Elizabeth Bishop’s poem ‘In the Waiting Room’ is a powerful exploration of the experience of childhood and the process of growing up. In this article, we will provide a summary of the poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language, and considering what it has to say about the human condition. From the vivid descriptions of the waiting room to the narrator’s reflections on her own identity and the world around her, this poem is a rich and complex work that rewards careful reading and reflection. Whether you are a fan of Bishop’s poetry or simply interested in exploring the themes of childhood and identity, this article is sure to provide a valuable insight into one of her most celebrated works.
The Setting of “In the Waiting Room”
The setting of Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” is a dentist’s office in Worcester, Massachusetts. The poem begins with the speaker, a young Elizabeth Bishop, sitting in the waiting room with her aunt. As she waits for her aunt’s appointment to finish, she becomes increasingly aware of her surroundings. The waiting room is described as “a cold, gray room” with “a big black piano” and “a magazine with a color cover.” The speaker also notices the other people in the waiting room, including a boy with a “big, black, naked-looking” foot and a woman with a “red, wrong-looking face.” The setting of the waiting room serves as a backdrop for the speaker’s realization of her own identity and her place in the world.
The Speaker’s Experience in the Waiting Room
The speaker’s experience in the waiting room is a crucial aspect of Elizabeth Bishop’s poem. As a young girl, the speaker finds herself in a dentist’s waiting room, surrounded by strangers and feeling acutely aware of her own identity. She begins to observe the people around her, noticing their physical differences and wondering about their lives. This experience is a turning point for the speaker, as she realizes that she is not alone in the world and that there are countless other people with their own stories and struggles. The waiting room becomes a metaphor for the larger world, where we are all waiting for something and trying to make sense of our place in it. Through the speaker’s observations and reflections, Bishop invites us to consider our own experiences of waiting and the ways in which they shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
The Speaker’s Reflections on Identity
In Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room,” the speaker reflects on the concept of identity and how it is shaped by external factors. The speaker, a young girl waiting in a dentist’s office, becomes acutely aware of her own identity as she observes the people around her and reflects on her own experiences. She realizes that her identity is not just a product of her own thoughts and feelings, but is also influenced by her family, her culture, and the world around her. This realization leads her to question the nature of identity and the role that external factors play in shaping it. Through her reflections, the speaker invites readers to consider their own identities and the ways in which they are shaped by the world around them.
Imagery and Symbolism in “In the Waiting Room”
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” is rich in imagery and symbolism, which contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the poem. The poem is set in a waiting room, where the speaker, a young girl, is waiting for her aunt to finish her appointment. As she waits, she becomes acutely aware of her own body and the world around her, and begins to question her own identity and place in the world. The imagery and symbolism in the poem help to convey these themes and emotions in a powerful and evocative way.
The Role of Time in the Poem
The role of time in Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” is significant as it highlights the speaker’s realization of her own mortality and the passing of time. The poem is set in a waiting room where the speaker, a young girl, is waiting for her aunt to finish her dental appointment. As she waits, she becomes engrossed in a National Geographic magazine and begins to reflect on her own identity and the world around her.
Throughout the poem, time is portrayed as both fleeting and eternal. The speaker’s thoughts and observations are interrupted by the ticking of the clock, which serves as a reminder of the passing of time. However, the images in the National Geographic magazine, such as the ancient Egyptian mummy, suggest a sense of timelessness and the continuity of human existence.
The speaker’s realization of her own mortality is also linked to the passage of time. She becomes aware of her own physical body and the fact that she will one day grow old and die. This realization is heightened by the image of the “black, naked women with necks / wound round and round with wire” in the magazine, which serves as a reminder of the fragility of the human body.
Overall, the role of time in “In the Waiting Room” is significant as it highlights the speaker’s growing awareness of her own mortality and the passing of time. The poem suggests that time is both fleeting and eternal, and that our own mortality is a reminder of the continuity of human existence.
The Significance of the Magazine National Geographic
National Geographic magazine has been a staple in the world of exploration and discovery for over a century. Founded in 1888, the magazine has been dedicated to showcasing the wonders of the world through stunning photography and in-depth reporting. Its pages have featured everything from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space, and its impact on the world of science and exploration cannot be overstated. For many readers, National Geographic has been a window into the world, inspiring a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world and the people who inhabit it. In the context of Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room,” the significance of National Geographic lies in its ability to transport readers to far-off places and to provide a sense of connection to the wider world. Through the magazine, Bishop’s young narrator is able to imagine herself as part of a larger global community, and to see herself as a participant in the ongoing story of human history. In this way, National Geographic serves as a powerful symbol of the human desire for exploration and discovery, and of the ways in which our imaginations can help us to transcend the boundaries of time and space.
The Theme of Innocence and Growing Up
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” explores the theme of innocence and growing up through the eyes of a young girl. The speaker, who is also the protagonist, is a seven-year-old girl who is waiting in a dentist’s office. As she waits, she becomes increasingly aware of her own body and the world around her. She notices the magazines in the waiting room, the adults around her, and the pictures in a National Geographic magazine.
The poem is a coming-of-age story that shows the protagonist’s journey from innocence to awareness. At the beginning of the poem, the girl is innocent and unaware of the world around her. She is lost in her own thoughts and daydreams. However, as she looks at the pictures in the National Geographic magazine, she becomes aware of the world outside of her own. She sees pictures of naked women and realizes that she too has a body. This realization marks the beginning of her journey towards adulthood.
The theme of innocence and growing up is also evident in the language and imagery used in the poem. The language is simple and childlike at the beginning of the poem, but becomes more complex and mature as the protagonist becomes more aware of the world around her. The imagery also changes from innocent and childlike to more mature and adult-like. For example, the protagonist describes the adults in the waiting room as “strangers” and “grown-ups,” which shows her growing awareness of the world around her.
Overall, “In the Waiting Room” is a powerful exploration of the theme of innocence and growing up. Through the eyes of a young girl, Elizabeth Bishop shows us the journey from innocence to awareness and the challenges that come with it. The poem is a reminder that growing up is not always easy, but it is a necessary part of life.
The Connection Between the Speaker and Aunt Consuelo
The speaker in Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” is a young girl who is waiting for her aunt in a dentist’s office. The connection between the speaker and her aunt, Consuelo, is not explicitly stated in the poem, but it is implied that they have a close relationship. The speaker describes her aunt as “my mother’s elder sister” and notes that she is “very dear to me.” This suggests that the speaker has a strong bond with her aunt and values her presence in her life. Additionally, the fact that the speaker is waiting for her aunt in a dentist’s office suggests that Consuelo may be responsible for the speaker’s dental care or may have accompanied her to the appointment. Overall, the connection between the speaker and Aunt Consuelo adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the importance of family relationships and the role they play in shaping our experiences and perceptions of the world.
The Importance of the Speaker’s Physical Surroundings
The physical surroundings of a speaker can greatly impact the tone and message of a poem. In Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room,” the speaker’s surroundings play a crucial role in shaping her understanding of the world around her. The waiting room, with its “National Geographic” magazines and “a big black piano,” serves as a microcosm of the larger world outside. The speaker’s observations of the people around her, their clothing and behavior, and the objects in the room all contribute to her growing awareness of her own identity and place in the world. Without the specific physical surroundings of the waiting room, the poem would lose much of its power and meaning.
The Use of Repetition in “In the Waiting Room”
One of the most striking features of Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room” is the use of repetition throughout the poem. From the opening lines, Bishop repeats the phrase “What happened next” three times, creating a sense of anticipation and setting the stage for the events that follow. Later in the poem, she repeats the word “black” several times, emphasizing the darkness and fear that the young speaker experiences as she waits in the dentist’s office. This repetition not only adds to the poem’s overall mood and tone, but also serves to highlight the speaker’s sense of isolation and confusion as she grapples with the complexities of growing up.
The Relationship Between the Speaker and Her Aunt’s Culture
In Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room,” the speaker reflects on her experience of waiting in a dentist’s office as a young girl. As she reads a National Geographic magazine, she becomes increasingly aware of her own identity and the cultural differences between herself and her aunt, who is from a different generation and background. The speaker’s relationship with her aunt’s culture is complex, as she both admires and feels alienated from it. On the one hand, she is fascinated by the exotic images in the magazine and the stories of far-off places. On the other hand, she feels a sense of distance from her aunt’s world, which seems foreign and unfamiliar to her. This tension between attraction and estrangement is a central theme of the poem, and it speaks to the broader question of how we navigate our relationships with other cultures and traditions.
The Poem’s Structure and Form
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” is a masterful example of how structure and form can enhance the meaning and impact of a poem. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter, but it is divided into five stanzas of varying lengths. Each stanza serves a distinct purpose in the poem’s overall structure, and the way they are arranged creates a sense of tension and release that mirrors the narrator’s emotional journey.
The first stanza sets the scene, describing the narrator’s experience of waiting in a dentist’s office as a young girl. The second stanza introduces the narrator’s realization that she is separate from the other people in the waiting room, and the third stanza explores her growing awareness of her own identity and the world around her. The fourth stanza is the climax of the poem, as the narrator has a sudden, visceral understanding of her own mortality. Finally, the fifth stanza brings the poem to a close, with the narrator reflecting on the experience and its lasting impact on her life.
The use of enjambment and caesura throughout the poem also contributes to its structure and form. Enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across multiple lines, creates a sense of flow and movement that mirrors the narrator’s shifting thoughts and emotions. Caesura, or a pause or break in the middle of a line, creates a sense of tension and emphasis that draws attention to key moments in the poem.
Overall, the structure and form of “In the Waiting Room” are integral to its meaning and impact. By carefully arranging the poem’s stanzas and using enjambment and caesura to create a sense of tension and release, Bishop creates a powerful portrait of a young girl’s awakening to the world around her.
The Significance of the Speaker’s Realization at the End of the Poem
The speaker’s realization at the end of Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room” is significant because it marks a turning point in the poem. Throughout the poem, the speaker has been reflecting on her own identity and the ways in which she is connected to the world around her. However, it is not until the final lines of the poem that she fully grasps the significance of her experience in the waiting room.
As the speaker looks at the National Geographic magazine and realizes that the people in the photographs are “what God himself might see / when he looks out from the throne he sits on / at the end of time,” she is struck by the vastness and complexity of the world. She understands that her own identity is just one small part of a much larger whole, and that there are countless other people and cultures that she has yet to discover.
This realization is significant because it represents a shift in the speaker’s perspective. Instead of seeing herself as separate from the world around her, she begins to understand that she is a part of it. She recognizes that her own experiences and identity are shaped by the people and cultures she encounters, and that there is always more to learn and discover.
Overall, the speaker’s realization at the end of “In the Waiting Room” is a powerful moment that highlights the poem’s themes of identity, connection, and discovery. It reminds us that we are all part of a larger whole, and that our experiences and perspectives are shaped by the world around us.
The Role of Gender in “In the Waiting Room”
In Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room,” gender plays a significant role in shaping the narrator’s understanding of herself and the world around her. As a young girl on the cusp of puberty, the narrator is acutely aware of the differences between boys and girls, and she is fascinated by the physical and cultural markers of femininity. She notes the “little curls” on the backs of her hands, the “pink rims” of her nails, and the “softness” of her skin, all of which mark her as a girl. At the same time, she is keenly aware of the ways in which gender shapes social expectations and power dynamics. She observes the “men with hats” who dominate the waiting room, and she notes the deference shown to them by the women and children around her. Through these observations, the narrator begins to understand the ways in which gender shapes her own identity and her place in the world.
The Speaker’s Observations of Others in the Waiting Room
As the speaker sits in the waiting room, she observes the other people around her. She notices a woman reading a magazine, a man pacing back and forth, and a child playing with a toy car. These observations give the reader a sense of the mundane and ordinary nature of the waiting room experience. The speaker also reflects on the fact that everyone in the room is waiting for something, whether it be a doctor’s appointment or a loved one’s recovery. This observation highlights the universal experience of waiting and the shared humanity of those in the waiting room.
The Poem’s Connection to Bishop’s Life and Work
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” is deeply connected to her life and work. The poem is autobiographical, recounting a moment from Bishop’s childhood when she was waiting in a dentist’s office and had a sudden realization of her own mortality. This experience had a profound impact on Bishop and is reflected in much of her later work, which often explores themes of loss, mortality, and the fragility of human existence. Additionally, the poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery and precise language, which are hallmarks of Bishop’s poetic style. Overall, “In the Waiting Room” is a powerful and deeply personal work that offers insight into Bishop’s life and artistic vision.
The Influence of Modernism on “In the Waiting Room”
Elizabeth Bishop’s “In the Waiting Room” is a prime example of modernist poetry. Modernism was a literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by a focus on individualism, experimentation, and a rejection of traditional values and forms. Bishop’s poem reflects these characteristics in its fragmented structure, use of imagery, and exploration of the self.
The poem begins with the speaker, a young girl, waiting in a dentist’s office. As she looks around the waiting room, she becomes acutely aware of her own existence and the world around her. The poem is filled with vivid sensory details, such as the “National Geographic” magazine she reads and the “black, naked women” she sees in its pages. These details serve to ground the poem in reality while also highlighting the speaker’s subjective experience.
The fragmented structure of the poem also reflects modernist tendencies. The poem is divided into short, staccato lines that are often disconnected from one another. This creates a sense of disorientation and fragmentation, mirroring the speaker’s own sense of self-discovery.
Finally, the poem explores the theme of individualism, a hallmark of modernist literature. The speaker’s realization of her own existence and separateness from the world around her is a central theme of the poem. This theme is reinforced by the use of imagery, such as the “black, naked women” in the magazine, which serve as a reminder of the speaker’s own physicality and individuality.
Overall, “In the Waiting Room” is a powerful example of modernist poetry. Its fragmented structure, use of imagery, and exploration of the self all reflect the characteristics of the modernist movement.
The Poem’s Relevance Today
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “In the Waiting Room” may have been written in 1976, but its relevance today is undeniable. The poem explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the search for meaning in a world that can often feel confusing and overwhelming. These are issues that continue to resonate with readers today, particularly in a world where social media and technology can make it difficult to connect with our true selves and find our place in the world. Additionally, the poem’s exploration of the relationship between the individual and the larger world around them is particularly relevant in today’s political climate, where issues of identity and belonging are at the forefront of many discussions. Overall, “In the Waiting Room” remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to speak to readers today.