First Death In Nova Scotia – Analysis Guide

For Leaving Certificate English students, understanding Elizabeth Bishop’s poem first death in nova scotia is crucial. This detailed guide breaks down the poem’s key elements, helping you achieve top marks.

Understanding ‘First Death In Nova Scotia’

Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, ‘First Death In Nova Scotia,’ explores a child’s initial encounter with death. The speaker, a young Bishop, describes the funeral of her cousin, Arthur.

• It portrays childhood innocence confronting a harsh reality.
• The poem uses vivid imagery to convey confusion and detachment.

Key Themes in ‘First Death In Nova Scotia’

Several central themes emerge from the poem. Analysing these themes will strengthen your exam answers.

Childhood Innocence and the Loss of It

The speaker’s youth shapes her perception of death. She views Arthur as a doll or a toy, not understanding permanence.

“Arthur was dead. He was still wearing his little socks and mittens.”

• This quote highlights the surreal, almost playful, description of death through a child’s eyes.
• The funeral environment seems alien and confusing to her.

The Uncomfortable Nature of Death

Bishop conveys how unsettling death is, particularly for a child. The adult attempts to explain death fall short.

• The ‘cold’ surroundings and lack of warmth emphasize this discomfort.
• The description of the coffin and flowers adds to the strangeness.

Family and Ritual

The poem also captures the family’s sombre rituals surrounding death. The child observes their grief without fully comprehending it.

• Her observations are detached, focusing on external details rather than emotional depth.
• This reflects how children process grief differently from adults.

Imagery and Symbolism

Bishop is a master of imagery. Her precise descriptions are vital to the poem’s impact.

• Frozen Imagery: The repeated references to ‘cold’ and ‘white’ suggest death’s chilling finality.
• Animal Imagery: Phrases like ‘moose and beaver and fox’ add to the sense of a wild, untamed environment, contrasting with the domestic scene.
• Figurative Language: Arthur is compared to a ‘doll,’ a ‘fox,’ and later, a ‘fairy tale.’ This shows the child’s attempt to make sense of the incomprehensible.

Exam Tips for ‘First Death In Nova Scotia’

To excel in your Leaving Cert English exam, consider these points when discussing ‘First Death In Nova Scotia.’

• Focus on the child’s perspective and how it shapes the portrayal of death.
• Analyse specific examples of imagery and figurative language.
• Discuss the poem’s tone, which shifts between innocence, sadness, and observation.
• Compare Bishop’s treatment of death to other poets you have studied, such as Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin’s ‘Deaths and Engines’ for a comparative essay.

Key Takeaways

• Bishop’s ‘First Death In Nova Scotia’ explores a child’s first encounter with mortality.
• The poem’s power lies in its vivid, often childlike, imagery and detached observation.
• Themes include lost innocence, the strangeness of death, and family rituals.