Analysis Of Elizabeth Bishop's 'First Death In Nova Scotia'
Rationale
The written task is linked to part four of the course, Literature: Critical Study. I decided to write a memoir from Elizabeth Bishop's perspective, referring back to her first experience with death. The memoir is based upon details from her autobiographical poem "First Death in Nova Scotia”. In this poem, Bishop reflects the innocence and confusion of children about death. She imagines her young cousin, as a white doll, waiting to be painted. In this task however, I will explore how mature Bishop remembers all of the details of the event.
This task intends to explore further details and aspects of the poem. It will enable me to explore a potential link between Bishop and her mother. I felt that the context and details given by Bishop …show more content…
She only spoke when it was absolutely necessary. Saying "no" with a low voice hiding itself, when asked if she would have sugar with her tea. Grandmother had lied, her description of mother to me was different. The woman I had heard about was from a different world. I recall her always saying "Your parents are the happiest, most cheerful couple. You are lucky to have a mother who looks at the world from an optimistic point of view." At that time I did not comprehend why grandmother would burst into tears and I did not fully understand what the word optimistic mean. However, I was most certain that grandmother's words did not meet the reality of how mother was.
The next day, the winter snow, had completely engulfed Nova Scotia. It was under a blanket of silence, as if the town inhabitants were gone. The Northern Cardinal that sings each morning was unheard that day. I remember grandmother mentioning someone's departure that today. " You have to dress elegantly today Elizabeth. Your cousin Arthur is leaving and I wouldn't want of him to think that you haven't grown up. It might be the last time you see each ot-". "Don't say it granny!" I cried. "Me and Arthur we have plans for future. He promised me. Arthur doesn’t break promises, I know …show more content…
It was hard for me to comprehend why Arthur was silent. I placed the lily slowly and carefully next to him while he slept. My warm hand stroked his chubby cheek and the coldness quickly overwhelmed me. The winter had just begun and Arthur had no protection, he was naked in a blizzard and remained icebound in that tiny frozen box. The buttons of his clothes were tightly secured, and he didn't complain. My view switched to mother and I observed how watery her eyes had become. I snapped back, once more staring at Arthur, and realised that he would never complain
The written task is linked to part four of the course, Literature: Critical Study. I decided to write a memoir from Elizabeth Bishop's perspective, referring back to her first experience with death. The memoir is based upon details from her autobiographical poem "First Death in Nova Scotia”. In this poem, Bishop reflects the innocence and confusion of children about death. She imagines her young cousin, as a white doll, waiting to be painted. In this task however, I will explore how mature Bishop remembers all of the details of the event.
This task intends to explore further details and aspects of the poem. It will enable me to explore a potential link between Bishop and her mother. I felt that the context and details given by Bishop …show more content…
She only spoke when it was absolutely necessary. Saying "no" with a low voice hiding itself, when asked if she would have sugar with her tea. Grandmother had lied, her description of mother to me was different. The woman I had heard about was from a different world. I recall her always saying "Your parents are the happiest, most cheerful couple. You are lucky to have a mother who looks at the world from an optimistic point of view." At that time I did not comprehend why grandmother would burst into tears and I did not fully understand what the word optimistic mean. However, I was most certain that grandmother's words did not meet the reality of how mother was.
The next day, the winter snow, had completely engulfed Nova Scotia. It was under a blanket of silence, as if the town inhabitants were gone. The Northern Cardinal that sings each morning was unheard that day. I remember grandmother mentioning someone's departure that today. " You have to dress elegantly today Elizabeth. Your cousin Arthur is leaving and I wouldn't want of him to think that you haven't grown up. It might be the last time you see each ot-". "Don't say it granny!" I cried. "Me and Arthur we have plans for future. He promised me. Arthur doesn’t break promises, I know …show more content…
It was hard for me to comprehend why Arthur was silent. I placed the lily slowly and carefully next to him while he slept. My warm hand stroked his chubby cheek and the coldness quickly overwhelmed me. The winter had just begun and Arthur had no protection, he was naked in a blizzard and remained icebound in that tiny frozen box. The buttons of his clothes were tightly secured, and he didn't complain. My view switched to mother and I observed how watery her eyes had become. I snapped back, once more staring at Arthur, and realised that he would never complain