'At The Fishhouses' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Although it is a cold evening,
down by one of the fishhouses
an old man sits netting,
his net, in the gloaming almost invisible,
a dark purple-brown,
and his shuttle worn and polished.
The air smells so strong of codfish
it makes one's nose run and one's eyes water.
The five fishhouses have steeply peaked roofs
and narrow, cleated gangplanks slant up
to storerooms in the gables
for the wheelbarrows to be pushed up and down on.
All is silver: the heavy surface of the sea,
swelling slowly as if considering spilling over,
is opaque, but the silver of the benches,
the lobster pots, and masts, scattered
among the wild jagged rocks,
is of an apparent translucence
like the small old buildings with an emerald moss
growing on their shoreward walls.
The big fish tubs are completely lined
with layers of beautiful herring scales
and the wheelbarrows are similarly plastered
with creamy iridescent coats of mail,
with small iridescent flies crawling on them.
Up on the little slope behind the houses,
set in the sparse bright sprinkle of grass,
is an ancient wooden capstan,
cracked, with two long bleached handles
and some melancholy stains, like dried blood,
where the ironwork has rusted.
The old man accepts a Lucky Strike.
He was a friend of my grandfather.
We talk of the decline in the population
and of codfish and herring
while he waits for a herring boat to come in.
There are sequins on his vest and on his thumb.
He has scraped the scales, the principal beauty,
from unnumbered fish with that black old knife,
the blade of which is almost worn away.
Down at the water's edge, at the place
where they haul up the boats, up the long ramp
descending into the water, thin silver
tree trunks are laid horizontally
across the gray stones, down and down
at intervals of four or five feet.
Cold dark deep and absolutely clear,
element bearable to no mortal,
to fish and to seals . . . One seal particularly
I have seen here evening after evening.
He was curious about me. He was interested in music;
like me a believer in total immersion,
so I used to sing him Baptist hymns.
I also sang "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
He stood up in the water and regarded me
steadily, moving his head a little.
Then he would disappear, then suddenly emerge
almost in the same spot, with a sort of shrug
as if it were against his better judgment.
Cold dark deep and absolutely clear,
the clear gray icy water . . . Back, behind us,
the dignified tall firs begin.
Bluish, associating with their shadows,
a million Christmas trees stand
waiting for Christmas. The water seems suspended
above the rounded gray and blue-gray stones.
I have seen it over and over, the same sea, the same,
slightly, indifferently swinging above the stones,
icily free above the stones,
above the stones and then the world.
If you should dip your hand in,
your wrist would ache immediately,
your bones would begin to ache and your hand would burn
as if the water were a transmutation of fire
that feeds on stones and burns with a dark gray flame.
If you tasted it, it would first taste bitter,
then briny, then surely burn your tongue.
It is like what we imagine knowledge to be:
dark, salt, clear, moving, utterly free,
drawn from the cold hard mouth
of the world, derived from the rocky breasts
forever, flowing and drawn, and since
our knowledge is historical, flowing, and flown.
Editor 1 Interpretation
At The Fishhouses: A Deep Dive Into Elizabeth Bishop's Masterpiece
At The Fishhouses is a poem that has captured the imagination of readers for decades. Written by Elizabeth Bishop, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, this poem is a mesmerizing meditation on the natural world, the human experience, and the intersection between the two. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and imagery of At The Fishhouses, and delve into the deeper meaning of this classic poem.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to consider the context in which it was written. Bishop was an American poet who lived from 1911 to 1979. She was known for her precise, intricate language and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world. At The Fishhouses was first published in 1955, and is considered one of Bishop's most significant works.
The poem is set in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a fishing town on the east coast of the United States. Gloucester was a place that Bishop knew well; she spent time there during her childhood and later in life, and the town and its landscape often feature in her writing. At The Fishhouses was written during a period when Bishop was struggling with personal and creative challenges, and the poem is often seen as a reflection of her own emotional state at the time.
Themes and Ideas
At The Fishhouses is a complex and multi-layered poem that touches on a number of themes and ideas. Perhaps the most obvious theme is that of the natural world and its relationship to the human experience. Bishop uses vivid language and imagery to describe the landscape of Gloucester, from the "cold, dark deep" of the ocean to the "tornadoed Atlantic" that crashes against the shore. The poem is full of sensory details that bring this world to life, and it's clear that Bishop has a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of the area.
But there is more to the poem than just a celebration of nature. At The Fishhouses also explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and mortality. The speaker of the poem is alone, watching the fishermen at work from a distance. She is acutely aware of her own mortality, and of the transience of everything around her. The poem is full of images of decay and impermanence, from the "dung and death" of the fish to the "cracked and scattered" houses on the shore.
Another important theme of the poem is the relationship between the human and the natural worlds. Bishop is interested in the way that humans interact with nature, and how this interaction can be both destructive and transformative. The fishermen in the poem are engaged in a brutal struggle with the ocean, but they are also part of a larger cycle of life and death. The fish they catch will be sold at market and eventually consumed, and in this way they are connected to the larger ecosystem of the planet.
Language and Imagery
The language and imagery of At The Fishhouses are some of the most impressive aspects of the poem. Bishop's writing is precise, evocative, and full of sensory details that bring the world to life. She uses a wide range of poetic techniques, from metaphor and simile to repetition and alliteration, to create a rich and complex picture of Gloucester and its people.
One of the most striking images in the poem is that of the fish themselves. Bishop describes them as "black-bordered, blue" and "gold-shot," with "green bone" and "white flesh." This description is both beautiful and vivid, and it captures the essence of these creatures in a way that is both poetic and accurate.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the sea. Bishop describes it as "tornadoed" and "cold," with a "scum of hopelessness" on its surface. This language is dark and foreboding, and it suggests that the sea is a dangerous and unpredictable force that can't be controlled or tamed.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? At The Fishhouses is a poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some see it as a celebration of the natural world, while others view it as a meditation on mortality and the transience of all things. Still others see it as a commentary on the human relationship with nature, and the destructive impact that humans can have on the environment.
One way to approach the poem is to see it as a reflection of Bishop's own struggles and challenges at the time of its writing. Bishop was dealing with personal demons and creative difficulties, and it's possible that the themes of isolation, mortality, and impermanence in the poem reflect these struggles. At the same time, the poem is also a testament to Bishop's resilience and her ability to find beauty and meaning in even the darkest moments.
Another way to approach the poem is to see it as a commentary on the human condition more broadly. Bishop is suggesting that we are all part of a larger cycle of life and death, and that everything we do has an impact on the world around us. The fishermen in the poem are engaged in a struggle with the sea, but they are also part of a larger ecosystem that includes the fish they catch, the birds that circle above, and the waves that crash against the shore. By showing us this interconnectivity, Bishop is reminding us of our own place in the world, and of the responsibility that we all have to care for the planet and its creatures.
Conclusion
At The Fishhouses is a poem that rewards close reading and careful attention. It is a masterful work of poetry that explores complex themes and ideas with precision and clarity. Bishop's language and imagery are powerful and evocative, and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world is unparalleled.
Ultimately, the meaning of the poem is open to interpretation, and each reader will take away something different from it. But whether we see it as a celebration of nature, a meditation on mortality, or a commentary on the human condition, At The Fishhouses is a powerful and lasting work of poetry that will continue to captivate and inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
At The Fishhouses: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Her poems are known for their vivid imagery, precise language, and deep emotional resonance. Among her many works, "At The Fishhouses" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of a place and a way of life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem to understand why it is considered a classic.
The poem is set in a fishing village in Nova Scotia, Canada. Bishop spent time in this region during her travels, and the poem reflects her observations and experiences. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
"Although it is a cold evening, down by one of the fishhouses an old man sits netting, his net, in the gloaming almost invisible, a dark purple-brown, and his shuttle worn and polished."
The first thing that strikes the reader is the sense of coldness and isolation. The use of the word "gloaming" suggests a time of day when the light is fading, and darkness is creeping in. The old man is alone, and his netting is almost invisible, blending into the darkness. The imagery of the "dark purple-brown" net and the "worn and polished" shuttle creates a sense of age and tradition. The reader can almost feel the weight of history and the passing of time in these lines.
As the poem progresses, Bishop introduces more imagery and themes that deepen our understanding of the place and the people who live there. The second stanza describes the sea and the boats:
"The air smells so strong of codfish it makes one's nose run and one's eyes water. The five fishhouses have steeply peaked roofs and narrow, cleated gangplanks slant up to storerooms in the gables for the wheelbarrows to be pushed up and down on."
The smell of codfish is overpowering, and the reader can almost taste it. The use of sensory details like the smell and the sound of the sea creates a vivid picture of the place. The steeply peaked roofs and the narrow gangplanks suggest a sense of danger and adventure. The wheelbarrows being pushed up and down on the storerooms create a sense of movement and activity.
The third stanza introduces the theme of time and change:
"All is silver: the heavy surface of the sea, swelling slowly as if considering spilling over, is opaque, but the silver of the benches, the lobster cans, and mackerel barrels out on the slippery wharf already announced the change of the tide."
The use of the word "silver" creates a sense of beauty and elegance. The heavy surface of the sea is like a mirror, reflecting the silver of the benches and the cans. The image of the sea "swelling slowly as if considering spilling over" suggests a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. The change of the tide is inevitable, and the people who live in this place must adapt to it.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of memory and loss:
"The day is ending, and the fisherman, hauling their catch, have emptied the dories. In the twilight, the fishermen appear, and then disappear. The dories, easing heavily up the ways, over the rollers, are inclined to darkness."
The day is ending, and the fishermen are returning with their catch. The image of the dories "easing heavily up the ways" suggests a sense of weariness and exhaustion. The fishermen appear and disappear in the twilight, like ghosts from the past. The use of the word "inclined" suggests a sense of inevitability and resignation. The darkness is coming, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close:
"Already the first gray lines of vanishing winter appeare. The boats are drawn up on the beach, their wooden legs bunched like the muscles of horses in the cold."
The first gray lines of vanishing winter suggest a sense of hope and renewal. The boats are drawn up on the beach, like horses resting after a long journey. The use of the word "bunched" creates a sense of strength and power. The muscles of the horses and the wooden legs of the boats are both symbols of endurance and resilience.
In conclusion, "At The Fishhouses" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of a place and a way of life. The themes of time, change, memory, and loss are woven together with vivid imagery and precise language. Elizabeth Bishop's observations and experiences in Nova Scotia are reflected in this poem, creating a sense of authenticity and truth. This poem is a classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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