The Carnivalesque and the Grotesque in Elizabeth Bishop's Poetry
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University of New Orleans ScholarWorks@UNO University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations Dissertations and Theses 5-20-2011 The Carnivalesque and the Grotesque in Elizabeth Bishop's Poetry Renee Dombrowski University of New Orleans Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td Recommended Citation Dombrowski, Renee, "The Carnivalesque and the Grotesque in Elizabeth Bishop's Poetry" (2011). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1304. https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1304 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by ScholarWorks@UNO with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights- holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. 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The Carnivalesque and the Grotesque in Elizabeth Bishop’s Poetry A Thesis Master of Arts in English by Renee Dombrowski University of New Orleans May, 2011 Table of Contents Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iii Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1..............................................................................................................................3 Chapter 2............................................................................................................................12 Chapter 3............................................................................................................................20 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................39 Works Cited .......................................................................................................................41 Appendix............................................................................................................................43 Vita.....................................................................................................................................48 ii Abstract Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979) was a Pulitzer-prize winning American poet who did not produce much published work in her career. This was partly due to her low confidence, depression, alcoholism, and difficult personal life, but it was also due to her meticulousness as a poet. Colleagues and critics praised her strong description and mastery of technique, but criticized her early work as lacking depth. While appearing simple, her early works present complex themes of dualism and isolation. Using characteristics of the carnivalesque and the grotesque, her poetry explores these concepts and the need to cover them. This study’s close analysis of four works (“From the Country to the City,” “Cirque d’Hiver,” “Pink Dog,” and “The Man-Moth”) reveals characteristics of the carnivalesque and the grotesque, adding a previously unnoticed depth to her early work. Elizabeth Bishop, Grotesque, Carnivalesque, Poetry Analysis, American Poetry iii INTRODUCTION While their roots originate in ancient tradition, the carnivalesque and the grotesque are relatively recent terms to the literary lexicon. Although nuances exist in the terms’ respective meanings, in general, the carnivalesque presents the jovial, fantastical images associated with carnival. It celebrates indulgence and pleasure, and it momentarily suspends social rules. While the carnivalesque subverts the negative, the grotesque highlights it and combines comedy with tragedy, with emphasis on tragedy. It exaggerates the inappropriate, degrades objects and the body, and focuses on characters oftentimes “physically or spiritually deformed” (Harmon and Holman 257). While these genres are considered distinct, many of their characteristics overlap: exaggeration, images of the abnormal, emphasis on the body, degradation, and the merging of reality and fantasy. Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979) was a deeply conflicted poet whose life and works were shaped by her childhood experiences and relationships. She was a poet plagued by loss, low-self esteem, alcoholism, sickness, and depression. The carnivalesque and the grotesque permitted Bishop to explore the emotional ambiguity of these afflictions, including the reality and unreality of death and other personal tragedies. Some of her poems (notably “From the Country to the City,” “Cirque d’Hiver,” “Pink Dog,” and “The Man-Moth) reflect several characteristics of these genres. They serve as appropriate vehicles for Bishop’s themes, particularly the theme of the isolated and costumed self. Many studies of Bishop have explored her notion of the isolated self, but none has explored this theme as it relates to the carnivalesque and the grotesque. Bishop has been labeled a poet of great observation, but some critics believe her powers of observation to be her only strength as a writer, and criticize her work for lacking complexity and emotion. Several of her poems describe an object without directly offering an explanation of 1 its significance or implications; however, when read closely, these poems contain layers of meaning. For example, one of her most anthologized poems, “The Fish,” describes the colors and other features of a newly caught fish. Critics understand that the poem is not merely about the fish, but about the speaker’s change in her understanding of the creature. While “The Fish” is highly celebrated, many of Bishop’s early poems are not. Most critics praise her selection of unique subjects, but believe Bishop insufficiently develops themes or emotions. However, Bishop’s work does not lack emotion or complexity; the fact is that these attributes are generally sublimated within the density of her poetry. Bishop is not direct, but she is a master of subtlety. She allows the image of her observation to speak for itself. Although the language is simple and direct, her poems demonstrate considerable depth. Similarly, the images and characteristics of the carnivalesque and the grotesque are subtle, but revealing. The genres allow for ambiguity and multiple interpretations. Thus, analyzing Bishop’s work through the lens of these genres reveals a previously unnoticed depth to her early work. 2 CHAPTER 1: DEFINING THE CARNIVALESQUE AND THE GROTESQUE The terms “carnival” and “carnivalesque” are distinct but interrelated. Carnival originated in ancient times, but what began as a ritual evolved into a complex system of images and emotions known as “carnivalesque.” Any explanation of the term must begin with an explanation of carnival. While its precise origins may never be known, Mikhail Bakhtin traces its origin in the western world to ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval societies. Perhaps the earliest and most important carnival was the Roman festival of Saturnalia. During one week in December, Roman citizens rested from everyday life and indulged in eating, drinking, partying, and gift- giving. This celebration honored Saturn, the god of the harvest. In addition to a festival-like atmosphere, the social hierarchy was inverted during Saturnalia. Slaves enjoyed feasts hosted by their masters, while masters served their slaves. Work became secondary as pleasure took priority. These joyous celebrations of reversal could not exist without an opposite, “official” counterpart. Many religious festivals, political rites, and farming rituals were marked by a solemn, exclusive tradition. During these sacred festivals, certain citizens had the right to participate while others did not; therefore, there were participants and there were observers. Strict rules of conduct and procedure marked the celebration. From these official festivals emerged celebrations of a different, secular nature. A carnival-like atmosphere of laughter, games, and play in which everyone participated distinguished these ceremonies from their more reserved counterparts. In this way, these rituals “built a second world and a second life outside officialdom” (Bakhtin Rabelais 5-6). Carnival eventually developed into an anti-culture, one of inclusion rather than exclusion. David Danow explains that “in its most general sense, carnival celebrates…the unofficial, 3 uncanonized relations among human beings that nonetheless exist…alongside the official, openly recognized forms of human intercourse” (3). In essence, carnival celebrates the unsanctioned and all its associations, but it is only made possible through the existence of its official counterpart. This was achieved through parodies and mockery of images from officialdom; bright costumes and masks mimicked the official attire, the clown acted as head of the event, and the atmosphere of spectacle facilitated the participation of various personalities (Danow 4). The carnivalesque refers to a work of literature permeated by this spirit of play and reversal. It “provides a mirror of carnival” (Danow 4) that includes images like the clown, the mask, and the spectacle, but the term also includes the emotions and implications of carnival— the fantasy, the inclusion, the fun,