Re-read 'A Birthday Present'. By means of close analysis of the language of this poem, demonstrate how Plath achieves her effects in this poem, and by means of BRIEF reference to one or two other poems, say how typical of her writing you find it.
Re-read 'A Birthday Present'. By means of close analysis of the language of this poem, demonstrate how Plath achieves her effects in this poem, and by means of BRIEF reference to one or two other poems, say how typical of her writing you find it. Plath's poem 'A Birthday Present' creates binary oppositions of images by using antithesis. An example of antithesis in this poem is when the narrator asks, "is it ugly, is it beautiful?" The adjectives 'ugly' and 'beautiful' are opposing images. The structure of this phrase is mirrored in the line below when the narrator asks, "has it breasts, has it edges?" These two images are opposite as when we imagine 'breasts' they are round and smooth and not sharp like an 'edge'. By using this linguistic device Plath creates a 'seesaw' effect between positive ('beautiful') and negative ('ugly') lexis. Plath uses this device of conflicting lexis throughout the poem creating a tension. Furthermore, it can also be said that Plath uses these binary oppositions on a more subtle level to create the theme of good vs. evil. This theme can be seen in some of Plath's other poems. Take 'Face Lift' or 'Morning Song' for example, the theme of good and evil is represented by the images of babies she juxtaposes with those of death. The same binary opposition of images is used in 'A Birthday Present' when the narrator says, "White as babies' bedding and
In the poem 'A Poem should not mean but be' the poet causes the reader to question themselves over how they read a poem, how they see it.
Poem appreciation - A Poem should not mean but be In the poem 'A Poem should not mean but be' the poet causes the reader to question themselves over how they read a poem, how they see it. 'A Poem should not mean but be' the Poet here from the title is saying a poem should not be looked upon by people as just words on paper, seeing them as empty and meaningless, but experience the feeling and emotion that has been expressed in poems. A poem is a verbal composition designed to convey experiences, ideas, or emotions in a vivid and imaginative way, characterized by the use of language chosen for its sound and suggestive power and by the use of literary techniques such as meter, metaphor, and rhyme. This is what the Poet is trying to get across to the reader of this poem 'Does it work when the word happiness is pronounced?' here right from the start of the poem the Poet asks the question 'Does it work when the word happiness is pronounced?' he is putting this question to the audience forcing them to think does it make it happen?, does it bring it to life?, happiness?. In this quote from the poem the Poet is asking the reader are they really feeling the feeling and emotion which is being expressed in poems when they read them rather than just seeing the words. 'Never is the happiness because orgasm and orgasm are worlds apart', in this quote from the Poet it shows him
Analysis of "The Applicant" by Sylvia Plath
Applicant analysis At first, a reader might think the title 'The Applicant' refers to a job applicant. Perhaps one will visualize a job interview scenario in which the applicant is sitting across the desk from someone who expects her to sell herself as a good candidate for the role. Upon further reading, it seems that the role being applied for is that of a wife-and that the applicant is not being offered any chance to speak for herself; it is more as if this role is being sold to her or told to her, as if she has little choice in the matter-or perhaps the speaker of the poem is meant to be a version of the applicant herself, in a snide attempt to talk herself into acquiescing to a role that does not suit her. Another way to read this poem is that the applicant is a man applying to receive a wife as if a wife is some kind of a product-and it almost seems as if the voice of the poem is trying to talk this man into accepting a defective product; trying to convince him that a defective wife/product is better than no wife/product, especially in the second to last line of the piece, in which it is flat out stated to be a 'last resort'. Substantial conflict related to how to respond to and fit into the domestic sphere is a recurring issue in Plath's writing, suggesting this was an issue she struggled with in her real life. A small part of her seemed to buy into and even desire a
Explore The Way Plath Presents Nature and The Natural World In The Poem "Tulips".
Explore The Way Plath Presents Nature and The Natural World In The Poem Tulips: At the very start of the poem Sylvia tends to express the fact that nature is too overwhelming ‘the tulips are too excitable’ by using personification. The tulips are out of place and do not suit the atmosphere. She relates them with children because they, like children are often too excitable which is ironic because she just had a miscarriage. She also relates them too herself, because they, like her are too out of place. She sees them as a threat, the tulips are almost heart shaped, reminding her of life. In the second paragraph ‘impossible to tell how many there are’ she sees this as being positive because they are identity-less, just as she is. As we can see so far in the first and second paragraph she is trying to detach herself ‘I have given my name and my day-clothes up to the nurses’ this shows us that she has given up, she has detached herself from her family and life. Plath makes out that she is meaningless and lifeless ‘my body is like a pebble to them’ she describes herself as an object, a cold stone which is worthless and means nothing to no one, something that isn’t alive.The contrast of personal pronouns in the third paragraph ‘they’ emphasises that she is passive as she is throughout the whole poem. In the 5th stanza Plath tells us ‘I didn’t want any
Sylvia Plath, in the poems, Daddy and Lady Lazarus displays the different relationships of a woman in her life, with various men, such as father and husband, in order for the poems to have universal significance.
Confessional Poetry Do these poems have universal significance? Explain Sylvia Plath is one of the famous poet, who writes confessional poetry by incorporating her traumatic experiences in her poem. Her poems, such as "Daddy" and "Lady Lazarus", which explore the women's relationships with men in general without any additions of any specific cultural values, therefore, the poems provide a universal definition and universal significance. Also the poems display the need for women to liberate themselves from repressive, which also has universal significance. Sylvia Plath, in the poems, "Daddy" and "Lady Lazarus" displays the different relationships of a woman in her life, with various men, such as father and husband, in order for the poems to have universal significance. She uses metaphors and symbolism to shows the different types of relationships, women share with different men and how they impact their lives. An example of this is seen in "Daddy", where she writes "Every woman adores a Fascist", which display women as victims of men. Though the use of this metaphor, it is symbolised that women are the victims of Nazi men and they are presented as willing victims, therefore raising the question of how much women's victimisation is their fault. Similarly, "Lady Lazarus" conveys the message of death, resurrection and defeating enemies, as seen through the use of, "Out of the
The poem Jilted, written by Sylvia Plath, has its subject based on the disappointment of love which resulted from a female being neglected by her male lover,
Jilted-Sylvia Plath: Analysis on Craftsmanship The poem "Jilted", written by Sylvia Plath, has its subject based on the disappointment of love which resulted from a female being neglected by her male lover, who probably must have gone off in pursuit of another female. This poem has a simple abab rhyme scheme. The words of this poem were expertly chosen to describe the sour and acidic feelings that accompany betrayal and abandonment. Overall, it is obvious that the tone of this poem is sour and caustic. The title "jilted" is a word that has harsh sound which already hints to readers that the poem is not about any pleasant or happy experiences. In the first stanza, Plath compares her tears to vinegar, which is a substance that is corrosive, pungent, and stinging. The word vinegar shows on a surface level that her relationship was over, emphasizing the fact that she is extremely depressed. Later, she refers to an acetic star and a caustic wind. All of these rich imageries imply a tone that is harsh and corrosive. By comparing her tears to "vinegar", Plath successfully expressed the idea that not only the crying was sad, but the tear in itself was sad. This creates a realistic image of her sadness after being abandoned by her lover. In the second stanza, Plath uses the imagery of a sour expression that ensues after tasting a lemon to describe her inner feelings. "Wry-face"
