Crusoe in England

Bishop’s “Crusoe in England” often showcases the same objects through different lenses as a way of demonstrating that their significance is relative to the viewer and their circumstance. Bishop establishes this theme early in the poem through a literal lens as Crusoe describes the new island as a “black fleck [. . .] in the mate’s binoculars” (Lines 5-6). As if this fleck were not insignificant enough, Crusoe goes on to say the island is “like a fly” (Line 7). The discovery of a new land mass, under normal circumstances, would be a highly significant event in 18th-century England. This immediate reversal, therefore, sets the tone for the poem’s exploration of the relativity of significance.

Crusoe also plays with these ideas of significance while on his island. He shifts his sense of scale by sitting “on the edge of the highest” (Line 15) volcano on his island and imagining that he “had / become a giant” (Lines 19-20). This distorted sense of scale and significance plays an essential role of Crusoe’s time on the island. His flute has “the weirdest scale” (Line 83), and he feels “deep affection for / the smallest of [his] island industries” (Lines 86-87). These things, normally insignificant, are made significant through Crusoe’s circumstance.