The Thumb Poem Analysis

Harrison further delves into Bishop’s approach of sexuality by saying she does it from the “perspective of the outsider, in whom she can represent more readily than in the lover our sources of connection. Alone and quite familiar with alienation, the outsider has access both to escape and to profound, imagined forms of intimacy” (58). This explains why she allowed her early works to be published. The ambiguity of the protagonist in The Thumb meant she could explore distaste for masculinity free from the public’s homophobic opinions, and allowed her to explore a unique relationship. Alienation then is a tool for Bishop to use not just despite her fear of being outed but because it allows for a new perspective on her situations. Bishop disliked …show more content…
Costello points to “Criticism’s desire to control and define both art and the artist, even in the name of uncontrollable, unstable psychic, linguistic, or social forces, has produced some troubling distortions” (336). Is this what happens when people like myself ask the question about why Bishop discusses her sexuality the way she does? Fortunately, Costello agrees that the critics are right in the sense that “private experiences and impulses shape and determine our worldview; imagination is in some sense “inextricable” from the givens of our lives,” but that it is not necessary to invoke it (339). Still, this leaves the question about whether it is important to discuss Bishop’s poems and sexuality. Is it moot to do so? Are the poems this way simply because Bishop wanted it and nothing …show more content…
Her poems are not overtly about her sexuality because it is not pertinent to her stance as a writer and it protects herself and her loved ones. Still, it is a prominent and important theme throughout her poems because it was a significant part of Bishop’s life. Noting the complexities of these poems and the ties to her sexuality does not denounce her or cause her to be labeled as only a lesbian poet, but allows for further insight into these poems. Published or unpublished, Bishop’s works reflect her life with or without her consent; her ability to prevent them from being published provided her with agency ultimately, since she decided what was published, but does not distract from the fact that as much as she was a good female poet she was also shaped by aspects of her life like sexuality. Whether you agree with Costello and Bishop or not, it is important to recognize how she represented her sexuality to gain more insight into her poetry. Without that insight, her poems are still proficient but there is something to be gained by looking at her poetry in regards to sexuality. The journey of Bishop’s sexuality through her work shows the growth of her character and the beauty of her skill as a