'Visits To St. Elizabeths' by Elizabeth Bishop
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This is the house of Bedlam.
This is the man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is the time
of the tragic man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is a wristwatch
telling the time
of the talkative man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is a sailor
wearing the watch
that tells the time
of the honored man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is the roadstead all of board
reached by the sailor
wearing the watch
that tells the time
of the old, brave man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
These are the years and the walls of the ward,
the winds and clouds of the sea of board
sailed by the sailor
wearing the watch
that tells the time
of the cranky man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is a Jew in a newspaper hat
that dances weeping down the ward
over the creaking sea of board
beyond the sailor
winding his watch
that tells the time
of the cruel man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is a world of books gone flat.
This is a Jew in a newspaper hat
that dances weeping down the ward
over the creaking sea of board
of the batty sailor
that winds his watch
that tells the time
of the busy man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is a boy that pats the floor
to see if the world is there, is flat,
for the widowed Jew in the newspaper hat
that dances weeping down the ward
waltzing the length of a weaving board
by the silent sailor
that hears his watch
that ticks the time
of the tedious man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
These are the years and the walls and the door
that shut on a boy that pats the floor
to feel if the world is there and flat.
This is a Jew in a newspaper hat
that dances joyfully down the ward
into the parting seas of board
past the staring sailor
that shakes his watch
that tells the time
of the poet, the man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
This is the soldier home from the war.
These are the years and the walls and the door
that shut on a boy that pats the floor
to see if the world is round or flat.
This is a Jew in a newspaper hat
that dances carefully down the ward,
walking the plank of a coffin board
with the crazy sailor
that shows his watch
that tells the time
of the wretched man
that lies in the house of Bedlam.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Visits To St. Elizabeths: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As a classic poem in Elizabeth Bishop's 1955 collection, "Poems: North and South," "Visits to St. Elizabeths" is a powerful piece that portrays the poet's visit to a Washington D.C. mental hospital. The poem is a reflection on Bishop's encounter with the patients and her experience at the hospital. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and a unique poetic style, Bishop creates a complex and deeply engaging piece that invites readers to explore the themes of mental illness, isolation, and the human condition.
The Structure and Style of the Poem
Before diving into the themes of the poem, it is important to note the unique structure and style of "Visits to St. Elizabeths." The poem consists of seven stanzas, each with five lines, and no rhyme scheme. The lack of rhyme adds to the overall tone of the poem, which is somber and reflective.
The poem is written in free verse, which allows Bishop to experiment with her language and create a unique style. She uses enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over multiple lines, to create a sense of movement and continuity throughout the poem. The use of enjambment is particularly effective in the second stanza, where Bishop describes the patients as "trapped, but as if they were still / in some way on the move, / running from the authorities who wanted to question them."
Bishop also uses repetition throughout the poem, particularly with the phrase "I was" at the beginning of every other stanza. This repetition emphasizes Bishop's personal experience at the hospital and adds to the reflective nature of the poem.
The Themes of Mental Illness and Isolation
At its core, "Visits to St. Elizabeths" is a poem about mental illness and the isolation it can cause. Bishop's description of the patients is both sympathetic and haunting, as she observes their behavior and attempts to understand their experiences.
In the first stanza, Bishop describes the patients as "miserable and shy," highlighting their discomfort and unease. She also notes that they "hang about the halls / or stretch out on the lawn," emphasizing their lack of freedom and autonomy.
In the following stanza, Bishop describes the patients as "trapped," but also notes that they seem to be "on the move." This juxtaposition highlights the internal struggle that those with mental illness may face, as they feel trapped by their illness but also have a desire to escape or be free.
The third stanza is particularly powerful, as Bishop describes a patient who "sits in a wheelchair, / staring at her feet." Despite her physical limitations, the patient's mind is still active, as Bishop notes that "she sees us / but makes no sign." This image effectively captures the isolation and loneliness that can come with mental illness, as the patient is physically present but emotionally distant.
Throughout the poem, Bishop also explores the role of the hospital in isolating the patients. In the fifth stanza, she describes the "long, barred windows" and the "high wire fence" that surround the hospital, creating a sense of confinement and separation. She also notes that the hospital is "a world within the world," further emphasizing the isolation of the patients.
The Human Condition
While "Visits to St. Elizabeths" primarily focuses on mental illness and isolation, Bishop also explores broader themes related to the human condition. In the fourth stanza, she notes that "everyone is / soigne, polite, / distant and unreal." This observation highlights the societal pressure to be "polite" and "soigne," even in the face of mental illness.
Bishop also touches on the idea of mortality in the final stanza, as she describes the "long-term patients" who "look at / the sunset and the sunrise." This image is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even those who are confined to a mental hospital are still able to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Interpretation
Overall, "Visits to St. Elizabeths" is a powerful and deeply engaging poem that explores the themes of mental illness, isolation, and the human condition. Through her use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and a unique poetic style, Bishop effectively captures the experiences of the patients at the hospital and invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with mental illness and isolation.
As a reader, I was struck by the sense of empathy and compassion that Bishop brings to her portrayal of the patients. Despite their struggles, she does not pity them, but instead seeks to understand their experiences and emotions. This sense of empathy is particularly important in a world where mental illness is often stigmatized and misunderstood.
Overall, "Visits to St. Elizabeths" is a poem that resonates with readers on a deep and emotional level. It is a testament to Bishop's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Visits To St. Elizabeths: 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 simplicity with complexity. Her poems are often characterized by vivid imagery, precise language, and a deep sense of introspection. Among her many works, Visits To St. Elizabeths stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of mental illness and the human condition.
The poem was written in 1950, during Bishop's visit to St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington D.C. The hospital was a mental institution where Ezra Pound, the famous poet, was being treated for his mental illness. Bishop had been asked to visit Pound by her friend Robert Lowell, who was also a poet and a patient at the hospital. The poem is a reflection of Bishop's experience at the hospital and her encounter with Pound.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of mental illness. The first part is a description of the hospital and its surroundings. Bishop uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the hospital, describing it as a "huge and intricate hotel" with "long corridors" and "endless staircases." She also describes the patients, who are "like a race apart" and "wander like white sheep" through the halls.
The second part of the poem is a description of Pound and his condition. Bishop describes Pound as a "great stone statue" who is "silent and majestic" in his madness. She also describes his delusions and hallucinations, which are "like a great black river" that "flows through his mind." Bishop's description of Pound's condition is both haunting and beautiful, capturing the complexity of mental illness and the human psyche.
The third part of the poem is a reflection on Bishop's own experience at the hospital. She describes how she feels "like a tourist" in the hospital, observing the patients and their condition from a distance. She also reflects on the nature of mental illness and how it affects the human condition. She writes, "What madness is, what hell, nobody knows/and how many innocents are mad, no one knows either."
Visits To St. Elizabeths is a powerful poem that explores the complexity of mental illness and the human condition. Bishop's use of vivid imagery and precise language creates a haunting and beautiful portrait of the hospital and its patients. Her reflection on the nature of mental illness and its impact on the human condition is both insightful and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to Bishop's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
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