In the poem "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop, the author uses sensory language to evoke vivid images and engage the reader's senses. One example of sensory language is when Bishop describes the fish's skin as "brown skin hung in strips / like ancient wallpaper" (lines 7-8). This description not only appeals to the reader's sense of sight by providing a detailed visual image of the fish's skin, but it also creates a tactile sensation by suggesting the texture of wallpaper hanging in strips. This sensory language helps readers understand the poem by allowing them to imagine the physical appearance and feel of the fish, making the encounter with the fish more real and tangible in their minds.
In addition to sensory language, the author also employs figurative language to convey her ideas and enhance the reader's understanding of the poem. One example of figurative language is when Bishop uses a simile to compare the fish's eyes to "ancient underwater hells" (line 65). By likening the fish's eyes to hells, Bishop is able to communicate the captivating and mysterious nature of the fish, as well as suggest the depths and darkness of the underwater world. This figurative language helps readers picture the events in their minds by evoking the imagery of an eerie and unknown realm, heightening the reader's sense of awe and curiosity about the fish.
Personally, both sensory and figurative language contribute to my understanding and visualization of the poem. However, if I had to choose one, I would say that sensory language has a stronger impact on my ability to picture what the author is saying in my mind. For example, Bishop's use of sensory language when she describes the fish's skin as "brown skin hung in strips / like ancient wallpaper" immediately conjures a clear image in my mind of the fish's appearance. This explicit sensory description allows me to perceive the fish in a detailed and concrete way, making it easier for me to fully grasp the events of the poem and engage with the author's depiction of the fish.
The poem "The Fish" by Elizabeth bishop then answer the question below using specific examples from the story as support:
Where in the poem does the author use sensory language (language that appeals to a reader's senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste)? Provide an example from the poem and explain how this example helps readers understand the poem and/or picture the events in their minds.
Where in the poem does the author use figurative language (language that is not literally true but expresses an idea through devices such as a simile, metaphor, personification, or hyperbole)? identify the type of figurative language you see and provide at least one example from the poem. explain how this example helps readers understand the poem and/or picture the events in their minds.
Which type of language best helps YOU picture what the author is saying in your mind- sensory language or figurative language? explain why and provide an example from the poem that helped you understand the poem and/ or picture the events in your mind as you read.
Your answer should be TWO paragraphs long. Be sure to answer ALL of the prompt questions and use SPECIFIC examples from the story as support for your answers. read through your work BEFORE you submit it to make sure you have used correct spelling punctuation, and capitalization, and grammar.
3 answers
can you give another example of this
Certainly! Another example of sensory language in "The Fish" is when Bishop describes the fish's gills as "furred with strands of algae" (line 41). This description appeals to the reader's sense of touch and sight. It allows readers to imagine the texture of the fish's gills, with strands of algae clinging to them. This sensory detail helps readers understand the poem by providing a vivid and specific image of the fish's physical attributes, allowing them to better visualize the fish and enhance their overall understanding of the poem.
Additionally, another example of figurative language in the poem is when Bishop uses personification to describe the fish's skin as "varnish with a seasoned look" (line 37). Personification is a type of figurative language that gives human qualities to non-human objects or entities. By personifying the fish's skin as having a "seasoned look," Bishop imbues the fish with a sense of wisdom or experience, as if the fish has endured many years and seen much in its life. This figurative language helps readers understand the poem by adding depth and character to the fish, allowing them to connect with the fish on a more emotional level and further engage with the events of the poem.
Additionally, another example of figurative language in the poem is when Bishop uses personification to describe the fish's skin as "varnish with a seasoned look" (line 37). Personification is a type of figurative language that gives human qualities to non-human objects or entities. By personifying the fish's skin as having a "seasoned look," Bishop imbues the fish with a sense of wisdom or experience, as if the fish has endured many years and seen much in its life. This figurative language helps readers understand the poem by adding depth and character to the fish, allowing them to connect with the fish on a more emotional level and further engage with the events of the poem.