Elizabeth Bishop: The Mountain
Below, on the left, are several pieces of Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “The Mountain.” On the right are several
effects reached from different pieces of the poem. Match the pieces to the correct conclusions. There are more
effect than there are pieces. On page three, write your own conclusions.
Pieces of “The Mountain” Effects of the pieces
1. ____ the title of the poem, a. This suggests being lost in the process of aging.
“The Mountain”
b. This immediately creates a slightly menacing atmosphere since
2. ____ the alternating these words have the connotations of night and darkness.
repetition of the sentences
“I do not know my age.” c. This foreshadows death later in the poem.
and “Tell me how old I am.”
at the end of each stanza of d. This creates a slower pace because of the increased number of
the poem. syllables, which reflects how a person who is older or who is losing
the control he/she once had might speak.
3. ____ the lack of
contractions in the poem; all e. This implies that the poem will be about something immovable,
the words that would unchangeable, and strong.
normally form contractions
are not contracted (“I do not f. This suggests that time will stop for no one and cannot be reckoned
know,” “it is different,” “I or bargained with.
do not mean to complain,”
“I am growing deaf,” etc.) g. The effect of this – especially because it is found nowhere else in
the poem – is that, always, there is something large but
4. ____ “At evening” unmentioned lurking about in the back of the mind, very present,
very influential, but never at the center of attention.
h. This gives the sense of an endless, repetitive, and confusing cycle in
which the speaker is caught.
i. This suggests that whatever the poem is about, it will be at the end
of that something.
j. This suggests that the speaker’s mind is starting to wear away
because he/she cannot communicate in the most natural way.
k. Without this, the poem would lose its distinct tone.
l. This immediately suggests that the poem will be about something
huge and giant, or contain something large and enormous.
m. This suggests fatigue and weariness after a long day or a long life.
n. This is a cause and effect device that reflects the burning question
that the speaker has on his/her mind at all times.
Pieces of “The Mountain” Effects of the pieces
5. ____ “something behind a. This is an apt description.
me”
b. This adds suspense and fear to the mood of the poem.
6. ____ The third stanza
begins with the words “And c. This suggests that, although it cannot be perceived by the senses,
then.” time is the most consistent elements in life.
7. ____ the simile “the valleys d. This creates a tonal shift in the poem.
stuff/impenetrable mists/like
cotton in my ears.” e. This suggests that the speaker is fed up and cannot bear anymore of
what he/she has been going through but that there is in fact more to
8. ____ the alliteration in line be dealt with.
18: “slowly spread and
sink” f. This makes what is happening seem smoother, more fluid.
g. This implies that the speaker has gone through many experiences
and that there is quite a bit in his/her past.
h. This mimics the effects that age has on the body by utilizing various
senses through synesthesia.
i. This makes the poem seem more like a narration, a story, a journey.
j. This contributes the slightest bit of unease to the poem.
k. This suggests that aging is a dark, ominous experience.
l. There is something hidden and stalking the speaker; it can’t be seen
but is there anyway.
m. This establishes the tone of the poem.
Pieces of “The Mountain” Effects of the pieces
9. ____ the enjambment
separating the subject
“waterfalls” and the
predicate “go unwiped” in
lines 30 and 31
10. ____ the syntax and word
choice in lines 31 and 32
(“Let the moon go hang,/the
stars go fly their kites.”)
11. ____ natural images like the
mist in the valleys (lines 9
and 10), shadow and light
(line 21), wings, feathers,
and claws (lines 25-27), bird
calls and waterfalls (lines
29-30), and stars and moon
(lines 33-34)
12. ____ The final two lines are
both of the lines that have
been repeated throughout
the poem (“I want to know
my age./Tell me how old I
am.”).
