Theme Of Imagery And Diction In The Fish By Elizabeth Bishop

Register to read the introduction… This idea is supported by the frequented use of self-address implemented in the second half. The speaker becomes more involved. “I thought,” “I looked,” “I admired,” all produce a more active role on the part of the speaker. The turning point in the poem that triggers this alteration seems to be when the reader realizes that the fish is in fact still alive. “While his gills were breathing” (line 22) is the first action given to the fish and the first time he is addressed as a living thing. Prior to this moment in the poem, movement had never been addressed. This triggering point changes the focus of the observation from the external body of the fish to his internal self. The change in focus illustrates the need to look below the surface to gain an accurate and complete picture. Bishop commemorates this progress with the addition of color, dimension, and life. These three additives had been missing in the previous description. Suddenly the gills are “crisp,” the flesh is “coarse.” These words have more substance and vitality. This focus is proof that the speaker is in the process of realizing that while the fish may appear old on the outside, he is still alive on the inside. The previous language of the poem, such as line 10, “his …show more content…
This perspective is made apparent when the speaker addresses her boat as it symbolizes her ability to expand and take in all of her surroundings. This "rented boat" "leaking oil" from its "rusted engine" created a rainbow so beautiful that she became overwhelmed and released the fish. Here, the boat can be compared to the fish, in it’s initial imperfection, then to its final magnificence. The descriptive words allow the reader to, again, visualize the moment vividly through the eyes of the narrator. Bishop does an outstanding job in describing every moment in her growing relationship with the fish. She creates, first, an image of a helpless captive and the reader is allowed to feel sorry for the fish and even pity his situation as the speaker does. The narrator’s relationship with the fish then grows to one of personal regard as she engages in further study and is able to look past her initial observation. The parting image of the rainbow offers a perfect way to drive home the process of aging as a dignified and even celebratory act.
Not only is it a very optimistic image of color and gaiety, but the rainbow is traditionally paired with the concept of treasure once