In Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “The Map,” the speaker studies a map and thoughtfully describes what he or she sees. However, there is deeper meaning to the poem than just a a speaker outlining his or her observations. It is instead an exploration into the stiffness of a map and how it does not portray the life and colors of the places drawn on it. The land is originally described to “lie in water” (1), giving the audience the impression that the land drawn on the page is still and unmoving. In addition to this, the water is described as a “simple blue from green” (4). The map in in the first half of the stanza is described as incredibly simple and lifeless, yet the speaker changes his or her descriptions in the second half of the stanza.
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The “still explosions on the rocks” (1) and spreading of “gray, concentric shocks” (3) are symbolic imagery of someone’s hair graying. The “rocks” are the person’s head and the “gray, concentric shocks” are the locks of his or her hair losing color. However, the speaker expresses the idea that within his or her memories, the hair “has not changed” (6). This use of imagery and symbolism presents the conclusion that although time may pass and we may grow old, time is “amenable” (12). It does not matter if someone changes with age because that person will always be the same one in your memories. This presents a difference between regular prose and poetry, since poetry uses poetic devices such as symbolism, imagery, similes, etc. to present a hidden meaning. Instead of simply stating that the subject of the poem’s hair was turning gray, the speaker uses imagery within nature. It creates a more thought-provoking experience for the audience as well as a deeper connection between audience and speaker. This poem may focus on a particular person, but it can relate to travel as well. As we see different places and meet different people, we create memories that will stay the same forever. If a place once traveled has become different, the memories remain unchanged. For example, if a once beautiful country is destroyed by war, people will still remember it for the
The “still explosions on the rocks” (1) and spreading of “gray, concentric shocks” (3) are symbolic imagery of someone’s hair graying. The “rocks” are the person’s head and the “gray, concentric shocks” are the locks of his or her hair losing color. However, the speaker expresses the idea that within his or her memories, the hair “has not changed” (6). This use of imagery and symbolism presents the conclusion that although time may pass and we may grow old, time is “amenable” (12). It does not matter if someone changes with age because that person will always be the same one in your memories. This presents a difference between regular prose and poetry, since poetry uses poetic devices such as symbolism, imagery, similes, etc. to present a hidden meaning. Instead of simply stating that the subject of the poem’s hair was turning gray, the speaker uses imagery within nature. It creates a more thought-provoking experience for the audience as well as a deeper connection between audience and speaker. This poem may focus on a particular person, but it can relate to travel as well. As we see different places and meet different people, we create memories that will stay the same forever. If a place once traveled has become different, the memories remain unchanged. For example, if a once beautiful country is destroyed by war, people will still remember it for the