1. The Fish
Elizabeth Bishop

2. Close observation and detailed description of her poetic subject culminates in a moment of insight
Scrutiny of the fish leads her to a greater understanding of it and of human life
Even if you struggle you might escape and continue on

3. The poets use of precise adjectives, well-chosen verbs, unusual similes and striking metaphors result in her vivid and realistic portrayal of the fish
Sound effects (assonance and alliteration) add to the poems descriptive and musical qualities

4. First person narration gives it a sense of immediacy

5. Language is simple, direct and conversational
‘tremendous’ shows her sense of excitement, while the adjectives ‘battered and venerable and homely’ suggest her sympathy and admiration for the fish

6. The poets remarkable eye for detail and effective use of imagery enables her to produce a vivid verbal painting of the fish.
Simile: fish’s skin to ‘ancient wallpaper’ – comfortable familiarity
Assonance: “shapes like full-blown roses” suggests her sense of awe.

7. Also see less pleasant aspects of the fish “infested with…” and “the frightening gills”

8. Poet now imagines insides
More similes
As the poet looks in the fish’s eyes, we sense a development in the relationship between poet and fish.
Once again alliteration and assonance are used to good effect.

9. The poet’s respect for the fish is directly stated: “I admired his sullen jaw”.
The personification of the fish reminds us that, like the poet, he too is a character in this drama

10. Summarised, the poem is ordinary enough
Summarised, the poem is ordinary enough. What makes the poem extraordinary is the way the experience is related: the structure is shaped by the language of the poem.
Bishop’s images appeal to all the senses.

11. Uses rhetorical devices
Bishop adroitly uses other poetic devices to enrich the moment she writes about.
Uses rhetorical devices
He didn’t fight (…) and homely
Repetition of “rainbow, rainbow, rainbow” – of oil

12. The beauty of the fish and rainbow lie in having survived, and when the speaker realises this “victory…”

13. In conclusion, the poem obviously was not written by a professional fisher nor by a person to whom fishing is a favourite “sport”.
If it succeeds, it succeeds because of Elizabeth Bishop’s powerful use of language to convey a personal experience showing her special sensibility.