Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell: A Poetic Friendship

Introduction

Elizabeth Bishop was the Poet Laureate of the United States from 1949 to 1950. Robert Lowell wrote confessional style poems that earned him acclaim during the same time period. Both won Pulitzer Prizes for their poetic work. Introduced to each other in 1947, these two poets reached not only great fame in the twentieth century, but also developed a famous literary friendship. In this web quest, you will explore their poetry, and consider how their relationship possibly affected their work.

Guiding Questions

How do great artists inspire each other?

Questions

1. What was Elizabeth Bishop’s childhood like? How was she educated?

2. What was Robert Lowell’s childhood like? How was he educated?
3. How did Elizabeth Bishop begin writing poetry? Who were her early influences? Find an early poem by Bishop (1930s) and read it.
4. How did Robert Lowell begin writing poetry? Who were his influences? Find an early poem by Lowell (1940s) and read it.
5. How did Bishop and Lowell Meet? Who introduced them?
6. Read a few letters that Bishop’s and Lowell wrote to each other. What issues did they discuss?
7. How would you describe Bishop and Lowell’s emotions in their letters to each other?
8. Find and read several poems by Elizabeth Bishop. Is the tone of his letters similar to the tone of her poetry? If so, how?
9. Find and read several poems by Robert Lowell. Is the tone of his letters similar to the tone of her poetry? If so, how?
10. When did their letters to each other get released? Why was the public so excited about this?

Internet Resources

Elizabeth Bishop's Childhood

Robert Lowell's Childhood

Bishop's Poetry

Lowell's Poetry

Meeting

Letters

Bishop's and Lowell's Emotions

Bishop's Poems

Lowell's Poems

Words in Air

Activities

1.   Create a chart comparing the syntax and diction of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell’s poetry?

2.   After reading some of Bishop and Lowell’s poetry, write a letter to Bishop pretending that you are Robert Lowell.

3.   After reading some of Bishop and Lowell’s poetry, write a letter to Lowell pretending that you are Elizabeth Bishop.

4.   Read the poem “Casabianca” by Elizabeth Bishop. Rewrite it in the style of Robert Lowell

5.   Read “The Quaker Graveyard in Nantucket” by Robert Lowell. Rewrite a section of it in the style of Elisabeth Bishop

Aliza Aufrichtig, Teacher, and Viktoriya Sterkina, AP student, collaborated to develop this web hunt.

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