'The Moose' by Elizabeth Bishop

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For Grace Bulmer Bowers


From narrow provinces
of fish and bread and tea,
home of the long tides
where the bay leaves the sea
twice a day and takes
the herrings long rides,

where if the river
enters or retreats
in a wall of brown foam
depends on if it meets
the bay coming in,
the bay not at home;

where, silted red,
sometimes the sun sets
facing a red sea,
and others, veins the flats'
lavender, rich mud
in burning rivulets;

on red, gravelly roads,
down rows of sugar maples,
past clapboard farmhouses
and neat, clapboard churches,
bleached, ridged as clamshells,
past twin silver birches,

through late afternoon
a bus journeys west,
the windshield flashing pink,
pink glancing off of metal,
brushing the dented flank
of blue, beat-up enamel;

down hollows, up rises,
and waits, patient, while
a lone traveller gives
kisses and embraces
to seven relatives
and a collie supervises.

Goodbye to the elms,
to the farm, to the dog.
The bus starts. The light
grows richer; the fog,
shifting, salty, thin,
comes closing in.

Its cold, round crystals
form and slide and settle
in the white hens' feathers,
in gray glazed cabbages,
on the cabbage roses
and lupins like apostles;

the sweet peas cling
to their wet white string
on the whitewashed fences;
bumblebees creep
inside the foxgloves,
and evening commences.

One stop at Bass River.
Then the Economies
Lower, Middle, Upper;
Five Islands, Five Houses,
where a woman shakes a tablecloth
out after supper.

A pale flickering. Gone.
The Tantramar marshes
and the smell of salt hay.
An iron bridge trembles
and a loose plank rattles
but doesn't give way.

On the left, a red light
swims through the dark:
a ship's port lantern.
Two rubber boots show,
illuminated, solemn.
A dog gives one bark.

A woman climbs in
with two market bags,
brisk, freckled, elderly.
"A grand night. Yes, sir,
all the way to Boston."
She regards us amicably.

Moonlight as we enter
the New Brunswick woods,
hairy, scratchy, splintery;
moonlight and mist
caught in them like lamb's wool
on bushes in a pasture.

The passengers lie back.
Snores. Some long sighs.
A dreamy divagation
begins in the night,
a gentle, auditory,
slow hallucination. . . .

In the creakings and noises,
an old conversation
--not concerning us,
but recognizable, somewhere,
back in the bus:
Grandparents' voices

uninterruptedly
talking, in Eternity:
names being mentioned,
things cleared up finally;
what he said, what she said,
who got pensioned;

deaths, deaths and sicknesses;
the year he remarried;
the year (something) happened.
She died in childbirth.
That was the son lost
when the schooner foundered.

He took to drink. Yes.
She went to the bad.
When Amos began to pray
even in the store and
finally the family had
to put him away.

"Yes . . ." that peculiar
affirmative. "Yes . . ."
A sharp, indrawn breath,
half groan, half acceptance,
that means "Life's like that.
We know it (also death)."

Talking the way they talked
in the old featherbed,
peacefully, on and on,
dim lamplight in the hall,
down in the kitchen, the dog
tucked in her shawl.

Now, it's all right now
even to fall asleep
just as on all those nights.
--Suddenly the bus driver
stops with a jolt,
turns off his lights.

A moose has come out of
the impenetrable wood
and stands there, looms, rather,
in the middle of the road.
It approaches; it sniffs at
the bus's hot hood.

Towering, antlerless,
high as a church,
homely as a house
(or, safe as houses).
A man's voice assures us
"Perfectly harmless. . . ."

Some of the passengers
exclaim in whispers,
childishly, softly,
"Sure are big creatures."
"It's awful plain."
"Look! It's a she!"

Taking her time,
she looks the bus over,
grand, otherworldly.
Why, why do we feel
(we all feel) this sweet
sensation of joy?

"Curious creatures,"
says our quiet driver,
rolling his r's.
"Look at that, would you."
Then he shifts gears.
For a moment longer,

by craning backward,
the moose can be seen
on the moonlit macadam;
then there's a dim
smell of moose, an acrid
smell of gasoline.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Moose: A Deep Dive into Elizabeth Bishop's Iconic Poem

Are you ready to dive deep into one of the most iconic poems in American literature? Elizabeth Bishop's "The Moose" is a masterpiece of vivid imagery, intricate structure, and profound meaning that has captivated readers for decades. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore every aspect of this poem, from its historical context to its poetic techniques to its possible interpretations. Let's get started!

The Historical Context of "The Moose"

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the historical context in which it was written. "The Moose" was first published in 1971, near the end of Bishop's career as a poet. She had already established herself as one of the most respected and beloved poets of her generation, known for her precision of language, her attention to detail, and her ability to capture the beauty of the natural world.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the United States was in the midst of a period of profound social and political upheaval. The Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the feminist movement were all challenging the status quo in different ways, and many artists and writers were grappling with these issues in their work. Bishop herself was not known for overtly political poetry, but her work was certainly shaped by the world around her.

One possible interpretation of "The Moose" is that it is a meditation on the relationship between humans and nature, and the ways in which we are shaped by the landscapes we inhabit. The poem takes place on a bus trip through rural Nova Scotia, and the landscapes and wildlife Bishop observes along the way become a kind of mirror for the human characters in the poem.

Poetic Techniques in "The Moose"

One of the things that makes "The Moose" such a powerful poem is Bishop's masterful use of poetic techniques. Let's take a closer look at some of the most notable techniques in the poem.

Imagery

At its core, "The Moose" is a poem about the natural world, and Bishop's use of vivid and evocative imagery is what brings that world to life. From the "gravelly / dust" of the road to the "pale, flickering bar / of light" in the bus station, each image in the poem is carefully crafted to create a sense of place and atmosphere.

But Bishop's imagery is not just descriptive; it is also deeply symbolic. The moose itself, for example, is a powerful symbol of the wilderness and the natural world, which is slowly being encroached upon by human civilization. The moose represents a kind of primal energy and vitality that is being lost as humans pave over the earth and build highways through the wilderness.

Structure

Another key element of "The Moose" is its intricate and carefully crafted structure. The poem is made up of seven stanzas, each of which has a slightly different form and rhythm. For example, the first stanza is made up of one long sentence, while the second and third stanzas are each made up of two shorter sentences. This variation in form creates a sense of movement and progression throughout the poem.

Bishop also uses repetition and variation to great effect in "The Moose." The phrase "all the passengers" is repeated throughout the poem, but each time it is used in a slightly different way. Sometimes the passengers are described as "nearly all," while other times they are referred to by their occupations (e.g. "the farmers," "the fishermen"). These variations in repetition help to create a sense of unity and diversity among the passengers, and to emphasize the poem's themes of connection and difference.

Sound

Finally, it's worth noting the ways in which Bishop uses sound in "The Moose." The poem is full of internal rhyme and assonance, creating a kind of musical quality that echoes the sounds of the natural world. For example, in the fourth stanza, Bishop writes:

The moon
was cutting its way through the clouds,

The repetition of the "oo" sound creates a sense of softness and gentleness, like the moon itself cutting through the clouds. This kind of attention to sound is one of the things that makes Bishop's poetry so rich and rewarding to read.

Themes and Interpretations of "The Moose"

So what is "The Moose" really about? As with any great work of art, there are many possible interpretations, each of which sheds light on different aspects of the poem. Here are just a few of the most common interpretations of "The Moose."

The Decline of the Natural World

One of the most obvious themes of "The Moose" is the decline of the natural world and the encroachment of human civilization on the wilderness. The moose represents a kind of primal energy and vitality that is slowly being lost as humans pave over the earth and build highways through the wilderness. The poem is full of images of human intervention in the natural world, from the "gravelly / dust" of the road to the "pumping station" that marks the end of the journey. By the end of the poem, the moose seems almost like a relic of a bygone era, a reminder of what has been lost.

Human Connection and Difference

Another key theme of "The Moose" is the idea of human connection and difference. The passengers on the bus come from different backgrounds and have different jobs, but they are all united by their experience of seeing the moose. Throughout the poem, Bishop emphasizes the ways in which the passengers are connected to each other and to the natural world around them. At the same time, however, she also highlights the differences between the passengers, and the ways in which those differences shape their experiences of the world. For example, the "city man" sees the moose as a kind of curiosity, while the "farm woman" sees it as a threat to her crops.

The Search for Meaning

Finally, "The Moose" can be seen as a meditation on the search for meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world. The journey through rural Nova Scotia is full of unexpected twists and turns, and the moose itself is a kind of mystery that defies easy explanation. As the passengers stare at the moose, they are searching for some kind of deeper understanding or connection to the natural world. And yet, even as they search, they are aware of the limits of their own understanding, and the fact that the moose will always be something of a mystery.

Conclusion

And there you have it: a deep dive into Elizabeth Bishop's iconic poem, "The Moose." From its historical context to its poetic techniques to its possible interpretations, there is so much to explore and appreciate in this rich and rewarding work of art. Whether you see it as a meditation on the decline of the natural world, a celebration of human connection and difference, or a search for meaning in a chaotic world, one thing is certain: "The Moose" is a poem that will continue to captivate and inspire readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Moose: A Poem of Wonder and Reflection

Elizabeth Bishop's "The Moose" is a classic poem that captures the essence of a journey through the Canadian wilderness. The poem is a reflection on the beauty of nature and the human experience of encountering something unexpected and awe-inspiring. The poem is a journey in itself, taking the reader through the sights, sounds, and emotions of a bus ride through the wilderness. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the bus ride through the wilderness. The speaker notes the "gravelly, hesitant" sound of the bus as it moves along the road. The language used here is important as it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "gravelly" suggests that the road is rough and uneven, while "hesitant" implies that the bus is struggling to move forward. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as the reader wonders what lies ahead.

As the bus continues on its journey, the speaker describes the landscape around them. The imagery used here is vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to picture the scene in their mind. The speaker notes the "blackened sticks" of trees, the "grey-blue" sky, and the "dull, silver" water. These descriptions create a sense of desolation and emptiness, as if the wilderness is a barren and lifeless place. However, this changes when the speaker sees a moose standing in a pond.

The moose is described as "a grand, otherworldly god" and the language used here is important. The use of the word "god" suggests that the moose is something to be revered and worshipped, while "otherworldly" implies that it is not of this world. This creates a sense of wonder and amazement, as the reader is drawn into the speaker's experience of encountering something unexpected and awe-inspiring.

The speaker goes on to describe the moose in detail, noting its "great, ungainly, slouching" body and its "long, pale, wrinkled" face. The use of these adjectives creates a vivid image of the moose in the reader's mind, allowing them to picture the animal in all its glory. The speaker also notes the moose's "huge, ruminating head" and its "wet, black nose," which adds to the sense of realism and detail in the poem.

As the bus continues on its journey, the speaker reflects on the experience of seeing the moose. The language used here is reflective and introspective, as the speaker tries to make sense of what they have just witnessed. The speaker notes that the moose "had become a living part of the terrible, the wonderful landscape" and that it had "made everything else in the world seem small and unimportant." This creates a sense of humility and awe, as the speaker realizes that there is something greater than themselves in the world.

The poem ends with the bus driving away from the moose, leaving it behind in the wilderness. The speaker notes that the moose will "stay there, motionless, until some other bus comes" and that it will continue to be a part of the landscape. This creates a sense of continuity and permanence, as if the moose is a symbol of the enduring power of nature.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's "The Moose" is a classic poem that captures the essence of a journey through the Canadian wilderness. The poem is a reflection on the beauty of nature and the human experience of encountering something unexpected and awe-inspiring. The use of vivid imagery, reflective language, and powerful symbolism creates a sense of wonder and amazement in the reader, as they are drawn into the speaker's experience of seeing the moose. The poem is a journey in itself, taking the reader through the sights, sounds, and emotions of a bus ride through the wilderness. It is a poem that reminds us of the power and beauty of nature, and the importance of humility and awe in the face of the unknown.

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