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Sylvia Plath
In Morning Song, Sylvia Plath presents many ideas about the birth of her child, and the emotions and feelings that the event brings about.

In Morning Song, Sylvia Plath presents many ideas about the birth of her child, and the emotions and feelings that the event brings about.

by adiththomasgmailcom (student)

What does the narrator of the poem feel about the birth of her child and how does the poet present these feelings?

In Morning Song, Sylvia Plath presents many ideas about the birth of her child, and the emotions and feelings that such an event brings about. She uses a variety of techniques to convey her feelings.

In Morning Song, Plath feels that the birth of her child is a very precious occassion. She sets this mood for the whole poem, by stating at the very beginning that her child was set going like a ‘fat gold watch’. She personifies the watch with a human trait of being ‘fat’, and creates the impression that her child is expensive and important by comparing it to a gold watch. The child is also described by plath as a ‘new statue’, in a ‘museum’, further creating the effect that the child is essentially priceless and is cherished. The fact that ‘New statue’ is emphasised in a sentence of its own makes it stand out to the reader, and therefore has a powerful impact. In addition, the fact that Plath is said to have stood round ‘blankly as walls’ portrays the fact that the child is the centrepiece of this occasion and that nothing else matters. In this way, the baby is showcased as an extremely treasured item.

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Plath also describes the birth of her child as a product of nature. Throughout the poem, there are phrases which hold connotations of wildlife to symbolise the precious yet primitive creature that is her child. Plath writes that her child took their place ‘among the elements’, suggesting how the child is now a living part of the Earth. In addition, the child is said to have a ‘moth-breath’ that takes its place among the ‘flat pink roses’, as well as a mouth like a ‘cat’s’. This further promotes the idea that this child is a primitive part of nature. ...

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Plath also presents a strong sense that the child is no longer part of the mother, but instead a person in and of itself. The child is described as ‘new’, although it has been inside of her for many months, portraying the idea of new life. In addition, the fact that Plath writes that she is ‘no more your mother’ also suggests that her child is a new, independent being. Furthermore, the fact the child is said to ‘shadow their safety’ suggests that the child has gone ahead to succeed the mother, and is essentially now of more importance. This, coupled with the fact that Plath does not mention herself in the entire poem, portrays the fact that the baby is now the centre of attention, and further supports the theory that the child has gone on to succeed Plath.

Overall, Plath is able to use a variety of techniques in the poem to suggest how this child, that is now a separate human being, is part of nature and the Earth, and she portrays to the reader how precious and important this child is. In fact, it is arguable due to the child’s sheer importance and value, that Plath thinks that her life is now essentially complete due to the birth of her child. She states that she is now more a ‘cloud’ effacing ‘at the wind’s hand’, suggesting that now her life is simply a slow process of death, and her real priority now is the upbringing of her child.