In the Waiting Room
Fiction | Poem | Adult
Poem • Fiction
Worcester, Massachusetts • 1910s
Adult
18+ years
In "In the Waiting Room," a young person, Elizabeth, sits in a dental office, reading a National Geographic magazine. As the individual reads, they experience a profound moment of self-awareness and realization about their connection to the world and humanity, prompted by the images and sounds around them.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Emotional
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
101 ratings
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Elizabeth Bishop's poem, featured in the collection In the Waiting Room, is widely praised for its vivid imagery and exploration of themes like identity and self-awareness. Critics admire Bishop's meticulous attention to detail and her ability to evoke complex emotions. Some reviewers note that its introspective nature may not appeal to all readers, yet it remains a compelling piece.
A reader who relishes introspective poetry and coming-of-age themes would enjoy In the Waiting Room by Elizabeth Bishop. Fans of James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man or Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse will appreciate its exploration of identity and self-awareness.
101 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Poem • Fiction
Worcester, Massachusetts • 1910s
Adult
18+ years
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