishop ties everything together. The speaker says that the painting "is not a mirror." This suggests that the painting is not a direct reflection of reality, but rather a representation of the artist's own perceptions and experiences. The speaker goes on to say that the painting "is more like the object itself." This suggests that the painting is not just a representation of the object, but rather a part of the object itself.
Overall, "Poetry Large Bad Picture" is a masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop's poetry. Through her use of language and imagery, Bishop explores the complex relationship between art and life, and how the two are often intertwined. The poem is a reminder that art is not just a reflection of reality, but rather a representation of the artist's own perceptions and experiences. It is a testament to Bishop's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex ideas in a concise and powerful way.
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