'The Shampoo' by Elizabeth Bishop

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The still explosions on the rocks,
the lichens, grow
by spreading, gray, concentric shocks.
They have arranged
to meet the rings around the moon, although
within our memories they have not changed.

And since the heavens will attend
as long on us,
you've been, dear friend,
precipitate and pragmatical;
and look what happens. For Time is
nothing if not amenable.

The shooting stars in your black hair
in bright formation
are flocking where,
so straight, so soon?
--Come, let me wash it in this big tin basin,
battered and shiny like the moon.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Shampoo by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterpiece of Poignant Imagery and Emotional Complexity

As a poem that captures the essence of a delicate, ephemeral moment, Elizabeth Bishop's "The Shampoo" is a masterpiece of vivid imagery and emotional depth. Written in 1955, this poem explores the complex relationship between a woman and her hairdresser, as they engage in a ritualistic and intimate act of washing and grooming. Using a range of poetic devices and techniques, Bishop creates a rich tapestry of sensory impressions, memories, and emotions, inviting the reader to experience the subtleties and nuances of this everyday encounter. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and motifs of "The Shampoo," as well as its historical and cultural context, language and style, and overall significance for contemporary readers.

Historical and Cultural Context

To fully appreciate the significance of "The Shampoo," it is important to consider its historical and cultural context. Bishop wrote this poem during a time of great social and political change in the United States, as the country was grappling with issues of race, gender, sexuality, and identity. As a queer woman who lived a largely nomadic and bohemian lifestyle, Bishop was keenly attuned to the tensions and contradictions of her time, and her poetry reflected this awareness. "The Shampoo" can be seen as a meditation on the complexities of female identity and desire, as well as a commentary on the performative aspects of gender roles and relationships.

Language and Style

One of the most striking features of "The Shampoo" is its use of evocative imagery and sensory details. Bishop employs a range of poetic devices, such as metaphor, simile, personification, and repetition, to create a vivid and immersive world of sound, smell, touch, and sight. For example, she describes the shampoo as "a blue wave / with a lobster-claw / comb," evoking both the fluidity and the texture of the liquid, as well as the sharpness of the comb. Similarly, she compares the woman's hair to "a field of maize in August," conjuring up the image of golden, swaying stalks in a hot and humid landscape. These images not only enhance the sensory experience of the poem but also serve to deepen its emotional resonance, as they tap into the associations and memories that these objects and phenomena evoke.

Another notable aspect of Bishop's style in "The Shampoo" is her use of enjambment and internal rhyme. By breaking lines and phrases across stanzas, she creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, as if the poem is an unbroken stream of consciousness. At the same time, she uses internal rhyme to create a subtle musicality and rhythm, as well as to highlight key words and phrases. For example, she writes, "after washing it / out, and / laying in rinse-water?" This repetition of the "a" and "in" sounds creates a sense of gentle rocking motion, as if the speaker is soothing and comforting the woman's hair.

Themes and Motifs

At its core, "The Shampoo" is a poem about intimacy, vulnerability, and desire. The act of washing and grooming someone else's hair can be seen as an act of trust and surrender, as the woman allows the hairdresser to enter her personal space and touch her body. This intimacy is heightened by the fact that the woman is naked, and the hairdresser is "wearing a housedress." There is a sense of familiarity and routine in their interaction, as they engage in a ritualistic dance of washing, rinsing, and drying. Yet, there is also an undercurrent of tension and ambiguity, as the woman's thoughts and feelings remain largely unspoken, and the hairdresser's motives and intentions are left unclear.

One of the key motifs of the poem is that of transformation. The act of washing and grooming someone's hair can be seen as a way of transforming their appearance and identity, as the woman's "halo of frizz" is tamed and smoothed. There is also a sense of transformation in the way that the woman's inner thoughts and emotions are revealed through her physical interactions with the hairdresser. As Bishop writes, "how sweet and clean it smells, / the scalp shining pink, / no hair out of place." This image suggests a kind of purity and innocence, as if the woman's innermost self is revealed through her freshly washed hair.

Another important theme of the poem is that of gender and power. The fact that the hairdresser is a woman, and the woman being groomed is also a woman, raises questions about the dynamics of same-sex relationships and the performative aspects of gender roles. The hairdresser's position of power, as the one who controls the woman's appearance and grooming, is complicated by the fact that she is also in a traditionally subservient role as a hairdresser. There is a sense of tension and ambiguity in the way that the two women interact, as they navigate the boundaries of gender and power in their relationship.

Significance for Contemporary Readers

Despite being written over six decades ago, "The Shampoo" remains a deeply relevant and resonant poem for contemporary readers. Its exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and desire speaks to universal human experiences, regardless of gender or sexuality. Its use of vivid imagery and sensory details invites the reader to engage with the poem on a visceral level, experiencing the subtleties and nuances of the hair-washing ritual. Its commentary on gender and power is still pertinent today, as we continue to grapple with issues of equality and identity.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's "The Shampoo" is a masterful and evocative poem that captures the essence of an intimate and transformative moment. Through its use of imagery, language, and style, it invites the reader to participate in the sensory and emotional experience of the hair-washing ritual. Its exploration of themes such as intimacy, transformation, and gender and power makes it a relevant and resonant poem for contemporary readers. As such, it remains a testament to Bishop's poetic prowess and her ability to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Shampoo by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Elizabeth Bishop's The Shampoo is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Bishop's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her use of vivid imagery, precise language, and a keen sense of observation. In this article, we will explore the various elements of The Shampoo and analyze how Bishop's poetic techniques contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the poem.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "The still explosions on the rocks." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a sense of violence and chaos that is juxtaposed against the calm and quiet setting of the salon. The explosions on the rocks can be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional turmoil that the speaker is experiencing, which is further emphasized by the use of the word "still." This suggests that the speaker is trying to suppress her emotions, but they are still present and powerful.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the setting of the salon, where the speaker is getting her hair washed. Bishop's use of sensory details in this stanza is particularly effective in creating a vivid image of the scene. The "white foam" and "warm water" evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation, while the "glass tank" and "electric heater" suggest a sense of artificiality and confinement. The contrast between these two elements creates a sense of tension that is mirrored in the speaker's emotional state.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the character of the hairdresser, who is described as "young, gay, and blond." The use of the word "gay" here is interesting, as it suggests a sense of carefree happiness that is in contrast to the speaker's emotional turmoil. The hairdresser's physical appearance is also significant, as her blond hair and youthfulness can be interpreted as symbols of beauty and vitality. This contrast between the hairdresser's beauty and the speaker's emotional turmoil creates a sense of envy and resentment in the speaker.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it describes the speaker's inner thoughts and emotions. The line "I am incapable of more knowledge" suggests a sense of resignation and defeat, as if the speaker has given up on trying to understand her own emotions. The use of the word "incapable" is particularly effective here, as it suggests a sense of helplessness and vulnerability. The following lines, "What is this, this face / So murderous in its strangle of branches?" suggest a sense of confusion and despair, as if the speaker is struggling to make sense of her own emotions.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces a new element, as the speaker imagines herself as a tree. This metaphor is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's sense of emotional entrapment and confinement. The use of the word "strangle" in the previous stanza is mirrored here, as the branches of the tree are described as "strangling" the speaker. This metaphor also suggests a sense of rootedness and immobility, as if the speaker is unable to escape her emotional turmoil.

The final stanza of the poem brings the reader back to the salon, where the hairdresser is finishing up the speaker's hair. The line "Rinsed in a final cloud of steam" suggests a sense of cleansing and renewal, as if the speaker has been washed clean of her emotional turmoil. The final lines of the poem, "And now, what have I done / but pinned a wildflower to my hair and called it my own?" suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance, as if the speaker has come to terms with her emotional state and is now content to simply adorn herself with a symbol of beauty.

In conclusion, The Shampoo is a masterful poem that showcases Elizabeth Bishop's unique style of writing. Through her use of vivid imagery, precise language, and a keen sense of observation, Bishop creates a powerful and evocative portrait of emotional turmoil and inner conflict. The contrast between the calm and quiet setting of the salon and the speaker's inner turmoil creates a sense of tension and unease that is mirrored in the speaker's emotional state. The use of metaphors, such as the tree and the wildflower, further emphasize the speaker's sense of entrapment and resignation. Overall, The Shampoo is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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