Ad English 11 Poetry project Devin young Date Due: Dec.13/05 Mr. Van Zoost

Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop How she lived * On the eighth day of February, 1911 William and Gertrude Bishop gave birth to Elizabeth their only child. *Gertrude became a single mother eight months later as her husband died of kidney disease. *Gertrude was committed to a mental hospital in 1916 after a number of nervous collapses.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued *After her mother was hospitalized Elizabeth moved in with her mothers parents who lived in Nova Scotia. *At the age of six she was taken back to Worcester, Massachusetts to live with her fathers parents. *In 1918 Elizabeth was taken by her aunt (mothers sister) Maud Bulmer Shepherdson to South Boston. Here she healed from the damage her fathers parents caused.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued Elizabeth lived in New York for one year after graduating from Vassar university. Elizabeth lived in New York for one year after graduating from Vassar university. She then intermittently live through out Europe for the following 3 years. When she returned to America in 1938 she purchased a house in Key West, Florida. She then intermittently live through out Europe for the following 3 years. When she returned to America in 1938 she purchased a house in Key West, Florida. In 1951 Elizabeth decide to travel south America,after being left behind she became ill and chose to stay. Elizabeth lived here for the next 18 years of her life. In 1951 Elizabeth decide to travel south America,after being left behind she became ill and chose to stay. Elizabeth lived here for the next 18 years of her life.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued In that time see confided in Lota de Macedo Soares and began a same sex relationship with her. In that time see confided in Lota de Macedo Soares and began a same sex relationship with her. * Both her and her lover were hospitalized after suffering form physical and psychological distress. Once she had recovered she moved back to New York with the hope Lota would join her when better. Lota did, but committed suicide in 1967 at the age of 57.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued In 1970 Bishop decided to teach at Harvard, and meet Alice Methfessel. Alice became Bishop’s girlfriend for the rest of her life. In 1970 Bishop decided to teach at Harvard, and meet Alice Methfessel. Alice became Bishop’s girlfriend for the rest of her life. On October 6 th, 1979 Bishop died in Boston, Massachusetts. On October 6 th, 1979 Bishop died in Boston, Massachusetts.

Elizabeth Bishop Her Books and Poems She is known for some of her most famous poems called: Roosters She is known for some of her most famous poems called: Roosters Sandpiper Sandpiper The Fish The Map The Man-Moth And other greats

Elizabeth Bishop Continued Although Bishop had had poems placed in books. It wasn’t until 1946 that her first book was published, it was titled “North and South”. Although Bishop had had poems placed in books. It wasn’t until 1946 that her first book was published, it was titled “North and South”. In 1954 her second book was published, including some of the poems from her previous title. Her second title was “A Cold Spring” In 1954 her second book was published, including some of the poems from her previous title. Her second title was “A Cold Spring” Her third book was published in 1965, titled “Question of Travel”. Her third book was published in 1965, titled “Question of Travel”.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued “Complete Poems” was published in 1969 and entailed all the poems from her pervious books and a couple new poems. “Complete Poems” was published in 1969 and entailed all the poems from her pervious books and a couple new poems. When 1977 rolled around Bishop decide to write another book to be titled “Grandmothers Glass Eye”. This was suppose to be a book long poem, elegy. But turned out to be four new poems. The Book was never published although the poems have been included in the book titled “The Complete Poems”. When 1977 rolled around Bishop decide to write another book to be titled “Grandmothers Glass Eye”. This was suppose to be a book long poem, elegy. But turned out to be four new poems. The Book was never published although the poems have been included in the book titled “The Complete Poems”.

Elizabeth Bishop Caught vs. My Poem Caught -- the bubble in the spirit level, a creature divided; and the compass needle wobbling and wavering, undecided. Freed -- the broken thermometer's mercury running away; and the rainbow-bird from the narrow bevel of the empty mirror, flying wherever it feels like, gay! Caught -- the bubble in the spirit level, a creature divided; and the compass needle wobbling and wavering, undecided. Freed -- the broken thermometer's mercury running away; and the rainbow-bird from the narrow bevel of the empty mirror, flying wherever it feels like, gay! The feeling of loosing-- The cruel steel of a chainsaw's merciless blade, bringing an archaic oak to the forest floor. The defeat of fate versus man. The searing emotion of failure. The everlasting ambiguity of what may have been. The feeling from winning-- Like the following of Summer after Spring the inevitable summation of your efforts Outlived by the imperishable sensation of glory,

Elizabeth Bishop Continued This was my favorite out of the four poems we had to chose from, and that was the main reason that I chose to imitate it. I think that is the same because the fact that it’s written like a definition like Bishops. I also tried to keep it the same meter, but I don’t think that worked out to well for me. This was my favorite out of the four poems we had to chose from, and that was the main reason that I chose to imitate it. I think that is the same because the fact that it’s written like a definition like Bishops. I also tried to keep it the same meter, but I don’t think that worked out to well for me.

Elizabeth Bishop Response Both of your parents die by the time you are finished high school, you have been tossed around the family so many times that when you don’t even know who to trust. Sound like I’m talking about a child in Canada’s foster care? Both of your parents die by the time you are finished high school, you have been tossed around the family so many times that when you don’t even know who to trust. Sound like I’m talking about a child in Canada’s foster care? Elizabeth Bishop has over come some of the most insurmountable obstacles in the 68 years of her life. And doing it in the way she wanted to. After university traveling all over the world, searching for her true calling. This is something that I dream of doing, but am soo scared of loosing control, loosing everything. Is the risk worth the reward? Not only “just” going out, facing those fears, but to come out of the closet in those times, that’s amazing. I can not even imagine what she went through being a gay female writer in the 1920’s to 1970’s. Elizabeth Bishop has over come some of the most insurmountable obstacles in the 68 years of her life. And doing it in the way she wanted to. After university traveling all over the world, searching for her true calling. This is something that I dream of doing, but am soo scared of loosing control, loosing everything. Is the risk worth the reward? Not only “just” going out, facing those fears, but to come out of the closet in those times, that’s amazing. I can not even imagine what she went through being a gay female writer in the 1920’s to 1970’s.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued Bishop’s poems are both intellectually challenging and amusing. Just letting yourself go, being engulfed by the passion of her writing, it’s overwhelming. I only wish that we as a reader could share the same time. Take the same time to read the poem as it took her to transfer her passions from her brain through to the paper. My personal favorite was the sonnet she wrote in 1979 titled “Caught” as it made me think the most to understand what she was trying to say. I even had to get one of my teachers to help me decipher it, but when we did I enjoyed it soo much, basically as I had never thought of writing a poem in such a manner. Bishop’s poems are both intellectually challenging and amusing. Just letting yourself go, being engulfed by the passion of her writing, it’s overwhelming. I only wish that we as a reader could share the same time. Take the same time to read the poem as it took her to transfer her passions from her brain through to the paper. My personal favorite was the sonnet she wrote in 1979 titled “Caught” as it made me think the most to understand what she was trying to say. I even had to get one of my teachers to help me decipher it, but when we did I enjoyed it soo much, basically as I had never thought of writing a poem in such a manner.

Elizabeth Bishop Continued Elizabeth had a very hard life, in my opinion, but made it worth living and had a wonderful time doing it. Both of your parents die by the time you are finished high school, you have been tossed around the family so many times that when you don’t even know who to trust. Could you deal with it? Elizabeth had a very hard life, in my opinion, but made it worth living and had a wonderful time doing it. Both of your parents die by the time you are finished high school, you have been tossed around the family so many times that when you don’t even know who to trust. Could you deal with it?

Elizabeth Bishop Bibliography Dale Parker,R.( date ?). About Elizabeth Bishop. Illinois :Phs Phi : Moder American Poetry. Retrived December 9, 2005 from the world wide web: f/bishop/about.htm Dale Parker,R.( date ?). About Elizabeth Bishop. Illinois :Phs Phi : Moder American Poetry. Retrived December 9, 2005 from the world wide web: f/bishop/about.htm