'Squatter's Children' by Elizabeth Bishop
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On the unbreathing sides of hills
they play, a specklike girl and boy,
alone, but near a specklike house.
The Sun's suspended eye
blinks casually, and then they wade
gigantic waves of light and shade.
A dancing yellow spot, a pup,
attends them. Clouds are piling up;
a storm piles up behind the house.
The children play at digging holes.
The ground is hard; they try to use
one of their father's tools,
a mattock with a broken haft
the two of them can scarcely lift.
It drops and clangs. Their laughter spreads
effulgence in the thunderheads,
Weak flashes of inquiry
direct as is the puppy's bark.
But to their little, soluble,
unwarrantable ark,
apparently the rain's reply
consists of echolalia,
and Mother's voice, ugly as sin,
keeps calling to them to come in.
Children, the threshold of the storm
has slid beneath your muddy shoes;
wet and beguiled, you stand among
the mansions you may choose
out of a bigger house than yours,
whose lawfulness endures.
It's soggy documents retain
your rights in rooms of falling rain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Squatter's Children by Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop's Squatter's Children is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between humans and their environment. This poem was published in 1945, during a time when the world was grappling with the aftermath of World War II. Bishop, who was known for her descriptive and vivid writing style, uses this poem to convey her message about the importance of preserving nature.
Background
Elizabeth Bishop was an American poet who was born in 1911 in Worcester, Massachusetts. She published her first book of poetry, North & South, in 1946, which was followed by several other collections of poetry throughout her career. Bishop was known for her precise and detailed imagery, and her poems often focused on themes of loss, displacement, and the natural world. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1956 for her collection, Poems: North & South/A Cold Spring.
Poem Analysis
Squatter's Children is a poem that tells the story of a family living in a squatter settlement in Brazil. The poem begins by describing the environment in which the family lives. The speaker describes the "gigantic rubbish heap" on which the settlement is built, and the "sickly, undernourished trees" that surround the area. The imagery here is bleak and depressing, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The poem then introduces us to the squatter family - a group of children who are playing in the dirt. The speaker describes the children as "small, dirty-faced, and curious," and notes that they are "watching everything." The use of the word "curious" here is interesting, as it suggests that the children are interested in the world around them, despite their difficult living conditions.
As the poem progresses, the speaker describes some of the challenges that the squatter family faces. For example, the family has no electricity, and the children are forced to study by candlelight. The speaker also notes that the family has no access to clean water, and that they are forced to drink from a polluted stream. These details paint a vivid picture of the family's struggles, and they help to create a sense of empathy for the children and their parents.
Despite these challenges, however, the children in the poem are portrayed as resilient and resourceful. The speaker notes that the children have created their own toys out of scraps of metal and wood, and that they are constantly exploring their surroundings. This portrayal of the children as resourceful and curious is a stark contrast to the bleak environment in which they live.
Towards the end of the poem, the speaker reflects on the relationship between humans and nature. She notes that the squatter settlement is built on top of a rubbish heap, and that the people who live there are "part of the rubbish." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the squatter family is seen as disposable, both by society and by their environment.
The poem ends on a somber note, as the speaker describes the children returning to their homes at night. She notes that the children "disappear into the darkness," leaving the reader to wonder what kind of future lies ahead for them.
Interpretation
Squatter's Children is an important poem that challenges us to think about the relationship between humans and nature. The poem highlights the devastating impact that human activity can have on the environment, and it asks us to consider the ways in which we can work to protect our planet.
At the same time, however, the poem also shows us the resilience and resourcefulness of the human spirit. Despite the challenging circumstances in which they live, the children in the poem are portrayed as curious and adventurous. This suggests that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope for a better future.
Overall, Squatter's Children is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that offers a poignant commentary on the state of our world. It is a reminder that we must work together to create a more sustainable future, one in which all people have access to clean water, food, and shelter.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Squatter's Children: A Poem of Resilience and Survival
Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Squatter's Children" is a powerful and moving portrayal of the struggles faced by a family living in poverty. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Bishop captures the resilience and determination of these children as they navigate the harsh realities of their daily lives.
The poem opens with a description of the children's home, a "shack of sticks and tar-paper" that is "barely standing." This image immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying the precariousness of the family's situation and the constant threat of collapse and instability. The use of the word "barely" emphasizes the fragility of the structure, suggesting that it could collapse at any moment.
Despite these challenges, the children are depicted as resourceful and self-sufficient. They "scavenge and hunt" for food, and "make their own toys" out of whatever materials they can find. These actions demonstrate their ability to adapt to their environment and make the best of what they have. The fact that they "make their own toys" also suggests a sense of creativity and imagination, despite the limitations of their circumstances.
The poem then shifts to a description of the children's mother, who is "thin and tired" and "always sewing." This image highlights the mother's hard work and dedication to her family, as well as the physical toll that poverty can take on a person. The fact that she is "always sewing" also suggests a sense of resourcefulness and creativity, as she is able to make do with what she has and provide for her family in any way she can.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as Bishop describes the children's resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the fact that they "have no future," they are still able to find joy in the present moment. They "laugh and play" and "run around in the sun," demonstrating a sense of resilience and hope that is truly inspiring.
Overall, "Squatter's Children" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the struggles and resilience of a family living in poverty. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Bishop conveys the harsh realities of their daily lives, while also highlighting their resourcefulness and determination. The final stanza is particularly powerful, as it emphasizes the children's ability to find joy and hope in the present moment, despite the challenges they face. This poem is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and a reminder of the importance of empathy and compassion in our interactions with others.
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