I have chosen “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop. When referring to Americanness through American Literature I think this poem would be 1st degree. “The Fish” reflects in great detail about catching a fish and what the it looked like. I chose first degree because although it does not reflect political views or anything like that, it does reflect great detail which is what American Literature consists of.
In my opinion typical Americanness would talk about guns and freedom. That may sound stereotypical but those two things are some of the most talked about subjects in the American culture. But since we are talking about American Literature I think both American themes and patterns from past American literature demonstrates how this poem is 1st degree. This author may not have made freedom one of the main ideas, but I do think she may have incorporated letting the fish go as a way to show freedom. The short abrupt line “And I let the fish go.” ends the poem. I think she may have made it simple but important in order to demonstrate what American freedom is like. Another way this poem shows Americanness is the fact that it is all about fishing. …show more content…
While discussing this theme the author uses descriptive detail as well as metaphors and similes to describe a fish that was caught and paint a mental image. Some of these details include “shapes like full-blown roses stained and lost through age” and “where oil had spread a rainbow around the rusted engine”. The way Bishop incorporates details at every possible moment makes this poem follow the tradition of American
In my opinion typical Americanness would talk about guns and freedom. That may sound stereotypical but those two things are some of the most talked about subjects in the American culture. But since we are talking about American Literature I think both American themes and patterns from past American literature demonstrates how this poem is 1st degree. This author may not have made freedom one of the main ideas, but I do think she may have incorporated letting the fish go as a way to show freedom. The short abrupt line “And I let the fish go.” ends the poem. I think she may have made it simple but important in order to demonstrate what American freedom is like. Another way this poem shows Americanness is the fact that it is all about fishing. …show more content…
While discussing this theme the author uses descriptive detail as well as metaphors and similes to describe a fish that was caught and paint a mental image. Some of these details include “shapes like full-blown roses stained and lost through age” and “where oil had spread a rainbow around the rusted engine”. The way Bishop incorporates details at every possible moment makes this poem follow the tradition of American