Oh, never have I seen a dog so bare!
Naked and pink, without a single hair...
Startled, the passersby draw back and stare.
In the poem "Pink Dog" Elizabeth Bishop is trying to caution against over exposing one's body especially in public. The grotesqueness of the naked dog in her poem represents those who shed their natural and normal coat of clothes in favor of bearing more skin. Instead of bringing about praise and admiration, however, it brings shock, horror, and disgust. She describes how it is not right for sophisticated women who are sometimes mothers (note the "nursing mother" reference) to be degrading themselves in such a way. Ironically there is a sub-brand of clothing and undergarments called PINK under Victoria's secret and their mascot is, you guessed it, a dog. Everyone knows that Victoria's secret is known for bearing it all and being more than a little risque, and though the PINK brand is slightly better (due to the fact it's geared more towards teens) it still includes a variety of low cut and skimpy outfits that sometimes showcase provocative sayings. On every piece of clothing or undergarment the small dog logo appears on it at least once. I can't help wondering if this was done purposefully of if it is just a strange coincidence. After all this kind of inappropriate showing off of skin and boobs is exactly what Bishop was warning against. She urges people to see the hideousness of a naked dog who couldn't appreciate the beauty of its original coat. I'm sure if she could see the brand PINK today she would surely think that the logo dog was just as naked and shameful as the girls who wear the clothes.
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