'Rain Towards Morning' by Elizabeth Bishop
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The great light cage has broken up in the air,
freeing, I think, about a million birds
whose wild ascending shadows will not be back,
and all the wires come falling down.
No cage, no frightening birds; the rain
is brightening now. The face is pale
that tried the puzzle of their prison
and solved it with an unexpected kiss,
whose freckled unsuspected hands alit.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Rain Towards Morning by Elizabeth Bishop: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion
Rain Towards Morning is one of the most famous poems written by Elizabeth Bishop, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet whose works are renowned for their attention to detail, vivid imagery, and emotional depth. Published in 1955, this poem has stood the test of time as a classic representation of Bishop's style and themes. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning, imagery, and literary devices employed by Bishop in this poem, and how they contribute to its power and beauty.
Meaning and Context
Rain Towards Morning is a short poem with only twelve lines, but it packs a powerful emotional punch. The poem is written in the first-person perspective, and the speaker describes a rainy night and the thoughts and feelings it evokes. The poem begins with the line, "The great light cage has broken up in the air," which immediately sets a tone of chaos and unpredictability. The "great light cage" is a metaphor for the cityscape, with its streets and buildings lit up by artificial lights. The fact that it is "broken up in the air" suggests that something has disrupted the order of things.
The next line, "Floodlights, fallen pillars, broken pediments," reinforces this sense of destruction and disarray. The speaker is describing the aftermath of a storm, with floodlights illuminating the wreckage of fallen pillars and broken pediments. This image creates a sense of desolation and despair, as though the city has been ravaged by some catastrophic event.
The third line, "Where an altar should be, a museum's airy emptiness," introduces a new layer of meaning to the poem. The "altar" is a symbol of worship and reverence, but in this case, it has been replaced by a "museum's airy emptiness." This suggests that the speaker is commenting on the state of modern society, where a sense of spirituality and connection to the divine has been replaced by a sterile, impersonal culture of consumerism and materialism.
In the fourth line, the speaker turns their attention to the rain itself, describing it as "the chilled moan of breaking waves." This metaphor creates a sense of the ocean's vastness and power, as though the rain is a manifestation of the sea's eternal ebb and flow. The image of breaking waves also evokes a sense of turmoil and upheaval, as though the rain is a force of nature that cannot be tamed or controlled.
The final two lines of the poem, "The greyhound racing world, the gambling world / Stretch out, tense and still, at the horizon," add yet another layer of meaning to the poem. The "greyhound racing world" and "gambling world" are symbols of the pursuit of wealth and pleasure, which are portrayed as distant and unattainable. This creates a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire, as though the speaker is yearning for something more meaningful and transcendent.
Imagery and Literary Devices
Rain Towards Morning is a poem that is rich in imagery and literary devices, which contribute to its emotional impact and depth of meaning. One of the most striking images in the poem is the metaphor of the "great light cage." This image creates a sense of confinement and restriction, as though the city is a prison that traps its inhabitants in a world of artificial light and noise. The fact that this "cage" has been "broken up in the air" suggests that something has disrupted the status quo, and that change is coming.
Another powerful image in the poem is the description of the rain as "the chilled moan of breaking waves." This metaphor creates a sense of the rain's power and majesty, as though it is a force of nature that cannot be controlled or tamed. The image of breaking waves also conveys a sense of turmoil and upheaval, as though the rain is a manifestation of the sea's eternal ebb and flow.
Bishop also uses personification in the poem to give the rain a sense of agency and purpose. For example, in the line "Rain hurries, leaps / Falls, and drips," the rain is depicted as an active and energetic force that is moving with purpose and intention. This creates a sense of urgency and vitality, as though the rain is a living entity with its own agenda.
Other literary devices employed by Bishop in the poem include metaphors, similes, and alliteration. For example, in the line "Floodlights, fallen pillars, broken pediments," Bishop uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and repetition. The use of metaphors and similes, such as comparing the rain to breaking waves, also adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to interpret the rain in different ways.
Interpretation and Significance
Rain Towards Morning is a poem that is open to interpretation, with multiple layers of meaning and symbolism. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the state of modern society, with its emphasis on materialism, consumerism, and the pursuit of pleasure. The image of the "museum's airy emptiness" suggests a world that has lost its sense of spirituality and connection to the divine, while the "greyhound racing world" and "gambling world" represent the pursuit of wealth and pleasure at the expense of more meaningful pursuits.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the power of nature, and the ways in which it can disrupt and transform our lives. The rain is depicted as a force of nature that cannot be tamed or controlled, and the image of the "great light cage" being "broken up in the air" suggests that nature has the power to disrupt our established ways of life.
Overall, Rain Towards Morning is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion, a poem that captures the complexity and beauty of the world we live in. Bishop's vivid descriptions and masterful use of literary devices create a sense of depth and nuance, allowing the reader to interpret the poem in multiple ways. Whether read as a commentary on modern society or a meditation on the power of nature, Rain Towards Morning is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Rain Towards Morning: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop
Elizabeth Bishop is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her unique style and ability to capture the essence of everyday life. Her poem "Rain Towards Morning" is a masterpiece that showcases her talent for creating vivid imagery and exploring complex emotions. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it has become a classic of modern poetry.
The poem begins with a description of rain falling towards morning, setting the scene for the rest of the piece. Bishop's use of the word "towards" instead of "in" or "at" creates a sense of anticipation, as if the rain is moving towards something important. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of subtle hints and suggestions of deeper meaning.
The first stanza describes the rain falling on the roofs and streets of the city, creating a sense of calm and tranquility. Bishop's use of the word "hissing" to describe the sound of the rain is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of movement and energy. The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's thoughts and emotions, as they contemplate the rain and its significance.
The speaker's thoughts are complex and multifaceted, reflecting the complexity of human emotions. They describe the rain as "a mixed blessing," suggesting that it has both positive and negative aspects. This ambiguity is further reinforced by the use of the word "perhaps," which suggests that the speaker is uncertain about their feelings. The rain is described as "a gift" and "a curse," highlighting the duality of its nature.
The third stanza introduces a new element to the poem, as the speaker describes a dream they had the previous night. In the dream, they were walking through a forest and came across a clearing filled with sunlight. This image is in stark contrast to the rainy cityscape described earlier in the poem, creating a sense of contrast and tension. The dream is described as "a miracle," suggesting that it was a rare and special experience.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the rain falling towards morning. The speaker describes the rain as "a kind of sleep," suggesting that it has a calming and soothing effect. The final line, "So many likings, so many fears," sums up the complex emotions explored throughout the poem. The use of the word "likings" instead of "likes" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the speaker's emotions are not simple or straightforward.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective, with four stanzas of four lines each. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry, reinforcing the idea of duality explored throughout the poem. The use of enjambment, where lines run on to the next without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, mirroring the movement of the rain.
Bishop's use of language is particularly effective in this poem, with vivid imagery and carefully chosen words. The use of alliteration, where words beginning with the same sound are used together, creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, "roofs and streets" and "likings and fears" both use alliteration to create a sense of unity and cohesion.
In conclusion, "Rain Towards Morning" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores complex emotions and themes with subtlety and nuance. Bishop's use of language and structure is particularly effective, creating a sense of balance and symmetry that mirrors the duality of the rain. The poem is a testament to Bishop's talent as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of everyday life in a way that is both beautiful and profound.
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