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Imagery and diction are the cornerstone methods implemented by Bishop in the symbolic nature of this poem. The title of the poem itself dictates the simplicity Bishop wishes to convey regarding the narrator’s view of his catch. A fish is a creature that has preceded the creation of man on this planet. Therefore, Bishop supplies the reader with a subject that is essentially constant and eternal, like life itself. In further examination of this idea the narrator is, in relation to the fish, very young, which helps introduce the theme of deceptive appearances in conjunction with age by building off the notion that youth is ignorant and quick to judge. Bishop’s initial description of the fish is meant to further develop this theme by presenting the reader with a fish that is "battered," "venerable," and "homely." Bishop compares the fish to “ancient wallpaper.” Even without the word ancient preceding it, the general conception of wallpaper is something that fades into the background. One is not supposed to take much notice of it. To add to this impartial picture, the fish is brown, the signature color of dullness. “Shapes like full-blown roses stained and lost through age” (lines 14-15) further cement the image of something with little time left. Fully bloomed roses conjure the image of a flower whose petals are at the stage of falling off. This image is not even afforded the color and vibrancy usually associated with flowers. Instead, Bishop uses the words “stained” and “lost” which imply an absence of color. She even names the culprit in line 15 with the phrase, “lost through age.” With this phrase it is made clear that the fisherman associates vivaciousness with youth. Through Bishop’s imagery, the fish is portrayed as something archaic. This serves to create a distance between the narrator and the subject as it stresses the gap between youth and age. The second half of the poem is marked by a bridge in this gap as the narrator engages in a more empirical study of the fish, thus heightening the sense of epiphany that the narrator reaches by the end of the poem. This idea is supported by the frequented use of self-address implemented in the second half. The speaker becomes more involved. “I thought,” “I looked,” “I admired,” all produce a more active role on the part of the fisherman. The turning point in the poem that triggers this alteration is when the narrator realizes that the fish is, in fact, still alive. “While his gills were breathing” (line 22) is the first action given to the fish and the first time he is addressed as a living thing. Prior to this moment in the poem, movement had never been addressed. This triggering point changes the focus of the observation from the fish’s characterization as a simple creature to a focus on his inner self, a portrayal that gives the fish meaning as one of God’s creations with valuable life. The change in focus illustrates the need to look below the surface to gain an accurate and complete picture. Bishop commemorates this progress with the addition of color, dimension, and life. These three additives had been missing in the previous description. Suddenly the gills are “crisp,” the flesh is “coarse.” These words have more substance and vitality. This focus is proof that the narrator is in the process of realizing that while the fish may appear old on the outside, he is still alive on the inside. The previous language of the poem, such as line 10, “his brown skin hung in strips” now stresses a more active tone as is evident in lines 30-31, “the dramatic reds and blacks of his shiny entrails.” Bishop then turns her attention to the other life pulses of the fish such as the eyes and mouth. She described the fish’s stare “like the tipping of an object towards the light;” this very astute observation shows the reader that the narrator is thinking deeply about the fish, and there is a connection made on the part of the fisherman. The size of the gap between the narrator and the fish is decreasing and the realization of the fish’s life is coming into focus. The lip "if you could call it a lip" is the next part observed. It is described as "grim," "wet," and "weapon-like," giving the reader an impression of a weathered veteran of the sea, which challenges the portrayal of the submissive victim he was made out to be in the beginning of the poem. As the fisherman explains the hooks and lines caught in the fish’s lip, the reader learns that the lip has grown around the hooks, thus becoming part of the fish. This is symbolic of the manner in which life experiences change and strengthen the person, or in this case, the fish (a tie that brings all creatures together). These appendages hang “like medals with their ribbons frayed and wavering,” creating the image of a hero winning many battles. This simile creates another level of respect for the fish on the part of the narrator, and following the simile is a metaphor that emphasizes the narrator’s ensuing admiration for the fish. The fish is now considered "wise" with his “five-haired beard of wisdom trailing behind his aching jaw;” where as before he was simply a floating entity for sea-lice to feast upon and the fisherman to catch. Having broken through the initial theme of deceptive appearances, and bridged the gap originally created between the narrator and the fish, the narrator now adopts a new perspective. This perspective is made apparent when the speaker addresses his boat as it symbolizes his ability to expand and take in all of his surroundings. This "rented boat" "leaking oil" from its "rusted engine" created a rainbow so beautiful that the fisherman became overwhelmed and released the fish. Here, the boat can be compared to the fish, in it’s initial imperfection, then to its final magnificence. The descriptive words allow the reader to again visualize the moment vividly through the eyes of the narrator. Bishop does an outstanding job in describing every moment in the narrator’s growing relationship with the fish. She creates, first, an image of the fish as a helpless captive and the reader is allowed to feel sorry for the fish and even pity his situation as the narrator does. The narrator’s relationship with the fish then grows to one of personal regard as he engages in further study and is able to look past his initial observation. The parting image of the rainbow offers a perfect way to drive home the process of aging as a dignified and even celebratory act. Not only is it a very optimistic image of color and gaiety, but the rainbow is traditionally paired with the concept of treasure once the end of it is reached. When applied to the intended message of the poem, it may be interpreted that Bishop is implying that nearing the end of one’s life is like nearing the end of the rainbow and accepting a reward for a life well lived. Bibliography: Word Count: 1246
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