A Prodigal by Elizabeth Bishop Summary
A Prodigal by Elizabeth Bishop relates the story of a man who lives in a dirty barn with pigs. The odor in the sty is intense, and the floor is decaying, mirroring the man’s deplorable condition. Despite the filthy surroundings, he appears to be caught in this life, unable to escape. The pigs glare at him with what appears to be self-righteousness, making him feel worse about himself. One especially distressing image in the poem depicts a sow eating her young, which represents brutality and helplessness.
The protagonist’s sole escape from his anguish is booze. He conceals bottles of booze and consumes copious amounts of alcohol, which allows him to temporarily forget about his agony. Sometimes, after a night of drinking, the sunlight transforms the muddy barnyard into something nearly lovely. The red light reflecting off puddles provides him a false feeling of security, leading him to believe he can live this life for another year or more. However, this emotion does not last.
In the nights, when the first star shines, he feels the weight of his circumstances again. The farmer arrives to lock up the animals, insuring their safety for the night. The barn, with its hay and cozy environment, feels reassuring and secure—unlike the protagonist’s life, which is fraught with uncertainty. The animals, particularly the pigs, sleep well, whereas he stays restless.
As he goes about his business, walking on a slick wooden board with a pail in hand, he observes bats circling around him. Their erratic motions reflect his own state of mind—he, too, is lost, uncertain, and unable to take charge of his life. He has moments of awareness but is hesitant to act on them. The light of a lantern, which fades away like the setting sun, adds to his sense of hopelessness, representing the vanishing hope of change.
The poem is based on the biblical account of the Prodigal Son, a young man who leaves home, squanders his fortune, and then returns to his father, who welcomes him back with open arms. However, Bishop’s portrayal of the prodigal feels conflicted about his desire to return. He does not instantly understand the need for change, and when he does, he hesitates. His exile is both physical and emotional—he is confined by his addiction, humiliation, and dread of confronting the consequences of his actions.
Finally, he decides to return home, albeit it takes him a long time. This reluctance emphasizes the unpleasant and challenging nature of transformation. Unlike the biblical account, in which the son returns swiftly and is forgiven, Bishop’s prodigal must go through intense emotional struggle before considering forgiveness. The poem delves into issues of loneliness, addiction, and the battle for self-acceptance, employing stunning imagery and simple, unstructured poetry to highlight the protagonist’s erratic emotions.
Analysis of A Prodigal by Elizabeth Bishop
Setting and Atmosphere
The poem begins by describing the harsh, unpleasant environment in which the protagonist lives. The phrase “brown enormous odor” suggests an overwhelming stench, emphasizing the filth of the pigsty. The “rotten” floor and walls “plastered halfway up with glass-smooth dung” create an image of extreme degradation. This setting reflects not only the physical world of the prodigal but also his inner state—he is trapped in a miserable, self-destructive existence.
Despite this, the pigs seem oddly content. They stare at him with what seems like cheerful self-righteousness. This contrast is unsettling; while the protagonist suffers, the animals accept their condition without question. One particularly disturbing image is the sow that eats her young. This gruesome detail suggests a cruel and merciless world, possibly symbolizing the protagonist’s own self-destructive tendencies.
Alcohol as an Escape
The protagonist turns to alcohol to cope with his misery. He hides bottles behind wooden beams and drinks heavily, numbing himself to his suffering. Bishop presents alcohol as a temporary escape—it allows him to endure his situation, but only for a little while. The next morning, the sunlight reflecting off the muddy barnyard creates an illusion of beauty. The puddles appear “glazed with red,” and for a moment, he feels reassured, as if he can continue living this way for another year or more.
However, this illusion quickly fades. Alcohol does not truly free him; it only delays his confrontation with reality. This cycle of drinking, temporary relief, and eventual despair mirrors the struggles of addiction. The protagonist knows his life is terrible, but he cannot yet bring himself to leave.
Nightfall and Isolation
As the day turns to night, the prodigal’s loneliness becomes more apparent. The farmer arrives to lock up the cows and horses, ensuring their safety. The barn, with its overhanging clouds of hay, feels warm and secure—like Noah’s Ark, a place of refuge. This moment highlights a key contrast: the animals have a place where they belong, but the protagonist does not.
The pigs sleep peacefully, stretching out their feet, while the prodigal remains restless. He carries a bucket along a slimy board, moving carefully in the dark. The bats flying around him are described as moving in an “uncertain staggering flight,” reflecting his own instability. This moment is significant because it suggests that his thoughts are growing chaotic—he is beginning to realize he cannot stay in this life forever.
Symbolism and Biblical Allusion
The poem clearly alludes to the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Bible. In the biblical story, a young man wastes his inheritance on reckless living and ends up poor and starving. Realizing his mistake, he returns home, and his father welcomes him back with love and forgiveness.
However, Bishop’s prodigal is different. He does not have an inheritance to waste, nor does he come to a sudden realization of his mistake. Instead, his journey is slow and painful. He experiences brief moments of awareness, but they are mixed with doubt and hesitation. His exile is not just physical but emotional—he is trapped in shame, addiction, and self-loathing.
The lantern, which “laid on the mud a pacing aureole,” is another important symbol. An aureole is a halo, often associated with saints or divine light. Here, it is reflected in the mud, suggesting that redemption is possible but distant. The fading light represents his hope, which is weak but not entirely lost.
The Decision to Leave
The poem ends with the line:
“But it took him a long time / finally to make up his mind to go home.”
This closing emphasizes the difficulty of change. Unlike the biblical prodigal, who quickly decides to return, Bishop’s protagonist struggles. His decision to leave is not sudden or easy—it takes time, possibly years. This hesitation makes the poem feel more realistic, as many people dealing with addiction or self-destructive behavior do not change overnight.
This ending is also open-ended. The poem does not describe what happens after he makes up his mind. Does he actually leave? Does he find redemption? By leaving these questions unanswered, Bishop highlights the uncertainty of change. The road to self-acceptance and healing is not straightforward; even when someone decides to leave their suffering behind, the journey ahead is still unknown.
Themes in the Poem
1. Isolation and Exile
The protagonist is isolated both physically and emotionally. He lives among pigs, away from human companionship, and feels disconnected from the world. His exile is not just a result of his surroundings but also his own self-loathing and addiction.
2. Addiction and Self-Destruction
Alcohol plays a major role in the prodigal’s life. It provides temporary relief but ultimately keeps him trapped. The sow that eats her young can be seen as a metaphor for self-destruction—just as the sow consumes her own offspring, the protagonist is destroying himself with his choices.
3. Redemption and Hesitation
The biblical allusion suggests the possibility of redemption, but unlike the original Prodigal Son, this character struggles with his decision. His hesitation reflects the reality of personal change—it is difficult, painful, and often takes time.
Literary Devices
1. Imagery
Bishop’s use of vivid imagery makes the setting and emotions feel real. The descriptions of the sty, the pigs, the rotten floor, and the sunrise create strong mental pictures that emphasize the protagonist’s suffering.
2. Symbolism
- The pigs represent degradation and acceptance of a miserable life.
- The sow eating her young symbolizes self-destruction.
- The bats reflect the prodigal’s unstable thoughts.
- The lantern’s light suggests fading hope and the possibility of redemption.
3. Free Verse
Unlike some of Bishop’s more structured poems, A Prodigal uses free verse. This lack of strict form mirrors the prodigal’s chaotic emotions and uncertain journey.
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