New Criticism in "The Fish" Questions for response line 29 - "the big bones and the little bones" What significance would the possible interpretations of this line have in relation to the rest of the poem for a New Critic? line 51 - "hung five old pieces of fish-line, " How would a New Critic interpret the relationship between the long and short sentences and lines? What causes them to hang? To snap? (In other words, to what extent is the experience of the poem that of the fish?) lines 61/62- "Like medals with their ribbons/ frayed and wavering," How might a New Critic interpret the symbolism of the medal? line 69 - "oil had spread a rainbow" According to a New Critical approach, what is the significance of color in the poem? What is the source of color in the poem? lines 74/75 - "everything/ was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! " In which ways would a New Critic argue that the fish, the boat, and the water reflect one another? The fish and the fisher? Bedford/St. Martin's | Order a Book | Instructor Registration | Contact Us | Contact Your Sales Representative