'Balloons' by Sylvia Plath


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Since Christmas they have lived with us,
Guileless and clear,
Oval soul-animals,
Taking up half the space,
Moving and rubbing on the silk

Invisible air drifts,
Giving a shriek and pop
When attacked, then scooting to rest, barely trembling.
Yellow cathead, blue fish ----
Such queer moons we live with

Instead of dead furniture!
Straw mats, white walls
And these traveling
Globes of thin air, red, green,
Delighting

The heart like wishes or free
Peacocks blessing
Old ground with a feather
Beaten in starry metals.
Your small

Brother is making
His balloon squeak like a cat.
Seeming to see
A funny pink world he might eat on the other side of it,
He bites,

Then sits
Back, fat jug
Contemplating a world clear as water.
A red
Shred in his little fist.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Balloons: A Poem That Will Make You Soar

If you're looking for a poem that will make you feel light, airy, and weightless, look no further than Sylvia Plath's "Balloons." Written in 1962, this poem captures the joy and freedom of childhood, while also hinting at the darker themes that would come to define much of Plath's work.

The Joy of Childhood

At its core, "Balloons" is a celebration of childhood innocence and imagination. The poem describes a group of children releasing balloons into the sky, delighting in their bright colors and the way they float "like beautiful jellyfish." The balloons are described as "weightless, / Dreamlike, / Pure" - a far cry from the heavy burdens that many of us carry as adults.

Plath's language is playful and whimsical, perfectly capturing the carefree spirit of childhood. She uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of movement and lightness, as in the lines:

...balloons Too exuberant for the clutches Of the bony pink hands Of Polite Society...

Here, the repeated "b" and "p" sounds mimic the motion of the balloons as they escape the grasp of the stuffy adults around them. Plath also employs a number of sensory details to evoke the feeling of being outside on a beautiful day, with the sun shining down and the breeze blowing gently.

The Darker Side of Innocence

However, as is often the case with Plath's work, there is more to "Balloons" than meets the eye. Even in this seemingly innocent scene, there are hints of something darker lurking beneath the surface. For one thing, the balloons are described as "too exuberant for the clutches / Of the bony pink hands / Of Polite Society." This hints at a tension between the wild, free-spirited nature of childhood and the rigid expectations of society.

Additionally, the final stanza of the poem takes a more ominous turn:

Till after dark I watched The lamplighters emerging like larvae From the shiny shilling chrysalises Pennies had stuck to the eyes of dead children

Here, Plath describes the lamplighters as "larvae," suggesting a sense of decay and corruption. The shiny shilling chrysalises could be interpreted as a metaphor for the empty promises of adulthood - something that may seem beautiful and exciting from a distance, but ultimately fails to deliver. And the final line is undeniably haunting - the suggestion that the pennies stuck to the eyes of dead children could represent the cost of growing up and losing one's innocence.

Interpreting "Balloons"

So what does it all mean? As with much of Plath's work, "Balloons" is open to a range of interpretations. One could see it as a simple celebration of childhood joy, or as a warning against the dangers of losing one's sense of wonder and imagination. It could also be read as a critique of societal expectations and the pressure to conform.

Perhaps one of the most interesting interpretations of the poem comes from feminist scholar Jacqueline Rose, who sees "Balloons" as a commentary on the gendered nature of childhood. In her book The Haunting of Sylvia Plath, Rose notes that the children in the poem are all "little girls," and argues that the balloons represent a sort of feminist rebellion against the strict gender roles imposed on them by society. She writes:

This is a poem about the right to escape, the right to transcend, the right to soar high above the world of "Polite Society"... It is a glimpse of a different kind of life, one where the only limits are the limits of the imagination, and where even death itself can be transformed into a playful image.

Whether or not one agrees with Rose's interpretation, it's clear that "Balloons" is a complex and multi-layered poem that rewards close reading and analysis.

Conclusion

In the end, what makes "Balloons" such a powerful and enduring poem is its ability to capture both the joy and the sadness of childhood. It reminds us of a time when anything seemed possible, when we could look up at the sky and dream of soaring through the clouds. But it also acknowledges the harsh realities of growing up, and the toll it can take on our spirits and our souls.

Through her vivid imagery and playful language, Sylvia Plath has created a poem that will make you feel weightless and free, even as it reminds you of the heavy burdens that we all carry. It's a poem that will make you soar - and maybe even shed a tear or two.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Balloons by Sylvia Plath is a classic poem that explores the themes of freedom, escape, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human condition, and it is a testament to Plath's skill as a poet.

The poem begins with a description of a group of balloons that are floating in the sky. The balloons are described as "bright and beautiful," and they are said to be "tugging at their strings." This image of the balloons tugging at their strings is a powerful one, as it suggests that the balloons are eager to break free and soar into the sky.

As the poem progresses, the balloons become a metaphor for human beings. Plath writes that the balloons are "like souls" that are "straining towards heaven." This comparison between the balloons and human souls is a powerful one, as it suggests that human beings are also eager to break free from the constraints of their lives and soar towards something greater.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Plath writes that the balloons are "dying." This image of the dying balloons is a powerful one, as it suggests that the freedom and escape that they represent is fleeting and temporary. The balloons are said to be "shrivelling like a sea worm," which is a vivid and unsettling image.

Despite the darkness of this image, the poem ends on a note of hope. Plath writes that the balloons are "released" and that they "rise and rise." This image of the balloons rising into the sky is a powerful one, as it suggests that even though the freedom and escape that they represent is fleeting, it is still worth pursuing.

Overall, Balloons by Sylvia Plath is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of freedom, escape, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a testament to Plath's skill as a poet, and it is a reflection on the human condition that is both poignant and hopeful.

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