Bishop's Inner Emotions in Poetry

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Approaching a topic as broad as loss can be a simple step; however, translating one's own attitude and perspective of the common experience can be a complex idea to communicate without a clear and organized transition between thoughts. Bishop's ability to craft this poem about such a variable and poignant concept with the lucidity and emphasis with which she does is evident in her unique use of language and structure.

The most obvious thread throughout Bishop's poem is her clever and rhythmical use of repetition. Her emphasis on the concept of loss as an art form and her perception of the experience as anything less than "disaster" represents her smooth way of communicating her opinions through the body while also presenting a straight forward (though repetitive) conclusion to redeem her position. Not only does her audible repetition encourage feelings of reassurance (a "mind over matter" sort of attitude), but it also hides a streak of denial that exposes the author and any reader who identifies as the vulnerable human being that he or she is.

Bishop's use of emphasis is clear i...

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