Symbolism In One Art By Elizabeth Bishop

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Symbolism represents much more than just the literal meaning of an object, action, or character in a piece of writing. Symbolism creates a deeper outlook on the perspective that was once thought to be precise. It provides the readers with more to dwell upon, making the piece of writing extra fascinating. Many different writers use symbolism to clearly recount the main purpose of the writing, much like Elizabeth Bishop does in the poem, “One Art.” In the poem, “One Art,” the author uses symbolism to show the readers the deeper meaning to the art of losing.
In the poem, “One Art,” Elizabeth Bishop uses symbolism to give the poem a complex meaning. The author talks about the art of losing, which is not hard to master. It is easy to lose objects, such as door keys, but “none of these will bring disaster” (Bishop, line 9). In lines 1-3, the writer says that so many things in our everyday lives are filled with intent to be lost, but it is not a disaster, “The art of losing isn’t hard to master/ so many things seem filled
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The author is symbolizing that individuals lose not just small things, but precious things. In lines 7-9, the author states that people practice losing things farther and faster, “Then practice losing farther, losing faster/ places, and names, and where it was you meant/ to travel. None of these will bring disaster.” Even though people start to lose memories of the names and places of where they were going, it is not a catastrophe. People can create new memories, but old memories can never be returned once lost. The symbolism expressed in lines 7-9 is given to the readers to show that people do not need to take things for granted. Bishop explains that people should enjoy the memories while they last, because one day, they may disappear. Besides losing memories, there are things that are far more important to individuals that are the hardest to

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