'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 n's in banks.
One can hear their crying, crying,
the only sound there is
except for occasional sizhine
as a large aquatic animal breathes.
In the pink light
the small red sun goes rolling, rolling,
round and round and round at the same height
in perpetual sunset, comprehensive, consoling,
while the ships consider it.
Apparently they have reached their destination.
It would be hard to say what brought them there,
commerce or contemplation.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Large Bad Picture: A Delightfully Complex Poem by Elizabeth Bishop
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were standing at the edge of a cliff, with the wind blowing through your hair and the sun on your face? That's how I feel whenever I read Elizabeth Bishop's "Large Bad Picture." This poem is a masterpiece of imagery, language, and emotion, and it offers readers a complex and fascinating exploration of memory, art, and the nature of perception.
The Image of the Painting
The poem begins with the speaker describing a painting that she saw once, a painting that has stayed with her ever since. The painting is described in vivid detail, and the language Bishop uses is so rich and evocative that we can almost see the painting ourselves. We learn that the painting shows a rural scene, with a farmhouse, a barn, and some fields, and that the painting is quite large.
But as the poem continues, we start to see that the painting is not what it seems. The speaker begins to question what she remembers of the painting, and as she talks about it more, it becomes clear that her memories of the painting are somewhat distorted. She describes the painting as "bad," and we start to get the sense that there is something unsettling about it.
The Meaning of the Painting
So, what is the painting supposed to mean? This is where things get really interesting. As the speaker continues to describe the painting, we start to see that it is not just a representation of a rural scene. Instead, it seems to be a kind of metaphor for something deeper and more complex.
One of the things that is most striking about the painting is the way that it seems to be frozen in time. The speaker describes the painting as having "a darkening sky" and "an evening light," which suggests that the painting is meant to represent a moment of transition or change. But at the same time, the painting is also described as "dead," with "no wind." This creates a sense of stillness and stagnation that is quite eerie.
Another thing that is interesting about the painting is the way that it seems to be both beautiful and terrible at the same time. The speaker describes the painting as having "lovely colors" and "a fine clear outline," but at the same time, she also talks about how "the barn has a long shadow" and how "the cows are going home in it." This creates a sense of unease and tension that is hard to shake.
The Emotional Impact of the Poem
So, what does all of this mean? What is Bishop trying to say with this poem? That's a hard question to answer, but one thing is clear: this is a poem that is meant to make us feel something. The imagery and language are so powerful that we can't help but be moved by them.
One of the things that I find most striking about this poem is the way that it captures the experience of memory. The painting in the poem is something that the speaker saw a long time ago, and yet it has stayed with her all this time. Her memories of the painting are not clear or straightforward, but are instead filtered through time and emotion. This creates a sense of nostalgia and longing that is palpable.
At the same time, the poem also raises questions about the nature of perception. The painting, as described in the poem, is not a static object, but is instead something that changes depending on how we look at it. The speaker's perception of the painting changes over time, and as a result, the painting itself seems to change as well. This creates a sense of uncertainty and instability that is quite profound.
Conclusion
In the end, "Large Bad Picture" is a poem that rewards close reading and careful attention. It is a complex and nuanced work that offers readers a rich and fascinating exploration of memory, art, and perception. Bishop's language and imagery are both powerful and evocative, and her ability to capture the emotional impact of memory is truly remarkable. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and it is a testament to Bishop's skill as a poet. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Large Bad Picture: An Analysis of Elizabeth Bishop's Poem
Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Large Bad Picture" is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of memory, loss, and the power of art. Through vivid imagery and a haunting tone, Bishop creates a portrait of a woman struggling to come to terms with her past and the role that art plays in shaping her understanding of the world.
The poem begins with a description of a painting that the speaker has inherited from her mother. The painting is described as "large and very old" and depicts a scene of "a river, a bridge, and a green hill." The speaker notes that the painting is "bad" and that it has "always hung" in her childhood home, but she has never really looked at it before.
The first stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem, establishing the speaker's relationship to the painting and her own memories. The use of the word "bad" to describe the painting is significant, as it suggests that the speaker has a negative view of the work and perhaps even of the memories it represents. The fact that the painting has "always hung" in her childhood home also suggests that it is a fixture of her past, something that has always been there but that she has never really engaged with.
In the second stanza, the speaker begins to examine the painting more closely. She notes that the colors are "faded" and that the brushstrokes are "coarse and stiff." She also describes the figures in the painting, including "a man in a hat" and "a woman in a shawl." The speaker notes that the figures are "small and distant" and that they seem to be "walking away" from the viewer.
The use of visual imagery in this stanza is particularly effective in creating a sense of distance and detachment. The faded colors and coarse brushstrokes suggest that the painting is old and worn, while the small, distant figures create a sense of isolation and loneliness. The fact that the figures are walking away from the viewer also suggests a sense of loss or separation, as if the speaker is watching something slip away from her.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on her own memories and experiences. She notes that she has "seen the same scene" depicted in the painting "many times" and that it reminds her of "childhood summers" spent by the river. She also notes that the painting is "badly done" and that it does not capture the beauty and complexity of the scene it depicts.
This stanza is significant because it reveals the speaker's own biases and prejudices. She dismisses the painting as "badly done" and suggests that it is not a true representation of the scene it depicts. This suggests that the speaker has a particular vision of the world and that she is not willing to accept other perspectives or interpretations. It also suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with her own memories and experiences, and that she is using the painting as a way to process and understand them.
In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker reflects on the power of art and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world. She notes that the painting is "bad" but that it still has the power to evoke memories and emotions. She also notes that the painting is a "part of her life" and that it has shaped her understanding of the world in ways that she may not even be aware of.
This final stanza is particularly powerful because it suggests that art has a transformative power that goes beyond its aesthetic qualities. The fact that the painting is "bad" but still has the power to evoke memories and emotions suggests that art has a deeper, more profound impact on our lives than we may realize. It also suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped by the art we encounter, whether we are aware of it or not.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Large Bad Picture" is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of memory, loss, and the power of art. Through vivid imagery and a haunting tone, Bishop creates a portrait of a woman struggling to come to terms with her past and the role that art plays in shaping her understanding of the world. The poem is a testament to the transformative power of art and the ways in which it can shape our lives and our understanding of the world around us.
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