Debate, and discuss, just dont Bore me.

This poem is another example of a mediocre poem screaming "boring" from a bourgeois writer that has nothing better to do with her golden life than to find minuscule faults to complain about.  Her use of the alleged transvestian actions of relatives screams of a homophobia that is not found in the better examples of poetry we see from people making true contributions to the art.

Not content to criticize her relatives - her biggest beef seems to be in their haves, not their have nots, she must condemn the very life style she lives since she knows no other.  Her use of the entry:

keep putting on the yachtsmen's caps
with exhibitionistic screech,

Shows the embarrassment over living a life she does not feel she has earned.  Much like how her poetry is receiving far too high a proportion of attention to its quality probably for the same reason.

Her incessant use of the "paper plate" term seem to be a feeble attempt to somehow normalize her boring life, but all it does is call attention to her bourgeois upbringing and lack of understanding to what real life is truly all about.

This is not an example of what poetry should be, but of what poetry should not be.  Unless you summer in Newport, and trace your lineage back to the Mayflower.


Comments
on Apr 08, 2007
OMG! I don't think I can use it in my paper, but it sure made my day!

I, personally, hate this poem. In fact, I haven't liked any of her poems. They're so... vague, pretentious, and boring. It's as though she is attempting to be great, but ends up just being nonsensical drivel. It's hard to read poems like Bishop's after reading Pope, Milton, or Wordsworth. I'm not a great poet or anything, but I can tell the difference between a good poem and a bad one.

Do you mind if I share your critique with a few classmates? They'll love it, I'm sure.
on Apr 08, 2007

Do you mind if I share your critique with a few classmates? They'll love it, I'm sure.

You may share it with any one.  It is part tongue in cheek, but also part true.  I agree - reading the greats and then this "paper plate" poem is night and day.

on Apr 08, 2007
It's hard to read poems like Bishop's after reading Pope, Milton, or Wordsworth.


Honestly, I know this is blasphemy, but I wasn't that big of a Milton fan. I could study him if forced to, but I just wasn't overwhelmed by much of the body of his work.
on Apr 08, 2007
Haha, it's not blasphemy Gid. I don't particularly care for Shakespeare half of the time, and I'm an English major! I was afraid they'd kick me out of the club. Fortunately for me, I had a "Chaucer: Because Shakespeare is too easy" kind of attitude that everyone appreciated, so they let me stay.

Of course, even if you never cared for Milton, you'd still love him in comparison to this woman, I'm sure.
on Apr 08, 2007
Of course, even if you never cared for Milton, you'd still love him in comparison to this woman, I'm sure.


From what I've read of her (in response to your article), yes. She seems to be the typical self important poet who travels the world as a deadbeat mooching off of others in the name of her "art" which is substandard drivel not worthy of entry on s***house walls! She may even be part Vogon!

Can you use THAT review for your paper?
on Apr 08, 2007
She may even be part Vogon!


A perfect reference! I agree, though, I don't think I should try to use it in my paper. I don't know why my professor finds her so fascinating! Of course, she's a "Feminist" critic, which I think translates "If a woman writes it, then it must be good and meaningful to women everywhere" Load of garbage, if you ask me.
on Apr 08, 2007
Of course, she's a "Feminist" critic, which I think translates "If a woman writes it, then it must be good and meaningful to women everywhere


But, see, it is that mentality that holds feminism back. If we accept that female writers should be held to a lower standard to be successful, isn't there an inherent implication of the inferiority of the gender?

The truth is there are many great female writers and poets, and your teacher appears to be celebrating a lifestyle she envies, not the substance of the work. And in doing so she is hurting, not helping, the cause of feminism.

That is my 2 cents. If ya ask me, you overpaid!
on Apr 08, 2007
I agree. I'm all for finding the great women writers of history that have been left out of the traditional cannon simply because they are women, but that doesn't mean adding crappy women writers just because they are women. And I think it's interesting to see how women are portrayed in the literatures of the past and of other cultures, but to force a feminist reading on every book and poem is going way too far.
on Apr 08, 2007
Now let's discuss how every single Emily Dickinson poem can be set to the tune of "Gilligan's Island".

You'll never read Ms. Dickinson the same. Ever.

(Gosh, aren't I evil?)
on Apr 08, 2007
Too late. I already sing everything to the tune of "Yellow Rose of Texas". You can also sing them to most hymns because that's the style she uses.
on Apr 09, 2007
Honestly, I know this is blasphemy, but I wasn't that big of a Milton fan


I like Milton ok. My Favorite is probably not to her Prof's liking tho - Poe.
on Apr 09, 2007
Of course, even if you never cared for Milton, you'd still love him in comparison to this woman, I'm sure.


Very true. I have found the poetry here at Ju by the likes of Dynamason, Buddah, and others to be better than Bishop's. Actually, some of the poetry here is very good, and a joy to read. Hers was a chore.
on Apr 09, 2007
From what I've read of her (in response to your article), yes. She seems to be the typical self important poet who travels the world as a deadbeat mooching off of others in the name of her "art" which is substandard drivel not worthy of entry on s***house walls! She may even be part Vogon!

Can you use THAT review for your paper?


I would! Just change the sensored words to more PC ones.   
on Apr 09, 2007
"If a woman writes it, then it must be good and meaningful to women everywhere" Load of garbage, if you ask me.


Maybe you could do a paper on some of Foreverserenity's stuff. It beats Bishops!
on Apr 09, 2007
I think I have to go purge my mind as the minnow would be tossed now keeps going through it! LOL