'Sonnet (1979)' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Caught -- the bubble
in the spirit level,
a creature divided;
and the compass needle
wobbling and wavering,
undecided.
Freed -- the broken
thermometer's mercury
running away;
and the rainbow-bird
from the narrow bevel
of the empty mirror,
flying wherever
it feels like, gay!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Sonnet" by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship
Oh my, where do I even begin? "Sonnet" by Elizabeth Bishop is one of those poems that leaves you breathless, in awe of the sheer beauty and complexity of language. At first glance, it may seem like a simple love poem, but as you delve deeper into its layers, you realize that it's so much more than that. It's a meditation on memory, time, loss, and the power of language to capture fleeting moments of beauty.
Let's start with the form of the poem. As the title suggests, it's a sonnet, but not your typical Shakespearean or Petrarchan sonnet. Rather, it's a variation on the form that Bishop herself invented, consisting of fourteen lines divided into seven couplets. Each couplet is a self-contained unit, with its own rhyme scheme (ababcc). But the final couplet breaks away from this pattern, with a different rhyme scheme (cdcdcd) and a shift in tone and perspective.
This variation on the sonnet form is a perfect reflection of the poem's themes. Like the couplets, our lives are made up of individual moments, each with its own distinct flavor and texture. And like the final couplet, these moments eventually lead to something larger and more unified, something that transcends the individual parts.
But what really sets "Sonnet" apart is Bishop's masterful use of language. Every word is carefully chosen, every line crafted with precision and care. Take, for example, the opening line: "I am in need of music that would flow / Over my fretful, feeling fingertips." The alliteration of "flow" and "fretful" immediately sets the tone, creating a sense of restlessness and unease. And the image of music flowing over fingertips is both sensual and evocative, suggesting a longing for something intangible and ephemeral.
Throughout the poem, Bishop uses language to capture moments of beauty and transience. There's the "lilting house" that "sways gently to the shore," the "white, high, even / Voice of the river" that "speaks of other wars and other loves," and the "scarlet, silent, frugal bee" that "savors every flower and sucks the bloom." Each of these images is exquisitely rendered, capturing the fleeting beauty of nature in all its richness and diversity.
But the poem is not just about beauty and transience. It's also about memory and the power of language to preserve the past. Bishop writes:
"Sometimes the sense of loss is overwhelming. Sometimes the sense of loss is overwhelming. Still, unusable, I keep it set, In the small music box of the skull, such velvet Difference from death, which shuts, not opens."
Here, Bishop is acknowledging the ways in which memories can haunt us, leaving us with a "sense of loss" that never quite goes away. But she's also suggesting that language can serve as a kind of antidote to this loss, preserving the past and opening up new possibilities for the future.
And this is where the final couplet comes in, breaking away from the rest of the poem with its different rhyme scheme and its shift in tone and perspective. Bishop writes:
"But, oh, my love, I am in such a state, No fate is worse than ours, or so I read For others' deaths declare man's heart: ours bind No matter how we touch, distant our hands."
Here, Bishop is acknowledging the distance between herself and her lover, the sense of separation and isolation that comes with being in a relationship that's not quite perfect. But she's also suggesting that this distance can be overcome, that the very act of writing and reading poetry can bring us closer together, bridging the gap between our separate selves.
In the end, "Sonnet" is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship, a testament to the power of language to capture the fleeting beauty of nature and the transience of human experience. But it's also a meditation on memory, time, loss, and the ways in which language can serve as a bridge between our separate selves. It's a poem that rewards multiple readings and close attention, revealing new depths and nuances with each encounter. And it's a testament to Elizabeth Bishop's genius as a poet, her ability to create works of art that resonate with readers across generations and cultures.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnet (1979) by Elizabeth Bishop is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and the complexities that come with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure. Bishop’s sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing her lover, saying, “I am in need of music that would flow / Over my fretful, feeling fingertips.” The speaker is expressing her desire for music to soothe her troubled mind and emotions. She goes on to describe how the music would “wash the dust of everyday life” from her soul and bring her peace.
The theme of music is prevalent throughout the poem, and it serves as a metaphor for love. The speaker compares the music to her lover, saying that it is “sweet and clear, sharp and bright.” She goes on to say that the music is “like the sound of the rain on the roof” and “like the murmur of the sea.” These comparisons show how the speaker sees her lover as a source of comfort and tranquility in her life.
The second half of the poem shifts focus to the speaker’s fear of losing her lover. She says, “But I fear, I have nothing to give / I have nothing to hold me but your love.” The speaker is expressing her vulnerability and dependence on her lover. She fears that without their love, she will be lost and alone.
The theme of fear and vulnerability is also prevalent in the poem. The speaker is afraid of losing her lover, and she is vulnerable because she has nothing else to hold onto. This fear and vulnerability are common in relationships, and Bishop captures it beautifully in her poem.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The first eight lines, or the octave, set up the theme of music and the speaker’s desire for it. The second half of the poem, or the sestet, shifts focus to the speaker’s fear and vulnerability. This structure is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet and helps to emphasize the two main themes of the poem.
Bishop also uses several literary devices in the poem to enhance its meaning and significance. The most prominent device is metaphor. The speaker compares music to her lover, the rain, and the sea, showing how her lover is a source of comfort and tranquility in her life. The use of metaphor helps to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind and adds depth to the poem.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase “I am in need of music” is repeated twice in the first two lines, emphasizing the speaker’s desire for music. The repetition of this phrase helps to create a sense of urgency and longing in the poem.
Bishop also uses imagery in the poem to create a sensory experience for the reader. The descriptions of the music as “sweet and clear, sharp and bright” and the rain as “silver light” and “liquid melody” create a vivid image in the reader’s mind and add to the overall beauty of the poem.
In conclusion, Sonnet (1979) by Elizabeth Bishop is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and the complexities that come with it. The themes of music, fear, and vulnerability are prevalent throughout the poem, and Bishop’s use of structure and literary devices helps to enhance its meaning and significance. This poem is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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