Elizabeth Bishop poetry

Question 1

One Art

The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Answer 1

Interesting power dynamic: insistence on ‘mastery’ whilst also admitting one’s own lack of control (as things are ‘filled with the intent’ which she does not control)

Question 2

One Art

‘I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster.’

Answer 2

Assertion of self-mastery, but equally limitation by emotions?

Question 3

One Art

‘—Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan’t have lied. It’s evident
the art of losing’s not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.’

Answer 3

Importance of narrative control - she is making the reader aware that she is weaving a tale and not necessarily telling the truth (‘write it!’) - emotion vs autonomy; power dynamic control