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Elizabeth Bishop - The Mountain Worksheet
Elizabeth Bishop - The Mountain Worksheet
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.
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.
i. This suggests that whatever the poem is about, it will be at the end
of that something.
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
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.