Topic > A study on attitude in the poem One Art by Elizabeth Bishop

One ArtIn “One Art” by Elizabeth Bishop an attitude is expressed in the first 15 lines which emphasizes the effect of the last 4 lines. The general attitude can best be described as pessimistic. He shows this pessimism by writing in a loose villanelle form. Language also contributes to the overall attitude of this poem. These two techniques help contribute to the reader's understanding of the attitudes expressed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWriting this poem in villanelle form, Elizabeth Bishop emphasizes her optimistic, happy-go-lucky views in the first 15 lines. She repeats the lines "losing isn't hard to master" and more or less "it wasn't a disaster" in lines 1,3,6,9,12,18, and 19. This repetition reinforces her point and allows her to speak in optimistic way at the beginning, then turns his own words around in the last verse which overall drives the point home. It allows you to emphasize the main idea that although losing things is easy, it can end up ruining you. Lines 1-15 flow easily and can be described as very upbeat, however they take an opposite turn when Bishop has to force himself to "write it". His belief that losing things won't ruin you becomes forced. Language also contributes to a deeper understanding of the poem. Bishop's words were carefully chosen to emphasize the initial optimism he feels and, ultimately, his real opinions on the subject. In lines 1-6 he deliberately chooses things that would be trivial to lose, like keys, and then moves on to things that would be much more influential and intimidating to lose, like family heirlooms and moving to a new city. He doesn't phrase it as if it has the ability to paralyze her. From lines 13-15, he describes what many of us would find devastating, moving away from home. Yet he still doesn't consider it a disaster. Using these examples of things that people would find upsetting reinforces the contrast that appears in the last stanza when something that is all too familiar and universally painful is described. She is struggling with her own pain and has to force herself to write that it doesn't hurt even to reassure her. An extended metaphor is used to describe the loss of things such as an art form or a learned skill. As one “practices losing further, losing faster,” he begins to lose more and more valuable things in his life. These losses will not end your life, but they can be extremely painful and could result in chaos and disasters that threaten your well-being. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayThe verse the form in which it is written emphasizes the most important lines, with repetition the ideas are repeated to gain momentum. This reinforces his attitude and feelings on the matter. Careful choice of words and placement of ideas create contrast with the poem. Optimism can be found in unusual circumstances, and while life's obstacles don't necessarily spell disaster, there is often an untold story that cuts us to the core..