The Fish by Elizabeth Bishop

eEdison Caampued

Professor Brunner

Enc 1102

February 2, 2018

Unit 1 “The Fish”: Essay 1 Rough Draft

The Fish by Elizabeth Bishop, a truly interesting piece that explains the relationship between a man and a fish being caught. Briefly glancing at this fish lying beside her boat, Bishop makes us of defined imagery and tone to help readers create a mental picture of the fish. For instance words such as venerable, shapes like full-blown roses, and homely are used. This aids the reader in identifying that the fish may have lived a troubling life after being caught numerous times. By reading the poem various times, readers can interpret that the reason for the fish’s release was because it didn’t fight back but simply laid there in the hands of Bishop’s character. Bishop also adds similes throughout the poem to describe the age of the fish. One example of a simile used is “the skin of the fish hung up in strips like ancient wallpaper”.

Towards the beginning, Bishop starts off the poem a bit unsubtle. As it continues Bishop focuses in particular to the fish’s appearance. The use of figurative language gives readers the impression that the fish has a complex body. Bishop states, “I looked into his eyes which were far larger than mine but shallower, and yellowed, the irises backed and packed with tarnished tinfoil seen through the lenses of old scratched isinglass. They shifted a little, but not to return my stare”. The manipulation of figurative language adds knowledge about the fish’s appearance. Bishop shifts from having pride in catching a tremendous fish, to merely observing the fish and how she releases it back into the water. Readers also learn that the narrator connects to the fish on a personal degree and no longer a fisherwomen to animal relationship.

        Bishop manipulates adjectives to create diverse diction making this no typical fishing story. Words such as “battered, frightening, and aching” are used to describe the boat. The use of this word choice gives readers the understanding that the narrator shows much regard to detail and a fair amount of attention to her surroundings. The narrator is given the choice of keeping the fish or releasing it. It appears that the narrator gains satisfaction by letting the fish free. Ultimately mercy is given to the fish as the fish conquered the respect of the fisherwomen.

        This poem possess three themes: observation, overcoming the odds, and companionship as salvation. Bishop unites with nature in this writing. The overall theme of the poem is observation, which can be ascertained from the use of descriptive words or imagery. Majority of the lines in this poem contain imagery or description to an extent. Just briefly looking at the fish, the narrator gains control of her feelings toward this animal. During this part of the poem it seems to readers that the fish and the fisherwomen are at odds. The fish is nearly out of water along with the fisherwoman being in the fish’s territory. Both the fish and the fisherwoman beat the odds. The fish is released; the fisherwoman does not fall in water and is not attacked by any other fish. Companionship as salvation is ultimately a substantial theme. Companionship can be found as result that the fisherwoman grows a bond with the fish to some extent. This companionship between the fisherwoman and the fish aids the fish’s situation and he is given mercy.