tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32999748.post3244382168494315003..comments2024-03-04T01:47:18.750-05:00Comments on Lemurian Congress: Scrutable Poetry Corner: "It Rolls On" by Morris BishopAdam Thorntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05634565262440008573noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32999748.post-69716261321339570822016-09-22T00:54:57.472-04:002016-09-22T00:54:57.472-04:00The Socrates/ dead fish reference he actually expl...The Socrates/ dead fish reference he actually explained in a letter to Katherine White (editor of the New Yorker):<br />"As Isocrates was delivering an oration, a rival stood up on a block of marble in the rear of the crowd, and held up a dead fish and said nothing. One looked around, nudged neighbor, and so on until the whole crowd turned from Isocrates and looked at the silent rival. He then spoke: “See how a dead fish is more interesting than Isocrates!""Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32999748.post-62086735637938191292010-08-11T12:15:17.631-04:002010-08-11T12:15:17.631-04:00I agree with you analysis.
BTW, you may have mean...I agree with you analysis.<br /><br />BTW, you may have meant "self-loathing"; however, given the world-view expressed in this poem, I suppose Mr. Bishop could have something against the magical little fellas, too!Garynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32999748.post-55300853142523495022010-08-06T10:11:54.570-04:002010-08-06T10:11:54.570-04:00I agree about the annotation, Gary; I was in too b...I agree about the annotation, Gary; I was in too big a hurry to do the poem justice! Plus I think there's a lot of artistic license here which doesn't lend itself to a '30s-era decoding.<br /><br />The kitten/fish/philosopher elements and everything else in parentheses seem to be examples of "mundane" issues and experiences trumping the vast human accomplishments: we spend more time looking at kittens and preparing food than we do marveling at engineering feats and deep philosophy; people get drunk and party on ocean liners rather than stand in awe of their ability to cross the ocean in such comfort; people are more concerned with their inability to smoke on a train than they are with the work of Einstein.<br /><br />I think it's brilliant how this poem expresses both awe and distrust; it isn't a condemnation of modernity or a luddite screed, but still expresses uneasiness.Adam Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634565262440008573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32999748.post-13331872025837165592010-08-05T12:38:57.245-04:002010-08-05T12:38:57.245-04:00It's extremely important to read about Prof. B...It's extremely important to read about Prof. Bishop's background before attempting to comment. The Wikipedia article about him is helpful.<br /><br />If he's amazed by a skyscraper, and overwhelmed by the scientific wonders of his day, just imagine the fits he'd have with cloning, DNA, and walking on the moon!<br /><br />As with writing that is rooted in a certain era, annotation would be useful. For example, I assume that the "Los Angeles" is a railroad train.<br /><br />Isocrates (not to be confused with the software, "iSocrates") - well, I guess I have not studied enough of the classics. Even so, the dead fish reference is unresolved by a brief Internet search.<br /><br />Any ideas about the kitten / fish / Greek philosopher connection?Garynoreply@blogger.com