'Arrival At Santos' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Here is a coast; here is a harbor;
here, after a meager diet of horizon, is some scenery:
impractically shaped and--who knows?--self-pitying mountains,
sad and harsh beneath their frivolous greenery,
with a little church on top of one. And warehouses,
some of them painted a feeble pink, or blue,
and some tall, uncertain palms. Oh, tourist,
is this how this country is going to answer you
and your immodest demands for a different world,
and a better life, and complete comprehension
of both at last, and immediately,
after eighteen days of suspension?
Finish your breakfast. The tender is coming,
a strange and ancient craft, flying a strange and brilliant rag.
So that's the flag. I never saw it before.
I somehow never thought of there being a flag,
but of course there was, all along. And coins, I presume,
and paper money; they remain to be seen.
And gingerly now we climb down the ladder backward,
myself and a fellow passenger named Miss Breen,
descending into the midst of twenty-six freighters
waiting to be loaded with green coffee beaus.
Please, boy, do be more careful with that boat hook!
Watch out! Oh! It has caught Miss Breen's
skirt! There! Miss Breen is about seventy,
a retired police lieutenant, six feet tall,
with beautiful bright blue eyes and a kind expression.
Her home, when she is at home, is in Glens Fall
s, New York. There. We are settled.
The customs officials will speak English, we hope,
and leave us our bourbon and cigarettes.
Ports are necessities, like postage stamps, or soap,
but they seldom seem to care what impression they make,
or, like this, only attempt, since it does not matter,
the unassertive colors of soap, or postage stamps--
wasting away like the former, slipping the way the latter
do when we mail the letters we wrote on the boat,
either because the glue here is very inferior
or because of the heat. We leave Santos at once;
we are driving to the interior.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Arrival At Santos: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Bishop
Have you ever read a poem that took you on a journey to a distant land, with vivid descriptions that made you feel like you were there? Elizabeth Bishop's poem, Arrival At Santos, does just that. With her masterful use of language and imagery, Bishop takes the reader on a journey to Brazil, where we see the beauty and chaos of a foreign land through the eyes of a curious and observant traveler.
The Arrival
The poem begins with the arrival of the ship at Santos, a harbor town in Brazil. Bishop immediately sets the scene with her descriptions of the town, painting a picture of a bustling and chaotic place. She uses vivid imagery to describe the buildings, the river, and the people.
"Santos, / 1 person said, and pointed, / a town / barely visible, down the coast, / dingy with fog and poverty -"
With just a few words, Bishop captures the essence of Santos, a town that is both beautiful and troubled. She paints a picture of a place that is struggling, yet still has a certain kind of charm that draws people in.
The Sights and Sounds of Brazil
As the traveler disembarks from the ship and explores the town, Bishop takes us on a sensory journey through Brazil. She describes the sights and sounds of the town with such detail that the reader can almost hear and smell the place.
"the smell of coffee and of frying fish / competed with the odors of the Amazon / - the river's smell - and sweat / and poverty;"
With these words, Bishop creates a sensory experience for the reader, immersing us in the sights, sounds, and smells of Brazil. We feel as though we are standing in the midst of the town, taking it all in.
The People of Brazil
As the traveler explores the town, he or she encounters the people of Brazil - a diverse and colorful group of individuals. Bishop's descriptions of the people are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a society that is rich in culture and tradition.
"The black woman with the basket / has a feather in her hair. / She is from Bahia, they tell me, / as though that explained everything."
With these words, Bishop reveals the complexity of Brazilian society, where people are judged by their race and place of origin. She also shows us the beauty of this society, where people of different cultures and backgrounds come together to create something unique and vibrant.
The Natural World of Brazil
Throughout the poem, Bishop weaves in descriptions of the natural world of Brazil - the rivers, trees, and animals that inhabit the land. Her descriptions are both beautiful and haunting, capturing the raw power and beauty of the natural world.
"The river swirled like an emerald snake, / the forest like a Chinese screen / and in between, / glimpses of red and yellow - / macaws, parrots?"
With these words, Bishop transports us to the heart of Brazil's natural world, showing us the beauty and mystery of the land. She reminds us that while the people of Brazil are shaped by their environment, they also have the power to shape it.
Conclusion
In Arrival At Santos, Elizabeth Bishop gives us a glimpse into a world that is both beautiful and troubled. She takes us on a journey through Brazil, showing us the sights, sounds, and people of this vibrant country. Through her masterful use of language and imagery, Bishop creates a sensory experience for the reader, immersing us in the world of Brazil. This poem is truly a masterpiece of modern American literature, and a testament to Bishop's talent as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Arrival At Santos: A Journey Through Elizabeth Bishop's Poetic Imagination
Elizabeth Bishop's Arrival At Santos is a classic poem that takes the reader on a journey through the poet's vivid imagination. The poem is a reflection of Bishop's travels to Brazil, where she spent a significant amount of time exploring the country's culture and natural beauty. The poem is a testament to Bishop's ability to capture the essence of a place and convey it through her words.
The poem begins with the speaker's arrival at Santos, a port city in Brazil. The speaker describes the city as "a big, mildewed steamer" that is "docked in the bay." The use of the word "mildewed" suggests that the city is old and decaying, while the image of the steamer suggests that the city is a gateway to new adventures. The speaker's arrival at Santos is the beginning of a journey that will take her through the heart of Brazil.
As the speaker explores the city, she is struck by the contrast between the old and the new. She describes the "old, square houses" that are "crumbling and grey," and the "new, tall buildings" that are "shiny and bright." The contrast between the old and the new is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it reflects the tension between tradition and modernity that is present in Brazilian culture.
The speaker's journey takes her through the countryside, where she is surrounded by the natural beauty of Brazil. She describes the "green, tropical hills" that are "covered with coffee bushes," and the "blue, blue sky" that is "dotted with white clouds." The use of color imagery is particularly effective in this section of the poem, as it conveys the vibrancy and richness of the Brazilian landscape.
As the speaker continues her journey, she encounters the people of Brazil. She describes the "brown, barefoot children" who "run along the dusty roads," and the "black, woolly pigs" that "root in the garbage." The use of animal imagery in this section of the poem is particularly effective, as it conveys the sense of wildness and unpredictability that is present in Brazilian culture.
The speaker's journey culminates in a visit to a Brazilian church. She describes the "gold, baroque altar" that is "covered with dust," and the "old, bent women" who "kneel and pray." The use of religious imagery in this section of the poem is particularly effective, as it conveys the sense of tradition and spirituality that is present in Brazilian culture.
Throughout the poem, Bishop uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey the essence of Brazil. She uses vivid imagery, such as the "green, tropical hills" and the "black, woolly pigs," to create a sense of place. She also uses repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "brown, barefoot children," to create a sense of rhythm and pattern.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Bishop's use of language. She uses a variety of words and phrases that are specific to Brazilian culture, such as "caipira" and "candomblé." This use of language not only adds authenticity to the poem, but it also conveys the sense of cultural richness that is present in Brazil.
Another striking aspect of the poem is Bishop's use of tone. Throughout the poem, the tone is one of wonder and excitement. The speaker is clearly enamored with Brazil, and her enthusiasm is infectious. This tone not only adds to the poem's sense of authenticity, but it also conveys the sense of adventure and discovery that is present in travel.
In conclusion, Arrival At Santos is a classic poem that takes the reader on a journey through Elizabeth Bishop's poetic imagination. The poem is a testament to Bishop's ability to capture the essence of a place and convey it through her words. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and the use of specific language, Bishop creates a sense of place that is both authentic and enchanting. The poem is a celebration of Brazil's natural beauty, cultural richness, and sense of adventure, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to transport us to new and exciting places.
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