The Prodigal - Elizabeth Bishop

Question 1

About Bishop

Answer 1

1911 - 1979

American poet and short story writer

Question 2

synecdoche used to describe location

STANZA 1

Answer 2

“brown enormous odor”

emphasises the horrific living conditions

Question 3

sensuous images used to further highlight the horrificness of where the speaker is living
(STANZA 1)

Answer 3

floor is described as “rotten”

there is “glass-smooth dung” “plastered” on the sty (contrast between cleanliness of clean glass and filthiness of dung to emphasise the non-liveable conditions)

Question 4

quotes about the savageness of the pigs

STANZA 1

Answer 4

“eyes follow him” - suggests the speaker is like their prey - makes them appear brutal and aggressive

one of the pigs “ate her young” - indicates inhuman conditions that lead to starvation, animalistic savageness

Question 5

parenthesis that indicates speaker’s drinking habits

STANZA 1

Answer 5

“(he hid two pints behind the two-by-fours)” - it is secretive, shameful for him - indicates an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Question 6

quote about speaker’s reluctance to return home

STANZA 2

Answer 6

in spite of the conditions, he plans to “endure” it - suggests whatever is at home is less favourable than this

Question 7

first line that indicates a turning point

STANZA 2

Answer 7

“But” - suggests he is reconsidering his options

Question 8

allusion to nativity

STANZA 2

Answer 8

“first star’ - what led the wise men to Jesus, humanity’s saviour. suggests there is hope for the speaker.

Question 9

allusion to Noah

STANZA 2

Answer 9

describes the location as “safe and companionable as in the Ark”. Just as the Ark led Noah and his family to new land, a new place for civilisation, so too is the prodigal son’s self-exile a means to a new life

Question 10

repetition of line that indicates a turning point towards end of poem
(STANZA 2)

Answer 10

“But” the use of this once more further highlights the speaker’s contemplation about returning to his rightful home - it mentions that reaching this decision “took a long time” suggesting a fear about what may await him when he sees his family once more

Question 11

biblical references

Answer 11

oblique allusion to the parable of the prodigal son - poem places emphasis on the time before the son returns home and makes his decision to go home a harder one to reach. this suggests an attachment to his loose lifestyle, or the fear of judgement from his morally upstanding family.

also includes references two stories in the Bible that contain the theme of hope: the Nativity and the Flood.