'Roosters' by Elizabeth Bishop
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At four o'clock
in the gun-metal blue dark
we hear the first crow of the first cock
just below
the gun-metal blue window
and immediately there is an echo
off in the distance,
then one from the backyard fence,
then one, with horrible insistence,
grates like a wet match
from the broccoli patch,
flares,and all over town begins to catch.
Cries galore
come from the water-closet door,
from the dropping-plastered henhouse floor,
where in the blue blur
their rusting wives admire,
the roosters brace their cruel feet and glare
with stupid eyes
while from their beaks there rise
the uncontrolled, traditional cries.
Deep from protruding chests
in green-gold medals dressed,
planned to command and terrorize the rest,
the many wives
who lead hens' lives
of being courted and despised;
deep from raw throats
a senseless order floats
all over town. A rooster gloats
over our beds
from rusty irons sheds
and fences made from old bedsteads,
over our churches
where the tin rooster perches,
over our little wooden northern houses,
making sallies
from all the muddy alleys,
marking out maps like Rand McNally's:
glass-headed pins,
oil-golds and copper greens,
anthracite blues, alizarins,
each one an active
displacement in perspective;
each screaming, "This is where I live!"
Each screaming
"Get up! Stop dreaming!"
Roosters, what are you projecting?
You, whom the Greeks elected
to shoot at on a post, who struggled
when sacrificed, you whom they labeled
"Very combative..."
what right have you to give
commands and tell us how to live,
cry "Here!" and "Here!"
and wake us here where are
unwanted love, conceit and war?
The crown of red
set on your little head
is charged with all your fighting blood
Yes, that excrescence
makes a most virile presence,
plus all that vulgar beauty of iridescence
Now in mid-air
by two they fight each other.
Down comes a first flame-feather,
and one is flying,
with raging heroism defying
even the sensation of dying.
And one has fallen
but still above the town
his torn-out, bloodied feathers drift down;
and what he sung
no matter. He is flung
on the gray ash-heap, lies in dung
with his dead wives
with open, bloody eyes,
while those metallic feathers oxidize.
St. Peter's sin
was worse than that of Magdalen
whose sin was of the flesh alone;
of spirit, Peter's,
falling, beneath the flares,
among the "servants and officers."
Old holy sculpture
could set it all together
in one small scene, past and future:
Christ stands amazed,
Peter, two fingers raised
to surprised lips, both as if dazed.
But in between
a little cock is seen
carved on a dim column in the travertine,
explained by gallus canit;
flet Petrus underneath it,
There is inescapable hope, the pivot;
yes, and there Peter's tears
run down our chanticleer's
sides and gem his spurs.
Tear-encrusted thick
as a medieval relic
he waits. Poor Peter, heart-sick,
still cannot guess
those cock-a-doodles yet might bless,
his dreadful rooster come to mean forgiveness,
a new weathervane
on basilica and barn,
and that outside the Lateran
there would always be
a bronze cock on a porphyry
pillar so the people and the Pope might see
that event the Prince
of the Apostles long since
had been forgiven, and to convince
all the assembly
that "Deny deny deny"
is not all the roosters cry.
In the morning
a low light is floating
in the backyard, and gilding
from underneath
the broccoli, leaf by leaf;
how could the night have come to grief?
gilding the tiny
floating swallow's belly
and lines of pink cloud in the sky,
the day's preamble
like wandering lines in marble,
The cocks are now almost inaudible.
The sun climbs in,
following "to see the end,"
faithful as enemy, or friend.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Roosters by Elizabeth Bishop: An Exploration of Masculinity and Power Dynamics
As a literary masterpiece, Roosters by Elizabeth Bishop captures the essence of masculinity and power dynamics. This poem is a perfect example of how Bishop masterfully captures the essence of different themes and emotions through vivid imagery and carefully chosen words.
Overview of the Poem
The poem begins with a description of roosters, which are depicted as proud and arrogant. The narrator describes the roosters as "cocky" and "cock-sure," which is a play on words, as "cock" is another word for rooster, but also a slang term for a man. This sets the scene for the exploration of masculinity that is to follow.
As the poem progresses, the roosters are juxtaposed with other animals, such as hens and ducks. The hens are depicted as being submissive and passive, while the ducks are portrayed as being clumsy and awkward. These comparisons highlight the roosters' dominance and power over the other animals.
The poem ends with a shift in tone, as the narrator describes the roosters' crowing as "a kind of prayer," which suggests a deeper significance to their behavior. This is a powerful ending to the poem, as it forces the reader to question their initial impressions of the roosters and consider the possibility that there may be more to them than meets the eye.
Interpretation of the Poem
At its core, Roosters is an exploration of masculinity and power dynamics. The roosters are depicted as proud and arrogant, which is a common stereotype of masculinity. The other animals in the poem, such as the hens and the ducks, are portrayed as being weak and submissive in comparison to the roosters. This reinforces the idea that men are supposed to be dominant and powerful, while women are expected to be submissive and passive.
However, there is a deeper layer to this poem that goes beyond the surface-level exploration of gender roles. The roosters' crowing is described as "a kind of prayer," which suggests that there may be a spiritual dimension to their behavior. This is further reinforced by the fact that the roosters are the only animals in the poem that are given a voice. While the other animals are described in visual terms, the roosters are given the ability to speak through their crowing. This suggests that there may be more to their behavior than just a display of dominance.
Additionally, the fact that the roosters are described as being "cocky" and "cock-sure" is a clever play on words that reinforces the connection between masculinity and the roosters. The word "cock" is slang for a man, which suggests that the roosters are meant to represent male power and dominance.
Literary Devices and Techniques
Bishop uses a variety of literary devices and techniques to convey her message in Roosters. One of the most prominent techniques she uses is vivid imagery. Throughout the poem, Bishop paints a vivid picture of the roosters and the other animals. For example, she describes the roosters as having "red-gold backs" and "shimmering purple-black necks." These descriptions create a clear mental image of the roosters in the reader's mind, which helps to reinforce their power and dominance.
Another literary device that Bishop uses is symbolism. The roosters are symbolic of masculinity and power, while the other animals in the poem are symbolic of weakness and submission. This use of symbolism helps to reinforce Bishop's message about gender roles and power dynamics.
Bishop also uses a variety of poetic devices, such as alliteration and rhyme, to create a musical quality to the poem. This musical quality helps to draw the reader in and make the poem more engaging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Roosters by Elizabeth Bishop is a literary masterpiece that explores themes of masculinity and power dynamics. Through vivid imagery, symbolism, and poetic devices, Bishop creates a powerful message about gender roles and the ways in which men are expected to be dominant and powerful. However, she also leaves room for interpretation, suggesting that there may be more to the roosters' behavior than just a display of dominance. This is a thought-provoking and engaging poem that is sure to resonate with readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Roosters: An Analysis of Elizabeth Bishop's Classic Poem
Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Roosters" is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. The poem is a vivid depiction of the roosters' behavior and their role in the natural world. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with a description of the roosters' behavior, "The roosters crows / have punctuated the darkness / with sudden, explosive / bursts of sound." The use of the word "punctuated" suggests that the roosters' crows are interrupting the silence of the night, and their sound is sudden and explosive. This creates an image of the roosters as powerful and dominant creatures that command attention.
The poem then goes on to describe the roosters' physical appearance, "Like a burst of flame / from an old-fashioned fireplace, / they leap into the darkness / ablaze with their own sudden light." The simile used here compares the roosters' appearance to a burst of flame, which emphasizes their fiery and vibrant nature. The use of the word "ablaze" further emphasizes this point and creates an image of the roosters as powerful and radiant creatures.
The poem then shifts to a description of the roosters' role in the natural world, "But on the ground, in the dusty, / rooty, likable earth, they / scratch up prickly pear, / the rust-red loam, / or kill a snake." This description highlights the roosters' connection to the earth and their role in maintaining the balance of nature. The use of the word "likable" suggests that the earth is a friendly and welcoming place for the roosters, and they are comfortable in their environment.
The poem then concludes with a reflection on the roosters' behavior, "Everything except sleep / as they hurl themselves, / like feathered cannonballs, / against the sleeping world." This final stanza emphasizes the roosters' relentless energy and their determination to wake up the world. The use of the word "cannonballs" suggests that the roosters are powerful and unstoppable, and their crowing is a force to be reckoned with.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, with four stanzas of four lines each. The use of short lines and simple language creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, which reflects the roosters' behavior. The poem's structure also emphasizes the roosters' repetitive behavior, as they crow every morning without fail.
The poem's use of literary devices is also significant. The use of simile and metaphor creates vivid images of the roosters' behavior and appearance. The repetition of the word "punctuated" emphasizes the roosters' disruptive behavior, while the use of the word "likable" creates a sense of warmth and familiarity. The use of alliteration, such as "rust-red loam," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, which adds to the poem's overall impact.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's poem "Roosters" is a powerful and evocative depiction of the roosters' behavior and their role in the natural world. The poem's structure and use of literary devices create a sense of urgency and immediacy, which reflects the roosters' behavior. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the essence of the roosters' behavior and their connection to the earth. It is a classic piece of literature that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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