Sestina Poem Figurative Language

Within the traditional form of a sestina there is six stanzas, all of which, contain six of the same words, but in separate patterns. Although Elizabeth Bishop effectively follows the traditional form, some lines can be considered out of place and the ideas presented in the latter of the poem separates itself from reality. Additionally, Bishop seems to write further outside of the set lines of a traditional sestina. However, Bishop’s form allows for each stanza to build upon her themes presented in the poem with further detail and imagery.
The adjectives put into place by Bishop propose and underlying idea that is hidden away from the mere surface of the poem. There are several examples of these adjectives throughout the poem that in fact, they provide a strong support in the overall theme. For instance, the “equinoctial tears” suggests that the grandmother’s sadness is only present at this certain time and the “clever almanac” suggests that the grandmother relies on the almanac to understand her feelings. The “rigid” and “inscrutable house” suggests that perhaps the grandmothers sadness is truly caused by the house that surrounds her and her lack of understanding within it. Finally, the “marvellous stove” may suggest that the …show more content…
Although there are many ways to interpret this poem, perhaps the overall theme surrounds the idea of the grandmothers uncertainty for the future. The grandmother and the child are the subjects stuck within the house, where time continuously passes. The almanac and the stove are the grandmothers way of coping with the lack of stability with her future. She relies on the almanac to predict her future, while at the same time, doing nothing to progress it. The tears are the representation of the grandmothers depression, and the child’s drawing with the tears on the man may suggest that their was a previous father figure within the