'View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Moving from left to left, the light
is heavy on the Dome, and coarse.
One small lunette turns it aside
and blankly stares off to the side
like a big white old wall-eyed horse.
On the east steps the Air Force Band
in uniforms of Air Force blue
is playing hard and loud, but--queer--
the music doesn't quite come through.
It comes in snatches, dim then keen,
then mute, and yet there is no breeze.
The giant trees stand in between.
I think the trees must intervene,
catching the music in their leaves
like gold-dust, till each big leaf sags.
Unceasingly the little flags
feed their limp stripes into the air,
and the band's efforts vanish there.
Great shades, edge over,
give the music room.
The gathered brasses want to go
boom--boom.
Editor 1 Interpretation
View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress: A Literary Criticism
Elizabeth Bishop's poem, "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress," is a brilliant example of how a poet can use language to convey a sense of place and time. The poem is a celebration of the Library of Congress and the Capitol of the United States. It is also a commentary on the nature of these institutions and their relationship to the American people. The poem is a complex work that requires close reading and interpretation to fully appreciate its significance. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, images, and language of the poem to gain a better understanding of its meaning.
Theme
The primary theme of "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress" is the relationship between the institutions of government and the people they serve. The poem celebrates the beauty and grandeur of the Capitol and the Library of Congress while also acknowledging their distance from the lives of ordinary Americans. The speaker of the poem is clearly impressed by the majesty of these institutions but also aware of the disconnect between them and the people they are supposed to represent.
The poem also explores the theme of history and legacy. The Library of Congress is a repository of the nation's history and culture, and the poem reflects on the weight of this legacy. The speaker seems to be in awe of the knowledge and wisdom contained within the walls of the library. However, the poem also suggests that this legacy can be a burden, as it can make it difficult to move forward and embrace change.
Images
One of the most striking images in the poem is the view of the Capitol from the library's windows. The speaker describes the scene with vivid detail, painting a picture of a majestic building that seems almost larger than life. This image is significant because it emphasizes the power and importance of the government while also highlighting its distance from the people.
Another important image is the stacks of books in the library. The speaker describes the books as "an endless, endless row" that seems to stretch on forever. This image represents the vastness of human knowledge and the importance of preserving it for future generations. However, it also suggests that this knowledge can be overwhelming and difficult to access for ordinary people.
Language
Bishop's use of language in the poem is masterful. She employs a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of mood and tone. For example, the use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement. This technique is particularly effective in the final stanza, where the speaker reflects on the weight of history and the difficulty of moving forward.
Bishop also uses repetition to emphasize key ideas and themes in the poem. For example, the phrase "the Capitol in its cloud of trees" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and connection between the different stanzas.
Finally, Bishop's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective in creating a sense of place and atmosphere. For example, the phrase "a city of marble, a city of gold" creates a vivid image of the grandeur and wealth of the nation's capital.
Interpretation
At its core, "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress" is a commentary on the relationship between the government and the people. The poem celebrates the beauty and grandeur of these institutions while also acknowledging their distance from the lives of ordinary Americans. The speaker seems to be in awe of the power and majesty of the Capitol and the Library of Congress, but also aware of their limitations.
The poem also reflects on the weight of history and the difficulties of moving forward. The Library of Congress is a repository of the nation's history and culture, and the poem suggests that this legacy can be both a blessing and a burden. The vastness of human knowledge can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.
Finally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the role of the artist in society. The speaker is a poet, and her presence in the library suggests that poetry and literature have an important role to play in preserving and interpreting the nation's history and culture.
Conclusion
"View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress" is a complex and multi-layered poem that requires close reading and interpretation. The poem celebrates the beauty and grandeur of the Capitol and the Library of Congress while also acknowledging their distance from the lives of ordinary Americans. It reflects on the weight of history and the difficulties of moving forward. And it can be read as a commentary on the role of the artist in society.
Overall, "View of the Capitol from the Library of Congress" is a masterful work of poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be an American. It reminds us of the power and majesty of our institutions while also challenging us to think about their limitations and our own role in shaping the future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress: An Ode to American Democracy
Elizabeth Bishop's poem, View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of American democracy. The poem is a tribute to the Library of Congress, which is the largest library in the world and a symbol of American knowledge and culture. The poem is also a tribute to the Capitol, which is the seat of American democracy and the home of the United States Congress. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to understand its significance and relevance to American society.
The poem begins with a description of the Library of Congress, which Bishop describes as a "huge dome" that "is terrible". The use of the word "terrible" is interesting because it has a double meaning. On the one hand, it suggests that the library is awe-inspiring and magnificent. On the other hand, it suggests that the library is intimidating and overwhelming. This duality sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the complex relationship between knowledge and power.
Bishop then describes the view from the library, which is a panoramic view of the Capitol. She describes the Capitol as a "white palace" that is "dazzling". The use of the word "palace" is significant because it suggests that the Capitol is a symbol of power and authority. The use of the word "dazzling" is also significant because it suggests that the Capitol is impressive and attractive. However, Bishop also notes that the Capitol is "far away", which suggests that it is distant and inaccessible.
Bishop then shifts her focus to the people who are visiting the library. She describes them as "tiny" and "insignificant". This description is significant because it suggests that the people are powerless and insignificant compared to the power and authority of the Capitol. However, Bishop also notes that the people are "reading and writing" and "learning and teaching". This description is significant because it suggests that knowledge is a source of power and authority.
Bishop then describes the sky, which is "blue and enormous". The use of the word "enormous" is significant because it suggests that the sky is vast and infinite. This description is significant because it suggests that there is a world beyond the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Bishop then describes the clouds, which are "white and beautiful". The use of the word "beautiful" is significant because it suggests that there is beauty in the world beyond the Capitol and the Library of Congress.
Bishop then returns to the view of the Capitol and describes it as a "great bird". The use of the word "bird" is significant because it suggests that the Capitol is a symbol of freedom and independence. Bishop then notes that the Capitol is "perched" on a hill, which suggests that it is elevated and above the people. However, Bishop also notes that the Capitol is "balanced" on the hill, which suggests that it is stable and secure.
Bishop then concludes the poem by describing the people leaving the library. She notes that they are "going down" and "out into the sun". This description is significant because it suggests that the people are leaving the world of knowledge and entering the world of action. Bishop then notes that the people are "walking calmly" and "without haste". This description is significant because it suggests that the people are confident and self-assured.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's poem, View Of The Capitol From The Library Of Congress, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of American democracy. The poem explores the complex relationship between knowledge and power and suggests that knowledge is a source of power and authority. The poem also suggests that there is a world beyond the Capitol and the Library of Congress and that there is beauty and freedom in that world. The poem is a tribute to American democracy and a reminder that knowledge and freedom are the foundations of American society.
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