The Filling Station Quotes Explained Flashcards
Quote and explain the opening line
“Oh, but it is dirty!”
It is a sudden and immediate opening line.
It gives us a strong sense of place and establishes the title
the station is covered in oil (masculine)
oil-soaked, oil-permeated
the speaker describes what seems to be the father
Father wears a dirty, oil-soaked monkey suit that cuts him under the arms
the speaker describes the sons, indicating they are exchanging banter and wit and slightly inappropriate conversation (masculine)
quick and saucy and greasy sons
the poet wonders if these characters live in the station
Do they live in the station?
the speaker describes a dog on the couch
dirty dog, quite comfy
the speaker notices a doily
big dim doily, draping a taboret
quote the plant present in station
‘a big hirsute begonia’
the poet questions why these “feminine” things are present in such a “masculine” environment / out of place in the oil-soaked filling station
Why the extraneous plant?
Why the taboret?
Why, oh why, the doily?
the poet realises someone took the time to beautify the station and cares for the other inhabitants
‘Somebody embroidered the doily
Somebody waters the plant’
‘somebody arranges the rows of cans so that they softly say ESSO-SO-SO-SO’
Explain the quote ‘Somebody loves us all’ in terms of the poet
The poet comes to a realisation at the end
she realises if love can exist in a place like this, then love must be possible everywhere and in everyone.
Quote and explain the line when they realise a woman’s hand
‘Some comic books provide the only note of colour- a big dim doily draping a taboret, beside a big hirsute begonia ’
This shows that someone is trying/attempting to create beauty, order and domesticity in spite of the dirt that surrounds them.
Bishop believes that there must be an unseen hand responsible for these incongruous (out of place) and dainty touches.
Bishop realises the loving touches passed the dirt and grime
Explain the quote:
‘Why the extraneous plant?
Why the taboret?
Why, oh why, the doily?’
Bishop asks a number of questions as she probes beneath the surface of what she sees.
She wonders why somebody makes an attempt to make the place beautiful when it’s all going to get dirty anyway.
Bishop realises that ‘somebody’ is trying to make a more ordered life for themselves.
In the midst of dirt and untidiness, ‘somebody’ tries to create order and beauty.
Each question drags us in more.
List the quote of questions
‘Why the extraneous plant?
Why the taboret?
Why, oh why, the doily?’
Explain the final line, ‘somebody loves us all’
She ends the poem with a powerful proverb – that in spite of our failings ‘somebody loves us all’. For the reader and for Bishop this is a comforting thought. Even the dirty, greasy filling station can reveal this truth or insight to us.
