'Argument' by Elizabeth Bishop
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Days that cannot bring you near
or will not,
Distance trying to appear
something more obstinate,
argue argue argue with me
endlessly
neither proving you less wanted nor less dear.
Distance: Remember all that land
beneath the plane;
that coastline
of dim beaches deep in sand
stretching indistinguishably
all the way,
all the way to where my reasons end?
Days: And think
of all those cluttered instruments,
one to a fact,
canceling each other's experience;
how they were
like some hideous calendar
"Compliments of Never & Forever, Inc."
The intimidating sound
of these voices
we must separately find
can and shall be vanquished:
Days and Distance disarrayed again
and gone
both for good and from the gentle battleground.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elizabeth Bishop's 'Argument': A Masterpiece of Precision and Observation
Have you ever encountered a poem that is so precise and observant, it leaves you in awe? Elizabeth Bishop's 'Argument' is one such poem that never ceases to amaze me. Though brief, the poem is a masterpiece of observation and interpretation, a vivid illustration of nature, and a critique of human nature. In this literary criticism, I aim to offer a detailed analysis and interpretation of the poem, highlighting its themes, imagery, and style, and exploring its relevance to contemporary readers.
Structure and Form
Before delving into the poem's content, it is crucial to examine its structure and form. Bishop's 'Argument' is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme, typically associated with love poetry. However, Bishop subverts the traditional sonnet form by eliminating the volta, or the turn, which usually marks the speaker's change of attitude or perspective. In 'Argument,' Bishop replaces the volta with a colon, signaling a continuation of the speaker's argument. By doing so, Bishop creates a sense of continuity and a logical flow of ideas that reinforces the poem's argumentative tone.
Moreover, the poem's rhyme scheme is equally unconventional. While the poem's first and second quatrains follow a traditional ABAB rhyme scheme, the third quatrain departs from the norm, with an EE rhyme scheme. This deviation from the conventional rhyme scheme highlights the poem's central themes of unpredictability and change, as we shall see later in this analysis.
Themes
Bishop's 'Argument' is a multi-layered poem that explores several themes, including the relationship between humans and nature, the unpredictability of life, and the transience of time. However, the most dominant theme in the poem is the role of perception and interpretation in shaping our understanding of the world.
The title 'Argument' implies a debate or a point of contention, and indeed, the poem is an argument against the human tendency to impose meaning on the natural world. The speaker argues that nature has no inherent meaning or purpose, but it is our perception and interpretation that give it meaning. As the speaker states, "Nature's neither cruel nor kind: / she sees us simply as blind" (ll. 5-6). Here, the speaker personifies nature and suggests that it is our anthropocentric perspective that leads us to assign human traits and values to the natural world.
The poem's central image, the "little cough of earth" (l. 1), further emphasizes the theme of perception. At first glance, the phrase seems insignificant, but upon closer inspection, it reveals Bishop's mastery of observation. The "little cough of earth" refers to the sound of earth falling from a shovel, a sound that Bishop heard while gardening. Bishop's ability to perceive and interpret this sound as a "cough" demonstrates her keen observation and her belief in the importance of paying attention to the details of the natural world.
However, the poem's central argument is not limited to the relationship between humans and nature. The speaker also challenges our perception of time and change. The phrase "eternal surprise" (l. 9) suggests that nature is in a constant state of flux, and that change is the only constant. The speaker argues that our attempts to impose order and predictability on the natural world are futile, as nature is unpredictable and ever-changing. This theme of unpredictability is reinforced by the poem's unconventional rhyme scheme, which reflects the idea that life is unpredictable and does not always follow a prescribed pattern.
Imagery
Bishop's 'Argument' is renowned for its vivid and evocative imagery, which brings to life the natural world and invites readers to imagine the scene that the speaker describes. One of the most striking images in the poem is the "little cough of earth" (l. 1), which captures the sound of earth as it falls from a shovel. This image is significant as it highlights Bishop's belief in the importance of attention to detail and observation.
Another vivid image in the poem is the "eternal surprise" (l. 9), which suggests that nature is in a constant state of flux and that change is the only constant. This image is significant as it reinforces the poem's theme of unpredictability and highlights Bishop's keen observation of the natural world.
The third and final image in the poem is the "great gold apples of light" (l. 11), which suggests a moment of transformation and transcendence. The image of light as golden apples suggests abundance, beauty, and perfection, and invites readers to imagine a moment of transcendence and enlightenment.
Style and Language
Bishop's style in 'Argument' is characterized by precision, observation, and a keen eye for detail. The language in the poem is simple and straightforward, yet Bishop's use of precise and evocative imagery brings the scene to life and captures the reader's imagination.
The poem's language is also notable for its use of personification and metaphor. The speaker personifies nature as "she" and suggests that nature sees humans as "blind" (ll. 5-6). This personification highlights the poem's theme of the relationship between humans and nature and suggests that we project our own values and beliefs onto the natural world.
Metaphor is also a significant stylistic device in 'Argument.' The phrase "eternal surprise" (l. 9) is a metaphor for the unpredictability and transience of life, while the "gold apples of light" (l. 11) is a metaphor for a moment of transcendence and transformation.
Relevance to Contemporary Readers
Despite being written over half a century ago, Bishop's 'Argument' remains relevant to contemporary readers. The poem's central themes of perception, interpretation, and the relationship between humans and nature are as pertinent today as they were when Bishop wrote the poem.
In an age where humans continue to exploit and destroy the natural world, Bishop's poem offers a powerful critique of our anthropocentric perspective and our tendency to impose meaning on nature. Moreover, the poem's message of unpredictability and change is particularly relevant today, as we face an uncertain future marked by climate change, social upheaval, and political instability.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's 'Argument' is a masterful poem that offers a powerful critique of our anthropocentric perspective and highlights the importance of observation, perception, and interpretation in shaping our understanding of the world. The poem's vivid imagery, precise language, and unconventional structure make it a masterpiece of observation and interpretation, and its relevance to contemporary readers marks it as a timeless work of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem Argument is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars 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 analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Argument.
The poem Argument is a short but powerful piece of literature that explores the theme of human relationships. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different argument. The first stanza presents an argument between two lovers who are trying to reconcile after a fight. The second stanza presents an argument between a father and son, while the third stanza presents an argument between two friends.
The first stanza of the poem presents a couple who are trying to reconcile after a fight. The speaker describes the couple as “two lovers who stood there / staring at each other, / trying to reconcile.” The use of the word “staring” suggests that the couple is not communicating with each other, but rather, they are looking at each other with a sense of hostility. The speaker then goes on to describe the couple’s body language, saying that they are “clenched and still and full of hate.” This description creates a sense of tension and conflict between the two lovers.
The second stanza of the poem presents an argument between a father and son. The speaker describes the father as “a man who held a few / simple notions, / slightly tinged with sadness.” The use of the word “tinged” suggests that the father is not completely sad, but rather, he is experiencing a sense of melancholy. The son, on the other hand, is described as “a boy who saw the world / in terms of violence.” This description suggests that the son is more aggressive and confrontational than the father. The argument between the two is not described in detail, but the speaker suggests that it is a recurring argument that has been going on for some time.
The third stanza of the poem presents an argument between two friends. The speaker describes the two friends as “two men who talked of honor / and of courage.” The use of these words suggests that the two friends are discussing something important, but the speaker does not reveal what it is. The argument between the two friends is described as “a quarrel that began / with the first cock-crow.” This description suggests that the argument has been going on for a long time and that it is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.
The structure of the poem Argument is simple but effective. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different argument. The use of three stanzas creates a sense of balance and symmetry in the poem. The first and third stanzas are each six lines long, while the second stanza is eight lines long. This variation in stanza length creates a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem.
The literary devices used in Argument are also worth noting. Bishop uses vivid imagery to create a sense of tension and conflict in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, she describes the couple as “clenched and still and full of hate.” This description creates a sense of tension between the two lovers. In the second stanza, she describes the father as “a man who held a few / simple notions, / slightly tinged with sadness.” This description creates a sense of melancholy and sadness in the reader.
Bishop also uses precise language to convey her message. For example, in the third stanza, she describes the two friends as “two men who talked of honor / and of courage.” The use of these words suggests that the argument between the two friends is about something important and meaningful.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s poem Argument is a powerful piece of literature that explores the theme of human relationships. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which presents a different argument. Bishop uses vivid imagery, precise language, and a keen sense of observation to create a sense of tension and conflict in the poem. The structure of the poem is simple but effective, and the use of literary devices adds depth and complexity to the poem. Overall, Argument is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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