1. Encounter with Nature: The poem begins with the poet encountering a large fish that she catches. This physical interaction with the wild, unpredictable fish becomes a gateway to exploring the complexities of nature.
2. Exploration and Observation: Throughout the poem, the speaker closely examines the fish's physical features and movements. By repeatedly focusing on the fish, Bishop conveys her sense of wonder and the act of discovery that comes with carefully observing the natural world.
3. Mortality and Death: The motif of the fish also takes on existential undertones. As the speaker studies the fish, she is struck by its vulnerable state as a caught creature facing an inevitable end. Bishop uses the image of the dying fish to contemplate themes of mortality and the transition from life to death.
4. Connection and Disconnection: Bishop weaves contrasting threads of attraction and distance in her interaction with the fish. The poem reveals both her fascination with the animal's unique qualities and her recognition of its separateness from her own human experience.
By repeatedly employing the imagery of the fish, Elizabeth Bishop creates a dynamic narrative that engages with ideas of curiosity, introspection, and our multifaceted relationship with the natural world. Through this central image, the poem encourages reflection on themes of connection, impermanence, and the ongoing processes of life and loss.