The poem "The Fish" by Elizabeth bishop then answer the question below using specific examples from the story as support:
Where in the poem does the author use sensory language (language that appeals to a reader's senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste)? Provide an example from the poem and explain how this example helps readers understand the poem and/or picture the events in their minds.
Where in the poem does the author use figurative language (language that is not literally true but expresses an idea through devices such as a simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole)? identify the type of figurative language you see and provide at least one example from the poem. explain how this example helps readers understand the poem and/or picture the events in their minds.
Which type of language best helps YOU picture what the author is saying in your mind- sensory language or figurative language? explain why and provide an example from the poem that helped you understand the poem and/ or picture the events in your mind as you read.
Your answer should be TWO paragraphs long. Be sure to answer ALL of the prompt questions and use SPECIFIC examples from the story as support for your answers. read through your work BEFORE you submit it to make sure you have used correct spelling punctuation, and capitalization, and grammar.
In "The Fish," Elizabeth Bishop uses sensory language to vividly describe the fish and its surroundings. For example, she writes, "He was speckled with barnacles, fine rosettes of lime, / and infested / with tiny white sea-lice" (lines 5-7). This description appeals to the reader's sense of sight by providing a clear visual image of the fish's appearance. By mentioning the barnacles and sea-lice, Bishop also engages the reader's sense of touch and possibly even disgust, as these are not pleasant or visually appealing aspects of the fish. Additionally, Bishop appeals to the sense of touch when she describes the fish's skin as "like ancient wallpaper" (line 19). This comparison helps readers imagine the texture of the fish's skin and adds to the overall sensory experience of the poem.
In terms of figurative language, Bishop utilizes metaphor to express the idea of the fish's resilience and strength. She writes, "like medals with their ribbons / frayed and wavering / a five-haired beard of wisdom / trailing from his aching jaw" (lines 8-11). By comparing the fish's barnacles to medals and its beard to a sign of wisdom, Bishop elevates the fish from a mere creature to a symbol of endurance and knowledge. This metaphor helps readers understand the poem by emphasizing the fish's significance and the respect it commands.
Personally, I find that the sensory language in "The Fish" helps me better picture the events described in the poem. The detailed and vivid descriptions of the fish's appearance and the environment it inhabits allow me to create a clear mental image of the fish and its surroundings. For example, when Bishop describes the fish's skin as "like ancient wallpaper," I can imagine the rough and weathered texture that comes with age. This sensory language not only helps me understand the poem, but it also enhances my overall reading experience by making the imagery more vivid and engaging.
Can you give me another example?
In the poem "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop, the author uses sensory language to vividly describe the fish and its surroundings. For example, the poet writes, "I looked into his eyes / which were far larger than mine / but shallower, and yellowed, / the irises backed and packed / with tarnished tinfoil" (lines 60-64). Through these vibrant descriptions, Bishop appeals to the reader's sense of sight, allowing us to visualize the fish's striking eyes and their yellowed color. This sensory detail helps us understand the fish's age and condition, as well as provide a vivid image of the fish in our minds.
Moreover, the author also employs figurative language to enrich our understanding of the poem. One example can be seen in the following lines: "oil / spilled from its sides, / a rainbow, / oil slick" (lines 7-10). Here, Bishop uses a simile to compare the oil leaking from the fish to a rainbow, creating a striking visual image in our minds. This figurative language helps us appreciate the beauty and complexity of the fish, as well as the potential harm posed by the oil slick.
In my opinion, both sensory language and figurative language play integral roles in helping me picture the events in my mind. However, if I had to choose one, I believe sensory language has a more immediate impact. The vivid descriptions of the fish's physical attributes, such as its eyes and the oily sheen, help me visualize the scene in a more tangible way. For instance, the description of the fish's eyes being "far larger than mine / but shallower, and yellowed" (lines 61-62) immediately paints a vivid picture of the fish's appearance. This sensory detail allows me to better empathize with the speaker's awe and admiration for the fish.
Overall, both sensory language and figurative language serve to enhance our understanding and visualization of the poem. Sensory language appeals to our senses, providing vivid descriptions that help us picture the events in our minds, while figurative language adds depth and complexity to the imagery, inviting us to explore the poem's meaning on a metaphorical level.
In the poem "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop, the author effectively uses sensory language to bring the events of the poem to life in the reader's mind. One example of sensory language is when Bishop describes the fish's skin as "speckled with barnacles" and "infested with tiny white sea-lice" (lines 8-9). Through these vivid descriptions, readers can visualize the rough texture of the fish's skin and imagine the tiny creatures crawling on its surface. This sensory imagery not only helps readers understand the physical appearance of the fish, but also adds to the overall atmosphere of the poem, creating a sense of realism and authenticity.
Additionally, the author employs figurative language to enhance readers' understanding of the poem and evoke imagery. One example of figurative language used in the poem is when Bishop compares the fish's eyes to "yellowed newspaper" (line 40). This simile helps readers picture the dull, aged appearance of the fish's eyes, emphasizing the idea of the fish's long journey and the wear and tear it has endured. By using this figurative language, Bishop effectively conveys the strength and resilience of the fish, as well as the passing of time.
Both sensory language and figurative language play crucial roles in helping readers understand the poem "The Fish" and visualize the events that unfold. However, personally, I find that sensory language better helps me picture what the author is saying in my mind. This is because sensory language appeals directly to our senses and brings the physical world to life. For instance, Bishop's descriptions of the fish's skin and the sea-lice make it easier for me to imagine the texture and movement of the fish. The sensory details enable me to form a clearer mental image of the scene and immerse myself in the poem's narrative.