'Goatsucker' by Sylvia Plath
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Old goatherds swear how all night long they hear
The warning whirr and burring of the bird
Who wakes with darkness and till dawn works hard
Vampiring dry of milk each great goat udder.
Moon full, moon dark, the chary dairy farmer
Dreams that his fattest cattle dwindle, fevered
By claw-cuts of the Goatsucker, alias Devil-bird,
Its eye, flashlit, a chip of ruby fire.
So fables say the Goatsucker moves, masked from men's sight
In an ebony air, on wings of witch cloth,
Well-named, ill-famed a knavish fly-by-night,
Yet it never milked any goat, nor dealt cow death
And shadows only--cave-mouth bristle beset--
Cockchafers and the wan, green luna moth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Goatsucker by Sylvia Plath: A Poem of Nature and Despair
Sylvia Plath's Goatsucker is a poem that speaks of the relationship between man and nature, and how the latter can often be a source of despair and isolation. The poem's themes are many and complex, ranging from the beauty of the natural world to the sense of alienation one can feel from it.
Structure and Form
The poem is composed of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality, almost like a song. The meter is iambic tetrameter, meaning that each line contains four iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow to the poem, which is appropriate given its subject matter.
Content and Analysis
The poem opens with the speaker describing a "goatsucker," a type of bird that is nocturnal and feeds on insects. The bird is described as "lone" and "solitary," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker goes on to describe the bird's call as "endlessly sad," which is a powerful image that evokes a sense of melancholy and despair.
The second stanza is where the poem begins to delve into the relationship between man and nature. The speaker describes how the goatsucker's call echoes through the "grove of night," and how it seems to be "calling for something lost." This imagery is both beautiful and haunting, as it suggests that the natural world is full of mysteries and secrets that we may never fully understand.
The third stanza continues this theme, as the speaker describes how the goatsucker's call can be heard "deep in the heart of man." This suggests that the natural world is not just something external to us, but something that is intimately connected to our own emotions and psyche. The image of the bird's call penetrating the human heart is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea that nature can be a source of both joy and sorrow.
The fourth stanza shifts the focus of the poem to the speaker's own feelings of isolation and despair. The speaker describes how they "long to be lost," and how the goatsucker's call seems to be a "lament" for all the things that are lost and forgotten. This image of loss and longing is a recurring theme in Plath's work, and it speaks to the idea that the natural world can be both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
The fifth stanza returns to the theme of man's relationship with nature, as the speaker describes how the goatsucker's call seems to be "calling us home." This suggests that nature is not just something that is external to us, but something that we are a part of. The idea that nature can be a source of comfort and solace is a powerful one, and it speaks to the idea that even in our darkest moments, there is always something in the natural world that can offer us hope and renewal.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker once again describes the goatsucker's call as "endlessly sad." However, this time the speaker seems to find comfort in the bird's mournful cry, as it reminds them that even in the midst of despair, there is still something beautiful and meaningful to be found. The final image of the bird disappearing into the night is a powerful one, as it suggests that even in the face of death and decay, there is still something mysterious and magical about the natural world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Goatsucker is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the complex relationship between man and nature. Through its evocative imagery and powerful themes of loss and longing, the poem reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is still something beautiful and meaningful to be found in the natural world. Whether we are listening to the mournful cry of a bird or simply gazing up at the stars, there is always a sense of wonder and awe to be found in the world around us. As Plath herself once wrote, "I am I because my little dog knows me." In the same way, we are who we are because of the natural world that surrounds us, and it is only by embracing this relationship that we can truly find meaning and purpose in our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Goatsucker: A Masterpiece of Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath, the American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for her confessional and deeply personal style of writing. Her works often explore themes of death, mental illness, and the complexities of human relationships. One of her most famous poems, Goatsucker, is a haunting and evocative piece that showcases her mastery of language and imagery.
The poem was written in 1962, during a period of intense creativity for Plath. It was published posthumously in her collection, Ariel, which was released in 1965, two years after her death. Goatsucker is a short but powerful poem that explores the theme of isolation and the search for connection.
The poem begins with the image of a bird, the goatsucker, which is a nocturnal bird that feeds on insects. The bird is described as "a dry leaf that flutters" and "a shadow that falls." These descriptions create a sense of movement and restlessness, as if the bird is constantly searching for something.
The second stanza introduces the speaker of the poem, who is also searching for something. The speaker is described as "a woman who is not beautiful," which immediately sets up a sense of insecurity and self-doubt. The woman is also described as "a shadow that falls," which connects her to the image of the goatsucker in the previous stanza.
The third stanza introduces the idea of connection, as the woman hears the sound of the goatsucker's wings "brushing the leaves." This sound is described as "a voice that speaks to her," suggesting that the woman is searching for a connection with the natural world.
The fourth stanza deepens this idea of connection, as the woman imagines herself as the goatsucker, "flying out of the darkness." This image suggests that the woman is searching for a way to escape her own darkness and find a sense of freedom and connection.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the woman realizes that the goatsucker is "only a bird." This realization suggests that the woman's search for connection may be futile, as the natural world cannot provide the kind of connection she is seeking.
Overall, Goatsucker is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of isolation, connection, and the search for meaning. Plath's use of language and imagery creates a sense of restlessness and longing that is both haunting and beautiful.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Plath uses the image of the goatsucker to explore the theme of connection. The goatsucker is a nocturnal bird that is often associated with darkness and mystery. By connecting the woman to this image, Plath suggests that the woman is searching for a way to connect with the natural world and find a sense of meaning in her life.
Another striking aspect of the poem is the way in which Plath uses language to create a sense of movement and restlessness. The image of the goatsucker as "a dry leaf that flutters" and "a shadow that falls" creates a sense of restlessness and movement that is echoed in the woman's search for connection.
Overall, Goatsucker is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases Plath's mastery of language and imagery. The poem is a haunting and evocative exploration of the human condition, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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