4. “One Art” Flashcards
by Elizabeth Bishop
Q(1) Map out the progression of loss that Bishop depicts in her poem? In other words, what does she start off with? How does it build?
In the beginning, she says it’s not hard to lose things and encourages people to lose. The tone is casual. It starts by focusing on small things and then moves on to bigger things that you can lose, such as items, memories, and future plans. Eventually, the speaker realizes that she does miss them, which seems like a break in character, but quickly goes back to the idea that losing isn’t a big deal.
Q(2) What is the switch in language in the final stanza that makes us rethink her stance on loss? What does this force the reader to think about? (Specific switch)
: “not too hard to master”
this could be viewed as a coping mechanism that speaks to how much she is actually struggling with loss. She shows us that she is trying to hold it together, but she is not fully getting over it.
Q(3) What is she mimicking(struggling with) in the poem?
give some examples (specific moments, not a quote)
Someone who is struggling with GRIEF.
She insist losing is not hard to master. She starts to bring up some bigger, questionable items to lose like places/people. But she does recognize the pain of losing.
Theme
Grief and loss is a process that requires work and reminders. It is not something that is actually easy to master.
