1. Elizabeth Bishop – Fish Date
Objectives:
Introduce and annotate the poem
Explore the theme of Surviving difficulty.

2. Elizabeth Bishop – Fish Date
Warm-up
Describe any animal in as much detail as possible. Use at least one metaphor, simile and instance of personification (acts like a human).

3. Context before reading poem (read)
The poet liked fishing.
She wrote another poem (North and South) about fish that was so popular, she was asked to write a second.

4. Let’s read Fish

5. Note this down:
Lines 1- 21
The narrator caught a huge fish and is surprised that it puts up no struggle.
She describes the fish, that it has suffered, deserves respect and is ordinary looking.
The fish has been through a lot.
An elderly person you don’t know – why should you show respect to them?

6. Note this down:
Lines 22-33
The narrator notes the blood red gills and the fish’s panic at not being able to breathe.
Lots of floral imagery in the poem – A peony is like a rose.
The poet is imagining quite a lot here? Why do you think she is comparing the fishes skin and huts to flowers?

7. Note this down:
Lines
Bishop begins to emphasise with the fish while realising the fish does not see her the same way.
They have different eyes. They see differently. It does not follow her eyes but looks at the light.
Up until now, she has being associating this fish with flowers. Do we feel guilty picking flowers?

8. Note this down: Lines 45-64 Now she gives human qualities to the fish.
He has been caught five times before; the hooks in it’s mouth like a soldiers medals.
The fish was once strong and mighty.
Can we bring this back to the poet? What other figures in her life were once ‘strong and mighty’ but not anymore.

9. Note this down:
Lines 65-76
The poet experiences a moment of wonder and marvel, expressed in color.
The fish deserves another chance. He is a survivor and has been through tough times.

10. Note this down: Techniques Simile, metaphor, personification.
Sounds – alliteration, assonance, sibilance (s words)

11. Questions on back of page
Complete questions for homework.
Cooldown - finish the following sentences.
I think......
I know
I want to know