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Poetry Analysis

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English
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University of Washington
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Love is not appearance dependant
The poem "Filling Station" by Elizabeth Bishop analyses the unique beauty of daily
activities. The speaker is keen to point out the enduring nature of love even amidst ugliness and
filth. The poem begins with the poet standing in front of a filling station observing every part of
the area. The speaker points out the disorganized nature of the filling station and state of things
that classify it as dirty and filthy. She also notes that a father and son are working, leading to the
suggestion that maybe a family leaves at the filling station. The speaker is drawn to another side
of the filling station that has a cement porch. The area, although also described as dirty, seems to
be comfortable and welcoming. The author notes that it appears someone cared enough for a
dirty place to attempt to improve it. The poem ends with the speaker exclaiming that love exists
in all places despite appearances. By showcasing the comfort and effort made to improve the
filling station despite the dirty, the poem passes the message on the importance of going beyond
physical appearances when analyzing ordinary things as love can always be seen in each process.
Appearances can often mislead our perception of the effort and love that people invest in
categorically dirty places. This is showcased in the poem when the author quickly judges the
place based on where her eyes landed first. The poet begins by saying, "Oh, but it is dirty!"
(Stanza 1, line 1), it instantly gives the perception of negligence and lack of care. Additionally,
this phrase creates an impersonal touch or view to the care of the filing station leading the reader

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to wonder if anyone cares about the place. The use of language is particularly strategic as it is
descriptive and specific to help create an image as accurate as what the speaker was visualizing.
Repetition and use of exclamation are also key in reinforcing the words' use and creating an
atmosphere of urgency on the filling station's appearance. More so, when the authors jokingly
say, "Be careful with that match!" (Stanza 1, line 5), it further implies the lack of care and
caution in the place. This statement reinforces the notion of how it is easy to form perception and
judgment based on what one sees at the start.
Notably, love is a universal language that exists even in the most unimaginable places or
scenarios. The poet manages to showcase this after a thorough scrutiny of the surrounding of the
filling station. One particular area that starts to change the poet's mind is when she notices the
cement porch with touches that seem to add meaning to the place. Particularly is when the poet
writes "on the wicker sofa/a dirty dog, quite comfy" (stanza 3, line 5-6). The fact that the dog is
comfortable in addition to other minor details such as the presence of color in the cement porch
area indicates an effort by someone else. The emerging notion from these observations is how a
second look can change the perception from the first. Next, when the poet writes, "Why the
extraneous plant?" (stanza 5, line 1), it is almost as if she is beginning to doubt her initial
judgment on the place. This statement seems to cast doubt on the initial perception that makes
the filling station appear neglected and uncared for. Finally, when the poet writes, "Somebody
loves us all" (stanza 6, line 8), she comes to the realization that loves exists in every
environment. These different quotes showcase the journey of realization traveled by the poet to
see how little details and effort can help showcase or express love. Apart from the presence of
love, the poem also reinforces the importance of always looking at the good in everything.

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Surname 1 Name Course Tutor Date of submission Love is not appearance dependant The poem "Filling Station" by Elizabeth Bishop analyses the unique beauty of daily activities. The speaker is keen to point out the enduring nature of love even amidst ugliness and filth. The poem begins with the poet standing in front of a filling station observing every part of the area. The speaker points out the disorganized nature of the filling station and state of things that classify it as dirty and filthy. She also notes that a father and son are working, leading to the suggestion that maybe a family leaves at the filling station. The speaker is drawn to another side of the filling station that has a cement porch. The area, although also described as dirty, seems to be comfortable and welcoming. The author notes that it appears someone cared enough for a dirty place to attempt to improve it. The poem ends with the speaker exclaiming that love exists in all places despite appearances. By showcasing the comfort and effort made to improve the filling station despite the dirty, the poem passes the message on the importance of going beyond physical appearances when analyzing ordinary things as love ...
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