The poem "Manners" by Elizabeth Bishop is a profound and insightful depiction of the system of etiquette followed in this era of history, more specifically American history. While on the surface the poem seems merely a description of manners of the day, it is, in actuality, a satirical depiction of the obsolete and old fashioned codes of civility of this age that are traditionally accepted by all people as proper and necessary as well as the relatively instantaneous transition from the old to new. Bishop uses the grandfather and the granddaughter both to bridge the gap between their respective eras and also to contrast them. The system of etiquette of the grandfather's time is based largely on always being humble and ingratiating oneself for others. The granddaughter's era brings in a newer and much different understanding and outlook on manners which allows for greater individualism and a more...