Elizabeth Bishop's "The Fish"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Bishop's observation in "The Fish" not only creates an image of the fish for the reader, but also expands the scope of the poet's appreciation for the fish. The author points out that, in this narrative poem, Bishop uses rhetorical and sound devices, as well as tone, metaphor, symbolism, personification, simile, and imagery. The paper relates that her great attention to detail allows us to understand the fish as Bishop does and, as a result, to understand why she sets the fish free.

From the Paper:

"These lines illustrate the poet's ability to capture details about the simplest and smallest of things. The poet utilizes the technique of hyperbole here by stating that the fish's eyes were bigger than her own were. Her intention is to make us sense the life she became aware of when she looked into the fish's eyes, which ultimately makes her feel sympathy for the fish. The action of looking into the fish's eyes is also powerful in that it allows the poet to personify the fish. We also discover the poet's use of an apostrophe here, which is emphasized by the poet's looking into the fish's eyes."

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