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Analysis and comments on The Drunken Fisherman by Robert Lowell

Comment 2 of 2, added on October 13th, 2005 at 8:51 PM.

Actually, Kevin, it's a little more complicated than that. The drunken
fisherman is a metahpor. Lowell, a devout Catholic, is setting it up so
that he is fishing for salvation. He compares blood and water in the first
few lines. He wishes to "catch fish" to validate his purpose as a
fisherman, or, his purpose in life. The river is slowly disappearing with
age, which represents the inability for it to hold the weight of human
desire. The last line shows his comparasin to Christ, and how we should
look to Him for salvation.

Lowell also points out that with every choice we make that's one less
choice for humanity TO make. It is only a matter of time before the end of
the universe. Our culture is headed toward cultural entropy.

The central purpose IS one of hofplessnes, as salvation seems less and less
obtainable as the fisherman stands in the river.

Emily from United States
Comment 1 of 2, added on January 1st, 2005 at 12:57 PM.

Speaker- Fisherman

Situation- A depressed drunken Fisherman is asking why his life is so hard
and explaining how he has to deal with it.

Central Purpose- To reveal a mood or emotion of depresion and hoplessness.

The cantral purpose is achieved by using imagry and metaphor. Lines(6-8,
38-39 and 1)


Kevin from United States



Information about The Drunken Fisherman

Poet: Robert Lowell
Poem: The Drunken Fisherman
Volume: Selected Poems
Year: 1976
Added: Oct 29 2004
Viewed: 6603 times
Poem of the Day: Nov 24 2008


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