Joseph Temples
Effective College English I
Professor Waltman, Bradley
8/22/2013

Poetry Analysis

The poem "Fisherman” by Kurt Brown is a story of a man struggling with his accomplishments or expectations, but not willing to give up. We all struggle and doubt ourselves. When it comes down to our own lives, we tend to judge ourselves harder than others do. By doing this we put unneeded stress or pressure in our lives that are not necessary. A man spends his whole life fishing in himself for something grand. It’s like a lost lunker, big enough to break all records. (1-2) (Brown) In my opinion the author is stating in our everyday lives we have a routine, searching for our best accomplishments. We are looking for one that is bigger than what we feel is expected of us. Maybe it is one that will surpass everyone’s expectations of us. But he’s only heard rumors, myths, vague promise of wonder. He’s only felt the shadow of something enormous darken his life. Or has he? (3-5) (Brown) We hear praises from others about thing we’ve done or accomplished, but do not believe that our great accomplishment exists. We feel we can do better and often judge ourselves hard; thinking that perhaps someone else has done better. Through all the praises we still feel confused or uncomfortable accepting the praise from others. Maybe it’s the shadow of other fish, greater than his, the shadow of other men’s souls passing over him. (6) (Brown)
In the part of the poem, the author is asking us a question. Is it that we are trying to live our life competing against someone else’s accomplishments? Trying to better someone else’s expectation but not sure if we can. Each day he grabs his gear and makes his way to the ocean. At least he’s sure of that, or is he? (7-8) (Brown)
Every day we gather our thoughts and think of all we have accomplished. We sit back