Bishop's Poetry Map

The poetry of Elizabeth Bishop is closely related to maps.Maps refer to the mode of description which is foreshadowed in the poem called “The Map”.In the meanwhile,maps have become the symbol of Bishop's poetry style.This description includes two aspects: one is to structure the whole poem with the descriptive devices embodied in the poem of “The Map”;the other is to depict the sight of the journey or the geographical landscape in the poem.In addition,the geographical landscape is also associated with Bishop's experience and her inner perception.Moreover,the poetic map is a collection of poems in this style,which is Bishop's way of portraying the world.The “map-like” features of Bishop's poetry consist of rich geographical landscape,constant readjustment of viewing angles,agile imagination and dreaminess,calm and restrained emotional expression,and the painstaking accuracy in the detail description.The reason why Bishop drew the poetry map is related to her travel experience,wandering state of mind,strong geographic awareness and inner loneliness.Furthermore,Bishop's modest and guarded personality,her appeal for spiritual shelter,and the poetic techniques that she learned from Marianne Moore are important factors to promote the formation of the “map-like” features of her poetry.