|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Argument" by Elizabeth Bishop is a reflective exploration of the emotional distances and temporal barriers that complicate human connections. Through her contemplative verses, Bishop grapples with the themes of longing, separation, and the internal debates that ensue when faced with the absence of a loved one. The poem delves into the philosophical and existential arguments between the self and the insurmountable concepts of "Days" and "Distance," personifying these elements as adversaries in a dialogue about love, loss, and the desire for closeness. The opening lines, "Days that cannot bring you near / or will not," immediately introduce the tension between the inevitability of time and the willful nature of distance. This tension is not just a matter of physical separation but also a reflection on how time itself can be an obstacle to connection, either by circumstance or by the deliberate action (or inaction) of the individuals involved. Bishop's use of "Distance trying to appear / something more obstinate," personifies distance as a force actively working to maintain separation, making it not just a physical space but a manifestation of emotional or relational barriers. The poet's invocation to "argue argue argue with me / endlessly" suggests a relentless pursuit of resolution or understanding in the face of these obstacles, highlighting the human tendency to engage in internal dialogues or conflicts when grappling with feelings of longing and separation. The assertion that neither argument proves the other "less wanted nor less dear" emphasizes the unchanging nature of the speaker's affection and desire, regardless of the logical outcomes of such debates. Bishop's imagery of the land beneath the plane and the coastline stretching "indistinguishably all the way" serves as a metaphor for the vast and often indiscernible emotional distances that separate individuals. This imagery not only conveys the physical vastness that can exist between people but also suggests a psychological or emotional expanse that is difficult to navigate or comprehend fully. The reference to "cluttered instruments, / one to a fact, canceling each other's experience" metaphorically speaks to the complexities and contradictions of trying to rationalize feelings or relationships through logical means. This line critiques the inadequacy of reason or empirical evidence in fully capturing or addressing the nuances of human emotion and connection, likening such attempts to a "hideous calendar" from "Never & Forever, Inc.," which ironically suggests the timelessness and persistence of these emotional debates. The poem concludes with a hopeful defiance against the "intimidating sound / of these voices" that represent the challenges posed by Days and Distance. The speaker's determination that these voices "can and shall be vanquished" reflects a resolve to overcome the temporal and spatial separations that disrupt human connections. The final lines, "Days and Distance disarrayed again / and gone," suggest a moment of triumph or resolution, where the barriers of time and space are momentarily dismantled, allowing for a sense of closeness or unity to prevail, even if such moments are fleeting. "Argument" is a poignant meditation on the complexities of longing and the human struggle to bridge the divides that separate us from those we love. Through her elegant and thoughtful verse, Elizabeth Bishop captures the universal experience of wrestling with the concepts of time and distance, reminding readers of the enduring power of love and the persistent human endeavor to connect across divides. POEM TEXT: https://mypoeticside.com/show-classic-poem-2926
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEBUCHADNEZZAR: OR EATING GRASS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: DOW BRITT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS EROS (1) by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE FLYING DUTCHMAN by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON EVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA by OSCAR WILDE |
| |