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13 November, 2011 Analysis of the Metaphor in the “Fisherman” poem by Kurt Brown Life is a fishing ocean. This reveals the activities of man on a daily basis, where man has to go in search of his daily bread and the obstacles that he encounters. Brown’s poem, “Fisherman,” illustrates the sad condition of man and life’s struggles through the metaphor of a fisherman. Reading the poem makes me observe how life is in this period of recession, where man’s ego is far seen but his contentment is appreciated. Life is known not to be easy, and man still existing, hoping that he wakes someday and life is better.
Brown uses the fishing and ocean metaphors to convey these key meanings and emotions: broken ego, envy, hope with perseverance and contentment. Brown considers the important relationships between a man’s ego and his contentment, and he uses the “shadow” metaphor to symbolize the separation between them. Although man’s ego and contentment are two different characteristics in the life of a man, yet they are very closely related. These qualities are suggested by the action of the fisherman as he observes his struggles and how it overwhelms him. “Is it the ocean or the little puddle of his tears? Is this his dinghy or the frayed boards of his ego, scorched by storm? ” (18-22). A man’s ego is his pride, his unwillingness to compromise his opinion and embrace change. The poem never defines storm, but it can be seen as what contributes to the broken ego of a man, affecting his status and standard of living. This relates to a man being brought to his lowest point of adversity and vicissitude which lead him to become envious of his colleagues and contemporaries. The feeling of envy can be self destructive and counter productive if allowed to fester the mind.
Brown illustrates this in his shadow metaphor: “he’s only felt the shadow of something enormous darken his life. Or has he? May be it’s the shadow of other fish greater than his, the shadow of other men’s souls passing over him” (7-14). The fisherman observes the way others businesses are flourishing and expanding and wonders what is happening to his. This demonstrates how envy originates in the life of a man. Life struggles can be frustrating if no profit is seen and will definitely make a man envious of others. Man could see his peer’s prosperity as a challenge of patient nd encouragement. In the case of the fisherman, he is a man without fear to strive on, though with a broken ego, he is not letting go and is ready to do whatever it takes to change his condition. Brown illustrates these concepts in this verse: “each day he grabs his gear and makes his way to the ocean, at least he is sure of that” (15-17). This suggests hope and perseverance. A man that is hopeful has a better opportunity for tomorrow; this is shown in the life of the fisherman as he goes out everyday not minding his circumstances but hopeful that tomorrow will be better.
Hope gives birth to perseverance because he accepts his condition no matter how overwhelming it is. Brown uses the metaphor “soon he’s drifting under clouds, wind whispering blandishment is his ears. It could be today: the water heaves and settles like a chest he’s not far out” (25-30). Man’s life struggles is frustrating, irksome but he is still thankful and appreciative that he has a means of livelihood and can still afford comfort no matter how small. The poet uses the metaphor to convey contentment: “Soon he’s drifting under clouds, wind whispering blandishments / in his ears.
It could be today: the water heaves / and settles like a chest . . . He’s not far out. / It’s all so pleasant, so comforting–the sunlight,/ the waves remove period ” (32-34). This illustrates big relief in a man’s life struggle. Translating man to a new level of understanding what life is about. Contentment is an issue in the life struggle of a man but it is best taught by life experience: this can only happen when man brings appreciation of his daily effort to himself. The poem is a factual scene of life that reveals how man balances his ego and contentment due to his ability to persevere.
Broken ego, envy, hope with perseverance and contentment are key meanings and emotions that the fishing and ocean metaphors convey in Brown’s poem. Man can allow challenges in life to affect his decisions but when it is positively accepted it yields a great reward: this can only be achieved if men learn to appreciate what he has. A man could be down at a stage in life but he is never out, so don’t give up thinking you will not reach your goal just be hopeful and patient, and definitely someday you will get there. Works Cited Brown, Kurt. “The Fisherman. ” More Things in Heaven and Earth. Four Way Books, 2002. Poets. org. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.