Loss In "One Art" by Elizabeth Bishop

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One Art by Elizabeth Bishop is a poem that explores loss in comparison to an art; however, this art is not one to be envied or sought after to succeed at. Everyone has experienced loss as the art of losing is presented as inevitably simple to master. The speaker’s attitude toward loss becomes gradually more serious as the poem progresses. Keys, having virtually no reason for emotional attachment, are mentioned in line 5 with a tone of acceptance that, “Yes, it is okay to lose keys.” Although vital to the penetration of a lock, keys are such a generic object that they can be easily replaced and, aside from the inability to open that door, will not be missed for long. Lines 2 and 3 state that “so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster.” These items with “the intent to be lost” are items such as keys and pens that when misplaced, don’t deliver an emotional blow or greatly impact the person who lost them. Bishop uses the repetition of the line “The art of losing isn’t hard to master” to emphasize and even explain away the speaker’s reason...

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