“The Lamb” by William Blake is a poem that engages one the most with its use of symbolism. The key symbol of the writing is a lamb described by the poet. It is stated that the lamb “gave thee life & bid thee feed. By the stream & o’er the mead; gave thee clothing of delight, softest clothing wooly bright” (Blake par. 1). The significance is rooted in the fact that the symbol is a provider of many essential goods necessary for human prosperity. It is depicted as a source of life, which delivers food, clothing, mead, water, and even life itself. Each of these provisions is important for a person to have to survive, such as food and water to live as well as clothing to stay warm. Thus, the lamb is not a mere animal to be consumed but rather a source of vitality.
“The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop is a poem that engages one the most with its use of an extended metaphor. The major metaphor is made between an ancient wallpaper and the fish’s skin. The poet writes, “here and there his brown skin hung in strips like ancient wallpaper, and its pattern of darker brown was like wallpaper” (Bishop par. 1). In other words, two unrelated elements are connected through an extended metaphorical meaning. The underlying relationship is manifested in the fish’s history and life, where the narrator is highly attentive to such details. The fisherman makes a realization because the fish did not fight or try to escape. The moment of undisturbed attention enables the person to examine key features and characteristics of the animal. Ancient wallpaper is an object of historical significance, which reflects the fish’s life essence.
Works Cited
Bishop, Elizabeth. “The Fish.”Poets.org, 1988.
Blake, William. “The Lamb.”Poetry Foundation, 1946.